First week back, I have decided to work in a new group with James and Ollie so this week we decided to sit down and decide on a rough set list that will be performed at the end of the year. We all decided on two songs that will suit our abilities which are:
- Gravity - John Mayer
- Sunshine of your love - Cream
James had to work with his previous group this week as the have yet to record their set, which left me and Ollie to play through Gravity. This turned out to be quite useful because it gave Ollie time to familiarise himself with the song and start to produce a drum beat for it. It also gave me time to practice the song more and to a beat which helped my timing.m
Week Three
James was back with us this week which gave us the chance to run through Gravity as a group. It also gave me and James a chance to distribute the guitar parts between us which meant me and him knew which parts we had to learn and improve. I added vocals to Gravity this week which helped Ollie plan where he would play fills and change the dynamics.
Week Four
This week James once again had to rehearse his old set with his previous group, so me and Ollie worked on Sunshine of your love for a bit. This was a good idea as Ollie wasn't too familiar with the song and didn't know the drum beat or the exact timings of it. Due to this, the main things that we focused on, were the drum beat and the timing.
Week Five
James was back this week, so we decided to focus on adding two more songs to our set list, this would then give us a complete fifteen minute set. We started off by listing genres and artists that we liked, and then listening to their music. After some discussions, we decided to play the songs below as they will highlight each of our individual skills and abilities.
This meant we now had a whole set list to work on coming in at around fifteen minutes long:
| Why Georgia | Gravity | Sunshine of your love | All along the watchtower |
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this lesson due to an orthodontist appointment.
Week Seven
Today James had to work with his previous group, who still haven't recorded their set. This meant me and Ollie had a chance to try our hand at the new songs and work on the rhythm section, which we felt was the best and more productive option for today's lesson. We started off by listening to the two latest songs that we've added to the set list, giving us a reasonable idea of how the songs are performed both live and in a recording environment. This was useful as it gave Ollie and I the chance we need to arrange: how we would play the songs, where the fills would come in, and what the timings would be. By the end of the lesson, we had a chance to try our arrangement of the songs which, after a few tweaks, we were happy with.
Week Eight
Today, we started to rehearse 'All Along The Watchtower' but decided to scrap the song due to it's complex solo's and arm beat plus, we believed that we would not be able to get it to a good enough standard for our performance. We decided therefore, to choose a new song to replace it, and after a while, we decided on Craving by James Bay as it had an upbeat bluesy sound.
Week Nine
Today, we worked on Why Georgia. We started off by listening to the original recording and noting what each musician played, then we all played together along with a backing track, and then after a couple of run throughs, we managed to play the song twice without the track. Next week, we will have another go at Why Georgia and then move on to 'Sunshine of your love'.
Week Ten
At the beginning of the lesson, we rehearsed 'Why Georgia' as we said we would and noted that it needed a reasonable amount of practice and editing. Me, James and Ollie therefore decided, to spend another lesson on it and postpone 'Sunshine of your Love' until next week meaning, we could devote this lesson to finishing 'Why Georgia'. To remind ourselves of our roles a little more, we played collectively with a backing track twice which enabled us to remember our individual parts. After we had done this, I suggested that we play it without the backing track, which we struggled with at first and had a couple of timing issues. However, after a couple of attempts, the whole group managed to play the song flawlessly and meant that we could move on to 'Sunshine of your Love' next week.
Week Eleven
This lesson, we focused on 'Sunshine of your Love'. One of the group was fairly unfamiliar with this song, so during our first few minutes we sat and listened to the song, giving us the time to analyse it and decide our individual parts. The next step was to play it together and see how comfortable we are performing the song. However, after a few goes, we found that we didn't like playing it and therefore decided to give it one more lesson, which would decide weather we scrapped it or not.
Week Twelve
This week, the group decided to remove 'Sunshine of your Love' from the set list, after one practice. This meant we once again, needed to find a new song for our performance, so we set ourselves a goal to have one by the end of the lesson. Me and another member of the group thought it would be nice to stick with Eric Clapton, an so looked through his greatest hits. After listening to some more of his popular songs and a little debating, we narrowed it down to two songs, Old Love and Wonderful Tonight. Unable to decide, we asked our teacher, who said Wonderful Tonight would be the better option which means the set list is currently:
Week Thirteen
I was unable to attend this lesson due to a music lesson
Week Fourteen
In this lesson, we decided to start work on 'Wonderful Tonight'. The first thing we did was listen to the song just to refresh our memory of the song. We then went on to distribute roles between the three of us which meant we could start practicing. By the end of the lesson we had managed to complete one run-through, with only a few mistakes. Next week we hope to work on Craving.
Week Fifteen
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this lesson due to an orthodontist appointment.
Week Seven
Today James had to work with his previous group, who still haven't recorded their set. This meant me and Ollie had a chance to try our hand at the new songs and work on the rhythm section, which we felt was the best and more productive option for today's lesson. We started off by listening to the two latest songs that we've added to the set list, giving us a reasonable idea of how the songs are performed both live and in a recording environment. This was useful as it gave Ollie and I the chance we need to arrange: how we would play the songs, where the fills would come in, and what the timings would be. By the end of the lesson, we had a chance to try our arrangement of the songs which, after a few tweaks, we were happy with.
Week Eight
Today, we started to rehearse 'All Along The Watchtower' but decided to scrap the song due to it's complex solo's and arm beat plus, we believed that we would not be able to get it to a good enough standard for our performance. We decided therefore, to choose a new song to replace it, and after a while, we decided on Craving by James Bay as it had an upbeat bluesy sound.
Week Nine
Today, we worked on Why Georgia. We started off by listening to the original recording and noting what each musician played, then we all played together along with a backing track, and then after a couple of run throughs, we managed to play the song twice without the track. Next week, we will have another go at Why Georgia and then move on to 'Sunshine of your love'.
Week Ten
At the beginning of the lesson, we rehearsed 'Why Georgia' as we said we would and noted that it needed a reasonable amount of practice and editing. Me, James and Ollie therefore decided, to spend another lesson on it and postpone 'Sunshine of your Love' until next week meaning, we could devote this lesson to finishing 'Why Georgia'. To remind ourselves of our roles a little more, we played collectively with a backing track twice which enabled us to remember our individual parts. After we had done this, I suggested that we play it without the backing track, which we struggled with at first and had a couple of timing issues. However, after a couple of attempts, the whole group managed to play the song flawlessly and meant that we could move on to 'Sunshine of your Love' next week.
Week Eleven
This lesson, we focused on 'Sunshine of your Love'. One of the group was fairly unfamiliar with this song, so during our first few minutes we sat and listened to the song, giving us the time to analyse it and decide our individual parts. The next step was to play it together and see how comfortable we are performing the song. However, after a few goes, we found that we didn't like playing it and therefore decided to give it one more lesson, which would decide weather we scrapped it or not.
Week Twelve
This week, the group decided to remove 'Sunshine of your Love' from the set list, after one practice. This meant we once again, needed to find a new song for our performance, so we set ourselves a goal to have one by the end of the lesson. Me and another member of the group thought it would be nice to stick with Eric Clapton, an so looked through his greatest hits. After listening to some more of his popular songs and a little debating, we narrowed it down to two songs, Old Love and Wonderful Tonight. Unable to decide, we asked our teacher, who said Wonderful Tonight would be the better option which means the set list is currently:
| Craving - James Bay | Gravity - John Mayer | Why Georgia - John Mayer |
| Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton |
Week Thirteen
I was unable to attend this lesson due to a music lesson
Week Fourteen
In this lesson, we decided to start work on 'Wonderful Tonight'. The first thing we did was listen to the song just to refresh our memory of the song. We then went on to distribute roles between the three of us which meant we could start practicing. By the end of the lesson we had managed to complete one run-through, with only a few mistakes. Next week we hope to work on Craving.
Week Fifteen
I was unable to attend this lesson due to an orthodontist appointment so the rest of the group worked on the song that we focused on last week
Week Sixteen
Today we were unable to get a room with sufficient equipment, and therefore were unable to make as much progress as we would have liked. However, me and James were able to practice the guitar parts to Craving, while Ollie used a drumming app to provide a back beat. I would say that this at least helped our timing and communication skills. Next week, we hope to practice Craving with the right equipment.
Week Seventeen
This week, we were able to rehearse with the required equipment and therefore, meant the group were able to make more progress than last lesson. We worked on Craving today and started off by playing along to a backing track, just to ensure that we were all in time and then, went on to play on our own. By the end of the lesson, we managed to run through the song almost without a single fault. Next week we plan to work on 'Wonderful Tonight'.
Week Eighteen
Due to our teacher being absent this week we were unable to rehearse. Instead, were sent to a classroom with a cover teacher and completed activity sheets. Next week we plan to work on Wonderful Tonight as we were going to this week.
Week Nineteen
Sir was back this lesson however, we were unable to use the largest room which has the best equipment and had to instead use a practice room, which had inferior equipment. Despite this, we managed to work on the rhythm section of Wonderful Tonight and by the end of the lesson we had made considerable progress when it came to timing in particular, as well as the overall performance standard.
Week Twenty
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend most of this weeks lesson due to a clashing instrumental lesson. Therefore, by the time I got there we had little time to work on our set. We did, however, manage to finalise our arrangement of craving and gravity.
Week Twenty-One
Having decided on the arrangement of craving and gravity we agreed that we would work on those two for the next couple of lessons. Today we started on craving and got straight into performing, the first time with a backing track and the rest without. Pleased with our progress we decided to move on to gravity next week.
Week Twenty-Two
This week, true to our word, we began working on gravity and, like last week, dived straight into performing the piece. However, as this was one of our first songs, we managed to perform it all the way through without a backing track and without too many mistakes. By the end of the lesson we had mastered the song and decided that we would therefore dedicate the next few weeks to Why Georgia and Wonderful Tonight as we are not yet quite so comfortable with these songs.
Week Twenty-Three
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this week's lesson due to an orthodontist appointment. Furthermore, one of the other members of the group also failed to attend the lesson due to their own personal reasons.
Week Twenty-Four
This week, with all members of the group present and hungry for musical progression, we began work on Why Georgia. Firstly, we checked the arrangement of the song and ensured we were all happy and comfortable with our roles in what we were playing and then we began to play together with a backing track. This was a good idea as our timing was a little out and it gave us a chance to refresh our memories regarding the structure of the piece. Next week we intend to continue working on this song.
Week Twenty-Five
As agreed we continued working on Why Georgia. Having had a week to practice our individual parts, we managed to iron out our previous difficulties by the end of the lesson. This included complex structure, long cord progressions and moderately challenging fills. We plan to move back to Wonderful Tonight when we meet again next week as this is now currently our weakest song.
Week Twenty-Six
Baring in mind that next week is our dress rehearsal, ...
Week Seventeen
This week, we were able to rehearse with the required equipment and therefore, meant the group were able to make more progress than last lesson. We worked on Craving today and started off by playing along to a backing track, just to ensure that we were all in time and then, went on to play on our own. By the end of the lesson, we managed to run through the song almost without a single fault. Next week we plan to work on 'Wonderful Tonight'.
Week Eighteen
Due to our teacher being absent this week we were unable to rehearse. Instead, were sent to a classroom with a cover teacher and completed activity sheets. Next week we plan to work on Wonderful Tonight as we were going to this week.
Week Nineteen
Sir was back this lesson however, we were unable to use the largest room which has the best equipment and had to instead use a practice room, which had inferior equipment. Despite this, we managed to work on the rhythm section of Wonderful Tonight and by the end of the lesson we had made considerable progress when it came to timing in particular, as well as the overall performance standard.
Week Twenty
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend most of this weeks lesson due to a clashing instrumental lesson. Therefore, by the time I got there we had little time to work on our set. We did, however, manage to finalise our arrangement of craving and gravity.
Week Twenty-One
Having decided on the arrangement of craving and gravity we agreed that we would work on those two for the next couple of lessons. Today we started on craving and got straight into performing, the first time with a backing track and the rest without. Pleased with our progress we decided to move on to gravity next week.
Week Twenty-Two
This week, true to our word, we began working on gravity and, like last week, dived straight into performing the piece. However, as this was one of our first songs, we managed to perform it all the way through without a backing track and without too many mistakes. By the end of the lesson we had mastered the song and decided that we would therefore dedicate the next few weeks to Why Georgia and Wonderful Tonight as we are not yet quite so comfortable with these songs.
Week Twenty-Three
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this week's lesson due to an orthodontist appointment. Furthermore, one of the other members of the group also failed to attend the lesson due to their own personal reasons.
Week Twenty-Four
This week, with all members of the group present and hungry for musical progression, we began work on Why Georgia. Firstly, we checked the arrangement of the song and ensured we were all happy and comfortable with our roles in what we were playing and then we began to play together with a backing track. This was a good idea as our timing was a little out and it gave us a chance to refresh our memories regarding the structure of the piece. Next week we intend to continue working on this song.
Week Twenty-Five
As agreed we continued working on Why Georgia. Having had a week to practice our individual parts, we managed to iron out our previous difficulties by the end of the lesson. This included complex structure, long cord progressions and moderately challenging fills. We plan to move back to Wonderful Tonight when we meet again next week as this is now currently our weakest song.
Week Twenty-Six
Baring in mind that next week is our dress rehearsal, ...
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