Week 11: The Clock is ticking and so am I. *sigh*

Hello again, this is yet another blog post for yet another week. There's not much going on but there's a lot going down as per usual. The most exciting piece of news this week is that I bought a new Tri-cone Resonator guitar today. I'm pretty chuffed with it. This now means I can use it in my individual project (slide guitar), it will be a useful tool. Also this week I had a good lesson with my students. I taught them TWO songs this week ! They loved it. But alas, the class will finish in a couple of weeks and I have to do some evaluations for it. I hope I get to do another 'semester' of it, as it is good fun and good pay. This week a few of us college folk went to Edinburgh for a birthday party, it was good banter. The only music related thing that we did that night was go to the Jazz Bar. It did exactly what it said on the tin.

Well first thing on Monday we had our ensemble meetings. We discussed what we had done and what we have to do: Not much and the rest. I am aware that we have to have a draft in the next fortnight for the ensemble research and that sounds like a job for tomorrow. Also on Monday was DAPM. This class has a very familiar pattern. I tried to add to my soundtrack by making some 'epic whoosh noises'. I think the are quite effective. However I was also told to redraft my redraft of my proposal. I understand what aspects I have to change about it. Yet again, another job for tomorrow. The final class on Monday was band work. This week was a repeat of last week. We essentially went over all the songs trying to get them tight. I have no concerns about the band apart from the dance moves...

Tuesday brought my dissertation meeting, which was quite good. Apparently I have the best literature review so far... Yeah, you heard. After that though I went home as the art class was 'optional'. I met up with my designer on Friday and we arranged a photo shoot for next Wednesday. But I used my time that day effectively by arranging a recording session at a friend's house for a track for production. I felt that I needed to do it outside college as this week's title suggests, the clock is ticking. We recorded a single tune: acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica. I would say their is a few production mistakes in the recording, but it will get mixed and mastered in college. Which leads me on to production. That class is stressing me out, there is still a lot to do and the dead line is on Friday !! You'll need to wait and see what the outcome of that will be. Will Daryl get it finished on time ? Or will he tear out his hair, breakdown mentally and babble to himself in the corner ?

I think the latter of the two.

Goodbye.

Week 10: It's not been that long since the last post

Hey guys, it doesn't feel like a 'week' since my last post. It also doesn't feel like college will be finished soon. There's work to do...

Brief: Matt Scofield was awesome. Lesson three went well, I taught my pupils a song.

I also went on a scouting mission to find information on my dissertation topic. It was a dangerous voyage up to the PRI with many obstacles and situations I had to overcome but it was a journey that lead to the desired outcome. I got loads of leaflets about alcohol and it's affects on the body. Which were ok, they really just repeated themselves.

Well prior to my first class on Monday, I bumped into my band and I was handed a piece of paper declaring that I have to write about the second Blues Brothers film. I'm sure I can do it, but I really should listen more on a Monday morning. After that, there was a similar repeat to all the Digital Audio Production Multimedia class: Sit down, do a bit more to my project for two hours and then leave. However there was a mild differentiation to this lesson as Pete had a chat with me about what I was doing. I gave him my answer and I told him I would probably have to review my proposal, which I now have to do for next week. Joy. Finally that day was band work as per usual. This week we played a couple of new tunes: Minnie The Moocher and Shake Your Tail Feather. They went alright in my opinion, but nothing special. I think we will really need to polish all of the songs up way more though.

Tuesday started with my dissertation meeting with Marlisa which I was prepared for this time, as I had sent her a copy of what I had done for my literature review. It was fine, I have to do some more for next week. Shortly after I was commandeered from my outpost at the couches to record a tune for some sound production students. So a few of my classmates and I battered out a 'raw and natural' blues jam. It was interesting, however it was good practice for on the spot slide playing. It was good fun too. In Helen's class we watched a presentation from a professional photographer. It was quite interesting and it gave me an insight into different ideas for my 'photo shoot', which I'll have to arrange with my designer...

Wednesday was a busy day. I went in for twelve to see Kev for a lesson. I soaked the knowledge up like a sponge. I then played guitar for an HNC band. Last week I told them to pick songs and then learn them, which they did. I guided them, sort of. I jammed the tunes with them and gave them pointers. They are coming on. I then hung around for a while before my producer arrived. As soon as we got a studio, 'we' decided to move to another one for some reason. Then we started to record some guitar and as per usual there was a big delay with the headphone mix, but once that was sorted we recorded the guitar. And then the bass, which took far too long. We started on the bass at half six and it didn't get finished until twenty to nine ! Why ?! We didn't have time to record the keys, or the second bass part. Again this project is just dragging.

Since then, not much has happened.

Goodbye.

Daryl

Week 9 : Y'know what ? I'm gonna stop trying to think up unwitty titles for my posts, because sometimes it just takes too long.

Hello, that's right. I'm going to stop writing bad titles for my posts. I'm sorry. I'm just going to get cracking with the post. This week I taught my pupils some chords and it was pretty rewarding teaching them something. I look forward to the next lesson. I may have also mentioned that I had my AC30 repaired and it is now in Perth. I absolutely love that amp. She sounds so good, mmmmm. That tremolo is so warm, oooohhhhh. So vintage, ahhhhhh. And she can fairly belt it out. I was playing with her yesterday for a good 45 minutes yesterday before my flat mates came in, but when they got back they said they could hear it from outside and all the way down the stairs in the building... Sorry neighbours...

She does sound so good though.

Also this week I went to see Roll Wyn James this week and I was absolutely blown away by their talent. Kevin, from the drum shop, was very impressive. I never knew that a drummer that could play so quietly, amazing use of dynamics ! I'm glad that I've got him on board for my individual project. But my jaw just dropped for the talent of the guitar player Paul Henderson. Wow. I mean just wow. World class is all that I can say. I am also looking forward to seeing MATT SCHOFIELD tomorrow night. I can't wait. Aww man, so much guitar mastery in the one week.

Anyway to my college week. This week started with an ensemble meeting, which was neither a high or low of interest. I had prepared and emailed my contribution to the research, an analysis of Sweet Home Chicago and Gimme Some Lovin'. However I really should have brought a hard copy for everyone to see as I was handed other peoples work for reference. What I understood from the meeting was that we have to make an essay plan and I have to research The Blues Brothers 2000 movie. I wasn't too awake at that point so.... erm.... I should have paid a bit more attention.

Next up as per usual was Digital Audio Production Multimedia, which is progressing at a steady pace. I wrote another part for the trailer, which is all I can really do until I get the video. I could probably do with redoing my proposal, but y'know....

Due to industrial action band practice was moved to Tuesday morning.

This week was an improvement on last weeks non-existent practice, as we actually had a practice. I'm think we need to have a look at some more songs as the gig is fast approaching. That's all I can really say on that.

In the portfolio class, we met up with our designers again. My designer brought me a font to look at. I really do think he needs to do a bit more work because when I look at my classmate's designers work, they seem to be further ahead. The next step is to look at a photo shoot.

Production is going to close to the deadline. However this week was an improvement in progress. We have recorded two more songs this week. I even got in a guest drummer to play on one of the tracks, Mr Pepper. Despite this progress, we really do need to crack on with it.

That's it for this week.

Daryl

The 8th Week...

Hey guys, what's going down ? So here it is, 2 months of degree style blogging. Do I feel any different? I feel older and I also feel that time goes much faster than it used to. Well this week has been a very busy week indeed. Firstly I had my first class tutoring guitar, which I felt went quite well. I have 6 students whom I will be teaching for a 6 week program. This week I started right at the very basics: The guitar anatomy, how to hold the guitar, how to fret, how to use the right hand, the names of all the fingers on the hands and other pieces of information... Which I can't remember what they were but I do have the lesson plan. I also used this time to introduce the students to each other and get acquainted with them. And like I say, I think it went quite well and I look forward to next week. Also this week I played a gig with my band, The Xylophone Race, in the aid of Halloween. I went as a pimp. I think we played very well considering there was a FREE BAR. A mighty fine incentive. However it was quite a good gig in a cosy venue. We also mingled with the North Highland College UHI members, which was a mild addition to inter-UHI relations. If that really matters in the grand scheme of things. I did meet some sound chaps though. Another mild bit of news for you, but awesome news for me, is that I got my 1975 Vox AC30 fixed this week AND it's on it's way to Perth as we speak!!! WOOOOOOO !!!!! TONE !!!!

Now to talk about college. Monday was very unproductive. I initially went into college early to discuss my position tutoring outside of college, which was the most beneficial part of the day. The first class we had as per usual was Digital Audio Production Multimedia. No real work got done as I was asked to go and sing for a band which my flatmate jokingly put me forward for beforehand. In short, I was replaced very quickly... I was a little bit embarrassed. However I did return to class, but I found that everyone left to go and watch that band, so I followed suit. I think people may have stayed if Pete was there, but he wasn't. I'm not saying that his presence was needed for us to do work, but I think people would have stayed if he was there. And unsurprisingly last weeks band work must have been some freak miracle, as this week it resumed its normal dormancy. I am certainly pissed off with this outcome. We really do need to get the finger out our arses, well their fingers out of their arses. I'm sure they know who they are.

Tuesday was a mixed bag of treats. In our art class, we met up with our designers and he finally brought something to show me. I wouldn't say I was enamoured with what he had shown me but it's good to know he's doing something. We then had to present our case study to the class, which I'm pretty sure I was one of a small handful of the class that had done the work. This put me into a position where I was liable to do a presentation, which I'm not going to lie, I was quite unprepared for. However I did have a presentation in the eventuality of me actually presenting that day. With some very relaxed and improvised 'honesty', I 'sailed' through the presentation. Now I'm not sure if Helen was impressed or annoyed, as I did swear once or twice during the presentation (which I did apologise for) but I also 'raised some interesting points'. I'm not sure, but I do know it was supposed to be 'relaxed'.

I had booked some studio time for production class, and I'll be honest again, I felt went pretty badly on Tuesday. The producer had asked his friend to play drums on my track, which I wasn't too keen about as, I felt, he wasn't very good. He was adamant that he was playing drums on the track, I kept asking him to play the part that I had written, but he refused. So I decided to end the session as I thought it was a waste of my time. This is the only class that I'm actually worried about as it ends this semester and we have done bugger all for the class. We arranged another session for the Friday, which also went up shit creek. We agreed to meeting the studio for 9am, that includes the musicians I had 'booked', to start recording some more tunes. However, a certain producer was hungover and didn't make it in until... Noon. I was very angry. I had to apologise to the musicians I had asked to come in. We only laid down a drum track that day. I was very disappointed.

So that's this week in a blog-shaped nutshell.

Daryl.