What was the purpose of this project and was it successfully achieved?
The purpose of the project was to get into random bands to learn and practice new songs together to perform them live at college , I think we did achieve this as we learnt and practiced 3 songs to a decent level , we could only perform 2 of the live as the events time got changed so there wasn’t enough time however I still think we did an alright performance.
What feedback did I receive from peers and instructors and how did this feedback influence the projects development?
I got a lot of helpful feed back from band members , class members and teachers , the most helpful ones being ginge and lewis helping me learn parts of Chelsea dagger which helped me get it down for the live performance. More helpful advice I was given was about my dynamics and tempo which allowed me to start really focusing on timing a lot more again after this project.
How did this project contribute to your understanding of the live music industry , live performance techniques and the practical aspects of being a performing musician?
This project helped me have a much better understanding of settings mics on drums , sound tech , settings up all the mics and amps to the sound desk. It also was more practice playing in front of people which is always a good thing to get more used to it.
Evaluate your research
I think my research was alright I added stuff about the lore of each song in our setlist what it was about and the tabs for drums and guitar , I also added the lyrics for the songs. I also go in depth on the instruments on what they’re doing and what makes there parts sound so nice. In Chelsea dagger I talk about the back story of it then go on to use references from a website called theguardian talking about the producer of there song and his first impressions with the band. To make my research better I could’ve gone more in depth about each subject as well as talk more about there history and the members.
Evaluate practical skills
I think I did okay overall I would’ve given it a 2.5-3 out of 5 but that was mainly down to my timing throughout the project and performance. I also want to improve my fills making them sound more like a clear transition and better timing and dynamics on them. To improve this I could be practicing my fills rom grooves and beats to a metronome making sure its all tight and focusing on my dynamics while I do them.
Performing
I would like to try my best to take performing as a career , but in order for me to succeed in that I will have to , practice a lot as consistently as I can to get as good as I can on drums improving my dynamics, timing ,tempo, fills, beats, grooves , and technical drumming. I also need to work with other musicians, play in bands and release music and get used to playing in front of crowed and have good stage presence. To make it possible to try do a career in performing ill also have to get good at promoting and finding connections to be able to get more opportunities.
Anything I could’ve done more this project
I could’ve practiced the songs more and done promotion but I wasn’t really able to practice drums much recently because of my neighbours and mum so If I had to practice id try my best to learn my parts at home on a practice pad. During this time I could’ve been practicing my fills and rudiments and subdivisions. If I wanted to I could’ve done promotions for the gig.
Did you enjoy it? what do you need to improve for future projects
It was alright I enjoyed the band because it was fun playing with the people I was with but I didn’t really enjoy the songs. For future projects I need to improve my timing dynamics and overall drumming as well as practicing more at home and making sure were actually practicing when were in a room. Not only that but actually focusing on specific parts not just playing the songs over and over again.
Do you have any ideas for your own future performance projects?
Ive been on this project for a while now since last project last year but the guitarist who was doing it moved to Sheffield so now at the moment I’m writing song with Rhys to finish a set list once we have the songs and practiced them were gonna take it to 2 of my other friends one of them are gonna do bass and high screams such as fry screaming while the other does shouting , lows and slam vocals such as gutturals. I almost have all my drum stuff allowing us to start playing gigs once we have the songs ready.
Another band that im working on is a math rock band with people outside of college but at the moment we only have a few songs but were trying to work out how to practice together without paying like 30 pound for a studio , so for now it sticks to them sending riffs and stuff till they have something I get it and write at home and I can record it through my ekit to get a quick demo on what it will sound like.