Episode XXVII - Wake Me Up When May Ends!

Week 27 - 14.04.10, 15.04.10 and 16.04.10

After a two week break (and turning 21!), I am ready to tackle the ever changing challenges of Perth College. I first have some sad news, the Rock School in which i had done so much preparation and was looking forward to fell through. There was a guaranteed 20 children which were to attend my Rock School, but due to the two play workers of the club having to take the Easter holidays off, the club couldn't run with just myself as I only have a half an hour slot in a 3 hour after school day. I have been assured by the headmaster of the school that i can move my Rock School to August, and this agreement has been agreed by the after school club. Its a shame, but at least i can make my Rock School from 2 weeks to 4 weeks!

In college, I have been quite productive as a new term starts! My first study pieces are coming along nicely and Kevin and myself are now looking at possible grade 8 pieces to play in my audition. We were playing through Fernado Sor's 'Rondo'. Grade 8 is a lot harder than I first anticipated! Im going to need a lot of practise with this piece! I'm now realising that if i were to become an instrumental instructor, there is so much that i need to learn on the guitar! I have only scratched the surface! If a student needed help with a Grade 8 piece, at this moment, i couldn't help them!

In Graded Unit, we looked at a sound production students presentation. This presentation was voiced over and visually was quite impressive! What i learned from this presentation is:

- Keep my voice animated

- Make sure my slides are captivating

- Make sure i relate my classes back to the job

- Include relevant video with or without audio

- Use experience's from outside college

My own Graded Unit presentation is very very behind schedule and after seeing this presentation, i need to up my game!

This week we were given all of our times for various deadlines and they read as follows:

- An Adorno essay due 21st May

- My Graded Unit presentaion is on the 13th May

- My degree band's gig is also on the 13th May

- 2 D.A.W are apparently for the end of May

- 3 Session Skills essays for the end of May

- An articualtion assignment for the end of May

- A DEGREE AUDITION TO PREPARE FOR!

As you can see, May is a very busy month for me! This does not include the various commitments that i have outside of college!

Episode 24, 25 and 26 - Lack of Organisation

Week 24 - 10.03.10, 11.03.10 and 12.03.10

Week 25 - 17.03.10, 18.03.10 and 19.03.10

Week 26 - 24.03.10, 25.03.10 and 26.03.10

Due to a lack of time management and a heavy load of work needing completed, my logbook has regrettably been put to the back of my to do list. When completing my graded unit planning stage, this was one of my weaknesses: time management. I tend to put the less academic activities first which although is productive, i leave the more time consuming items to the last minute. I must rectify this by completing my essays before the due date and leave my practical assignments to nearer their date! Although living in Edinburgh, i have set time aside to work in the Perth College library, where i work far more productively than in my own flat!

My logbook entries will resume after the holidays with a very organised writer behind them!

Episode XXIII - Surely we should have known earlier?

Week 23 - 3.3.10, 4.3.10 and 5.3.10

College

This week, i felt like i was actually studying in a HND course! In first study, i submitted a 'composition proposal' to Kevin off of my own back, to show that i have actually done research and that i care for this course. He seemed quite impressed and liked my enthusiasm. In being an instrumental instructor, sometimes it good to think outside of the box and produce materials that have not actually been stated. This shows that you are committed and giving more than is required.

In Graded Unit, we had mock interviews in which we were asked to watch and take part in interviews for the up and coming 'Centre stage' company. The first interview was Zoe. She had a very confident attitude and had very relevant answer to Marlisa's questions. She kept an upright sitting position and asked some good questions at the end which showed that she had researched the company well. My only criticism towards Zoe was that she seems a bit nervous in her voice and that she lost eye contact on occasion. Overall, a very good interview and i gave her a 8 out of 10. Next was myself. For some reason, unknown to me, i came out with a very British accent! Through the accent and use of words such as 'gallivanting', i felt that i did give credible answers and gave an all right interview. I would give myself a 7 out of 10. Then it was Liam's turn for an interview. He was confident, kept a friendly and non-intimidating air around him and gave relevant answers to all the questions asked. I gave him a 10 out of 10, as i could not see a fault in his interview. As i happened, i got the job, but i felt that it should have gone to Liam.

In Articulation Class, we were given our customary bad news. We had to pass this class with a B, Graded Unit with a B and their will be an audition process. The audition process will consist of playing a grade 8 piece, learning a grade 8 piece and sight reading and technical exercises! I have to admit, im glad a bar has been raised, but not this late into the course. If this had been stated even before xmas, we would have had time to prepare. In University's, they know this kind of thing in advance, not here though!

Well, i have some Grade 8 pieces to learn, a 4000 word essay to write and 2 first study compositions to create, better get started then!

Outside of College

This week, i created the rest of my lesson plans for my Rock School. I have found this process very interesting and vital as i am now organised in advance. This will make the whole experience alot more enjoyable! I have also secured all of the necessary instruments required to pull this off, so i am now ready to go!

Episode XXII - Put the suit back to the dry cleaners...

Week 22 - 24.02.10, 25.02.10 and 26.02.10

College

This was quite an unproductive week at college i felt. I had to run for some of the way to college to make it in on time for 9. When i got there, all of the rooms had been taken and none of my band members turned up until 10. After they finally arrived, we were given a very small room at the end of the corridor, where we could hardly move let alone practice. The whole thing was a shambles. If i learned anything from this, it was to make my own lessons very organised and make sure, every lesson, that my pupils are happy and getting what they par for!

Thursdays graded unit was cancelled, so now i have more time to prepare for my interview! Session skills was a waste of my time. I took the 'sound engineers' an hour and a half to set up! Then we had one run through of my girl before we had to pack up! Shambles! Then in D.A.W, we were doing more research for the lectures own benifits....

Overall, not a productive week. I can only take from this that i need to not allow this kind of 'shambles' happen to my own lessons!

Outside of College

This week, i typed up my lesson plans for the next 4 lessons of my rock school.

I apologise for an appalling blog, but it has been an unproductive week!

Episode XXI - Step up to the Hip Hop

Week 21 - 17.02.10, 18.02.10 and 19.02.10

College

As i entered into the practise rooms for my weekly practise with my hip hop band, i noticed that there was 3 drummers, 2 singers, 2 guitarists and a keys player in the room. I thought to myself that this was enough and i went to see Andrew. I talked to him about the situation and suggested that we split the group into two bands. At first, he did not agree with the idea, but after much reasoning from myself, he came around to the idea. I then said that he should come into the room with us and help us sort this out. This was the most awkward i have been in a long time. The most response that we got from band members was ''i dont care'' or ''whatever''. Very helpful. After much silence, i decided to take charge and split the group into two. I took Greensmith and Alison with me as i thought we could pull off the hip hop band on our own. The others were more than happy to leave hip hop and start a new genre. I think that i handled the situation calmly and confidently. Ive spent weeks as MC Keating, working out new songs and learning raps, i wasn't about to let that all go to waste. As an instrumental instructor, i wil be faced with many situations like this, where i need to keep a cool head and create solutions that make everyone involved happier.

First up on Thursday was Graded Unit. We were all to take part in mock interviews and apply for our desired positions. I watched each interview intently, watching for all of the 'do's' and 'don't s'. Athough it may have seemed like i wasnt paying attention (writing that daryl has a beard like Sean Bean and Jamie Mann resembles James McAvoy), i did take alot from spectating:

1. Never play with a pen during the interview, its very annoying!

2. Keep a straight posture, lean in to show interest.

3. Speak clearly and confidently, try not to sound sarcastic or 'ramble on' to much

4. Keeping it light hearted can work in your favour, makes you memorable.

5. Come well prepared, do some research and have answers in your head prior to the interview.

6. Look professional, first impressions count!

7. Turn your weakness's into strengths!

Assessing others is an essential skill for an instrumental instructor. To receive feedback from a teacher of how you did is a valuable learning technique. I unfortunately did not get my interview this week, but i look forward to mine next week!

Outside of College

This week has been quite busy outside of college. I have been working on my original material all week, which has been such a good feeling. I know that being in a band doesn't seem relevant in becoming an instrumental instructor, but i feel that if im excited and happy playing in a band, it will keep up my interest and attention to the guitar. New Delusion had a practice on Saturday which went really really well!

In regards to my Rock School, my first day will be on the first week of the Easter Break. I am really looking forward to starting this up again. I have been told that one or two of the children already play and instrument, and are really excited about me coming up! I have managed to aquire a drum kit from a friend which completes my instrument back line for the project. I have also secured a gig date for them in the assembly hall on a Friday, which will be in front of all of the years of primary school!

Episode XX - Return of the Delusion

Week 20 - 10.02.10 - 11.02.10

College

This week in college was cut short due to me falling ill. This meant that i missed all of Thursday's lectures which is annoying for me as i was looking forward to learning some good interview techniques and taking part in some studio work. Wednesday was an in service day which meant i did not lose any class time. Being ill, i could not do much as i was in bed all day. This made me realise the massive impact being il can have on your education and yourself. If i were a Instrumental Instructor and i fell ill, i would need to find a replacement or the pupil would lose a week of valuable learning, which i have this week. Being ill is not something you can control, but looking after myself properly can reduce the effects.

Despite this, i came in on Friday, as i really really want to do the degree next year. I feel 100% attendance will aid me on this. The class was a lot more focused this time round, with more focus on music rather than our depressing futures! We learned how to analyse a song using multiple versions of the same song. We looked at timing, tempo, feel, stylistic techniques and so on. Although not an integral technique in becoming an Instrumental Instructor, song analysis will aid me in my music knowledge as a whole and allow me to create better compositions for myself.

Outside of college

On Saturday, i had my first meeting with a new potential drummer! His name is Angus and he owns his own rehearsal studios in Edinburgh! The place is fantastic and has an impressive backline! We all got set up for the jam and i had to teach and show Angus a collection of our material. I felt i taught him clearly and concisely, as he was able to pick up the pieces with no problem at all. The jam went really well and i have high hope for the band. I have been waiting for this to happen for some time, and im really happy about the prospect of getting back into the stage again. Hopefully, this is a start of a New Delusion!

Episode XIX - 3 DRUMMERS, POSSIBLY A FORTH...SOMEONE HAVING A LAUGH?

Week 19 - 3.2.10 - 4.2.10

College

My college week got off to a bad start as i was told by one of my colleagues that Wednesday was an in service day, when in fact it was not. Although i place much trust in this particular colleague, i must make a mental note to find out this information for myself before assuming the outcome. So my Wednesday consisted of working an extra day at my work. Although not musically driven, this decision allowed my to gain more money to fund my musical career.

Thursday began with the last of the Beatles presentations. Both were very informative. Next week we will be focusing on interview techniques which i welcome greatly. We then had Music History where we focused on a musicology dissertation on assessing genre. We had to do half an hour of reading which was quite straining for me personally, as i had to get up at 6 to catch my bus in the morning. I have to solve this by managing my time better and going to sleep earlier the night before. An good Instrumental Instructor needs to have a good grasp of time management and obviously, needs to be alert and awake during a lesson! In session skills, we were given a very long talk on music production which i did find quite interesting. Digital Audio focussed on honing our skills on Cubase.

Friday came as a big surprise to all of us, and opened many of our eyes. Out of our class of 42, only 25 will get into the degree! This has made me more determined than ever to produce high quality work and pass all of my exams! Everyone in that room has something very unique about them, and i cant see how the college will split the group. All i can do is produce my work to the best of my ability and hope for a place next year! To add to this blow, Pete also explained to us that their is little to no work for both session musicians or instrumental instructors! He then went on to tell us about job opportunities in Morrison's and as a primary school teacher. Not to be disrespectful to Pete, how can we be inspired as students if we keep getting beaten down like that! Lecturers should be there to inspire us, not constantly beat us down. After the class, i felt so deflated and re-considered my plans for next year. There was alot of talk of moving courses and colleges from those i talked to...

I put so much time and effort into these blogs, countless hours on my presentations and months working out songs and how to perform them. Sometimes it just seems like its all a joke you know? With the new dilemma of having 3 DRUMMERS IN ONE BAND is silly. Just because one band couldn't get along, we all have to suffer for it. I dont think that is fair on the rest of us. We have a set and songs learnt, now we need to incorporate another drummer? Having two drummers in a hip hop band was hard enough! I get that as a musician, you have to take what you get and make the best of it, but this is ridiculous.

---END OF RANT---

Despite all of this, nothing will get resolved about it so i must plough on. I will still work to the best of my ability and work with what i'm given. In lighter news, i received a B for my last performance which was good!

I hope that next weeks blog proves to be more productive.