Considering I had barely touched an instrument before this project I think I did really well. I have learnt many things from doing this project and also from many of the people I had worked with. I learnt more about the basic chords on a piano, dynamics throughout songs and how to display emotion through music when needed. I managed to learn three songs on the piano which we played at our end-of-project performance. Where is my mind by the pixies, Island in the sun by Weezer and 505 by the Arctic Monkeys. Being able to play these songs has increased not only my musical ability but also my confidence. If we ever have to do a performance like this again, I will go into it with more of an open mind and a sense of confidence knowing I will be able to learn and play whatever songs we get set. I would love to learn some new and harder songs in the near future. Overall I think I made a really good start to this course, and this project was a big success.
I have learnt a lot about performance during this project. In my spare time, I also do acting, so I was used to the stage, the lights and people watching me. However, doing it in a musical setting is very different. Throughout this project, I have learnt a lot about how to carry myself and how to look confident on stage. Stage presence is one of my biggest takeaways from this project. I have also learnt more about music theory and what it takes to play music to a good standard. With the three songs I have learnt, I have picked up some simple chords and now know the notes of a piano. I have also learnt musical tips including dynamics, tone and adding emotion to a song where needed. I can transfer these skills into whatever I do next.
As I said before I knew virtually nothing about playing an instrument before this project. so naturally I would have improved at just about everything. I have improved at everything from playing an instrument, learning new songs, adding things to make my performance sound better, all the way down to setting up an instrument and connecting it to a sound desk. I could feel myself improving during every rehearsal, and I have now developed new confidence when it comes to playing music.
If the chance came about again I think I would like to perform again. The next time I perform I would like to try something different such as singing, playing the guitar or even the bass. This project has spurred me on to learn instruments I never thought of learning before. I would love to be more involved next time, as sometimes the keyboard can be overshadowed by other instruments. My main love is still producing and I will continue to do so, but I will also keep practising my instruments to be ready for the next performance and when this opportunity will present itself to me again.
For the first time doing a musical performance, I believe I did really well. It was out of my comfort zone as I know it was with a few other people on the course. I have learnt a lot from these 6 weeks and I can’t wait to see what else I learn in the next project.