Unit 4 - Introducing Music Performing

Why i choose performing?

I choose performing because i really want to learn how to improve my piano skills like reading  and understanding music sheets and playing the piano without pausing also too be able to play with both hands left and right ( chords with the left and the actual melody with the right). ]


26th Thursday February 2015


I practiced reading music off the piano sheet and adding chords.


18th Wednesday March 2015


I learnt how to play the first 2 pages of the piece 'Nightingale' with Kristie then in my piano lesson with Mr Lowrie i went over it to remember it. I played it with chords but i have to remember what comes next because it gets a bit confusing.

Skills Audit

Techniques:

•  Accuracy of pitch - NA
•  Rhythm and timing - 2 
•  Technical exercises to improve your piano - 2 
•  Technique - 2
•  Expression and dynamics - NA
•  Phrasing - NA 
•  Range -  NA 
•  Sight reading/singing - 3
•  Improvisation - 3 
•  Breath control - NA
•  Confidence - 2
•  Following an accompaniment - 2  
•  Learning repertoire - NA 
•  Musical interaction 4

Interpretation Skills:

• Emphasis - 2
• Accurate interpretation and reproduction of style -  2
• Awareness and appreciation of accompaniment - 4
• Physical expression - 2 
• Communication in performance with musicians in the audience - 2 
• Expression and use of dynamics - NA
• Projection - NA
• Focus - 3
• Musicality/ sensitivity - 1
• Stage presence - 2

· 

• Look at your scoring and then pick some skills that you will now try to develop further.
• List the skills you have chosen to develop and explain at least one specific way in which you will develop each skill:

Skill you need to develop…	Ways you plan to develop this skill SMART (Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound)
Musicality/ Sensitivity	A way I can improve in this is if I play in front of other people so in Belgium I will play the piano.
Communication in performance with the audience	I need to be more confident when performing and not hide away behind other people at the back in a group performance at the concert in Belgium.
Rhythm and timing	Next time when I play the piano I need to make sure i know the piece well and when I learn a quicker piece i need to slow it down first and learn it bit by bit.
Technique	I don't really have a technique when I play the piano I just try and read the notes and play without making mistakes i think i need to practice more overall.
Stage presence	I need to make eye contact with the audience and be more confident overall as a performer I will improve this in Belgium.

21st Thursday May 2015

Me and Kristie practiced on the piano and I learnt the next part of 'Nightingale' By Demi Lovato. Also I went over the first part and worked out where the singing comes in. I practice playing 4 notes fluently for a part of the song with the left hand, over and over again to improve my technique. Next time i need to not lift my fingers up of the note so it sounds better and is easier to play.

4th Wednesday May 2015

I practiced the piano a little trying to make the first part of the song sound more fluent. But first i did a bit of mixing of my track that i recorded earlier. Next lesson i will keep trying to make the piece flow and not have any stops so it sounds better before i learn the next part.

25th Thursday June 2015

I am still learning 'Nightingale' by Demi Lovato. I am half way through the piece however i keep forgetting the parts and i have to remind myself every week. I have practiced using 4 keys at a time or one after the other quickly for the build up of the song. Also i need to work on changing my left hand notes so they flow with the song instead of having long pauses. I will ask my piano teacher about warm ups so i can learn to change notes quicker.


15th Wednesday July 2015

I have started a new song Ed Sheeran 'I See Fire' which is more on my level and it's easier to play i need to work on making the first section sound fluent and more clear to what song it is. I will practice this song on Thursday. Today i tried to do my second mix however Ben was not in and i couldn't use his Macbook software to mix it.

16th Thursday July 2015 

Today i will be practicing the song 'I See Fire' by Ed Sheeran on the piano. I'm going to try and make the first section sound fluent and make it flow with the rest of the piece. I am trying to learn to read and play the notes of off the music sheet i have. 

30th September Wednesday 2015 

I  am still practicing to play 'I See Fire' by Ed Sheeran I can remember the first part and play it fluently however i keep forgetting the other parts, i have to look at the music and work out how to play it. I will keep practicing until i get the whole song perfect.

7th October Wednesday 2015

Today Kristie will help me on the piano because she knows the song and i will get more practice before by lesson.