13/02/2010

Howdy !

This week was the COMPLETE opposite of last week ! really

Not really, but instead of being off on Thursday, we were off on Wednesday !!!

I was in College on the Tuesday though. Doing Red Hot Chili Pepper's project practice aka RHCPPP. I also participated in RHCPPP on Friday too. I would say RHCPPP was the most productive and enjoyable part(s) of the week. This week in RHCPPP we went through the tunes we did last week: Around the World, Parallel Universe and Otherside. We also went through Dani California and Can't Stop. Although I would say that I'm not the Red Hot Chili Pepper's biggest fan, I would say that I really do enjoy learning and playing these songs as it lets me sort of 'let loose' with my playing, plus it takes me back to a time gone by...

Session Musicians learn songs they don't particularly like or know so they can get work, but it really does raise their credibility and I also feel that it doesn't matter what songs you're playing, it should just be the sheer enjoyment of playing your instrument ! If that makes sense...

There really wasn't much else to be noted other than in session skills we went into the studio and did a bit of recording for the class. We went in, set up, played our music, recorded it and listened to it back. Just like a session musician. Oh it was Maeceo Parker's Shake Everything You Got, that we recorded.

I'm sorry I don't have much to say.

Goodbye.

07/02/2010

Hey all you crazy cats.

Not that much to talk about as I was off ill on Thursday and apparently that's when it all went down. Illness is one of the session musician's worst enemies, as it can affect their performance but also make them take a day off. Bad news for your business...

Anyway Wednesday proved to be quite good as it was the first day of The Commitments band, The Committee. It proved to be a worthy venture as, by the end of the class, the band sounded really good and we had nailed 3 songs: Chain Of Fools, Take Me to the River and Mustang Sally. All of us knew what we were doing and we all had a part in deciding various things. I had to improvise and make up parts on the spot for some of the tunes. Session Musicians have to improvise and think on their feet too.

Afterwards, in Marlisa's class we were put into groups and we had the task of writing and performing a theme tune for a TV program. But these TV programs already had theme tunes. Initially we were going to do a new theme tune for the X-files, but ideas weren't really flowing for that one. Then, in the practice room, I started to play a simple but Jazzy I-VI-II-IV chord progression and the others added on top of that. That became the new theme tune for Family Guy. Kind of. I thought it worked anyway.

Finally on Wednesday's instalment of College, I had my first practice with the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Degree project. I was a little worried as I didn't really know the songs we were doing that day and I wasn't given much notice to learn them. I feel that one of the songs we did that day went really well, just because it was one I knew a bit better.

That's all I really did at college this week.

I was ill on Thursday.

But I did see Paul Carrack on Thursday night.

That was AWESOME.

And on Friday's instalment of College, we got an earful about why I shouldn't be writing this blog.

It really really really cheered everyone up about their lives.

Really.

See you later. Maybe.

01/02/2010

Pinch, Punch, First of the Month !

Yeah ! Got Ya !

I felt I needed to do that as My flat mate got me and I had no-one else to release my rage and humiliation on.

So it's been a while and I see we have some fresh faces to the blog.

Hi there ! My name's Daryl and I, on behalf of all the subscribers of my blog (6 others), Welcome You to the most thrilling and informative read you'll have Today* !

So on from the horseplay, what's been going on Daryl ? What news and ocular riches do you have to bestow on us this time ??

I'm not going to lie, it's pretty dry (Ha). But in all seriousness, I have done stuff. Since the last post I have:

• Changed Band
• Presented a Marvel of a Beatles Presentation
• A whole mess of tunes in Session skills
• And last but certainly not least is Finish music Theory !

I passed the final music theory test which goes to show that I have an understanding of music theory, which if, correct me if I'm wrong, is quite essential if someone were to decide to become a session musician. I also did my presentation on the Beatles, which shows that I have skills an qualities in researching a subject; being able to talk to (and keep tame) a group of people and being able to communicate and showcase my ideas and musings. Which I know is session musician material.

And in Session Skills the past few weeks we have played many-a-tune such as the following: Kool and the Gang - Holywood Swingers; Al Green - Let's Stay Together; Maceo Parker - Shake Everything You Got and another go at Jimmy Ruffin's Classic, What Becomes Of the Broken Hearted. The tune went quite smoothly I'd say with little hiccups or complication, however the Kool and The Gang tune could have been better as there was no Bass player to help hold it together.

And Finally the 'shock, controversy and scandal' of the band I was previously in. Since my last post the band that I had for band work changed the year that we were going to look at from 1979 to 1980. That year boasted some chart toppers the likes of Blondie - Atomic; The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me and Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall. This clear and joint decision seemed to lead others in mass confusion and some didn't seem to understand "Learn these songs for next week". This would be time to mention that a session musician would maybe have to work with difficult people at one time or another. The next practice only three of us turned up to the practice. So due to incompetence, time and attendance, I decided to raise to the present members, the point of scrapping the band and doing something else. They agreed as they saw my points. Session Musicians sometimes have to make quick, thoughtful decisions and sometimes the have to take leadership, that's just the way it is. I'm sorry to tell you that. I was asked to join a Commitments band with other musicians, I accepted the offer.

The Rocky thing is also going pretty well, but I'll go into more detail later.

Plus I will have the first Red Hot Chili Peppers band practice on Wednesday too. Also, more details will be added later.

I hope you enjoyed that.

And on that note I say Farewell for another Post.

Thanks !

*not guaranteed at all. In fact you are the only one liable for your enjoyment, and I'm sorry to tell you that. I'll pass you the tissues, you seem very upset.