Evaluation of Performance 17/10/2017

 Me and my classmates, Leah, Tom and Manon performed the song  'Vultures' by John Mayer.
We performed this song in the Worthing college Slight Theatre.

We were able to play the piece in time, and perform with confidence. Communication was good in the group during the performance, for example we all looked at each other to signify when we were going to finish.

The lighting set we chose, for whatever technical reason, was not used during the performance, but that didn't hinder us in any way.
The amps we used were weak, next time we would use better amps.

Personally, I feel I performed well, if we had had more time to practise I would have elaborated the bass I played for the song however what I did play for the performance, although it was simple, did work well for the performance.

My performance preparation could have been better if I had practised more.
Overall I was happy with the performance, however to further develop myself as a performer I will in future practice more before a show.

Unit 385 Improving Instrumental Performance

Unit Title: 385 Improving Instrumental Performance

Assessment criteria	Research	Milestones	Performance & Evaluation
1.1 Undertake activities relating to the efficient operation of their instrument in context, including an analysis of personal health and safety issues and risks in relation to the demands of their instrumental playing and performance.	Blog post: “What is a risk assessment?” Blog post: risks and dangers in music performance and rehearsing	Risk assessment of rehearsal spaces and safe use of instrument(s)
1.2 Demonstrate analytical understanding of the personal instrument and equipment choice.		Presentation on your instrument and preferences in equipment, technique and use
2.1 Analyse own current instrumental skills in relation to personal goals and devise an action plan (to be agreed with the tutor) relating to the achievement of the personal goals, including: a) personalized practice plan detailing strategies for the improvement of specific skills b) regularly evaluate progress through peer/tutor critique to inform their ongoing review of the practice plan	Blog post: research technical skills by grade for your instrument Blog post: research on effective warm ups Develop a personalised practice plan informed by the above.	Initial diary entry Skills audit and grade estimation generating short, medium and longer term targets Bi-monthly review of progress and targets	At least four examples of tutor or peer feedback together with the performance being reviewed and your thoughts on them and how they may inform your next steps.
3.1 Over an agreed study period, demonstrate developmental progression as an instrumentalist in: a) technical ability b) dexterity c) stamina d) control of the instrument	Research suitable repertoire or exercises to develop skills a-d		Video snapshots or performances demonstrating progress in and covering a-d
3.2 Review the progression in 3.1 citing at least two areas for development, revising the timeframe for achievement.		Review of progress in 3.1 over Autumn and Spring term

RSL Music Practitioner diary entry 1

RSL Music Practitioner diary entry 1

A summary of my musical journey

From as far back as I remember, Music has always played a big part in my life. Some of my earliest memories included watching music videos on MTV in the lounge with my family. The one video that I remember vividly was the music video for Duality by Slipknot which was realised in 2004, I would have been 4 at the time.

However it wasn’t just music videos that influenced my early taste in music, my Mother always used to play songs by Tracy Chapman and Yazoo in the kitchen and my Dad would often play Metallica or Pearl Jam in the car. This all led to me having a very mixed taste in music, which is useful as now I can appreciate aspects of all genres of music.

In year 4 I was attending West Park middle school, and in this year my Mother signed me up to take Drum classes. I would go on to take Drum classes until year 9, when I decided the classes were no longer helping me progress as a drummer. It was during this year of High School that I and some friends had started our first band, we would practise almost every lunch time and although we never had anything going for us musically, the whole thing was a lot of fun. I was entered as part of a School band into ‘Skoolfest’ which was an annual concert for schools. My group played one song, and I was awarded ‘Best drummer’ on the day. 

My friends and I continued our lunch time practising until, as the pressure of exams built up, we just started to do our own separate things. High school finished and I ended up applying for Worthing College.

During my first year of college, I started to build an interest in bass guitar. This was due mainly due to the work of famous bassist such as Slipknot’s Paul Grey who I found absolutely captivating in the way they performed live. Everything about the instrument appealed to me although at the time I was not even very aware of how the instrument worked. Eventually, on the 25th of November 2016, I bought my first bass guitar.

I started to practise bass guitar every single day, a ritual I still continue, and with a lot of determination I found myself starting to pick up the basics and start to play simple songs. As my skills began to develop, my older brother put me in contact with a friend of his who was a bass teacher and before long I started private bass lessons, now I have one bass lesson every two weeks.

Altogether, the influences developed from listening to multiple genres of music from an early age is what has led me to want to pursue a career in music. For this reason I dropped History A level in my second college year, instead joining the course in RSL Music Practitioner.