For the first time since the start of my academic year I feel that I am heading in the right direction and with the needed tempo of progress. All proposals for all projects have been completed and I am now concentrating solely on the content and contribution needed for each one. The implementation of a schedule to manage my time and other management resources has begun and simple tasks like getting out of bed at a set time each morning for 6 days of the week are already helping me achieve weekly deadlines I am setting for myself. I feel I need to follow a disciplined routine to compensate for the stuttering start I have made to my course.
The dissertation I am working on has started to take shape as my output levels have increased resulting in the weekly maintaining of this blog as well as beginning my literature review and completing a first draft of a possible introduction. Already I am feeling more confident with my ability to effectively manage this research project and have also found that a consistent awareness of new information sources that may help with my particular topic has become a more efficient way of uncovering more specific data on how the Beatles compositional and recording techniques where changed after they decided to stop playing live and on tour.
The blues brother’s project has progressed further this week as we all had our first meeting on the research part of the project and also managed to have a very productive practice despite having a few members of the band missing in action. We also have a new addition with an HNC bass player named Bob Hollis stepping in to help us as our original bassist has taken ill and been hospitalised recently. His enthusiasm for the project itself seemed to lift our spirits and he managed to quickly learn 4 songs which were sounding quite tight towards the end of the practice. This progress has been a huge positive and is one I recommend we continue until show time.
The digital multimedia project has also taken a few steps forward as I managed to create a workable template for my own website which gives me a closer look at how I will integrate the content I wish to include. I am also working on my proposal/contract as I look to develop it according to the changes that may take place within my original idea.
For the portfolio project I have organised another photo shoot to mimic some real life images of sketches made by my designated designer. I was very pleased with the outcome as I had made a rough sketch from the designer’s sketch and communicated this to a photographer who managed to capture a number of images that were very similar. Next week I will submit my case study and presentation on the Beatles promotional image use which will leave me the remainder of the module to work with my designer on the various aspects of a professional press pack.
Recording of the EP is progressing well and I plan to use one final recording session at home to capture the 3 vocal/acoustic guitar tracks I intend to include. Once completed I will then be free for about 3 weeks to work on the production and mastering of each track to hopefully create an impressive and professional product.
Overall the best week to report so far and on reflection I feel silly for not initiating the same enthusiasm and energy that I have applied this week. With and effective schedule in hand I hope to progress each week from now on as I have done this week.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Friday, 22 October 2010
Nose To The Grind!
After 6 weeks of study I am realising quickly that I really to need to make more effort towards implementing the various ideas and proposals that I have for the different projects I need to complete in order to achieve my degree. Looking back on recent times I have already identified that my lack of motivation is severely damaging my chances of completing the degree with a respectable grade and I intend to put a strategy into motion now to overcome the difficulties I have faced with my own progress.
First of all I have decided to plan a schedule for my various responsibilities to ensure that I am balancing my time against the individual demands of each project. I feel I need this discipline at the moment as I seem to have lost faith in what I am doing and am in real need of corrective motivation. This schedule basically spreads my week across attending college and receiving updates, reacting to current progress and also practical measures for each project.
The Beatles research project has moved on with my proposal having been submitted and the beginnings of what I hope will be my introduction has helped me find a starting point and direction. I have also started looking at my literature review and will be submitting both introduction and literature review next week for my tutor to review and give feedback for improvement.
The Blues Brother’s ensemble project has lacked commitment recently and I have compensated by learning more of our performance material at home which will hopefully put me on a good steadying for next week’s practice. I am confident that we can manage the final performance however lack of attention to detail at this stage will prove to be costly in the end so any outstanding issues regarding band commitment will have to be addressed soon.
I have slowed my input towards my digital media project as I have been working under the impression that the project was to be completed by December however it turns out that the module runs all through the academic year which helps me re-plan the content of the website I intend to design. Next week I hope to start experimenting with a basic template of how the overall website will look with space for all the relevant content considered.
I also met with my graphic designer Leighton this week to further the progress in my portfolio project which looks to be heading in the right direction as I ended the meeting pleased with the ideas of logo design and EP artwork which Leighton had created. I also have a pending 2000 word case study and presentation to prepare for this class so I have decided to leave the designer to it for 2 weeks until I complete these tasks.
The EP I intend to produce for my specialist production project has taken shape and I have recently added upgrades to my home studio that will greatly assist me with this project. I recently purchased an audio interface which gives me high end professional sound recording abilities and with the studio monitors and display device I have moved to I am finally feeling confident in my ability to handle professional recording and production.
All seems to be heading in the right direction however my stalled start has left me concerned in a positive manner as I remain on guard for any future absence of commitment, discipline and motivation. Next week I will hopefully be reporting on the consistent progress I am making throughout all my academic and personal projects.
First of all I have decided to plan a schedule for my various responsibilities to ensure that I am balancing my time against the individual demands of each project. I feel I need this discipline at the moment as I seem to have lost faith in what I am doing and am in real need of corrective motivation. This schedule basically spreads my week across attending college and receiving updates, reacting to current progress and also practical measures for each project.
The Beatles research project has moved on with my proposal having been submitted and the beginnings of what I hope will be my introduction has helped me find a starting point and direction. I have also started looking at my literature review and will be submitting both introduction and literature review next week for my tutor to review and give feedback for improvement.
The Blues Brother’s ensemble project has lacked commitment recently and I have compensated by learning more of our performance material at home which will hopefully put me on a good steadying for next week’s practice. I am confident that we can manage the final performance however lack of attention to detail at this stage will prove to be costly in the end so any outstanding issues regarding band commitment will have to be addressed soon.
I have slowed my input towards my digital media project as I have been working under the impression that the project was to be completed by December however it turns out that the module runs all through the academic year which helps me re-plan the content of the website I intend to design. Next week I hope to start experimenting with a basic template of how the overall website will look with space for all the relevant content considered.
I also met with my graphic designer Leighton this week to further the progress in my portfolio project which looks to be heading in the right direction as I ended the meeting pleased with the ideas of logo design and EP artwork which Leighton had created. I also have a pending 2000 word case study and presentation to prepare for this class so I have decided to leave the designer to it for 2 weeks until I complete these tasks.
The EP I intend to produce for my specialist production project has taken shape and I have recently added upgrades to my home studio that will greatly assist me with this project. I recently purchased an audio interface which gives me high end professional sound recording abilities and with the studio monitors and display device I have moved to I am finally feeling confident in my ability to handle professional recording and production.
All seems to be heading in the right direction however my stalled start has left me concerned in a positive manner as I remain on guard for any future absence of commitment, discipline and motivation. Next week I will hopefully be reporting on the consistent progress I am making throughout all my academic and personal projects.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Holiday Log
The October break is almost over and despite the lack of physical and academic output I have managed to compensate with an abundance of mental input that will help me progress forward with the many tasks in hand. Unfortunately I must admit that I did not make the most of my time off and am still struggling with the lingering flu bug that has become an expert at removing any motivation I can find which has resulted in the reappearance of earlier anxieties regarding the various projects I must complete across my degree course.
The main benefactor of my mental input was my research project as I have managed to read through 7 books on my research topic and also identify more online resources which will provide me with some professional opinions on why there may have been changes in the Beatles song writing and recording techniques during the years they did not play to a live audience. Next week I begin tutorial appointments on this project and hope to use each week as a stepping stone towards the final outcome by giving regular input and receiving critical feedback.
I have begun working on the content that will be included in my personal website and also continue to improve my project proposal document which I hope to return to my tutor after the break for further scrutiny. I am confident with this project as I have a good level of experience with digital audio workstations and also the various types of design software I will need to use to complete the website and its content.
With regards to the ensemble project I have made little progress but am confident that when rehearsals resume I will catch up with my band mates and quickly fulfil the role I have undertaken.
Another bonus of the week was that I managed to complete a small photo shoot which I had organised and now have a pleasing variety of images to share with my graphic designer, who intends to use them in a mosaic type collage depicting the many faces of Daniel Dundee. I also managed to secure the services of the photographer for future projects which has made project planning in the future a lot simpler.
Through the specialist production project I intend to record an E.P. and this has eventually began life as I am currently working on the details of each track as well as getting to grips with the different variables I need to consider when using my recordings across different software platforms. Details such as tempo, BPM and sample rate are all essential when using audio wave recordings across different software engines like Pro Tools and Cubase. My recent work will provide me with good steadying as I go forward and plan recording sessions to successfully multi-track each song.
Although not a wasted break I remain disappointed with my current progress and understand that when the break is over I must ensure a disciplined routine is carried out each week and is documented to assist me with the individual and collective demands of the projects I am currently trying to manage. Next week I hope to provide better news of my progress.
The main benefactor of my mental input was my research project as I have managed to read through 7 books on my research topic and also identify more online resources which will provide me with some professional opinions on why there may have been changes in the Beatles song writing and recording techniques during the years they did not play to a live audience. Next week I begin tutorial appointments on this project and hope to use each week as a stepping stone towards the final outcome by giving regular input and receiving critical feedback.
I have begun working on the content that will be included in my personal website and also continue to improve my project proposal document which I hope to return to my tutor after the break for further scrutiny. I am confident with this project as I have a good level of experience with digital audio workstations and also the various types of design software I will need to use to complete the website and its content.
With regards to the ensemble project I have made little progress but am confident that when rehearsals resume I will catch up with my band mates and quickly fulfil the role I have undertaken.
Another bonus of the week was that I managed to complete a small photo shoot which I had organised and now have a pleasing variety of images to share with my graphic designer, who intends to use them in a mosaic type collage depicting the many faces of Daniel Dundee. I also managed to secure the services of the photographer for future projects which has made project planning in the future a lot simpler.
Through the specialist production project I intend to record an E.P. and this has eventually began life as I am currently working on the details of each track as well as getting to grips with the different variables I need to consider when using my recordings across different software platforms. Details such as tempo, BPM and sample rate are all essential when using audio wave recordings across different software engines like Pro Tools and Cubase. My recent work will provide me with good steadying as I go forward and plan recording sessions to successfully multi-track each song.
Although not a wasted break I remain disappointed with my current progress and understand that when the break is over I must ensure a disciplined routine is carried out each week and is documented to assist me with the individual and collective demands of the projects I am currently trying to manage. Next week I hope to provide better news of my progress.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Time For A Break?
It's the last week of college before the October break and my ailments continue as I struggle to make headway with my workload and how I am feeling. Although I am confident in my own abilities and the recent progress I have made I remain anxious about my weekly progress and how this will impact the overall result of my course. I have managed to control these mood swings with reassurance that soon I will overcome this flu bug and will steadily pull myself back in line.
My research project has taken better shape recently with the realisation of exactly how much I need to do having helped me plan ahead better. The dissertation, presentation, literature review and proposal are the main ingredients of this project and having been briefed on all of these I am finding it easier to manage each section whilst maintaining relevance throughout. I have recently requested some literature support from my college and will also search the college library for relevant resources which should add to my own and that of what I found in Dundee Central library. Maintaining this log has also proved to be beneficial as I now have a regular logbook to cross reference with my project aims and goals and also to keep a consistent level of relevance with my project proposal.
Having received plenty of feedback regarding my digital audio project proposal I have began editing the document to provide more information on why I am attempting this particular project and why it will be of a benefit to my career needs. On the practical side I have began designing the various layouts for each page that I hope to feature within my personal website.
Again I have missed another ensemble project rehearsal but have assured the other members of the band that I will progress at home with the project research and maintain good communication regarding the material that need to be researched and delivered.
In the portfolio project this week we spent the time discussing various graphic designs within music industry promotion and how we plan to use similar techniques to produce our own portfolio. Next week I will take part in a small photo shoot at my home recording studio which I hope will provide my graphic designer with a healthy amount of images to begin working with. After the break we are to review the recent logo design our designated designers have created for us which I am really looking forward to as I this is the first opportunity to review the designers perception of me as an artist.
I had very little to do in the specialist production class but did manage to submit a first draft of my proposal for my tutor to review and give me feedback on. Although most of my plans for this project are home-based it is important for me to keep in check with my tutor and also the studio engineer, who will assist me with this project, to ensure that I keep to deadlines and deliver the necessary requirements of the assessment.
Although the October break was a welcomed surprise for me I feel that I was beginning to gain momentum and am worried that this break will tamper with my recent progress. If I manage to shift this flu bug then I will hopefully make the most of it otherwise I will remain on catch up. Find out next week which way it went.
My research project has taken better shape recently with the realisation of exactly how much I need to do having helped me plan ahead better. The dissertation, presentation, literature review and proposal are the main ingredients of this project and having been briefed on all of these I am finding it easier to manage each section whilst maintaining relevance throughout. I have recently requested some literature support from my college and will also search the college library for relevant resources which should add to my own and that of what I found in Dundee Central library. Maintaining this log has also proved to be beneficial as I now have a regular logbook to cross reference with my project aims and goals and also to keep a consistent level of relevance with my project proposal.
Having received plenty of feedback regarding my digital audio project proposal I have began editing the document to provide more information on why I am attempting this particular project and why it will be of a benefit to my career needs. On the practical side I have began designing the various layouts for each page that I hope to feature within my personal website.
Again I have missed another ensemble project rehearsal but have assured the other members of the band that I will progress at home with the project research and maintain good communication regarding the material that need to be researched and delivered.
In the portfolio project this week we spent the time discussing various graphic designs within music industry promotion and how we plan to use similar techniques to produce our own portfolio. Next week I will take part in a small photo shoot at my home recording studio which I hope will provide my graphic designer with a healthy amount of images to begin working with. After the break we are to review the recent logo design our designated designers have created for us which I am really looking forward to as I this is the first opportunity to review the designers perception of me as an artist.
I had very little to do in the specialist production class but did manage to submit a first draft of my proposal for my tutor to review and give me feedback on. Although most of my plans for this project are home-based it is important for me to keep in check with my tutor and also the studio engineer, who will assist me with this project, to ensure that I keep to deadlines and deliver the necessary requirements of the assessment.
Although the October break was a welcomed surprise for me I feel that I was beginning to gain momentum and am worried that this break will tamper with my recent progress. If I manage to shift this flu bug then I will hopefully make the most of it otherwise I will remain on catch up. Find out next week which way it went.
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