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On the 14th December 2024 we had our first rehearsal playing in our new bands looking towards our 1970s inspired gig. Firstly we were put into our new bands. My band this time consists of myself, Charlie, Rem, Emi, Molly, Levi and Ola. Everyone was present except Ola. We firstly decided a setlist consisting of 6 songs all from the 1970s with a range of genres and sounds. We then had to disperse who was playing which instrument for each song as we all play multiple instruments. For example Charlie is playing guitar for a few songs whilst I am drumming. However, I am the only person who can play piano in our band so for bohemian rhapsody Charlie is needed to play drums instead. The outcome of the situation was a full set list for our band with a few instrument switch overs and a run through of Mamma Mia as a band, one of the songs we chose for our set. I wanted everyone to get on with each other and create a good band dynamic from the start.

During the situation I was a little hesitant as peers have mentioned difficulty with members of my band when they had to play with them.  I warmed up towards the end as we were very proactive in getting a good set list in and making progress quickly. Before the session I was nervous as I wanted to be in a good band and did not want to be with certain members of the course. Afterwards, I felt relief and a sense of joy in who was in my band and their musically abilities. I could tell many members of the band were also nervous about heir new bands and who they had to perform with in February. I think most of the members of the band are happy with who they’re playing with. I believe that most members are feeling positive about our band and our setlist, we believe we have the strongest set and are excited to play them all.

The productivity of our band was really good as we created our setlist really quick and managed to listen to everyone’s opinions, thoughts and feedback. Furthermore, the run through of mamma Mia was really inspiring as we all clicked and understood what was happening and where the band was going straight away which can be a rare occurrence. I do however think that some of the year twos are not up for playing with us as they think that the year ones and twos are separate. I contributed my ability to play multiple instruments so the band was able to pick a wider range of songs not just the same genre as to keep everyone static on their respective instruments. Others demonstrated their leadership in terms of creating set lists and getting things done quickly.

Things went well as we all just got on with each other and we were confident that each member of the band is good at what they do, so we had no worries in picking our songs. Things didn’t go well as many year twos were not up for playing and had already done a 1970s gig. I think that’s a good we have to make rehearsals fun and enjoyable for each member as to keep them engaged and active in the prospect of playing in front of an audience.

I learnt that making the rehearsals enjoyable and exciting is a key factor for a band to work together well. In addition, having a strong voice of reason and leadership is incredibly beneficial to the productivity and creativity of the band. I think getting the year twos more involved in the song choice element would’ve made the whole situation slightly more positive. I need to develop my leadership and strong voice of reason as I often shy away from confrontation even if I strongly believe something. I could’ve been a little more inviting to those who I didn’t already know and open myself up to them more.

If I had to do the same thing again I would be more relaxed and try to be less anxious before the session. I would use breathing techniques to calm myself down. Furthermore, I would allow new bonds to form with new people instead of closing myself off to them and only talking to those I knew. I will develop my skills of outspokenness by just putting it into practice during fore coming rehearsals. I will act differently as I shall put the band best interest ahead of my own.

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On Monday 16th December we had our first production session for the 1970s music. We were in our new band consisting of myself, Charlie, Rem and Emi. All four of us were present during the recording session. This term we are recording ourselves and producing one of our own covers. The first session we focused on recording the drums by themselves with more microphones so we can get a cleaner and more crisp sound. The outcome was a drum track that was EQued and panned according to the positions of the drum microphones for the song Mamma Mia. I was there to play the drums as the rest of my group set up the microphones and recorded my playing.

I was slightly nervous I had never played to the song fully before recording it so I was frantically trying to figure out what to play. After I knew what I was playing I felt confident and comfortable. I really enjoyed the whole session and it’s been a while since I have played drums at college. Emi was being disturbing and at points disrespectful towards the group and some of the staff which annoyed me however I kept my kindness and composure. I think Charlie and Rem were thinking the same thing however are less vocal about it. In hindsight, I may be more vocal towards Emi next time however I will continue to be patient and kind however it continues to become more difficult to stay polite.

I really enjoyed the recording experience and we had lots of jokes, laughing and smiling throughout. Towards the end however those jokes became less and we started to become annoyed at certain moments. I believe my playing was really good and I kept it simple and easy to follow for the rest of the band whilst keeping some interesting and more difficult fills and technical rhythms. On the other, there were a few moments where I slipped out of time however nothing that effects the track to much. I also believe that group morale was not high. I also contributed my drum recording and mixing skills as a drummer as I was able to pan the tracks to where the drums sit on the kit to make the recording sound more live and natural.

Things didn’t go well as member of the group became grumpy and had a lack of positivity. I think disagreements and distractions also hindered the productivity and motivation of the band. In a more uplifting view, the first 75% of the session went really well and ran completely smooth. I think looking back that, positivity is crucial for an effective session as the productivity decreased after the morale went down. I brought my knowledge of drums as an instrument towards the group and tried to explain and help those who weren’t drummers understand why certain decisions were being made. Charlie brought his EQ and Mixing knowledge as he is the most capable producer out of our band.

I can learn that even if no one else is positive I can be to help lift morale. I will try and make sure I get a good nights rest as when I’m tired a struggle to be positive. I will also be more vocal when things aren’t working instead of letting it slide. I need to develop my communication skills as I struggle with confrontation.

If doing the same thing again I would be more open and explain my opinions on certain situations I would also try to keep my energy high instead of pushing it all out at the start and then dropping towards the end. I will make sure I get sleep before each session.

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This is a picture showing how we set up our drum microphones to capture the full sound of the kit. It is noticeable that we have more microphones than before and we were able to record each drum individually.

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Our first band rehearsal was on 6th September 2024, during this rehearsal we picked our 5 songs and started to look into them in a bit more depth after finalizing the setlist. Our band consists of myself on vocals, Daniel on Drums, James on Bass and Rem on Guitar. While we were picking the songs for our setlist we collectively looked at the 50 songs put in front of us and marked the songs we knew. However, we didn’t actually want to pick all the very well known songs as it wouldn’t push us, so we tried to find some songs that were recognizable either by samples in other songs but not very well known. Some of the group seemed nervous, and therefore disinterested. The reason for our band putting together a setlist was that as part of the college course were doing 1950s style gig on 15th October 2024. My goal for the first rehearsal was to create a good atmosphere, get to know people, and allow space for questions.

Going into the first rehearsal I was extremely nervous as I often struggle to make new friends and socialize with people I don’t know but I think the fact that we had a task to complete helped force into that social situation. Furthermore, I don’t like to feel useless and good productivity is a big feeling for me, so I was anxious about us just sitting silently and not getting anything done. By the end of the session, however, I was full of confidence in myself but more so our band and setlist as we all got on well with each other even if some people were quieter than others. I also took a more of a leadership role in the group as I felt a bit of initial awkward tension between the group. Whilst I warmed to them very quickly it took some time for the rest of the group to be as comfortable as I was. Looking back, I think that the band feel good about us as a band and the songs we choose to put together for our setlist, but on the other hand I am worried that we weren’t as productive as we could have been. We did get quite a lot done but I would have liked to run through one more song as we only looked at two songs in depth.

In evaluation the songs we picked are interesting and have some unusual, fun and challenging parts to them yet none of them are overplayed, which was a show of our band’s effort into our setlist. For the first half of the rehearsal, we didn’t communicate well at all, and whilst it definitely improved throughout the session there is still a lot to work on. The lack of communication made the process of picking our setlist difficult as no one would make suggestions in fear of ‘getting it wrong’. In the time we had Daniel, and I led the band in picking a setlist and rehearsing one of our chosen songs, ‘There Goes My Baby’ which already sounds very good for only having just an hour to practice. We wasted valuable time picking songs where other bands were already practicing. James knew more songs than anyone else in the band, so he helped teach the rest of us ‘There Goes My Baby’ which was a confidence booster for the entire band.

I believe that things went well because were all talented musicians who pick musical parts up quickly which meant the time taken to learn the songs was short and we could focus on rehearsing. Contradictory, things didn’t go well because we didn’t communicate effectively or confidently. This meant that whilst individually we were confident with the songs, as a band we weren’t playing tightly or with fluidity. The person on keys didn’t turn up so we had no keys player throughout the entire rehearsal, this made things difficult. From personal experiences I am used to the roles of leadership, mental health and communication which helped me understand where everyone was emotionally during the rehearsal. It further helped me understand that some members may be more nervous and left comfortable leading a task than others.

I learnt that other people may not be able to adapt to new situations and new people. I also learnt about how important communication is during a rehearsal. I know that all of us could have made more of an effort to increase and improve on our communication skills throughout the session instead of purely focusing on the work as it might make things harder in future for us as a band. I now need to work on how I can communicate with my peers better and allow other people opportunities instead of assuming they don’t want more responsibility.

If I had to do it again I would firstly make sure that we got to know one another before we dove straight into the work. I would then see what people wanted in terms of leadership and then allowed those people what they wanted. I will work on my communication skills by conversations with my classmates and through interactions outside of college. I will try my best to keep peoples best interests at heart instead of just the productivity of our work.

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We had another rehearsal on the 20th September 2024, during this rehearsal our bass player was ill so we only had vocals, guitar and drums. This limited the amount of work we could do. We practiced ‘There Goes My Baby” and ‘That’ll Be The Day’ as that is the only songs we could play without James on Bass guitar. Halfway through the rehearsal time all band got distracted as many people were missing from each band, so we all came together to play and practice our instruments. I wanted to rehearse more but without a bass player we did as much as we could and ended bonding and playing well with the rest of the course which will make our comfort and confidence within our own band better in the long run.

I was having a really good time and actually felt very confident in our ability to play the songs however I was nervous that James has missed valuable rehearsal time. Before the rehearsal I felt extremely tired and nervous about not having the full band but after I was full of energy and very happy. I think other people felt the same, happy that we all had fun as a group and actually learnt how to play together really well. I think like the rest of the group all look back and think that we could’ve definitely used the time more wisely but we didn’t waste the time however and created relationships within the band and course as a whole.

I think that the fact we all played together was both a positive and a negative as we could’ve rehearsed the songs a lot more yet we would have to still go over them again for James, so creating a closer relationship with the people in our band seemed like a good option. I think our concentration is very poor as none of us are fond of the music we are playing as it isn’t our style or what we’re used to. I think I was able to show my music ability further than just singing as I played guitar and bass at point during the rehearsal time and was able to pick songs up by just looking at the chords the guitarist was playing.

Things went well as we were all in a positive mood and well rested over the night before, this created a good atmosphere and one with energy. We were able to play and have a fun time which overall made the music even better as you could hear the energy in it. I think that looking back I need to be rested over night to fully use all of my energy to create the best music possible. I think our own knowledge of different music styles, songs and genres helped us engage with each other whilst playing and rehearsing.

I learnt that it’s not always about playing the songs that are of priority but having fun and creating a bond with your band is just as important as without a connection with your band the music won’t sound put together. I think that we couldn’t have made it more positive as everyone was having a great time and enjoying themselves. I think I could improve on my manners and just saying please and thank you more but also working on my confidence to share ideas and give suggestions. Musically I could work on my overall confidence on certain instruments, specifically bass. I think I could’ve strived for more difficult pieces and rhythms to play as to work on improving my skills instead of refining the ones I already have.

If I had to do something differently I would probably run through the two songs we practiced a few more times and made sure we’re more confident but overall I wouldn’t change much. I will work on improving my musical ability more outside of school by just playing harder and more intricate songs. Furthermore, I will try to push myself to make suggestions more whilst rehearsing as to give a wider view to the rest of the band.

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The aim for the production session on the 9th September 2024 was to record a version of Bob Dylan’s Knocking on Heavens Door in the style and process that was used in the 1950s. After discussing the differences between a condenser and dynamic microphone and which one to use for this production piece, we went into small bands to rehearse the song. We had 4 members in our band with myself on vocals. The outcome of the production session was that we as a band had created and recorded a full length cover of knocking on heavens door in the style of 1950s production by using on condenser microphone to record the whole band together. This is exactly what I wanted to happen and the end product turned out really well.

Throughout the process I felt really good about how the band was sounding and felt confident about using the recording equipment effectively. Before the recording process I felt nervous about it because I’d never produced like that before but after I felt very confident. I think some people in the group weren’t concentrating which made it hard to put my full effort into.

I think looking back those that didn’t concentrate realised that their work wasn’t as effective as it should be. During the recording process I felt great and comfortable in my abilities in terms singing the song and using the equipment and looking back I’m really happy with how the whole situation went. I believe their were some communication issues within the group which made rehearsing difficult at point but overall we all got along and had fun which made the song sound better as you could tell we all felt comfortable and confident. Our cover sounded very accurate but also put our own spin on it. The recording process also went smoothly with no technical difficulties.

Trying to record the other groups song was difficult as the lack of practice was clear meaning we had to stop and start a lot. However when fully recorded their cover sounded great on the final recording. I think I get distracted easily which was difficult for others in the group and is something I am working on. I did however help lead the group and improved communication skills significantly. Others took control on relaying information to the other group whilst we were recording them as I led the use of making sure the sound wasn’t distorting but also not having lots of background noise. I think as a group we worked well together and enjoyed each other’s company which meant that things ran smoothly throughout the production process. However myself and others often got carried away in each other’s company and stopped focusing as much as we should’ve done. I’ve learnt from this situation that working in a team can both be stressful and helpful and making sure the communication is clear is incredibly important.

I already had knowledge about condenser and dynamic microphones which made our group more efficient as we weren’t all worrying about how to use a condenser microphone. As well as this, others also already knew the song very well which meant that they could help us learn the song quicker. Both of these helped me understand that splitting responsibilities and roles in a group makes group projects and producing music much quicker, more efficient and enjoyable. I think we could’ve tried to include everyone more as some people were not doing as much as the more extroverted and forward people. I need to develop my communication skills but I also need to work on my concentration and my ability to stay focused on one project or piece at a time.

I believe I could’ve ask more question and done more research into the production as to further my skills. I think I would want to spend more time in the studio getting to grips with the DAW and production process to record in a 1950’s style. I will practice doing the same thing again at home with my own equipment as to get even more confident with producing and using different DAWs. I will reflect on how I held myself and the roles I took on during the process and find points that need developing such as communication and focusing as previously mentioned.

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This is how we set up our studio space to record all instruments properly from the single condenser microphone

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This is how we set up our studio space to record all instruments properly from the single condenser microphone

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On Monday 16th September 2024, we had our second 1950s production session, where as our performance bands we plated one song from our 1950s gig setlist as another band produced and recorded it, after we did the same for the next band. Our band played There Goes My Baby by The Drifters, and we recorded and produced the other band playing Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton. There were four of us in our group and we recorded a band of five. When recording the band play Hound Dog, we had to decide as a band where to put the microphone and musicians so as to capture all the instruments in a balanced and nice sounding way. The outcome was a clean sounding recording where the instruments where balanced well against each other. Whilst setting up and testing levels, I mostly stayed in the studio room to change the gain and levels from the microphone on the computer and audio interface whilst the rest of the group went into the recording space slightly moving the musicians and changing levels on amps and instruments. One thing we noticed is that when the guitar solo came the guitar was far too quiet so as a fix I went in and turned the volume on the guitar amp up and the volume on the guitar down, this meant that when it came to the solo the guitarist could turn the volume up on their guitar. I wanted things to run smoothly eventually creating an accurate recording of their song in the style of the 1950s.

I went into this production session full of confidence from the week before. I knew the roes of a condenser microphone and what settings it should be on to capture the best audio. After the session I was very happy with the end result whilst also learning new and helpful pieces of information such as increasing the amp volume and decreasing the instruments volume as to give the musician more control over the dynamic of their instrument. I think that the other people in our group were also fairly confident in what they were doing but weren’t as energized as I was. However, I think were all on the same page and that the end result is something to be proud of. During the session I was focusing on making sure all of the levels were exactly where they should be and really listening to the mix to see if I could provide any ideas, input and opinions. I’m very proud of how the recording came out and happy that I have new knowledge and things to practice in my own time.

I think that the actual recording process and getting the levels and position of each instrument went very well but the only downfall was that not everyone was getting involved and getting the focus of the band playing was sometimes difficult. Having said this, the communication between the band and our group was really good and made the entire situation so much easier, more productive and enjoyable. One member of our group didn’t get involved at all and made it hard to fully understand the opinions of everyone in the room. I contributed my knowledge on gain and recording through microphones as I’ve done it lots. The rest of the group are more used to playing instruments and using equipment such as amps, so they took more of a lead in that sense.

I think that things went well due to our communication and confidence. Our workflow was also very high, and we were all focused on the task instead of getting distracted, which meant that everything went very smoothly. On the other hand, the only thing that made things difficult was that not everyone was engaging, which made me feel guilty that they seemed to not be enjoying it but also that they weren’t gaining the experience that the rest of us were. I could help bring to the table my knowledge of the song Hound Dog as I did a song analysis of it and its history for my Music BTEC. This meant I understood where the song was going and what it should sound like musically which made adjusting the levels a lot easier.

Throughout the production session I learnt about harmonics; how to EQ for live sound but also for instruments; how to record a whole band efficiently and how to communicate with a group effectively. It could’ve been even more positive if every person had equal opportunities and got themselves involved. I think there were also some questions that should’ve been asked in the moment but weren’t. I think I need to develop my EQ skills and understanding how harmonics work in more depth than I know. I could’ve maybe given the band some more instructions and clearer dynamic advice as to not cause any confusion between the two groups.

If I had to do the same thing again I would keep it mostly the same, but I think we could’ve experimented with different positions for the musicians more to create a more interesting sound as at points the recording felt a little bit flat and other very busy. I will practice recording using a condenser microphone with the equipment I have at home, and I will also practice using EQ on personal projects as to better my confidence and knowledge for when I go back to college. I think I could have used my manners more instead of being demanding as when I am focused on something I can often become rude, which is something to work on so as not to distance myself from peers.

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This is the song that our band recorded as another group produced for us.

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This is a short video from the studio of our group recording Hound Dog for the other band.

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This photo shows the EQ that we put onto our 50s production. During the EQ time we tried to find annoying frequencies that were too overpowering in the mix and reduced them. We also then found frequencies that were either too quiet or ones we liked and wanted to boost. We increased those frequencies as to make the overall mix sound more full.

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This video clip shows the recording process we used to record a band playing Hound Dog. We used Logic Pro and set up one condenser microphone, placing the musicians around the microphone. We recorded everything through the microphone onto one track and let the band play the whole song through.

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On the 7th October my group had to record another band playing a cover of Johnny B. Goode. We were in the studio whilst the band were in the recording and rehearsal space. In my group I had Daniel, James, Rem and myself whilst we recorded Madi, Emi, Kai and Fraser. My group were in charge of recording and producing the music whilst the band performed the song. We ended with a fully produced recording of Johnny B. Goode in a 50s style. I took the lead of the DAW and the EQ whilst the rest of the group were in with the band changing amp settings and moving the band around.

I was really enjoying the process and was very calm and relaxed whilst editing and EQing the track. Before I was a bit nervous because I was in a bad mood but whilst produced I really enjoyed it. I know there was some unrest within the band so there was some tension however within my group everyone felt happy. People are happy with the outcome and overall enjoyed the session even if it was stressful at points. I was concerned with how the recording was spiking at points however afterwards it was perfectly normal for the final take.

The recording and EQ went really well. And the communication between the two groups was excellent however some of the advice given was not taken. This cause issues within the recording. I was the most confident with EQ so I could explain and contribute heavily towards that whilst the others are better with adjusting equipment than I am so we ended up splitting the work equally. The lead vocalist was not listening to the directions give to her which impacted the session negatively.

Things went well because we all knew our respective roles and didn’t differ from that. We all knew what to do and when. However, when people in the band are not co-operating with us it makes the whole ordeal difficult. As previously stated I brought a my knowledge of EQ to the group, teaching and explaining what I was doing to those who asked me too.

I learnt how to cope with difficult musicians as a producers and how to EQ on a track with ranging dynamics. I need to develop my patience and my ability to explain what is needed of people to achieve the best result. I could’ve been even more specific spending more time on getting the levels of each instrument correct before doing the final take.

If I had to do this again I would ensure I take my time to make all the levels exactly how I wanted them before we recorded. I would also try and calm down some tensions before recording as it was clear the band were not in sync. I will work on how to communicate with someone who is upset and tense.

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On the 1st November 2024 we had our first rehearsal to choose and practice our set of 1960s songs. Our band are using the main rehearsal and studio space for our rehearsals. For the 60s gig my band consist of myself on vocals, Rem on guitar/bass, Fraser on guitar and Charlie on drums. Firstly we went through the set songs from the 1960s we were given and found some that we liked and already knew. We also wanted to add a Christmas song as our gig is in December so we also found a Christmas song that is still popular but released in the 60s (Christmas, Baby Please Come Home). I helped organise the band and force decisions to be made. The rest of the band provided insight to the songs and what they sound like. We managed to end with a setlist of five songs and a twenty minute setlist. We also practised and changed the key of one of our songs.

I was feeling extremely tired which made it hard to focus and be polite when the band weren’t deciding on songs. However, I was also excited to move on to 60s music as I prefer it to 50s. I think there were initial nerves from everyone as it was a new band however we all knew each other well so it became comfortable quickly. I think other people are feeling confident that we will have a good show as do I, and I feel that rehearsals may be difficult due to previous experiences with band mates.

Things that were good about the rehearsal was the fact we got a lot done whilst practicing our first song. We focused on guitar tones and improving the drums, whilst also changing the key for my vocals. Things that didn’t go well was the fact that many band members were reserved and didn’t speak out much. Fraser and Rem knew the song better and picked up the guitar parts very quickly which helped the band gain confidence as it felt that we were being incredibly productive straight away. Myself and Charlie were able to pick up our parts after a bit of practice which further helped the guitarist find their footing with the timings of the song.

Things went well as all of us are talented musicians who feel confident in their abilities so are not hesitant to play. On the other hand our confidence in ourselves can lack sometimes making us hesitant to give verbal opinions. I think that overall as a band we work well together and have had no arguments or disagreements. I can bring more of my stage prescience and energy to rehearsals as I find it easier to be energetic with the 60s songs we’ve picked. I also know more of the songs from the 60s than 50s so I can bring my knowledge of the songs to rehearsals.

I can learn from this rehearsal that energy and performance whilst rehearsing is still important. Putting full effort in during a practice session is just as important as the actual show. I could’ve been more polite and energetic as I was very reserved and tired. I need to develop my higher range notes and my breath control. I could’ve been more polite and stayed on task for longer.

If doing this rehearsal again I would increase the amount of talking between band mates and improved on my energy and excitement throughout rehearsal. I will practise my high notes and increase dexterity for my breath control. I will really focus on my posture and tone whilst talking to band mates next rehearsal.

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On Friday 22nd November we had another rehearsal for our 1960s gig. During this rehearsal we wanted to be as productive as possible. We played through four songs of our set. The only song we didn’t play through was All Along The Watch Tower by Jimi Hendrix. Everyone in our band was present which was extremely helpful. We were even able to borrow Georgie who is doing backing vocals for one song. I was able to keep everyone engaged and tell people what song we should do next. The rest of the band were really in tune with each other, playing well and in time. I wanted us to leave the rehearsal feeling prepared and happy with the progress we made.

I was feeling a little bit stressed as I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well. I also have a very busy week this week which is adding to the stress, however, overall I felt confident with how the band played. Before the situation I was nervous and hesitant to say what I thought as I was worried that our band wasn’t making progress as quick as we should. Afterward, I was happy and a lot more confident in our band. I believe people were feeling the same way that I did, nervous but left feeling confident and more relaxed about the gig. I was mainly focussed on productivity and making small adjustments to each song to make them as good as possible.

I think that the speed and focus we had during the rehearsal was really positive especially after the last couple rehearsals not being as productive. We played the songs well and all knew where to go after each section. Towards the end we all started to get tired and bored of playing the same songs over again. I contributed my energy and enthusiasm that kept the band practicing for as long as possible. The rest of the band really carried the songs and helped me out when I was struggling.

Things went well as we were all realising that the gig is getting closer and we want to impress those coming to watch us. Things didn’t go so well as we all got very tired and do not enjoy all the songs as much as playing stuff we like. Looking back, the rehearsal went well overall but next time we need to focus not on the whole set but certain parts of songs and songs we don’t know as well. I contributed my knowledge of crowd participation and how to interact with the crowd, also my knowledge of putting together set lists in the correct order. The rest of the band really brought their talent and knowledge of the songs on their respective instruments.

I learnt that energy and enthusiasm are key factors in making a good rehearsal. The only way it could’ve been a more positive situation was if we played all five songs in our set. I need to develop my communication skills in where the issues lie and I need to develop my ability to be energetic even when I’ve had a bad week. I could’ve pushed for us to practice the final song instead of just leaving it.

If I had to do the same thing again I would only change the fact we weren’t able to play All Along the Watch Tower. I will try to be more aware of my energy and mood and how that affects the team.

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On Friday 6th November 2024 we had our final rehearsal before our performance. We rehearsed our set fully twice and then worked on individual parts of each song to finalise and make sure everyone knew exactly what they were doing. Every member of the band was present during this rehearsal which was extremely helpful to our productivity. The outcome of the rehearsal was a feeling of confidence and a well rehearsed set. I was there to sing but also keep the band on track and be as productive as possible. I wanted to run our set three times fully however twice with then working on individual parts did the same thing.

I was thinking about how well we were playing as a band and that we all stayed in time with each other. I was feeling nervous about the gig but also had a lot of confidence in our set and our performing ability. I believe everyone else in our band felt the same, confidence and excitement yet performance nerves still exist. In reflection the entire band believes that the rehearsal was efficient, productive and successful. I’m still extremely nervous for the gig but I have ways to calm my nerves.

The amount of rehearsing we did compared to other rehearsals was extremely positive. The way that we all had reservations and nerves did actually make things a little hard at points however overall it was an extremely positive experience. The main contribution to the group was my stern attitude towards the amount that we were recording.

Things went well as we were all nervous and want our performance to be good. Nerves also held us back at points however because we wanted everything to be perfect so when something went wrong it made us tense. I think that I can understand that nerves can’t get in the way of a rehearsal or performance as when you’re relaxed it will go well even if you mess up as you hold yourself properly.

I learnt that I need to be able to control my nerves and not show them as much whilst rehearsing as a full band. I need to therefore develop my coping skills not for performances but for rehearsals as the same techniques won’t work for both. I could’ve stayed more calm but also more happy and energetic because when it came to the rests in between songs I was extremely anti social.

If I had to do the same thing again I would change my posture and attitude to be more uplifting and exciting. I will develop way to cope with my own nerves and how to not let them overcome my energy.

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This Monday 4th November 2024, my band started our production sessions for the 1960s. The main difference from the 60s to 50s is that single track recording became easier and widely popular in the 1960s. This meant that our band had to set up microphones individually for each instrument. We used the main rehearsal space for the recording and used the studio to record into. I mainly focused on setting up microphones to record the drum kit whilst the rest of the band set up the microphones for the guitar and bass amps as well as the vocals. I was there to work as a team and create the best sound possible.

I was excited about being able to explore more difficult and complex ways of recording music yet was also frustrated at the lack of speed that we had whilst setting up the microphones. Before the session I was curious to what we would do and how we were going to complete the tasks given to us however afterwards I felt very happy with the final outcome of our recording and productivity. I think everyone else in my band were feeling similar things to me, excited and proud yet unsure due to the new techniques we had to utilise. I believe that our whole group are confident with what we’re doing and prepared for next time. During our recording I was focusing on how to change the gain and mix of certain tracks to create the best sound possible and looking back I believe we managed to do that successfully.

The way in which we set up the microphones was effective and smart. We also were able to communicate with the band very well and create a clean recording. The speed and productivity was not great as we started the session, towards the end we improved but we could’ve been more efficient. I think my experience with recording drums and setting up drum microphones was a great insight that I could bring and teach to the rest of my band. Setting up microphones for a guitar amp without the sound from the rest of the band was something I had never done before whilst other members felt very confident with doing it.

Things went well as every member in our band has some experience with setting up tech for either recording or live shows. So, whilst the techniques were something we haven’t practiced and knew they weren’t too far from previous experience. Things didn’t go well as communication within the band didn’t flow well to begin with as members didn’t know what jobs to be doing. I think that overall we worked well together and completed the task to a high standard however communication and sharing out the task is something to work on in the future. I have worked with drum recording quite a lot and I knew how to do it with ease. The rest of the band seemed to know either the DAW and EQing more than the rest of us.

I learnt how to watch multiple tracks at once at figuring out how to fix gain and settings to create a better sound and mix. This could’ve been a more positive experience if we had a more relaxed approach being able to laugh with each other whilst setting up and recording. I think I need to be more positive and easier to work with to create a lighter mode as I can be stubborn and serious whilst on task. I will improve this by socialising and talking to peers more.

If repeating this session I would try and be less serious whilst also bringing my skills to the group. I think I could’ve also let the rest of the group take more control as I have a habit of taking the lead when I can.

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We used one microphone for both the hi hat and snare drum die to resource limitations but also to keep more in line with the style of a 1960s recording.

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This was how we set up our microphones to record the guitar amps for a 1960s style song. We turned the amp around to minimise the amount of bleeding into other channels and microphones the guitar had.

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This is the recording from our first production session of the 1960s style. This is another band playing Come Together by the Beatles as we recorded, mixed and produced the track.

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On the 18th November 2024, we had another production session, learning how to produce a song in the style of the 1960s. Our band, consisting of myself, Charlie, Rem and Fraser, was being recorded whilst the other band (Daniel, Logan, Kai and Sam) were producing so therefore our band was stationed in the recording and rehearsal space. The song we decided to record was “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks. For my band I am the lead singer providing vocals and musical directions for the rest of the group. The outcome was a recording of the song that we were all proud of. I wanted to really focus on what it’s like to record a band together yet through separate channels.

During the recording process I was feeling upbeat and energetic, I was very positive about how the recording was going and how tight we were playing as a band. Before the situation I was happy however I had also struggled to sleep the night before so was tired throughout the rehearsal leading up to the recording. Afterwards although I was even more exhausted I was very happy with the end product. I think some members of the band didn’t enjoy playing and recording as much as they didn’t enjoy the song we played as it can get very repetitive however, overall the band enjoyed the experience and played well. I’m very proud of what we produced as the end product and I’m very happy with how the other band produced the song for us.

The efficiency at which the recording happened was amazing as we ran through the song twice to get levels and then got the final product on our third take. I do think that individual my vocals could’ve been better as I was tired and did not warm up my voice fully which showed in the recording. I think I helped lead the band into knowing where we were going in the song. The rest of the band provided the energy and sound that we needed to create a good recording.

Things went well because as a band we all play well and stay in time together. We also knew the song well, creating a relaxed environment with little stress. Things didn’t go well as members of the band were not fully warmed up or weren’t playing to the best of their ability. I can see how important warming up your voice is before singing for an extended period of time. Myself and Charlie as drummers were able to help Fraser with the timing of the solo which improved significantly before recording, although not perfect the improvement is there. Fraser and Rem knew the song much better than the rest of us so were able to help us with where to come in and how the song should sound.

I learnt that although recording in separate tracks, playing as a band who are in time with each other is incredibly important. I believe that having a lighter more happy energy will have made it a more positive situation for everyone involved. I need to develop my ability to warm up my voice, releasing tension in my throat and comfortably tilting my larynx.

If I had to do the same thing again I would, do a longer and more thorough vocal warm up, try and be in a more jolly mood and be more encouraging instead of critical. I will work on my self awareness on what I need to do to get the best out of myself and my band.

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This image shows the order in which the group recording, positioned their channels to record onto the DAW. Each of the microphones that we used as a band all trailed into one of eight channels where the group producing were able to locate and mix us individually.

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This is the recording the other group made of our band playing You Really Got Me by The Kinks during our second production session.

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On Friday 25th November 2024, our band had another production session. During this session we had to set up microphones, wire connections, sound check, find correct levels and record another band. Afterwards we then had to mix as well as add basic effects such as reverb. Our band were stationed in the main studio space, however we did have to set up all the microphones in the recording room first. My entire band Layton was present during this session which made things much easier to do, as we had more people to help. My main job was to help correct the levels in the audio interface to receive a clean recording with no distortion. Everyone else helped set up the microphones and communicated to the band in what they needed to do. The outcome of the situation was that we had a well mixed and produced track with little to no distortion, including reverb effects.

During the session I was sad and nervous, as I had had a rough day with mental health. Towards the start of the session it affected me and how productive I was however after the break I got my head into gear and focused on the work fully. Before the situation I was feeling tired, sad, and unmotivated. After the session however I felt happy, motivated and a lot more relaxed than at the start. I believe other people felt the exact same way about the session, we all started slow but the productivity and energy picked up towards the end. It’s seems as though whilst the production sessions are useful, people are very ready to leave after we finish as it can become repetitive. I was constantly in my own head about how I was sad and how I shouldn’t be but when I accepted the fact that I was upset my productivity increased dramatically. I think the session went well accounting for the low energy and lack of motivation at the start.

The final track sounded really good and had some nice reverb effects and no distortion. The recording process was also really smooth with no hurdles. On the other hand, the energy, enthusiasm and motivation was not there during the setup process which just set the mood for the whole session. I have recorded in multiple studios before and have mixed sound live at church many times, this meant I can bring my knowledge of mixing in an audio interface, making sure there’s enough gain without the track distorting. Other member of my band have used microphone on amps more than I have due to their experience in sound tech at school or shows.

I learnt that you cannot let emotions get in the way of your work. I also learnt that accepting your emotions but just ‘putting them by the door to pick up when you leave’ can increase mood but also productivity. If everyone cheered each other on and helped each other get going with the work the session would have been seen in a more positive light afterwards. I need to develop my ability to put aside my emotions and detach them from work and college as I too often let it affect my day. I could’ve tried just a little bit harder to put aside my emotions for the time being.

If I had to do the same thing again I would talk to myself first and try my hardest to put aside my emotions but I’d also put away my phone as notifications when I’m sad make things worse as I get anxious about what it could be. I will develop my ability to communicate clearly whilst upset and how best to be helpful in those situations. I will make sure that after lunch I leave my emotions at the door and not look at my phone or even put it in my bad for the rest of the day.

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On Friday 17th January 2025 we had another rehearsal for our 1970s gig at the Jolly Brewer, during this rehearsal we discussed a lot about what will happen during the set list as we were unsure about the year twos and whether they will turn up. Ola has never come to a rehearsal so we have assumed she won’t be playing, Levi has had many travel issues so has not been able to make it to rehearsals and therefore has led to some instrument swapping complications. We have re ordered the setlist as so I can play guitar first and the go to drums and then to piano for the final song. Myself, Emi, Rem and Charlie were all present. We also were able to run all of the songs and even ran a couple of them multiple times. I played all of the instruments I was set to play, I further more brought my pedal board which Charlie and I are now using for the gig as we have found sounds that work really well for the gig. I wanted to come out of the gig feeling a little bit more confident in our bands ability to play all of the songs which I did.

I was feeling a little anxious but also really excited as I wanted the rehearsal to go well without any disagreements. Before the situation I was anxious due to previous rehearsals having difficulties with disagreements and stress. However, after the rehearsals I was very confident in how our bands sound together and also how we are getting on with each other. I only have one concern and that’s if Emi doesn’t learn her lyrics. I think everyone was really enjoying the rehearsal and we had loads of laughs and jokes, creating a positive and therefore productive session. I was thinking about writing specific fills that I can play during the songs I’m drumming to create a really nice atmosphere and keep the genre of the songs. I was also thinking about playing Bohemian Rhapsody and Sweet Home Alabama more as those are the songs I am least confident with. Looking back I think that’s a good this was the best rehearsal we’ve had together.

We created a really positive and impactful atmosphere, everyone enjoyed it, smiled and laughed throughout. We did however at point towards the end lose a little bit of focus and started just jamming together, however it meant that we were playing tight as a band. The runs of the songs went well, we all sounded really together and professional even with the harder songs such as bohemian rhapsody. With Bohemian Rhapsody in particular however, there are parts that I’m still yet to be able to play without complications or at full speed which is something I need to work on alone. We all contributed a positive attitude, and we all contributed our ability and understanding to play other instruments as we all help each other out when we’re confused.

Things went well as we were rested, happy, full of food, had plenty to drink and were energised for the rehearsal. Things didn’t go well as we ended up getting to distracted by jamming that we could have used more of our time effectively. I can understand that although I’m correct in thinking positive atmospheres create effectiveness in sessions, it can be very easy to get distracted and is something that should be on peoples minds whilst rehearsing. I brought my understanding of how my digital pedal board worked to be able to allow Charlie to use and create the exact sounds he wants for the gig. Other people contribute their knowledge of their instrument parts and we’re playing with confidence and very minimal mistakes.

I learnt that whilst we are more productive when we are positive we should be more aware of being side tracked and distracted by jamming or other people entering our room. The only way it could’ve been more positive is if everybody knew all of their parts perfectly and if we weren’t side tracked. I need to develop my concentration skills, whilst they have improved since September I can still be better than I already am. I could’ve tried to keep people on track instead of going with the flow and ‘following the pack’.

If I had to do the same thing again the only thing I would change is the fact that we could have used more time to rehearse the songs first our gig even more. I will be conscious of my lack of focus and either give myself a few minutes or take a drink and carry on. I will allow my friends and band mates to hold me accountable.

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https://youtu.be/Rjm-SNlePxA?si=7pgOkdaFSBVYj-vE

On the 4th February 2025 we had our third college gig based on the 1970s. Our band played a set of 5 songs all from differing genres and bands, collectively forming a cohesive performance that captured the spirit of the 1970s. We once again played at the Jolly Brewer pub in Lincoln. The show started at 19:00 and our band went on just after 20:00. Every member of our band was present and was on time and ready to perform. I played, guitar, drums, keys and vocals throughout the performance managing to switch around instruments. Charlie played guitar drums and did some backing vocals at certain points throughout the show. Rem played bass and Emi and Molly did vocals. The outcome of the situation was a well rehearsed and put together performance with minimal mistakes. There were mistakes throughout the show, however they weren’t major and they weren’t too noticeable to non musicians. I wanted to have a shower that we were really proud of and I believe we achieved that.

I was feeling very nervous and anxious however I was fuelled with excitement as I got to play with some of my closest friends. Before the situation I was terrified, the day hadn’t been the best and I had a pretty terrible week before hand which just added to my nerves however I could feel the excitement. After the show I felt nothing but adrenaline and pride. I know I made a few mistakes with my voice cracking and not quite hitting the right notes, or missing a chord in bohemian rhapsody but for the poor weather and anxiety I am very proud of how I did. I could tell that other members of the band were also really nervous and I know that a couple members were doubting their performance after we finished however they all did so well. I think everyone is proud of themselves especially after choosing songs that a notoriously difficult to play. During the situation I was thinking about having a great time and focussing on my showman ship as I think that’s a good is the best part about myself as a performer, how I interact with and come across to the crowd. I believe there are definitely things I could’ve done better musically, however, my main goal when performing is always to put on a good and entertaining show, and I believe I with the rest of my band did that really well and closed the night really well.

I believe the atmosphere and the bands music and instrumentation throughout the set was superb and wonderfully executed. I also believe that my showmanship on a personal level was really good and I created a large stage presence. I do think that my guitar playing and singing was not up to my best level and I know I could’ve done both a lot better. Looking back on the show, overall we did really well and I was really proud of my drumming especially in The Chain. Some of the singing from all three vocalist was sometimes pitchy and didn’t land in the correct notes, the vocalist also weren’t sure in some of their parts which made it difficult for the rest of the band. Myself and Charlie were able to contribute our ability to play multiple instruments, swapping and playing them interchangeably.

Things went well as we all gelled well together as a band and even when things went wrong we carried on like nothing happened or laughed about it together with the audience. Things also went well as we are all very capable musicians and played each part with a high and professional skill level. On my part things didn’t go well as I believe I had an off day, I had been struggling mentally which took its toll on my performance musically. I also put too much pressure on myself to be perfect and make absolutely no mistakes especially when it comes to vocals and I don’t need to. However, I am very proud of my performance bearing all of that in mind and my stage presence was something I want to replicate for my next gig. I can understand that making an entertaining show is more important for the type of performer I am and when I have off days with my vocals or instrumentation I can allow myself some breathing room and not have to critique myself. I can also understand how important it is to create a good band relationship and I believe this was clear within our band as we all interacted with each other throughout the performance.

I learnt to not be so harsh on myself and I learnt that my stage presence is the part of my performance that is the strongest. If everyone played perfectly and didn’t mess up at all then it would’ve been more positive environment for everyone but other than that the environment was really positive and we created a great atmosphere and show. I need to develop my kindness and understanding skill of my own performance and to stop being so harsh about myself. I could’ve warmed up even more possibly which would’ve decreased the nervousness of my voice slightly.

If I had to do the same thing again I’d spend some time alone relaxing and meditating before the show just allowing myself to be calm and relaxed. I will make sure to give myself time, allow myself some room to breathe and to not be in my head so much. I will really focus on my mental warm ups as well as my physical warm ups for the next show.

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Rem, Reuben, Charlie, Emi and Molly 70s Gig @ Jolly Brewer

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We recorded through a microphone in the corridor, this created a more atmospheric and wider sound. This was a really experimental way to record, we did this as in the 1970s bands such as Led Zeppelin started to record in more peculiar ways to create unique sounds.

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On Monday 20th January 2025, our band had another production session on our track for Mamma Mia, last session we recorded and EQued the drum tracks. In this session we recorded, bass, guitar, vocals and a midi piano. Rem played bass, Charlie played guitar, emi recorded vocals and I did the piano. I mainly helped with setting up tracks, making sure things were going through the correct channels and helping with the feedback back and forth from those recording and those being recorded. I wanted a fleshed out and large track for Mamma Mia. I wanted it to sound full and clean. The outcome was a relatively good sounding track that we were all very proud of.

During the situation I was having a great time and I was feeling happy as I love producing and I was able to be in my element with my friends. We were all playing really well and the only difficulties came in the tech side of it. I felt confident in our abilities as a band and my abilities as an individual to create a well mixed and produced track. Before the session I felt happy and energetic whilst afterwards I was still happy however my energy had dwindled significantly. I believe that everyone else in the group was also feeling the same way about our recording. Everyone was laughing and engaging with each other. I think members of my band are pleased with our track and happy that we produced a piece of work that we are proud of. During the situation there was a moment where the outputs stopped working so I was trying to figure out what the issue was. Whilst I was able to understand what the issue was I was unable to fix it so we had to ask Ioannis for help. I think overall we only had one technical issue and I believe we all recorded professionally and productively.

The atmosphere of the recording space was one of joy, excitement and focus. We all knuckled down but we’re also able to enjoy the moment and be with each other rather than secluding ourselves for one another. However, people messing with the TV and turning it on did lead to technical issues which could have been avoided by some common sense and maturity. The actual instrument playing and recording process went incredibly smoothly. We did take up a lot of time producing which meant we were able to rehearse afterwards which was frustrating. I contributed my understanding of logic and DAWs as a whole whilst the rest of the group were able to play the song perfectly seemingly without trying.

Things went well because we all were positive but also engaged and excited about the work we were doing. Things didn’t go well as we took a long time to fix certain elements of the technology meaning we ran out of rehearsal time. I can understand that we have to be quicker on helping each other out when someone is trying to fix something. I was able to bring my knowledge of DAWs and their outputs to figure out what the issue was.

I have learnt how impactful positivity is towards a productive session, I have also learnt that asking for help is a really good thing and shouldn’t be seen as a negative especially when learning. This could’ve been more positive if we just allowed ourselves some time at the end of the session to rehearse however we didn’t. I need to develop my time management skills and the ability to achieve goals in short time frames.

If I had to do the same thing again o would’ve been firmer and not joined in on messing with the TV and I would try and push us to get things moving at a faster pace. I will when doing work, set myself time limits and time goals to work in as to better improve my management abilities. I will practice outside of college to become a better and more professional person.

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Overall I’ve learnt a lot about production in the 70s unit. I’m going to break down everything I’ve learnt into each individual instrument.

For drums you should use dynamic microphones for most parts of the drum kit and a large diaphragm condenser microphone for the kick drum to capture the most sound. When recording drums placing a microphone in the opposite side of the room allows the natural sounds of the room to be recorded, this can then be placed further back in the mix. Furthermore, placing a microphone in a hallway and allowing it to capture the reverb and natural sound of the hallway can make for a larger, wider and more experimental sound. When EQing the drum tracks for each drum you want to boost the fundamental, the first hit and sounds of the stick or beater hitting the drum skin. You also want to increase the attack of the instrument, where the vibration hits the resonant head. It may also be useful to add a compressor to each track as it adds power but also takes out some of the more drastic accents and dynamic changes making everything feel more equal, clean and controlled. To make the drums sound wider, pan the drums to the position in which they are placed in the drum kit. This creates a realistic and surrounding sound.

For the Bass Guitar you should have two tracks recording, one Direct Input (DI) and one microphone. The benefit of this is that they create two different sounds. The DI has more clarity, and clearer yet weaker qualities. The DI is better for picking up the extreme low frequencies. The microphone, is less clean, picks up the room but sounds stronger and more powerful. The microphone picks up the higher frequencies. Similarly to the drums you want to boost the fundamentals. When EQing the microphone track specifically, boosting the higher frequencies can create a brighter noise. For the DI, do the opposite, the low frequencies should be boosted. Furthermore, adding a compressed creates a larger low end and a bigger sound.

Moving on to the guitar, specifically the electric guitar, we very similarly to the bass guitar we have two inputs. However, this time you have one condenser microphone and one dynamic microphone by the amp. The condenser microphone has a more natural and brighter sound. It captures everything around it. Dynamic microphones you can aim and control the input and cardioid pickup of the microphone as to only record a certain amount of noise. After recording, you want to pan one track slightly to the left and the other slightly to the right. This will create a bigger and more filling sound that will make the entire track sound much better.

When recording vocals you want to use a large diaphragm condenser microphone. This will capture every sound of your voice. The added 48 volts (phantom power) will add more volume and power to the recording. At around 100Hz is where all of the chest voice sounds, boosting the frequencies around 100Hz will make the voice sound more powerful and punchy. You should think about decreasing the mid frequencies as they can create harsh tensions that can disrupt the positive qualities of the voice. Decreasing the mid qualities very slightly can make the positive attributes more prominent and the negative tensions lower. Lastly you’d want to increase and boost your higher frequencies to brighten the voice and add the higher end to combat the boosted low frequencies. Recording a second vocal track and panning them is a more contemporary effect that many artists use to make their vocals surround the song.

Finally, for a piano, the only thing you need to work on the volume and its place in the mix. A piano can very easily drown out the other tracks, keeping a piano lower and further back in a mix makes the risk of the piano overpowering other instruments significantly less.

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After trialling many different gain settings this is how we got the best sound out of the microphone.

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Whilst recording the cover of Johnny B. Goode this I what our DAW track and project looked like.

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On the 6th October 2024 we had our penultimate rehearsal for our 50s gig. We used our usual rehearsal space and really tried to focus on using our time effectively. The entire band was present for the first time in a long time which was really helpful. We decided to go through our setlist in sequence of how we will play it in the gig. I think the outcome of the rehearsal was that all of us were a lot more confident in what we had to do and what we had to work on in the next week so we’re ready. I was there to try and keep morale high and keep us on the task, rehearsing as effectively as possible. I wanted our band to overall enjoy the experience and not be worried about the gig which I believe was successful.

I was feeling extremely happy and relaxed during the rehearsal. I had lots of initial stress and anxiety but when we started playing as a band my nerves eased significantly. I could tell that others were feeling more nervous than me but overall I think we’re very confident in our bands ability, communication and sound. I think we’re happy as a band and are excited more than nervous about our gig. During the rehearsal my main focus was on the lyrics trying not to forget them and getting my diction clear into the microphone. I believe that we rehearsed very well, whilst there’s elements to work on we are ready for the performance.

Rehearsing with the band created a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Furthermore, all of our songs are sounding very clean and put together, all members know where they’re going in the song. Having said this, we stopped early and could’ve spent more time refining the small imperfections. Our time management was great during this rehearsal and we got through everything we wanted to. This was our downfall however as we should’ve spent extra time working on small things as previously stated. I helped to guide the band on which songs were playing, and cleared up misconceptions and miscommunication. Everyone else held the rehearsal together musically as the band were on the top of their game, playing very well and staying focused the entire time.

Things went well due to the energy we had and the motivation we all had as a band to make our performance as good as it can be.

As a reoccurring issue we don’t enjoy playing 1950s songs which makes playing for an extended period of time extremely difficult. I think that as a band we are getting in very well and are currently feeling very confident to play. I believe that myself and Daniel have more experience playing live music in front of a big crowd. We were able to create the order of our setlist with the idea of how to keep an audience as engaged as possible with the music.

I learn that being part of a band means that everyone should be equal in what they’re contributing. I realised all instrumentalists had a solo other than bass so we found a place for a bass solo. Overall it was a very positive situation and the only improvement would be to rehearse more. Focusing on something that is not entertaining is a skill I need to work on for future rehearsals.

If I had to do this again I would rehearse the setlist at least one more time and would tackle the hard parts of the songs making sure everyone knew exactly what they were doing instead of a rough idea. This comes through awareness of the situation and time management. Next time I will really focus on pushing the band to work as hard as we can.

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This is our recording of that’ll be the day by Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Another group produced this for us as we played the song.

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This is my 1950s poster. I took inspiration from many different 1950s live performance posters and tried to create one in the same style and colour pallet.

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We did our final 1950s performance on Tuesday 15th October at The Jolly Brewer. We performed our 5 song setlist that we have been rehearsing to the audience in the pub. Our band performed really well and everyone seemed to enjoy our set. We did however mess up once on the ending of earth angel however it went unnoticed as we communicated clearly when the song was about to end with each other after doing an unplanned chorus.

Before the first song I was feeling extremely anxious however once we started playing the nerves left and I just enjoyed myself. Afterwards I was exhausted as I put all my energy into the performance however I was really pleased with how we did. Looking back I think we did very well and held ourselves well on stage, being very comfortable with performing. I know that most of the band have lots of experience performing however one member was very nervous before hand however afterwards you couldn’t fault their playing.

We gained great experience playing in a pub where the sound treatment and technology is not as high standard as playing at college would’ve been. This allowed us to experience more of the music industry and a more realistic setting for gigs which we handled well. However there was some feedback from microphones and the technology did fail a couple times for all bands. The entire band contributed their own skills on the respective instruments well and those who had experience performing gave that skill and confidence to the rest of the group.

Things went so well because as a band we put the effort, time and practice into what we were doing during rehearsals. Things didn’t go well due to the technology but also our nerves making us forget how we ended earth angel forcing us to improvise. I think that overall the performance went well, and although we have things to work on with stage presence and tone of instruments we should be proud of how well the performance went. As I have the most experience playing music in front of people I can bring that calm sense and helpful ways to ease nerves before a performance. Other members of the band are more proficient in their respective instruments than I am so they can provide tips on how to improve.

I can learn how to interact with an audience in a pub not an audience in an auditorium as they have two different feels. The only way for the performance to be more positive is for us to have enjoyed the music we were playing more than we did. I need to develop my crowd interaction skills and my ability to keep my eyes open and on the audience. I could’ve been more confident and planned out what I was going to say in between songs with more detail before going on stage.

If doing this performance again, I would change the way I interacted with the crowd and what I said during the set. To develop this, I will practice talking during performances whilst rehearsing for the next show we do. Furthermore, during the next performance I will focus on how I speak and even have planned sentences.

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This is a clip of our improvised ending of Earth Angel as we got the original planned ending wrong.

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After arriving early to the venue (The Jolly Brewer) we helped set up the instruments, I specifically helped with the drums as I often have to set up drums for performances. This is how we settled on placing all of the instruments, microphones and amps.

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This is a video of us performing Shout by the Isley Brothers. This was one of our best songs which sounded tight, well rehearsed and got the audience engaged.

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On Tuesday 10th November 2024 we had our second college gig at the Jolly Brewer. This gig was themed around the 1960s and was what we have been rehearsing for in our practice time on a Friday afternoon. Our set came together really well and we made very minimal mistakes. The one noticeable mistake was the fact that the keyboard when I was playing Hey Jude was transposed down a semitone so was not in tune with the rest of the instruments as someone before must’ve transposed it but not reset the keyboard. However as a band we handled it well and just laughed about it, fixed the issue and restarted. Then after that it the song went really well and we got the entire crowd singing. Every single member of our band was there which was really helpful as we were worried Fraser might not come as he was ill. I sang and led the band as the “frontman” introducing the songs and making sure the band knew when to stop. The outcome of the gig was a really well put together set, that ended the night with energy, laughs and a tight band. I wanted to have as much fun as possible and mainly not forget my words which I managed to do, only forgetting one line but being able to cover it up by singing something different. Overall our band did exactly what we planned and played really well making ourselves proud.

During the performance I was filled with adrenaline and joy as I love performing. However, before the performance I was incredibly nervous as I knew that more of my close friends and family were watching and I wanted to impress them. I was more nervous for this than a lot of my other performances in general. After the situation I was filled with nothing but pride and joy for myself but also my entire band as they played better than any rehearsal before. Based on conversations and messages after the performance I believe everyone from my band and others thought we played extremely well and brought a lot of energy to the stage. Whilst performing I was thinking about how I can reach the goals I set myself after the first gig, being able to keep my head up and look at the crowd, so I was constantly trying to keep my eyes open and interact with members of the audience. Looking back on the gig, I believe I reached my goal and can now look at what else I need to improve upon.

The actual music was really good and we sounded great. The nerves were hard to get past however, making it difficult to enjoy the night before I went on. The band was really tight and were playing together as one group which made the overall sound really nice and uniformed. Individually, I hit all of my high notes and even opted up in some songs going higher than I practiced. The thing that I believe was my downfall was the fact that I didn’t pronounce my words well and my diction needs a lot of improvement. The fact that the keyboard was transposed whilst could’ve been a bad thing, showed our professionalism and ability to control situations when things go wrong during a performance so actually turned out to be a positive. I believe that my main contribution was my energy and showmanship, due to musical theatre, acting and many music performance I feel very comfortable and confident on a stage performing for people. And especially because of musical theatre I’m used to acting up and really expressing emotions whilst singing which translates into being very physical and moving around whilst performing. The rest of the band played together and provided a great sound to allow the audience to feel the music and be engaged but also allowed me to feel confident in their ability to stay in time to allow my showmanship to take place.

Things went well mainly because we had practiced. We rehearsed really hard and were very picky about making very small imperfections better whilst practicing. Because of our intensity and ‘pickiness’ it meant that when it came to performing our set we all felt really confident. I think things didn’t go well because I was more focused on remembering the words than pronouncing the words. So my confidence in my own ability not my band brought my individual performance down. I can understand how important rehearsal is but also how important it is to create a good band dynamic as we all really got along with each other and had lots of laughs which made the intensity of practice not feel as overwhelming.

I learnt that diction is something to at I need to work on as a singer and that pronouncing my words clearly can help elevate a performance from good to great. I also learnt that band dynamics and friendship amplifies the work and effort you put in making the end result even better. I think the only way this could’ve been a more positive experience is if everyone was just that little bit more energetic. I need to develop my diction skills mainly and that is my goal for our next gig. I could’ve furthered my crowd interaction by planning out my introductions more and creating art scripts for what I was saying in between songs.

If I had to do the same thing again I would focus more on my diction and be more confident when talking to the crowd not just singing. During rehearsals for my next gig I will focus on my diction and get feedback from my band mates asking if they understood what I was singing. I will really focus and be aware of my diction making sure I can improve for next time.

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This is an image of the DAW whilst equing and mixing the recording of the band. As you can see they’re are many channels to mix and EQ rather than just one like the 1950s.

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This image shows that we placed the microphone as far away from the rest of the band as possible to reduce bleeding and isolate the vocals as much as possible.

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Since the start of this term we have been doing music theory lessons with Ioannis on a Monday morning. Mostly the theory lessons involve a new part of grade one or grade two music theory and then ending with some ear training. Mostly weeks there is at least in person missing from our group which makes things difficult but can also be relaxing to have a smaller group. The lessons are mandatory meaning I have to be present as long as I am not ill which I haven’t been for a theory lesson yet. I wanted to learn some new depth towards my music theory knowledge and find new understanding to what I knew.

During each session I felt a sense of boredom, as the lessons aren’t very engaging or interesting. Due to my previous knowledge and understanding of music theory by working through the grades with my guitar teacher I have felt that I haven’t learnt anything new in these lessons and end up sitting and listening trying to help others when they are stuck. After speaking to Ioannis I am hopeful that in the next term we will start venturing into aspects of music theory I haven’t approached before, learning about modes specifically. Based on information I have gathered from my peers many are confused at what they’re learning as they have often felt like things have been rushed or not explained well leading to confusion and unnecessary stress. I believe the music theory lessons are important in pushing our ability as musicians but are also not being utilised as well as they could be leading to the loss of potential knowledge.

I think I have enjoyed the lessons as I love helping others with their work and music theory is something that really interests me and I find exciting however the fact that new knowledge hasn’t come has made it difficult to stay engaged in every lesson. The ear training has been helpful and I do believe that I have improved in my abilities. Myself and Daniel both are taught music theory by the same teacher so we have often conversed over the lessons being ‘easy’ purely based on the fact that we have been taught it before however we both acknowledge the fact that many other students aren’t aware of the theory side to music. We both can contribute different ways of memorising or understanding the music theory.

I believe the reason that thing haven’t gone well is due to the speed at which we go through each music theory lesson and how each section of what is being taught is not gone into in great detail leaving ambiguities for the students. Things however have gone well because as a group we all get on and have laughs and Ioannis laughs with us meaning that we can create a bond with him as our tutor. I think that each section of music theory needs to be looked and explained in greater detail whilst still allowing space for fun and jokes to be had.

I have learnt that ear training is something I need to work on but other than that mostly of the knowledge provided is knowledge I already have. To make a more positive experience for the students I think more detail is needed. I further think that the students feel a lot of pressure to understand things quickly which is causing stress and anxiety to come to the lessons. This is something that I believe needs to be worked on for next term.

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This is a video of our band, featuring Georgie, playing Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), wearing Christmas hats.

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This is a video of our band playing the start of the second verse of I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction) by the Rolling Stones.

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This is a recording of All Along The Watch Tower by Jimi Hendrix. This was one of if not our favourite to play as a band.

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This document is my risk assessment of a Live Event.

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This document is my risk assessment of a Music Studio.

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This document is a tour plan including finances, accommodation and venues called 'Four on Tour'.

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This document is a festival plan including, artists, venues, travel and accommodation options and finances called 'Leeds Amplified'.

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Here is my essay on the Sly and the Family Stone album titled "There's a Riot Goin' On".

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When going about this task I really felt inspired by the new biopic of Bob Dylan to take Yesterday and put a Bob Dylan style over it. To do this I listen to multiple different songs of Dylan’s and found which parts I thought would work well with the chords and structure of yesterday. ‘Down the Highway’ was one of the main influences as it was a quintessential folk-Bob Dylan song. I loved the bass lines played in between lines on the guitar and I knew I wanted to incorporate that same technique into my cover. I also loved the fact that he held out singular chords for some lyric making the focus on the words instead of strumming the whole way through. I further tried to imitate Dylan’s voice as you can’t have a folk song without a country accent! Something Bob Dylan would do was play to where the music felt it was going instead of focusing on playing perfectly in time with a metronome, therefore whilst playing the music I relaxed and allowed myself to take pauses where I believed they would be impactful and accelerated and decelerated in pace throughout the piece. Finally I wrote an easily repeated harmonica lick that I could play over the final chords of each verse.

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Yesterday - The Beatles, reimagined in a Bob Dylan style

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When doing a reimagining of yesterday with my full band we loved the sound of the electric piano over the melody The Beatles wrote. We decided to go for a soul based ballad which fit nicely with the theme of the song. During our break I decided to try reharmonising some of the chords and adding a new section with diminished and inverted chords to add more tension and create unrest in between section of the song. Most notably I tried to add many minor chords as they typically sound less resolved, more sad and having more depth than major chords. I took the Bm to an Em as both chords include the note that the melody was singing yet changed the sound as we therefore went from an Em to an E7 which in my opinion created more tension and unrest. Furthermore, the first chord of the new section is a Dm, the second of the key, making an uneasy feeling. Afterwards we went down to a C# diminished chord which created a peak in tension. We also decided to slow the tempo of the song dramatically. Adding in some improvised electric guitar - with strong reverb and clean tones - brought everything together as that’s a defining characteristic of soul and ballads. The bass added the power needed to drive the emotions in the song.

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Yesterday - The Beatles reimagined into a soulful ballad

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This is a link to my Job roles presentation I created about being a Music Manager.