Week 1: (04/11/24) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

In the lesson on Monday, we had talked as a class about what venues we would like to try and play at. After choosing these venues a couple of people within the class had contacted them and we are yet to hear back from them. 

In the session on Wednesday, we had worked as a class to learn genre swapped songs the first one being My Heart Will Go on by Céline Dion into metal and the other song, we had done was HOT TO GO by Chappell Roan and it was genre swapped to punk. This helped us to identify what parts we would have to focus mainly on with our songs when swapping the genre on them. After this we had discussed as a band about what songs we would like to do for the gig. We did this by getting 2 pieces of paper and writing songs we want to recreate and songs that we would like to genre swap. This took us a while because we couldn't think of songs or agree on them, so we took turns to write songs down and the genre of each song so we can decide songs that have a contrasting genre.   

 In the lesson on Friday, we had got the pieces of paper which had all the songs that we want to recreate on, after this we all agreed to start learning Cosmic girl by Jamiroquai. After a while of trying to learn the bassline, I decided to ask for help so what I had done was slow down the song to half time and separated the song into its own sections and slowly increased the speed of the song and playing them separate parts until I could play them at the speed of the song and then adding all the parts together. During this time the singers had also gone into a separate practice room so they could work on harmonies throughout the song.  

 

Problems:

We could not decide on what songs we wanted to recreate or genre swap.  

I had struggled on the bassline for Cosmic Girl.  

I had struggled on the bassline for Cosmic Girl.  

Solutions:  

We had decided to get 2 pieces of paper and take turns on writing what songs we want to do and their genres and what songs we want to genre swap. 

I had separated the song into different sections and played them at different tempos and slowly building it up gradually.  

The sings went into a separate practice room so they can here each other clearly.  

Reflection:  

I have learnt to play Cosmic Girl. This has allowed me to start being able to learn more complex basslines which has also helped build up more confidence with my playing.  

Targets for next week:  

Next week we will be working more on cosmic girl. 

We need to start talking as a band about what other songs we would like to do.  

 

 

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Week 2: (18/11/24) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

In the session on Wednesday, we had worked on our song for the Christmas gig however, we had talked more about what songs we want to do for the genres gig. 

In the lesson on Friday, we started learning R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys. At first, I had struggled with the bassline as it is more complex than the songs I usually play. To make it easier to play I broke the songs up into sections and then slow down the overall song. I did this until I had a chunk of the song complete. I had then slowly built up the tempo of the song and then eventually went back to try and play with the rest of my band however when I tried to play, I couldn't seem to keep my timing with the faster parts.  

In the session on Friday, we went back over Cosmic Girl and went over our individual parts to ensure that we were playing the right things. I had found that I was struggling to play a certain part of the chorus so what I had done to help with this was I had repeated the same part multiple times and even played it slowly. This allowed me to then add it to the rest of the bass line.  

Problems:

I had struggled with the bassline for R U Mine?  

Even though I had learnt the bassline I still could not play R U Mine? With my band. 

I struggled with a specific part of the chorus in Cosim Girl.  

Solutions:  

 

To solve this issue, I went into a practice room by myself and separated the song into its own sections, after this I had slowed down the tempo and then slowly built it up. I then started adding the sections in one by one until I had a chunk of the song.  

I asked my band to go over certain sections until I somewhat got the hang of it. 

I went over the part slowly and then eventually sped it up and then I added it to the rest of the song.  

 

Reflection:  

I have learnt to work around weaknesses when learning a new bass line.  

Targets for next week:  

Finish R U Mine and make sure it is to the best we can get it to be.  

Finish Cosmic Girl and ensure that everyone knows their parts fluently.  

 

 

Week 3: (25/11/24) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

In the session on Wednesday, we just went over the Christmas set and ensure that it was up to a high standard and adding ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ however, I had struggled with the bassline as it changes a lot throughout the song. In the session on Friday, we had started working on ‘R U Mine?’. We had managed to get the whole song done however it did not sound the best and I was struggling with certain parts of bassline as it was faster in certain parts compared to others. 

Problems:

I struggled with the bassline within ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. 

I struggled to play certain parts of the bassline for ‘R U Mine?’ as it is faster in certain sections compared to others. 

Solutions:  

I had gone into a practice room by myself to go over the bassline.  

I kept going over the song and then asked my band if we could slow down the song and then slowly start to build up the tempo. 

 

Reflection:  

I have used my communication skills to ensure that we can play a song that is up to a high standard. 

Targets for next week:  

Finish the Christmas medley 

Finish ‘R U Mine?’. 

 

Week 4: (2/12/24) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

In the session on Wednesday, we went discussed not being able to do R U Mine? in the Christmas gig. This is because not everyone will have their parts complete by then. One of them being me. This is because it is a challenging song and the parts that are faster than the others are what I struggle most on. As a band we decided to agree on Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo as it is similar to R U Mine? and we have already perfected this song so it will be easy to pick up in time for the Christmas gig. After this we went over the Christmas Medley, making sure that it is complete and seeing if we have to change anything within the song that needs to be changed or improved. We also had debated over what songs we would like to do for the genres gig. This led to the band not being able to agree on a song, so we asked for some help with choosing a song due to the disagreements and we ended up going for ‘I Say No’ from the musical Heathers. In the session on Friday, everyone was in and out of the session due to everyone having practice auditions, so we used this session to go over the Christmas setlist and I also started working on ‘I Say No’.  

Problems:

We noticed we would have to think about changing R U Mine? As we are struggling with the song.  

The band had a disagreement on what song we wanted to do for the genres gig.

During the Friday session we had members of the band in and out of the session due to practice auditions.  

Solutions:  

We agreed to play Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo as we had practiced the song in the past so we would be able to get the song in time for the gig.  

 We asked for help with choosing the song and in the end, we ended up choosing ‘I Say No’ from the musical Heathers.  

We decided to work on the Christmas set and then I also decided to work on ‘I Say No’ for a bit by myself.  

Reflection:  

From this session I have not only learnt to work without band members which will help in case of any absences during any future sessions. 

Targets for next week:  

We need to make sure that Brutal is up to a good standard. 

We need to work as a band on ‘I say No’ 

 

 

Week 5/6: (9/12/24 + 16/12/24) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

In the session on Wednesday, we went over our songs and then perfecting ‘Cosmic Girl’ to ensure that it is ready for not only the Christmas gig but also for the genres gig. However, I was struggling with the chorus as it changes within the song, but it is also slightly complex, so I sat by myself going over it in the practice room. In the session on Friday, we started ‘Paranoid Android’ however, I was struggling with the bassline for it, so I went into a practice room to figure that out and start working out the bassline for ‘I Say No’.  

Problems:

I struggled with the chorus for Cosmic Girl. 

I struggled with figuring out a bassline for ‘Paranoid Android’.

Solutions:  

I sat in the practice room going over the song but mainly the choruses to ensure that I am comfortable with the song. 

I sat in the practice room going over the bassline for ‘Paranoid Android’ and then going over the bassline for ‘I Say No’  

 

Reflection:  

I have learnt to figure out a bassline for songs with only chords and no tab.  

Targets for next week:  

Finish Cosmic Girl 

Start learning ‘I Say No’ as a band. 

 

 

Week 7: (6/01/25) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

On Monday, we talked as a band and had decided to no longer do ‘I Say No’ as it is vocally demanding for the singers. We eventually decided to ‘Jump’ by Van Halen. We then started learning ‘Jump’ on Wednesday, and had learned only up until the guitar solo as Louis was not 100% with it. I had struggled at first with the bassline, but I went into a practice room and went over it by myself.  

Problems: 

I struggled with the bassline for ‘Jump’. 

Solutions:  

I went over it in the practice room by myself. 

 

Reflection:  

I learnt to work independently and use what I learnt by myself and applied it to what the band was playing. 

Targets for next week:  

Carry on with ‘Jump’. 

Go over ‘Cosmic Girl’. 

 

 

Week 8: (13/01/25) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

This week we had an extra practice session on the Tuesday which allowed us to go over our songs. I had managed to learn ‘Jump’; however, I was still struggling with the bassline within the guitar solo as it more complex to what I am used to playing. I also struggled with ‘Paranoid android’ As the bassline for this song was difficult for me to learn especially with the time frame that I have prior to the gig. In my bass lesson on Wednesday, I asked for help with the bassline during the guitar solo in Jump and after going over it a handful of times I had got it. After this in the session I went over the bassline for ‘Paranoid Android’ with Liam. We broke down the song into separate sections ensuring that I will be able to learn the song smoothly. In the session on Friday, we went over our set that's when I noticed I was struggling to play along with my band during the guitar solo in ‘Jump’ however after going over it multiple times it had helped. I had also struggled with the bassline still in ‘Paranoid Android’ so Louis had helped me learn a simplified version of it. 

 

Problems:

I struggled with the bassline within ‘Jump’. 

I struggled playing the bassline within ‘Paranoid Android’. 
Solutions:  

I asked my bass tutor for help learning it, so we kept going over it until I had felt comfortable playing it. 

Liam had helped me learn the bassline by splitting it into separate sections and slowly learning it. 

After learning one bassline for ‘Paranoid Android I was still struggling’. 

Louis helped me learn a more simplified version of it however still having it fit the jazz style. 

Reflection:  

I have learnt to make rearrangements to basslines if I am struggling with them 

Targets for next week:  

Become comfortable with what I am playing in each song.  

Go over the set more with my band and to work on stage presence. 

 

 

Week 9: (20/01/25) 

Outline of recording/rehearsal session:  

On Monday, me and Hannah went over our set. This meant that we could ensure that we’re 100% comfortable with all the songs within our set. We also made the setlist with all the timings of when each act is on during the gig, after this we printed them off and made a rough plan for the sound check the next day with how long each act has for their check. On the Tuesday, me and Hannah told everyone a rough plan of the day, so we know what needs doing. We then practiced our set a through times, and going overusing a backing track for cosmic girl. We also went over ‘Paranoid Android’ a few times as this was one of our weaker songs. We then worked on stage presence as this is crucial for the performance as it allows us to keep the audience entertained throughout the set. After this me and Hannah had realised that we had messed up the times on the running order, so we had to fix the sheets before handing them out to people. Then finally during the gig we had realised we had gone over the scheduled time so to solve this we had asked one of the acts if they’d be ok cutting a song to ensure we could finish the gig on time.  

 

Problems:

I was not 100% on ‘Paranoid Android’ as I had learnt it only a couple of sessions ago. 

The timings on the running order weren't correct.  

During the gig we ended up going over some of the set times.  

Solutions:  

Me and Hannah went over it a couple of times after college. 

Me and Hannah went over them again and sorted them out again.  

We spoke to one of the acts to see if they could cut a song to ensure we can finish on time.  

Reflection: 

I have learnt that I can work in a high-pressure environment and fix problems that may arise suddenly.