Was research sufficient and relevant?
I believe my research for this term was plentiful and relevant, as I had at least one research page for each topic. For the setlist, I researched the context of each song in a decent amount of detail in order to understand why the song was created and what it means. This allowed me to perform with emotion and sympathise with the topics that each song covered. During rehearsals, I documented how I learnt each song and uploaded the variation I added to each song through tablature. I explained my reason for doing this with each song. Graphics and band art allowed me to understand what other bands are doing and what works well in order to apply this knowledge to my own band’s art. I demonstrated my experience with making thematic art relating to a type of music or lifestyle in response to my research. Live performance analysis allowed me to complete three different case studies and research how different musicians perform different genres; I completed this in a decent amount of detail. Health and safety had its own research page, covering every common risk in great detail. I then completed a case study to apply my knowledge to something and discovered how realistically probable an accident would be without risk assessments.
What else could I have researched?
I could have spent more time researching the bands or artists that we covered as to see how they’d perform their songs and potentially imitate their actions to amplify the audience’s reaction and interaction. I think this would be helpful to understand the meaning of the song as ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ was rather emotional originally but we performed it with enthusiasm. I’m not sure if this made the performance better or worse, but I feel as though high energy is good energy in this case. I’d also research vocal projection and Zombie’s vocal techniques so I could perform the song closer to the original and with more ease.
Were tasks completed from the mock performance?
One of our tasks from the mock performance was to work on the structure and tempo, particularly with our drummer. I definitely feel that the structure was more accurate to what we had planned to play and there weren’t any mistakes relating to it. In comparison to the mock and earlier rehearsals, the performance felt steadier and less rushed, so I believe our adjustments made to the tempo were effective and weren’t reversed by stress or panic in the moment.
Another one of our tasks was to work on creating a short script for both me and Ashton and rehearse these in a full run-through. In the final performance, Ashton definitely saved us. He prepared a sufficient and entertaining script that didn’t feel forced both before the first song and before the second song. Between Gangsta’s Paradise and Zombie, the switch over took a shorter time than I thought it would so a pause during applause followed by a few words and a very short pause following that was sufficient, as Lukass had two bars of just him playing.
My last task was to research vocal projection and technique specific to the song, which I did some research on but not full which I think is reflected in the final performance. I don’t believe the final performance was to a standard that I personally would have liked.
Have I improved since my initial assessment?
I think my attention to detail and practical skills have improved. In my initial assessment, I didn’t feel completely comfortable with the idea of playing bass. In comparison to now, I feel as though I prefer bass over guitar and have been researching bass techniques and having more fun covering songs. I’ve even become more interested in bands that feature bass, like Red Hot Chili Peppers.
I haven’t played guitar much so I can’t say my skill on guitar has developed much, but I have been given information as to what and how to practice, particularly relating to improvisation.
Since starting college, I’ve been able to experiment with drums and have begun to understand drum notation through my own research and started applying that to practice in college by learning simple songs. Previous to studying here, I had minimal experience with drums and could barely play a simple backbeat.
My knowledge on recording audio has improved but I’m still having issues with gain, so I need to experiment more with the equipment and software I have access to.
How well did I perform as a bassist, vocalist, band leader and temporary receptionist?
My performance as a bassist was of high quality. I could have properly talked to the sound technician about how the bass in Gangsta’s Paradise should be the feature to raise the volume a little bit, but unfortunately didn’t have the confidence to speak up. In both songs, my timing was excellent and my tone was appropriate. My movement on stage was free and conveyed joy and I smiled and nodded frequently to other band members to reassure them.
As a vocalist, my lack of experience limited me significantly but I think I was right to ask for help in this song to add power to the second verse and chorus. Stage fright may have been initially responsible for me sounding rushed but being alongside an experienced singer made me feel more comfortable as I knew if I was to mess up or not correctly hit certain notes, she would be able to play it off like nothing happened and continue the song.
The role of the band leader was put upon me by a vote, but I think I was effective at keeping band morale high, keeping us rehearsing even when we were stressed and offering help, advice and suggestions particularly as we’re the band that swapped instruments the most.
Receptionist was an unexpected role to be given but I believe the behaviour I displayed to just under one hundred people came across as kind and my questions were clear. Multiple people complimented me on different things and most people walked into the building smiling.
Further skill development – how do I aim to do this? Why do I plan to do this?
I aim to develop my skills on multiple instruments. Bass, drums, guitar and piano are the main instruments. To develop my skill on bass, I’ve already started researching and experimenting interesting techniques that are commonly heard and seen in Red Hot Chili Peppers. On guitar, my main goal is to improve at improvising and soloing since that was my weak point in secondary school, so I’ll continue to utilise the exercises I’ve been given in instrumental lessons and spend more time studying music theory in general. I’d love to get to grade 6 on guitar. I’d like to get to an intermediate level with drums in order to allow me to play the majority of my favourite songs and be able to perform on drums to an audience.
Did I enjoy the experience of performing?
I thoroughly enjoy the experience of performing as I don’t experience stage fright on any instrument I’d like to play. The negative side to performance is that I struggle to eat a few weeks before a performance due to a strange type of stress that I don’t feel in any other way. The adrenaline rush that I experience during and before a show distracts me from any fear that I could possibly feel and it helps add to the excitement displayed in stage presence.
Any ideas for future projects?
I’d love to perform a heavy rock / metal set with Cody from Deadwire as we plan to perform outside of college as a band with a close friend of mine and it would be beneficial to perform together as much as possible. I’d also like to compose a few songs of my own.