1.1 Day to Day Maintenance Requirements of My Instrument
a) What are the maintenance requirements of my instrument?
Voice Maintenance Requirements
- drink water and do exercises for voice
- practise with high notes and do a short song
- Make sure to know my vocal range
Voice maintenance Requirements
- do not strain voice by continuing to sing high and long notes
- do not drink soft drinks or alcohol when singing
- Practise breathing deeply
- Warm up your Voice with activities by doing sounds from low to high
b) What Can I undertake personally?: what i can do is reevaluate my diet to help my vocals be the best they can, to help my confidence to be most confident and competent person i can be to help myself be a good performer, and also lastly, i need to get to know all types of lyrical music to get a better grip of singing my style.
1.2. Personal Health and Safety Issues
a) What Health and Safety issues are there that you need to consider when playing your instrument, and when approaching your playing style?: some songs require some straining so i need to exercise my voice before hand and drink plenty of water.
b) How should you review your own approach to these issues when playing your instrument?: To make sure i don't do it too much and only for certain songs that require that "kick" to always drink plenty of water so no damage to my vocal chords can be done.
2.1 Reviewing Personal Goals
a) What are the personal goals that you would like to achieving in playing your instrument?
Aims as a singer
- I need and want to be confident: The singer is always the frontman of a band and the one standing alone on stage, a singer must have the confidence to be active on stage, after all, he/she is the only one that entertain's the crowd while the band focuses on their instruments or the singer is solo and that is a lot to handle, thousands of people watching and one person on stage. So by February of 2017 i must be confident enough to perform by the time i do my live music performance
- My voice must be in tune: It is imperative that my voice is in check, that can fixed with regular maintenance of my voice and with proper preparation and practise, if i don't do this i would unprepared and would sound awful on stage, but there are complications as voice breaking happens when growing up, so problems like this come natural, on the other hand problems like this can be maintained with exercises. By the time performances come around in 2018, i will be doing regular maintenance one day each week so vocals are prepared.
- I must "know" the song: The song, you must know it like the back of hand, constant and fluid practise, so you won't forget on the day of your performance, i do not want end up miming a track that wont have the original lyrics on. I need to be spot on when doing the performance in 2018, i'll have more than 2 songs to do in that performance and i need to accomplish them like they all in one. so from july 2017 to the performance, i will make sure practise all my songs until they are dead on.
b) How do you intend to achieve these personal goals? Being confident is key in being a good singer, you need to have the guts to put your all into a song otherwise your going to slip during a performance. For example, its important to always practise before doing anything to do with singing so you can to stay in time, and that leads me to my third point where you should always stay in time with the song as it is key with making your performance look good instead of being seen out of time and potentially being out of rhythm with your band.
The agreed plan with my teacher is to:
1. Attend and take part in 1 hour of practical lessons per week, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
2. Attend and take part in a 20 minute lesson for my instrument, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
3. Review and reflect upon my lessons and progress each week on my blog, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
c) Blog of all rehearsals - you must state what you have achieved, and what you plan to do next week.
13th september 2016
- In the lesson today we done a song called counting stars by One Republic, I was singing with 4 others. We started by singing to the track with the lyrics and also the backing, we done this a couple more times and then we practised with the instrumental track and lyrics. the instrumentalists and singers became more in time and confident without the track with singing, after we kept nailing the the backing track with lyrics and chords we then decided to move on and do counting stars without the backing track.
- we did a run through without the backing and i got confused on the intro as i thought the instruments were starting instead of them and the singers(including me), but then i recovered and went on to the first verse and i learned from my mistake. next dilemma we had was when we were doing the second part of the chorus and switching onto the bridge, this happened during the first part when it says in the song "we'll be counting stars" in the second part there is a extra A chord when it says "we'll, we'll be counting stars"therefore messing up the instrumentalists and singers. So we went over that part and when we decided we understood we started the song again and when we actually done counting stars without doing that mistake, it sounded a lot better.
- next lesson i need to improve on my range in my singing and breathing at the right time so i can carry on the song and sound good as well, by improving my range i need to stick with one sound and make it work in a song instead of going high on one bit and low on another bit.
- In the lesson i was deciding my songs for my recorded music performance and i've decided i might consider doing; all of me by John legend, from the man who stole the world by david bowie (but i'm doing it in the style of nirvana instead of the original),paint it black by the rolling stones and finally don't look back in anger by Oasis.
- Most of these songs i'm comfortable with and i know very well, but paint it black is a different story, it is very fast-paced and rocky a style of music i want to try and do, also it will help me improve my confidence in my vocal range and my general ability in music. It starts off easy in the song but then it begins getting quicker in the middle and the end of paint it black, The techniques i need to improve on are my vocal range so i can get to higher notes as my voice is breaking.
- i haven't had an instrumental lesson this week but i had one last week and my tutor gave me some important tips while performing, that i should i find a tone of voice that i'm comfortable
- with and if i am practising she said i shouldn't be afraid to go higher or lower while doing so if i cant reach a certain note. Finally my tutor said that in the song i should always mark out the breathing points so i can reach notes that are long and carry long verses and choruses.
- What i did today was practise some songs that i have chosen but the others i'm starting to have second thoughts on them, like all of me by john legend as it doesn't suit myself and my style it is a good but its a song i'm not confident with, so for the rest of the lesson i was practising other songs to see if i would like them in my music performance.
- the pieces i have chosen are songs that i like and enjoy and what i work with best, the only problem that got in my way was the lack of rooms available, i wanted to practise on my own because i wanted to be at my best and being alone always helps me, but many were taken by other students i cant help that so i just have to be as quick as possible to the rooms, the techniques i need to improve on is my breathing and confidence in my voice.
- my lesson was productive as me and my tutor are starting new songs and were stopping don't look back in anger, also she taught me when performing that i should always keep a confident posture so i sound louder and have a stage presence.
- I practised the man who stole the world today; i am starting to get the hang of the song and i will continue to practise the song as i think i will be ready with it in a couple of lessons to be recorded with my phone for now i will continue to practise my song and the other 3 songs also.
- my practice was fine, my voice was sometimes off as it is breaking this affects it sometimes in the longer verses where it requires a lot of breathing and the right tone of voice and my voice has cracks so i had a little trouble getting the high notes. Also i still can't manage to find a room to practise by myself so in the future i hope there will be more rooms free.
- i haven't had my instrumental lesson yet but my tutor gave me something to practise and that is breathing exercises to help me keep my voice up when doing high notes and breathing at the right points, one example of these exercises is 1-17,where i have to sing 1-17 without taking a breath.Finally i believe i have my music lesson on thursday and i'll be practising new songs for use of my recorded music performance.
- Today i practised viva la vida and wonderwall today and i think i am ready to start my first recording, and i will start it after half term so for now i will mainly practise my other two songs and hopefully i will be able to record them aswell; and wonderwall also.
- my practise went very well today, as usual on a tuesday all rooms are not available except A47 so i just decided to practise there even though was some groups practising in there also. So I worked up the courage to sing in front of people and it went very well, as i was expecting taunts from people so on tuesdays i will just go in there instead. In my songs i sounded louder and clearer probably because i felt more confident and i breathed at the right times; nothing went bad this lesson really.
- i have not had my instrumental lesson yet but i had one last week, what me and my tutor did was start a new song and that song is clocks by coldplay. And it is quite similar to my other song choices so i can possibly use it as a backup song, if i cant do one of my chosen songs and also it is good because i am practising it already.
1st November 2016
- Today i did my first recorded music performance singing viva la vida by Coldplay, i was extremely nervous but i managed to successfully Record my piece and i think it went well. so now i will start my second song and others also.
- also today i practised before i did the recording and it went well as i was well prepared for the recording, After the recording i was thinking if my recording was up to standard but i tried my best so i hope its good.
- I have not had my music lesson yet this week but during my music lessons we are going to carry on with clocks and maybe pick another song.
8th November 2016
- Today i practised my second recorded music performance what is wonderwall by Oasis. The only problems i had today was that i was in a room with lots of people and when i wanted to practise there where some people that where messing around, but got into the sound-proof room so i could start to practise.
- what went well is that i've started off strong by doing a song i know and enjoy so i will get on good with the song and i might get it done faster then my previous song.
- i have not had my music lesson this week but my tutor told me i should warm up before i begin singing and that we are moving on with different songs next week.
This is my first recording. I will put my review of this below.
Song: Viva La Vida
Song: Viva La Vida
- improvement 1:i need to be in time with the song, parts i weren't in time with (confidence)
- improvement 2: Be more confident
- positive 1: i got along with the lyrics well
- positive 2: i was in the right pitch of the song and i was breathing at the right times
22nd november 2016
- today i practised wonderwall again i managed to get a couple of practises in but i didn't get a proper practise as there was no rooms to practise in besides the music studio, and always there are people in there what means i get self -conscious and embarrassed if i sing with people around me that i do not know.
- what went well is that i've nearly finished my second song and with one lesson of good practise i think i will be ready for next tuesday to do my performance.
- i haven't had my tutor this week and my next lesson will be next week.
29th november 2016
- Today i did not practise my 2nd song but instead i was asked by my friends to sing for them in the christmas concert but they haven't chosen a christmas song yet so (before i knew i was asked to do the concert with them) i said to do War is over by john lennon and they liked it, so that's the song i will be practising for a week.
- What i did well is that my 2nd song (Wonderwall) is finished and i would of recorded today but because of the christmas concert i will have to do it next week.
- i haven't had my music lesson this week but hopefully this week i will have a lesson.
6th December 2016
- Today i practised my 2nd song because i dropped out of the christmas song, i didn't have enough time but if i was any bit good i would probably would of finished the song with the amount of time i had, so i practised the song, got on good i guess, probably sounds terrible when i record it.
- what i did well nothing much just finished off my song, probably going to record on wednesday, just like my other recording it will sound bad.
- i haven't had my music lesson yet i will probably have it sometime on the 8th december.
20 December 2016
- today i practised my 3rd song, i haven't recorded my 2nd song yet due to exams restricting us from going into the rooms i need to be in but ill be ready to that at the start of the next term.
- what i did well was i just properly completed my 2nd song and ill be ready for my recording.
- i'm not having my music lessons this week because it's the end of term tomorrow.
10th January 2017
- today i mainly finished off my music style development powerpoint but i practised my song aswell for a bit
- i'm still waiting to do my recording hopefully i will do it tomorrow with my powerpoint out the way
- I have moved my music tuition to mid herts so i don't have to miss parts of important lessons during school.
17th January 2017
- Today i was going to record But i prefer doing it in a room on my own but to my luck, their where no rooms available alone except with people in, but i practised anyway but maybe i might record in this lesson.
- as i said before hopefully i can practise this in this lesson or ill just have to wait next week or even i could record it elsewhere and then email it to her, ill see what chances i got.
- now that my music lessons are at mid herts they will always be on a friday.
24th January 2017
- Today i Just practised wonderwall today, but i have to record but what i need to do is find the confidence in myself to stop procrastinating in lessons and get the recordings done.
- today i did practise but i just need to record but i did get some work done none the less, tomorrow i'm going to record as we have a lesson and that i need to get the work done.
- as like last blog i said i have moved my lessons to mid herts on friday's and i'm working on my 2nd song with my tutor, also she tells me to find the right key to sing in and to be comfortable with it.
31st January 2017
- Today i practised wonderwall yet again even though i'm ready and not ready at the same time, why i am not ready because i have next to no confidence right now and today i wanted to record but because i have no faith in my abilities i didn't do so so. What i'm going to do is record at home or on friday with my tutor.
- today i practised but i didn't record i just need to do that then i can move on.
- i'm having a rough time in my tutoring lessons because of my confidence and vocals according to my tutor its probably my voice breaking but it probably isn't i am pretty bad at singing.
7th February 2017
- Today i practised wonderwall again but unlike other Days i actually attempted some recordings but i was in the portacabins with many lessons going on at once so it was quite distracting and prevented me from thinking clearly and remembering my words.
- today i practised, i attempted a few recordings but its an even week this week meaning i have an extra lesson this week so i might do it tomorrow.
- my lesson with my tutor went better, i did all my exercises, practised a song, and talked about my confidence issues with music with my tutor, i felt quite good after that.
22nd February 2017
- Today was the first day back from half term and i need to make of change of action as my exams are coming up and i need to start bucking up my ideas otherwise ill have no motivation and i won't get the results i want same goes for my pieces in music pa, i need to get them done otherwise how will i cope.
- i didn't do much practise as there weren't any places to practise on my own so i stucked to do some music style development.
- i'm beginning my lessons again on friday and some more feedback from my tutor and telling her about my progress.
28th february 2017
- Today i was doing my 1.2 for my music style development in which i have to compare 6 different recordings for the evolution of alternative rock.
- As usual Most rooms where full so i stuck to music style development, possibly i could do it tomorrow as we have another lesson.
- i will have my music lesson on friday but i have no feedback from my tutor.
7th March 2017
- Today i was doing some practise in my lesson and some Music style development in my 1.2 as portacabins are not always available so i will start to do my recordings outside my lessons to get back on track with my performance i will ask my friends to help me out with backing.
- Again most of the rooms where in use so i did some performance in the studio and e.t.c.
- As usual (again) i will have my music lesson on friday. My tutor said for songs with high notes i need to find my range so i can change notes in lyrics for my own use when singing a song.
14th March 2017
- Today i did some practise but it was short because there was no rooms again so i just my music style development on the computer, what i really need to do is record and so i need to start doing preferably outside of lesson as i actually have space to do so.
- Also again, there was no rooms available so i had little time to practise on my own without interference or people entering where i wanted to practise.
- My tutor was helping me with a new song with high notes and she gave me tips on working my range to increase my confidence with singing high notes on the song and that when my parents are out i should sing as much as possible.
1st March 2017
- Today i begun my new song and luckily one of the rooms empty so it gave me a good start to start my song and when im ready for it ill record that too.
- actually this time i had a room to my own so i could do some decent work but to speed it up i'm still going to record outside of lesson.
- My tutor wants to keep moving on to different songs so it can help build confidence with my style and increase and practise with my range.
28th March 2017
- Today i was practising my new song but it as little slow today because the system was down for the school and Miss Harris couldn't take our lesson.
- what i did was do some practising in the music studio but another set back i had was that there was a exam going in the hall, gym and A47 meaning we had to stay quiet, also meaning that i couldn't practise my singing without an invigilator telling me to be quiet, but i managed to get some work done.
- On friday i will find out what my Improvements. Then It Is Easter.
25th April 2017
- Today is My First lesson back even though i started last week, But exams.Anyway That leads me to why i wasn't at the first part of the lesson, because i was in a exam.
- anyway i've done some experimentation during easter too see what future songs i want to do and ill decide later on which two to do.
- My friday music lessons are back on this week so i'll be practising with my tutor on that day and ill be receiving advice that i need.
2nd May 2017
- Today i practised a song and i intended to record it but because of exams that changed, i did some music style development instead
- i have a couple of potential songs that i want to record with artists like stevie wonder and the animals.
- on my friday lesson, me and my tutor went through a song by the animals, which is called the house of the rising sun.
16th May 2017
- Today i was finishing my credit off with a song i'm still working on it Honestly i need to work harder i can't work up the confidence to sing in public, But i need to try as i need to finish it off before this half-term ends.
- what i did well was that i'm making progress with the song and tomorrow i will record it if i "come to my senses" what i mean by that is if i have the confidence to sing in school.
- My friday lesson was cancelled the other week so i don't have any feedback from my tutor.
23rd May 2017
- Today i was finishing off my credit like last time, unfortunately my teacher wasn't in my lesson today, so we had a cover and got on with our work as usual.
- what i did good today was practise my final song and practised all the lyrics properly and did what i do usually as always.
- I had my friday lesson we where talking about a song
a) What comments has your tutor made about your progress? That i have had a small confidence boost and has helped me increase my vocal range
b) What are their reports on your:
i) technical ability: i'm able to get to different notes depending on song choice but i have grown very technical with my voice
ii) dexterity: Miss Colligan said "Miles is able to sing- fast scalic exercises fluently with good projection and secure intonation."
iii) stamina: Miss colligan said "Miles has worked on breathing exercises both in lessons and at home and is now able to sing long phrases without needing to break half -way."
iv) control of the instrument : because of my voice starting to break i've had some "voice cracks" but i've managed well by practising singing high notes before doing a song with high parts.
c) All recordings and dates of these recordings
For each recording, write an evaluation of what went well in the performance, and what you would like to work on next.
3.2 Final Evaluation
a) What are your achievements, in relation to the personal goals you chose at the beginning of the course?: I believe i have done relatively well in relation to my personal goals, i believe i've had some sort of boost of in confidence in my ability to perform and i will be able to live up to having good stage presence. My voice will definitely will be fit for my performances as ive kept maintaining my voice with exercising it in my tutor lessons and by drinking plenty of water. Finally, KNOWING the song. I have fully planned and learnt my first song off by heart so i know the song, so i will do good, so its just about following the same process of my last song.
b) What are the strengths in your progress?: I have become much more confident in how to perform properly on the stage without panicking and how to present myself on stage, which is by standing upright and by looking at the direction of the audience but not looking directly at them.
c) What do you need to continue to work on as a performer?: especially when we will be doing stage performances, i will need to improve my confidence on stage and my stage presence as well, also i will need improve my confidence in general so i can practise more frequently instead of procrastinating on the feeling of being bad at singing.
Evaluation of 2nd Recording (Recording on Youtube)
Song: Wonderwall
- voice was in key and was not not out of time with the guitar
- Relatively steady pace could of been a bit slower but sounded good at that speed none the less
- use of a guitar instead of the track made it the instruments sound much better and more authentic like a live performance
- at high and low notes of the song i done what i could to be the original but improvised to fit with my vocal range so i wouldn't strain my voice for high notes or even shout as well.
- an improvement i should make is make the song longer to practise for longer performances and for songs that are much longer that i choose in the future, as this version we did of the song is much shorter than the original and should be improved by doing the original amount of time in the song.
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