My next performance for the solo class will be a 'research piece,' my song choice should be based on what i have learned from my previous performance. Because i have been off ill, I will be performing the two together. I found it difficult to decide what to perform. I considered many options, and changed my mind a couple of times after starting to practice songs. I was trying to find something that incorporated the skills that i have gained, and encouraged me to challenge myself while still being comfortable for me to sing. Eventually i settled on 'Perfect Day' by Lou Reed. I enjoy singing this song, and though i could perhaps be challenging myself more, it was really important that i settled on a piece after already changing my mind, so i would still have time to properly prepare. I think that this song allows me to concentrate on the delivery, and on the performance as a whole, while still demonstrating my skills and incorporating what i have learned. With thorough practice, i hope to perform to the best of my ability, especially as this will be the last song that i perform for the solo class.
Our next assignment was to choose a grade seven piece to perform in front of our classmates and tutors. The song i have chosen is 'Put Your Records On' by Corinne Bailey Rae. I like the song, and knew the lyrics fairly well already. I Downloaded a backing track and sheet music, and began to practice. I found it tricky to sing, and grew a little frustrated, and nervous about my performance. I persevered, and after a while it became easier. Specifically practicing the intervals that i was struggling with, and working through the song in segments rather that as a whole, helped me to improve. Practicing in front of a full length mirror has allowed me to ensure that my posture is aligned, and observe my body language. I have noticed a great improvement since beginning to practice this song. Through doing this, i have learned about the importance of muscle memory, as i can now comfortably sing the intervals that i was finding difficult before. In the future i will approach tasks by breaking them down into more manageable segments, and identify the parts that are challenging me so i can work on them specifically. The next thing for me to consider was my stage presence and delivery, and where emphasis is required to achieve a dynamic contrast. I hope that with this song, i can incorporate what i have learned to deliver a more confident and engaging performance.
Yesterday i did my second performance for the solo class. Based on the feed back i received after my last performance, i decided to prepare a song with a backing track rather than accompanying myself, so i was able to concentrate fully on singing. I chose a song called 'Don't wait too long' by Madeleine Peyroux, a singer whose music I love. Because i am most comfortable when either singing with a band, or accompanying myself, i was feeling more nervous than usual. With use of some deep breathing techniques i was able to calm myself, but my breathing and breath control still suffered during the performance as a result of nerves. Despite this, i felt that my performance went reasonably well, though could have been better. Afterwards my tutor pointed out that if i was able to get into character for performances, i would be more focused and more confident, making my performane more engaging for the audience. She asked me to consider the meaning of the song, and who i imagined i was singing it to, before singing the beginning of the song again. I thought of the confident, classy demeanour of Madeleine Peyroux, and of the message being delivered in the song - 'if you think that time will change your ways, Don't wait too long.' I imagined i was singing the song to myself. After taking this time to consider how i was presenting myself, who i was singing to, and what i was singing about, i found that i was much happier with my performance. In the future i will prepare for performances in this way, being mindful to take my time, and get into character, rather than rushing as i often do when nervous. After singing 'Don't wait too long' i received some very kind and encouraging comments from some of my classmates and have been able to have a little more confidence in my abilities. By incorporating all that i have learned this week i hope to achieve a higher standard in my next solo performance.
As our first assignment for the solo performance class, we were instructed to prepare a ‘confidence piece’ to be performed in front of our class mates and tutors. I decided to play the same song that I chose for my audition, a song of my own called 'Travellers.' Despite my nerves, I felt that my performance went reasonably well. I have been impressed by the general high standard set by the performers who preceded me in the class, and thought this did contribute to my nerves, it ultimately meant that I was more thorough in preparing for my own performance. I expect to be nervous before performances, but try and find ways to manage my nerves, so it does not affect my ability to perform. However, on this occasion I was so nervous that I decided to sit, rather than stand as I normally would. Though I usually accompany myself on guitar when singing, I am aware that it often causes my posture to come out of alignment, particularly if I am seated rather than standing. Singing into a microphone and/or standing up encourages me to look at the audience and stand up straight, which not only allows me to maintain good posture, but makes the performance more engaging, and improves the projection of my voice. Without this, I have a tendency to sing towards my shoulder, looking at my fingers on the fret board of my guitar, rather than facing the audience. It was suggested to me by my tutor that in the future I should perform with a backing track, or with someone else accompanying me, so I am free to concentrate entirely on singing.
The next piece we perform does not have to be of a specific grade, but will be assessed, and our song choice should be based on the feedback we received from our tutors after the first performance. I will chose a song to cover, and perform it with either a backing track or accompaniment from another musician. This is likely to be difficult for me because I am most comfortable performing my own songs, and accompanying myself on the guitar. It will be a good experience for me to get out of my comfort zone, though I hope that with practice, i will be able to perform to the best of my ability while also playing the guitar. |