After seeing Tennyson last week @ the Hudson Ballroom, Sydney, I was left feeling so inspired and re-energised. They were absolutely amazing.
However, on Monday, at Sound Lab, I was feeling quite stuck. Perhaps this was due just having been exposed to such great music and feeling a sense of incompetence and disdain for everything that I have created so far. I felt a lack of motivation to work on my music and wanted to start over. In this tricky situation, I asked for some advice and gave my track that I had been working on a break this week, and shifted my focus.
Something interesting to note, is that I found the tuner on Guitar Rig. Previously I had mostly relied on my perfect/absolute pitch (as well as visual/spatial memory). Although it was interesting to be able to see which note I was playing, it ended up causing more anxiety than being helpful.
The theremin is so sensitive that to be able to hold the exact pitch without shifting a little is very difficult, and watching the scale made me more worried. I think I may try this again later when I have improved, in order to test my pitch accuracy and stability. Watch my progress video:
Playing with textures and effects.
Listen to the track on soundcloud here:
x Joy
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On April 7, I will potentially be performing Theremin at a studio in Marrickville. Things to do before then include:
Things I am considering:
Progress this week included:
Current setup: I am now running through the PA with a DI box, instead of an Amp. This works well with the new portable effects on my laptop. Watch my progress video: x Joy
And we are making progress... This week I have been working on my face. Yes, using the reflection in the recording studio to see how I can improve the visual element of my playing. One of the great things I learnt in America whilst studying under the guidance of Dr. P in Advanced Wind Band Conducting and Rehearsal Strategies, was the importance of one's facial expressions. Nonetheless, it's very difficult (especially when I am focusing so hard on many other things). This shows a greater need for individual attention and practice in this area. I received helpful feedback from S about the effectiveness of suddenly approaching a note with confidence (rather than easing into it and sliding as I was previously doing). Some links have been drawn between the theremin and the electric guitar. I also worked on the pentatonic and whole tone scale during my practice, which sounds good with many of my original tracks. Some things to try for next time:
Current settings on the amp: Watch my progress video: x Joy
P.S. Confirmed that I will be working with a friend who is a VJ for my Sound Lab performance. Woo!! June 2nd @ 6pm Io Myers, UNSW. See you there :) Improvements are only natural over time. Slowing down, writing and reflecting on our progress, as well as evaluating is such a crucial part of learning and improvement. This is how I feel about my playing... More rigorous practice today in an attempt to develop a more stable technique.
For next time:
I'm excited to see what will happen next. Stay tuned ;) Current settings: Watch my progress videos: Developing technique// Playing with one of my original tracks// Solo - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Developing a routine for technique // Playing with two of my original tracks (sneak preview) // surprise @ the end
After an amazing performance by Hikashu last night @ The Foundry 616, I was inspired to try out some new techniques on the theremin. Here's a short example: Some of these include:
These are the current settings on the theremin and amp: Watch my progress videos: First session of Week 2. Exploring movement and sound. Attempting to play a tune. Second session this week. This time, playing with one of my original electronic tracks. x Joy P.S. I saw Koichi Makigami play the Jew's Harp for the first time last night. Loving the sounds it can make, especially with effects pedals. Check it out here.
More Hikashu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxeFcejfWs Hikashu Appreciation Society https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-wild-eclectic-world-of-koichi-makigamis-hikashu-band-by-eyal-hareuveni.php |
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