Für Elise - Jack O'Casey

Always Attract - Jack O'Casey

Clubbed To Death - Jack O'Casey

Next Rehearsal and Techniques

In todays rehearsal, I followed the guidelines I previously planned however I practiced for 1 hour instead of 30 minutes so I could repeat the procedure twice. After the second time, I realised that the 4 minute warm up for the guitar is unnecessary and wastes time that could be used practicing. It would be a lot better if I actually reduced it to 2 minutes instead of 4 and that gives me an extra 2 minutes of practice time which could accumulate to roughly half a song or it leaves room for some errors or minor mishaps.

Also during this rehearsal, I focused on the dynamics of my songs using the una corda pedal (Soft pedal) on the piano and differing between the force I use on each string whilst fingerpicking and playing chords on the guitar. I was experimenting between changing the loudness of each section of Für Elise. I decided to play the first section (A) in either a p (piano) form or mp (mezzo-piano) with the help from the una corda pedal whilst playing the second section (B) in a much louder f (forte) form without the use of the pedal. The third section (C) starts off with the una corda pedal pressed down and I slowly release it as I get further into the section. Along with this, I press down on the keys much harder to give it more of a prominent crescendo sound to it.

I also worked on the timing of the pieces by using a digital metronome with Für Elise and Clubbed to Death and for Always Attract, I played along with the original recording of the song to make sure that I was playing these pieces at the correct speed. I realised that I was playing Always Attract at a slightly faster speed than it's actually played at but now I have more of an idea of the speed at which it is played at so focusing on the timing technique was very beneficial.

Rehearsal Procedure

Rehearsal Procedure - (30 Minutes)

 

This is my first plan for my Rehearsal Procedure.

 

• 0-4: Warm up using certain techniques specified for my chosen instrument - Piano
• 4-12 Practice performing Für Elise again and again to reassure that I am fully able to perform this piece to a high standard.
• 12-19: Practice performing Clubbed to Death to such an extent that I can perform this piece without hesitation, pauses or mistakes.
• 19-23: Warm up using certain techniques specified for my chosen instrument - Guitar
• 23-30: Practice performing Always Attract with effective use of fingerpicking to improve my playing ability and also to improve the actual performance or this piece

Avoided Warm Up Techniques

 

Piano Warm Up Technique 1

 

Piano Warm Up Technique 2

Guitar Warm Up Technique

 

 

 

These 3 techniques are 3 of the warm up techniques I avoided using before my rehearsals.

The first Piano warm up technique can be used as a warm up before playing a piece of music but I, personally, think that it is too slow to be used as a warm up. Warm ups are meant to be effective, however this specific warm up is too slow to be classed as effective. Increasing the speed of this technique would improve it greatly as it would make you work harder yet not too hard for your warm ups.

The second Piano warm up technique is irrelevant to either of my Piano pieces I have chosen for my BTEC Music Performance. It may be slightly too hard for some as a warm up exercise at first but once it is mastered, it should be much easier to perform, however you would still have to spend time practicing this actual technique when you could find a much more effective technique which is actually easier therefore it doesn't waste as much valuable time.

 The Guitar warm up technique is also irrelevant to my chosen Guitar piece. Overall, I don't think that it is a good technique either because it isn't really helping you either warm up before a performance or just actually help you play a song. It is too repetitive and if overused, it may cause some strain due to the repeated movement of all fingers and thumb.

Good Warm Up Techniques

Piano Warm Up Technique 1

Piano Warm Up Technique 2

 

Guitar Fingerpicking Warm Up Technique

 

 

 

These 3 warm up techniques are really simple but effective if used regularly.

 

The first Piano warm up technique can prove useful for both hands as it exercises the hand muscles and, if played correctly, can help you memorise and play each scale if the notes are alternated. This is useful for playing pieces that have a lot of movement in either hand and for songs with a wide range

 of notes played in one hand.

 

The second Piano warm up technique is very useful to use when you are playing a piece of music that requires either a cross over with one hand or the use of a wide range of notes in quick concession with each other. This technique can be utilised effectively with both hands.

 

This Guitar fingerpicking warm up is very helpful because you are required to play a range of different strings one after the other. This helps the you become much better after time with fingerpicking using different fingers and increasing your speed and accuracy. Therefore you would be able to play the pieces much more effectively and to a better standard.

 

In my own opinion, I believe that the Piano Warm Up Technique 2 is better than the Piano Warm Up Technique 1 because you move your hands more often which is better to help prepare yourself for the piece(s) you are about to play. You are also able to do this warm up with either hand and any 3 fingers in order to it isn't only restricted to the use of 3 specific fingers on one hand.