| Candidate Name | Oliver Wright |
| Candidate Number | 10656512 |
| Pathway | UAL Level 3 Music Performance & Production |
| Project Title | RECALIBRATE |
| Section 1: Rationale (approx. 100 words) |
| Over the past months I have covered a lot of ground, including areas such as live sound, recording/mixing, and composition. However, the two topics which gave me the most enjoyment were performance and songwriting (specifically with Ableton), so I aim to combine those in my final project. I showed competency when rehearsing and performing, giving me the desire to create a live performance for the showcase. |
| Section 2: Project Concept (approx. 200 words) |
| The main concept in mind is to create a composition that utilises the Loop tool in Ableton and recreate the piece solo in a live performance. I aim to improve my compositional and performance skills, whilst gaining experience of releasing music. To enable this, I require several instruments and a microphone (incl. respective leads/cables), access to a Mac and Ableton Push, and a practice room. My project will be realised as a solo live performance, in which I use Ableton and play every instrument myself. |
| Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 50 words) |
| I aim to keep up with daily reflections and, at the same time, update necessary pages with decisions/changes. Evaluations will be weekly, and at the end of the project I will evaluate the entire thing, from beginning to completion. Writing will be my main method, although I aim to use either voice notes or video logs as well. |
| Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format) |
| KUEHNL, E., 2020. Audio production basics with ableton live. [Place of publication not identified]: ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD. Macdonald, R., 2018. Ableton Live basics. Flame Tree Illustrated. Bell, E., 2017. The art of songwriting. New York: The Song Foundry. Hooktheory.com. 2022. Hooktheory: Create amazing music. [online] Available at: <https://www.hooktheory.com>. Perricone, J., 2018. Great songwriting techniques. USA: Oxford University Press. Dumais, D., 2017. Music performance. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Vail, M., 2014. The synthesizer. New York: Oxford Univ. Press. Benediktsson, B., 2019. Step by step mixing. Bowker. Grimm, G., 2022. Welcome to MusicTheorySite.com. [online] MusicTheorySite. Available at: <https://musictheorysite.com>. Hawkins, D., 2019. Creative bass technique exercises. www.fundamental-changes.com. 2022. Welcome!. [online] Available at: <https://rateyourmusic.com> |
Project Plan and Timetable
| Week | Week Commencing… | Intended Activity | Resources |
| 1 | 14/03/2022 | First, I must research influences and look at experienced performers, as well as think of songwriting ideas/themes. Tuesday AM – Research influences, look towards artists who use looping (techniques, methods, tips, etc.). Tuesday PM – Play around with instruments, get some ideas down, document these elements Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work, research further into performers who use looping. Friday AM – Work with Paul on my visual ideas and book in a time to use the photography studio to shoot for my single cover. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 2 | 21/03/2022 | In this second week I will research more: how to use Ableton for my performance, what artist-friendly platforms are viable options. Tuesday AM – Begin researching how to use Ableton for my desired purpose; which tools and equipment I need to make it happen and what processes to follow. Also visit the photography studio to shoot my single cover. Tuesday PM – Research into artist friendly platforms (e.g. Resonate, Ampled, etc.) Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work, research Ableton further. Friday AM – After receiving the images from the photoshoot, begin to edit them and add any needed layers. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface, photography studio, lighting, camera |
| 3 | 28/03/2022 | I will continue with Ableton, graphics, and songwriting progress and start to research my release strategy. Tuesday AM – Continue work on my composition. Tuesday PM – Work further on how to use Ableton, more practice than learning at this stage. Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work or do additional research. Friday AM – Finish editing the images from my photoshoot. Begin work on the projections. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 4 | 04/04/2022 | By this point I want to finalise my composition so I can begin the recording and planning of my performance. I will also make contact with platforms that could be open to working with me in the release of my single. Tuesday AM – Finish composition, practice and practice each part so recording at a later stage is as smooth as possible. Tuesday PM – Begin planning how my performance will be realised at the showcase. If confident enough, record into Ableton. Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work. Contact platforms who could be open to collaboration, or at the very least, assisting in my promotion. Friday AM – Continue working with Paul to prep my projections for the showcase. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 5 | 25/04/2022 | After last week my recording will be complete, allowing me to mix. I can start rehearsals, and decide on most aspects of my release strategy. Tuesday AM – Record remaining instruments and begin to mix the “Studio Version” Tuesday PM – Work further on my performance plan and begin formal rehearsals. Wednesday – Figure out my release strategy, and put it in motion. Friday AM – Complete projection work, ready for the performance. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 6 | 02/05/2022 | I will then finalise the performance plan and ensure the graphics are ready for release, continuing rehearsals. Tuesday AM – Finalise performance plan, carry on rehearsing. Tuesday PM – Rehearse further, this time focusing on the presentation as opposed to the musical aspect. Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work. Friday AM – Recap all graphical work, ensure everything is as I like, and give the green light. If time can be found, rehearse. Friday PM – Complete weekly evaluation. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 7 | 09/05/2022 | This week will be prep-heavy, rehearsing plenty and ensuring the release is ready. Tuesday AM – Research performance techniques to deal with potential anxieties. Rehearse. Tuesday PM – Rehearse before the mock performance, practising techniques to deal with stress/pressure. Wednesday – Catch up on any missed work. Partake in the mock performance. Friday AM – Evaluate mock performance. Friday PM – Look back at the evaluation of the mock performance, and adjust accordingly in rehearsals. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 8 | 16/05/2022 | I will complete my rehearsals, release the single, perform at the showcase, and then begin the final evaluation process. Tuesday – Catch up on written work and rehearse plenty. Wednesday – Perform in showcase. Friday – Evaluate showcase performance. Catch up on any missed work. | Mac, practice room, bass, guitar, keyboard, microphone, audio interface |
| 9 | 23/05/2022 | Finally, I will complete my evaluation and submit my entire project. | Mac |