How did my jazz ensemble assessment go?
On Monday, we were given a lot of time to practice for our assessment. On Wednesday, we performed the last song in Grade 10, which was our respective assessment jazz songs. I think my group did a very good job in performing "Autumn Leaves" because we got some high scores from the teachers. Even though there are some last-minute changes, we managed to pull of the performance with our largest efforts.
On Monday, we practiced for the assessment while being mentored by Ms. Melvina, since Mr. Hary was absent. Each of us practiced and performed our parts well, but one of my team members had a difficulty in adjusting to the tempo. We kept practicing until we got it right. On Wednesday, we had our assessment and all went well.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Autumn Leaves on Am #4
Reflection:
I recorded this video at home, where I practiced alone. I played through the whole song as I will perform in the ensemble and during the assessment without any mistakes. However I still need to keep up with the tempo and finger movements, since I can easily loose track of the song and which chords to play next.
Autumn Leaves on Am #3 (group)
Reflection:
This video was recorded by our theory teacher during our rehearsal. We played the song "Autumn Leaves" and we managed to perform the song well, thanks to the practice sessions with our supervisor Mr. Hary. In my opinion, everyone in my group performed their respective parts well. We have two more music class before the assessment, and we will use it to practice more.
Week 7: May 21 & 23
What do I think about my jingle?
We were given the assessment to create a video and jingle composition with the theme 'beautiful Indonesia two weeks prior. I partnered with Sabrina, and we split up the work as: I will make the video, she will compose and we will finalize the work together. The composition is really amazing, as she combines 5 instruments instead of 3 and that she's a great composer. I think my video is not that bad either. But I still regret the fact that we submitted the final product late.
Our assessment for jazz ensemble is next week, so this week we practiced and prepared for our performance. So far, the practice sessions we had with Mr. Hary during the instrument sessions went well, as we kept improving in our performance. We received a lot of praise from other teacher stop. All is left to do is to create the improvisation part of the song.
We were given the assessment to create a video and jingle composition with the theme 'beautiful Indonesia two weeks prior. I partnered with Sabrina, and we split up the work as: I will make the video, she will compose and we will finalize the work together. The composition is really amazing, as she combines 5 instruments instead of 3 and that she's a great composer. I think my video is not that bad either. But I still regret the fact that we submitted the final product late.
Our assessment for jazz ensemble is next week, so this week we practiced and prepared for our performance. So far, the practice sessions we had with Mr. Hary during the instrument sessions went well, as we kept improving in our performance. We received a lot of praise from other teacher stop. All is left to do is to create the improvisation part of the song.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Autumn Leaves on Am #2
Reflection:
This is the second practice video I recorded while playing the song "Autumn Leaves" in a different melodic key. I did not make any mistake in this practice, and I consider it a great job, because I was having a difficult time playing the song earlier this week. I will equalize the tempo of my playing with my group when I practice with them during the next class.
Autumn Leaves on Am #1
Reflection:
After a few weeks playing "Autumn Leaves" in E minor, I had some difficulties in playing the song in A minor. With the help of Mr. Herry, I managed to play the song but my playing was still not smooth. In this video, I managed to play the full song with only a mistake in the last chord. I consider that a feat, because I played poorly while practicing with my group at school.
Week 6: May 14 & 16
How is my progress in jazz ensemble?
On Monday, we were divided into 3 groups for our jazz ensemble assessment. My group consists of 2 guitar players (Owen & Ynigo), 1 saxophone player (Evan) and 1 piano player (myself). We decided to perform "Autumn Leaves", as all of us are familiar with the song. I encountered a problem while rehearsing with Mr. Hary: I am used to play the song in E minor but we are going to play in A minor. That problem made me do a lot of mistakes while practicing together as a group.
As a group, we practiced with Mr. Hary for our upcoming assessment. While the others are playing the song with ease, I was struggling to keep up because of the difference in melodic keys, on both Monday and Wednesday classes. I was so not used to the new melodic key I made a lot of mistakes while practicing in the group. I will practice so I can improve my performance.
On Monday, we were divided into 3 groups for our jazz ensemble assessment. My group consists of 2 guitar players (Owen & Ynigo), 1 saxophone player (Evan) and 1 piano player (myself). We decided to perform "Autumn Leaves", as all of us are familiar with the song. I encountered a problem while rehearsing with Mr. Hary: I am used to play the song in E minor but we are going to play in A minor. That problem made me do a lot of mistakes while practicing together as a group.
As a group, we practiced with Mr. Hary for our upcoming assessment. While the others are playing the song with ease, I was struggling to keep up because of the difference in melodic keys, on both Monday and Wednesday classes. I was so not used to the new melodic key I made a lot of mistakes while practicing in the group. I will practice so I can improve my performance.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Broken Chords #2
Reflection:
This is my second video while practicing the broken chords. I played them slightly faster in this video. Once again, I played them without making any mistakes. I will try to avoid making mistakes while playing in the future.
Broken Chords #1
Reflection:
In this video I practiced the broken chords just as our teacher had instructed during instrument class. In this practice video I played all of the notes correctly, compared to the first time I played them during instrument class where I made a few mistakes. I played them a bit slowly, but I'll try to play them faster next time.
Week 5: May 7 & 9
How did my singing assessment go?
Our assessment on singing a jazz song "Close to You" went well. My group (me, Sabrina and Owen), performed the song well, although we could have performed the song better if we were given more time to practice. After singing, each group received comments and critiques from the other music teachers. Our main mistake lies on the first part of the song, where the third voice was out of tune. Then, my voice was not loud enough. But overall, the teachers liked our performance, commenting that our voices was really great when we sang the chorus.
On Monday, our instrument session was used for our singing assessment, so we don't have any instrument class on that day. On Wednesday, our piano teacher taught us to play broken chords. All of us tried playing it, and I played them well despite never played them before.
Our assessment on singing a jazz song "Close to You" went well. My group (me, Sabrina and Owen), performed the song well, although we could have performed the song better if we were given more time to practice. After singing, each group received comments and critiques from the other music teachers. Our main mistake lies on the first part of the song, where the third voice was out of tune. Then, my voice was not loud enough. But overall, the teachers liked our performance, commenting that our voices was really great when we sang the chorus.
On Monday, our instrument session was used for our singing assessment, so we don't have any instrument class on that day. On Wednesday, our piano teacher taught us to play broken chords. All of us tried playing it, and I played them well despite never played them before.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Close to You #2
Reflection:
I actually recorded our practice of singing "Close to You" in an audio format, but since Blogger didn't allow me to upload an audio file, I created a movie format so I can upload it here. As a group, we practiced singing at school, and I noticed that it was a bit noisy. But I can still hear our voices in the recording, and I think we can perform well on the assessment based on what I have heard from the file.
Close to You #1
Reflection:
This video was recorded by our music teacher during our general rehearsal in singing the jazz song "Close to You". Although this video only covers 27 seconds of our overall performance, I can hear each of our voices clearly, and I think we did a good job singing the song. We have performed the song as an assessment, and the results were satisfying.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Week 4: April 30 & May 2
How does business and industry affect music-makers and users?
Singers and musicians are being managed by music companies nowadays. The companies are responsible for selling and distributing albums of the artists. Composers often sell their compositions to artists through the artists' companies. For the users, the companies release albums in the form of CDs or through digital media such as iTunes. This makes the buying and selling process more convenient and of course, easier.
On Monday, we used our instrument class time to practice singing "Close to You". My group was mentored by Mr. Herry, who helped us and gave us helpful advices. On Wednesday, all groups performed in front of the class and the four music teachers. My group received good comments but we can still improve. We will practice before the assessment day.
Singers and musicians are being managed by music companies nowadays. The companies are responsible for selling and distributing albums of the artists. Composers often sell their compositions to artists through the artists' companies. For the users, the companies release albums in the form of CDs or through digital media such as iTunes. This makes the buying and selling process more convenient and of course, easier.
On Monday, we used our instrument class time to practice singing "Close to You". My group was mentored by Mr. Herry, who helped us and gave us helpful advices. On Wednesday, all groups performed in front of the class and the four music teachers. My group received good comments but we can still improve. We will practice before the assessment day.
Autumn Leaves #6
Reflection:
I played the song better in this practice video. I practiced a few times before recording this practice video and when the noise has died down, I immediately started recording and the result is satisfying. I may made small mistakes, but this one is definitely better then the previous video. I will continue to practice this song so I can play it better.
Autumn Leaves #5
Reflection:
In this practice video, I played the song Autumn Leaves. I made quite a lot mistakes here, because I kind of forgot the chord inversions after a while. I also got a bit distracted while practicing because of the household activity noises, so I pressed a few wrong notes. I will practice more so I can play better and try not to get distracted easily.
Week 3: April 23 & 25
How has the developments in technology changed the ways in which we engage in music?
Nowadays, we enjoy different types of music and ways of engaging with music. Today, we listen to songs by buying them digitally or CDs. About 20 to 30 years ago, people used gramophones and cassettes. Technology enabled musicians to create new sounds and tunes, therefore developing new styles and genres/sub-genres in music. Music companies also filmed music videos so the listeners will be able to feel and visualize the songs' meanings.
On Monday, we practiced our respective songs with the help of the teacher. On Wednesday, two groups made their presentations on the roles of music in the society. They did very well on their presentations. My group didn't get the chance to present, so we will present our presentation on Monday.
Nowadays, we enjoy different types of music and ways of engaging with music. Today, we listen to songs by buying them digitally or CDs. About 20 to 30 years ago, people used gramophones and cassettes. Technology enabled musicians to create new sounds and tunes, therefore developing new styles and genres/sub-genres in music. Music companies also filmed music videos so the listeners will be able to feel and visualize the songs' meanings.
On Monday, we practiced our respective songs with the help of the teacher. On Wednesday, two groups made their presentations on the roles of music in the society. They did very well on their presentations. My group didn't get the chance to present, so we will present our presentation on Monday.
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