I have now completed my solo performance. Unbelievably, I changed my piece again the weekend before! How professional. I had to change Baby Blue by Badfinger to Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. Mostly because I just couldn't play the fingerpicking part at the end of the song. I had tried a lot to learn it, but the chord progression was just too complex to play in time with the piece, so, only the weekend before the recording date I chose to change it to something a little simpler, but also a little more complex. I learned the acoustic guitar part to Ring of Fire in a matter of minutes, the piece wasn't very complex at all. However, I decided that I would sing for the performance - which was something that I never would have considered, and had never done before (Singing in front of people). I listened to Johnny Cash's recording and tried to sing along in different pitches, eventually coming to the conclusion that I have a bass voice - perfect for Johnny Cash!
I spent a number of hours working on the vocals and guitar, until I felt that it was right. I then asked Jack to accompany me, playing the electric guitar chords whilst I added a riff over the top. The riff was a little hard to work out, as it is my version of the trumpet line that Johnny had in his original recording. Admittedly, it wasn't perfect - during the recording I did struggle to remember it a bit and played some of the wrong strings, but I felt that it sounded quite fluent and confident. Jack playing the chords underneath the riff made the performance sound more whole, it added a layer to it that made all the difference.
My performance of Not Alright by Me went well as expected, I knew the piece like the back of my hand by the time of the performance. My favourite part of it was the successful transition from fingerpicking to plectrum during the guitar solo, which I tried to put as much passion and soul into to get the best outcome. I really feel like that was conveyed in the performance. If I was to change anything with that piece, I'd like to revisit the main riff - it sounded good but I played the wrong string a few times causing a palm muted sound.
If I had to change something about my performance of Ring of Fire, I would most likely just add a drum to the piece, as I was playing it at my own tempo - different to the original piece as I was unable to play along at the original speed. This was a downside to the song, but I felt that it showed interpretive style and could hopefully get me a better mark for the performance.
Friday, 9 December 2016
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Christmas Group Performance
This year, we, the BTEC music class, are performing two pieces of music as a group which will be assessed. Our first piece has already been learnt, perfected and performed - it is Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis. For our second piece, we are performing a Christmas song (as it will be recorded around Christmas time) titled All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey.
Today we had our first full run through of the song as a band, at first we ran into a few issues regarding timing - mostly in the choruses. However, we were able to work past the problems after playing in smaller groups. For example, I would play only with Emily (Who was singing), work out where the chord change should be and where I was playing it, and if it was wrong - which it was - correct it, with reference to the original piece. I found this to be a fantastic way to overcome the problem as Emily was the most helpful person to work with in regard to timing as she is the vocalist. We played the piece through fully twice, and on the second run through I didn't hear anything that needed improving, although I believe the transition between Verses 3 and 4 could do with some work. To work on this the group could timetable some rehearsal sessions outside of class, even if the sessions were only brief.
During the intro to the piece, where only one guitar, one piano and vocals are playing, I found that again timing could be worked on. Myles, who is playing the piano during the intro, came up with a great method to help keep timing between the guitar and piano by subtly and quietly playing the chord 4 times, to the count of 4 beats so that we both knew when to progress chords. I will need to practice at home along with the original piece, one rehearsal every other night would probably be the most efficient schedule. If I stick to this, I should have no problems with timing when the recording date rolls around.
Below is a clip of a band called Royal Pirates performing All I Want For Christmas Is You in rock style, similar to how our rendition is played.
Today we had our first full run through of the song as a band, at first we ran into a few issues regarding timing - mostly in the choruses. However, we were able to work past the problems after playing in smaller groups. For example, I would play only with Emily (Who was singing), work out where the chord change should be and where I was playing it, and if it was wrong - which it was - correct it, with reference to the original piece. I found this to be a fantastic way to overcome the problem as Emily was the most helpful person to work with in regard to timing as she is the vocalist. We played the piece through fully twice, and on the second run through I didn't hear anything that needed improving, although I believe the transition between Verses 3 and 4 could do with some work. To work on this the group could timetable some rehearsal sessions outside of class, even if the sessions were only brief.
During the intro to the piece, where only one guitar, one piano and vocals are playing, I found that again timing could be worked on. Myles, who is playing the piano during the intro, came up with a great method to help keep timing between the guitar and piano by subtly and quietly playing the chord 4 times, to the count of 4 beats so that we both knew when to progress chords. I will need to practice at home along with the original piece, one rehearsal every other night would probably be the most efficient schedule. If I stick to this, I should have no problems with timing when the recording date rolls around.
Below is a clip of a band called Royal Pirates performing All I Want For Christmas Is You in rock style, similar to how our rendition is played.
The chords were quite challenging at first, although strangely I found that the pattern is similar to Eddie Cochran's Summertime Blues, which helped a lot as I have played that a lot in the past making chord changes, and some of the strange chord shapes (B7) easier to deal with. The chords used in the piece are: G, C, Cm, B7, Em, E7, Am7, Am7/D & D. Some of these chords were (and still are slightly) difficult to play, mostly the last chords. Their positions are pictured below:
A B7 Chord:
An Am7/D Chord:
Monday, 7 November 2016
Approaching Recording Dates / Half Term Recap
We are now rapidly approaching the recording date for our solo performances. My performance date is the 25th of November, I feel prepared for this and am not too worried about the performances. However, I need to work on Baby Blue. I have been working on it a lot at home, but there is one finger-style part at the end which I am struggling to pull off. I have been working on this at home, however I am still struggling to remember it and play it in time. I have played it in front of family to try and get feedback, which has helped greatly as I now know where I am strongest, so I can focus less on that.
Over half term I worked on my guitar parts for Not Alright by Me, mostly for closure with the song, and managed to pick out some weaknesses - mostly in the solo. I was able to come up with a strategy which I can now apply to both pieces when I run into errors. When I run into issues I tend to listen to the original track a few times, highlighting where I am going wrong and just solidly working on it for a substantial amount of time. One of my biggest weaknesses for the piece is confidence, which needs to be boosted if I want to achieve a Distinction (Which I certainly do). I think the best way to boost confidence is to play the piece over and
over again until I feel confident with that section.
I am still balancing time with the two pieces every week, this is so I don't lose touch with Not Alright by Me, so I don't forget it. It is important to keep playing the piece, for confidence purposes, as said above. I am working hard on Baby Blue as it is my weakest piece, I am dedicating the whole session to entire run through's of the piece for timing purposes. It is also good to play everything together, although I need to work on the ending still.
Unfortunately I was unable to practice my pieces this weekend as I was recording an EP with my band, this was beneficial for me as I was forced to perform even when nervous - which conquered my nerves and I feel has potentially changed my confidence, I feel less nervous now when thinking about daunting performances.
Over half term I worked on my guitar parts for Not Alright by Me, mostly for closure with the song, and managed to pick out some weaknesses - mostly in the solo. I was able to come up with a strategy which I can now apply to both pieces when I run into errors. When I run into issues I tend to listen to the original track a few times, highlighting where I am going wrong and just solidly working on it for a substantial amount of time. One of my biggest weaknesses for the piece is confidence, which needs to be boosted if I want to achieve a Distinction (Which I certainly do). I think the best way to boost confidence is to play the piece over and
over again until I feel confident with that section.
I am still balancing time with the two pieces every week, this is so I don't lose touch with Not Alright by Me, so I don't forget it. It is important to keep playing the piece, for confidence purposes, as said above. I am working hard on Baby Blue as it is my weakest piece, I am dedicating the whole session to entire run through's of the piece for timing purposes. It is also good to play everything together, although I need to work on the ending still.
Unfortunately I was unable to practice my pieces this weekend as I was recording an EP with my band, this was beneficial for me as I was forced to perform even when nervous - which conquered my nerves and I feel has potentially changed my confidence, I feel less nervous now when thinking about daunting performances.
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Finalising 'Not Alright by Me'
The time has finally come where I can confidently say that I have finished fully learning my first piece, 'Not Alright by Me'. I have reflected on my recorded performance, and seen what needs to be improved. I have overcome the majority of my problems with the piece by focusing solely on them all weekend. It probably wasn't wise to spend the entire weekend on one piece, but I feel it has paid off. I am confident with the piece, and I feel I can show that whilst performing through a variety of playing techniques. My playing techniques show a passion for the song, the way the notes are played delicately, the swift change from finger-picking to plectrum picking and the dynamics used express the passion.
The piece wasn't easy to learn at first, and I considered changing it out for another piece (Even though I had swapped out 'It's so Easy' for it.) I found that, like the majority of guitar pieces, perseverance is the key to success. I sat down for hours each day, more than I had planned on my timetable, and worked relentlessly on the piece until I could play it without looking at the music or my hands. If I am constantly staring at my hands during the performance, it will show that I am not so confident. I don't look at my hands because I lack confidence, I look at them almost as a security measure, so I know I won't mess the piece up. It is like a safety blanket, I don't need to look at my hands yet for some reason I always do.
The guitar solo was probably one of the most challenging parts of the piece to learn, mostly because there are more notes being played than it sounds like on the album version of the song. This makes it challenging to play because I sometimes can't keep up with the timing. I am working my way around this by slowing the solo down and playing over it numerous times until I can play it full speed. This helps me, because if I play it over and over enough times, I will most likely remember the notes the next time I come to play it. I am currently working on perfecting the solo.
The piece wasn't easy to learn at first, and I considered changing it out for another piece (Even though I had swapped out 'It's so Easy' for it.) I found that, like the majority of guitar pieces, perseverance is the key to success. I sat down for hours each day, more than I had planned on my timetable, and worked relentlessly on the piece until I could play it without looking at the music or my hands. If I am constantly staring at my hands during the performance, it will show that I am not so confident. I don't look at my hands because I lack confidence, I look at them almost as a security measure, so I know I won't mess the piece up. It is like a safety blanket, I don't need to look at my hands yet for some reason I always do.
The guitar solo was probably one of the most challenging parts of the piece to learn, mostly because there are more notes being played than it sounds like on the album version of the song. This makes it challenging to play because I sometimes can't keep up with the timing. I am working my way around this by slowing the solo down and playing over it numerous times until I can play it full speed. This helps me, because if I play it over and over enough times, I will most likely remember the notes the next time I come to play it. I am currently working on perfecting the solo.
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Evaluation of First Performance
In our last BTEC Music lesson, we performed a rough version of one of our solo pieces to the class. I performed my first piece: 'Not Alright by Me' by Vintage Trouble. Below is a video of the performance.
The performance was OK, it was nice to hear from my fellow students that the piece relaxed them - it is the most relaxing piece of music I know, so that's always a good thing. However, I did make quite a few mistakes. I felt that a few times I would accidentally mute a string with my hand, or play a string too loudly - once or twice I played the wrong part completely. This wasn't apparent to the class though, as the only critical feedback I received was to watch a finger picking part of the song where I had made a small error.
One of the biggest positivities about the performance was my swift change from finger-picking to picking with a plectrum during the Solo, my passion for the piece was noted and apparent due to the tremolo effect created using my fingers, and the way I delicately played the notes.
I will keep practising the piece of course, in time for the actual performance. I will make sure that I can play the finger-picking parts with my eyes closed, just to make sure that I won't make a mistake on the day. I will go over the piece numerous times until I can play it perfectly.
An idea I've had is to record a cover and upload it YouTube, so I can get feedback from people all around the world.
I haven't yet performed my second piece 'Baby Blue', but I am making progress with it. Having only started learning it last week, I am proud to say that I can play the majority of the song confidently. I will upload a video of me playing it to YouTube, so I can embed it here along with the video of my first performance. Currently, my weakness with 'Baby Blue' is one of the guitar lines near the end of the piece, I've seen the same notes Tabbed out on multiple websites, so it must be correct - however, I just can't seem to play it with the piece.
To work on this issue, I am going to open the TAB on a new software I have downloaded, which plays through the song highlighting each note being played on screen. This will help me to learn the bit I am struggling with as i can speed it up and slow it down as much as I like until I have finally nailed all the notes. It is my preferred method of tackling a difficult piece as I can keep going over it at my own leisure until I've learned the piece. It works well for me.
Below is a video of 'Baby Blue' being performed, which I have referenced many times whilst learning the piece.
The performance was OK, it was nice to hear from my fellow students that the piece relaxed them - it is the most relaxing piece of music I know, so that's always a good thing. However, I did make quite a few mistakes. I felt that a few times I would accidentally mute a string with my hand, or play a string too loudly - once or twice I played the wrong part completely. This wasn't apparent to the class though, as the only critical feedback I received was to watch a finger picking part of the song where I had made a small error.
One of the biggest positivities about the performance was my swift change from finger-picking to picking with a plectrum during the Solo, my passion for the piece was noted and apparent due to the tremolo effect created using my fingers, and the way I delicately played the notes.
I will keep practising the piece of course, in time for the actual performance. I will make sure that I can play the finger-picking parts with my eyes closed, just to make sure that I won't make a mistake on the day. I will go over the piece numerous times until I can play it perfectly.
An idea I've had is to record a cover and upload it YouTube, so I can get feedback from people all around the world.
I haven't yet performed my second piece 'Baby Blue', but I am making progress with it. Having only started learning it last week, I am proud to say that I can play the majority of the song confidently. I will upload a video of me playing it to YouTube, so I can embed it here along with the video of my first performance. Currently, my weakness with 'Baby Blue' is one of the guitar lines near the end of the piece, I've seen the same notes Tabbed out on multiple websites, so it must be correct - however, I just can't seem to play it with the piece.
To work on this issue, I am going to open the TAB on a new software I have downloaded, which plays through the song highlighting each note being played on screen. This will help me to learn the bit I am struggling with as i can speed it up and slow it down as much as I like until I have finally nailed all the notes. It is my preferred method of tackling a difficult piece as I can keep going over it at my own leisure until I've learned the piece. It works well for me.
Below is a video of 'Baby Blue' being performed, which I have referenced many times whilst learning the piece.
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Warm Ups and Other Routines
Warm ups are one of the most essential things when it comes to playing guitar. I cannot start a practice without warming up, or I won't be able to play fluently and well. When I first started playing guitar, I tried to warmup using scales - like a lot of guitarists do. Unfortunately this didn't work for me, so I tend to warmup playing some of the trickiest songs I know. I usually warm up with AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck', as it is a fast paced song with a LOT of hammer ons and pull offs, these warm up the fingers and get them ready to play. I also like to warm up with Buddy Holly's 'That'll Be The Day' and Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode'. These pieces contrast in technicality and make the warm up well rounded and beneficial. By this, I mean that I have played all types of music - 'Thunderstruck' is a fast, repetitive riff, 'Johnny B. Goode' is also quite fast, but requires me to play up and down the fretboard, whereas 'Thunderstruck' is just on one string. 'That'll Be The Day' has a complex lick at the start, and is mostly chords - so I can be ready to play chords during my rehearsals.
Once I have warmed up, I tend to get straight on with the piece that I'm practicing. For example, last night I warmed up for a good 10 minutes, tuning up and making sure that I was ready to rehearse before jumping into 'Sultans of Swing' for an hour and a half. It is essential for me to warm up so that my fingers don't hurt after practicing. If they are sore, I can't play well for two or three days, and that isn't an option at this stage.
After playing, I tend to warm down with some basic chords, I will usually just improvise a blues solo in B, I always end with a little blues riff that ends the solo nicely.
I always clean my strings after playing using Lemon Oil, it makes the strings smooth and ready for the next rehearsal.
Below are some examples of the songs I warmup with:
Thunderstruck:
Once I have warmed up, I tend to get straight on with the piece that I'm practicing. For example, last night I warmed up for a good 10 minutes, tuning up and making sure that I was ready to rehearse before jumping into 'Sultans of Swing' for an hour and a half. It is essential for me to warm up so that my fingers don't hurt after practicing. If they are sore, I can't play well for two or three days, and that isn't an option at this stage.
After playing, I tend to warm down with some basic chords, I will usually just improvise a blues solo in B, I always end with a little blues riff that ends the solo nicely.
I always clean my strings after playing using Lemon Oil, it makes the strings smooth and ready for the next rehearsal.
Below are some examples of the songs I warmup with:
Thunderstruck:
Guitar 1 e|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| B|--0h4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h|4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h4p0h7p0h| G|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| D|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| A|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| E|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| e|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| B|--5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h|5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h5p0h8p0h| G|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| x2 D|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| A|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| E|----------------------------------|--------------------------------| e|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| B|--12p0h10p0h9p0h10p0h9p0h7p0h9p0h5p0h|7p0h4p0h5p0h4p0h5p0h4p0h5p0h4p0h| G|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| x10 D|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| A|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------| E|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
Johnny B. Goode:
N.C. Bb
e|----------5/6-6-6-5/6-6-6-6-6-6------------------------------------| B|-------6--5/6-6-6-5/6-6-6-6-6-6-9-8-6-6----------------------------| G|---6h7--------------------------------6h7--------------------------| D|-8----------------------------------------8-6--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-----| A|-----------------------------------------------8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-----| E|-------------------------------------------------------------------| Eb e|--------------------------------6----------------------------------| B|-6-----6----------------6-------6-------6-------6-------6----------| G|-6-7-8-6h7----8b9--8b10---8b10----8b10----8b10-----8b10------------| D|------------8------------------------------------------------------| A|-------------------------------------------------------------------| E|-------------------------------------------------------------------| Bb F Eb e|-------------------------------------------6---9-8-6------------------------| B|------6-------6------6------6------6---------6-------9-8-6-6---8---6--------| G|-8b10---8b10----8b10---8b10---8b10---8b10------------------6h7-8---6h7-7----| D|-----------------------------------------------------------------8-----8----| A|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| Bb F e|------------------------------------| B|---6---8-6--------------------------| G|---6h7-8-6h7-7/---------------------| D|-8-----------8/---10-10-10-10-10----| A|------------------8--8--8--8--8-----| E|------------------------------------|That'll Be The Day:E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E +H E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E e|-------0-----0-----0---|-----2-2-(2)----||------------------|-----------------| B|---------0-----0-----0-|-----0-0-(0)----||o-----------------|-----------------| G|---3S4-----3-----2-----|-1-0-2-2-(2)----||------------------|-----------------| D|-----------------------|-2-0-1-1-(1)----||--2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-| A|-----------------------|-----2-2-(2)----||o-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-| E|-----------------------|----------------||------------------|-----------------| A (E) D (A) E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E e|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| B|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| G|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| D|-----------------|-----------------|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-| A|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-| E|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-----------------|-----------------|
Friday, 14 October 2016
Open Evening Performance
It is a little late to be writing this post, but I felt that it is necessary. At Open evening, the BTEC Music class performed two songs as parents and students were settling into their seats - at the time we played, the majority of people coming were settled. Six of us began by performing Creedence Clearwater Revival's very popular song: 'Fortunate Son'. This piece was played amazingly by all, and I believe it was enjoyed by the audience. There were a few errors in the song, of course. I made an error during the guitar solo, which was one I wrote for the piece as the original Instrumental in the piece wasn't as exciting. Also - Emily, who was singing, forgot the lyrics to one verse but quickly fixed it by singing the first verse again confidently and putting on a smile, no one could have known!
The piece concluded with a loud drum and guitar clash before Lewis swiftly started playing the Intro to 'Chelsea Dagger' by The Fratellis. The piece went well, I couldn't hear any mistakes, although I believe the two keyboards played the same chord throughout the entire piece...
The two performances went well, better than expected. Fortunate Son went surprisingly well considering we had started learning it the day before the open evening, it felt successful. If we did it again in future, I wouldn't change a thing, it worked perfectly the way we did it - maybe something could be done about the Keyboards.
The two performances went well, better than expected. Fortunate Son went surprisingly well considering we had started learning it the day before the open evening, it felt successful. If we did it again in future, I wouldn't change a thing, it worked perfectly the way we did it - maybe something could be done about the Keyboards.
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son
The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
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