Discography

AcousticInstrumentls (2014). Gnarles Barkley - Crazy (Acoustic Guitar Instrumental) Karaoke. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpTofi_2YWU>. [Accessed 17/12/2014].

 

BBC Radio 1 (2013). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvA3q0ZU-NQ. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvA3q0ZU-NQ>. [Accessed 22/11/2014].

 

CMIUC100 (2012). CELL PHONE RINGING SOUND EFFECT. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unZVgi2s9w8>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].



EricArceneaux (2013). Professional Vocal Warmup 2 - "Increasing Vocal Range". [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5_-kvfsiGE>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

Free Sound Effects (2014). Crowd Talking [Free Sound Effects]. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLld3JVwxew>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

Free Children Playing Sound Effect. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvlkPJkmYPg>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

godtiermusic (2012). steinvord - Maelstrom [HQ 1080p]. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCHielWnOWA>. [Accessed 21/10/2014].

gotyemusic (2011). Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) - official video. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].       HW Lee (2013). 24 song titles form a 4 chords song (C G A F). [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQYg6uZLRKE>. [Accessed 04/11/2014].

Howcast (2013). How to Improve Range w/ Vocal Exercises | Singing Lessons. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F15-PVberTs>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

 

HSFCPerformingArts (2013). Without You. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvUkEM9ylhw>. [Accessed 04/11/2014].

 

Kayleigh Johnson (2014). Rehearsal One. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP-Q30BlkF4>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

 

Kayleigh Johnson (2014). Vocal Warm Up. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC5bYhvs_nQ>. [Accessed 04/11/2014].

 

Mark Andrew Hansen (2011). Piano Lessons for Beginners Lesson 1 How to Play Piano Easy Free Online Learning Tutorial Chords. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQTim0KdILE>. [Accessed 04/11/2014].

 

MrSarjveladze (2011). Ella Fitzgerald - One note Samba (scat singing) 1969. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekmwIStfR0o>. [Accessed 14/10/2014].

 

 

Nikki Francis (29/08/2011). The lion King on Broadway- Grasslands Chant. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0xW6xtEmdw>. [Accessed 30/09/2014].

 

PlanetBjar (2011). Bobby McFerrin about Improvisation - AAVF 2011. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIIVoVRx1tA>. [Accessed 14/10/2014].

 

Pop Culture is our Religion!! (2012). (HD) Marilyn Monroe - I Wanna Be Loved By You. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eDHlgnRuaM>. [Accessed 21/12/2014].

 

Riahsha (2013). Lyrics~Stand By Me-Ben E. King. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTCfQ6Bb8QE>. [Accessed 13/01/2015].

 

ReadTheHits's channel (2011). Ben E. King Stand By Me Lyrics. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kyGMvfZqo>. [Accessed 29/10/2014].

 

Sing2Piano | Piano Backing Tracks (2013). Don't You Worry Child (Piano backing track) Swedish House Mafia. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bZw6pJPW5Y>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

Sing2Piano | Piano Backing Tracks (2014). LATCH (Acoustic) [Piano Karaoke Demo] Sam Smith. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-K-IKAyvVs>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

Sing2Piano | Piano Backing Tracks (2013). Pompeii (Piano Karaoke Version) Bastille. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UQVmRF79jE>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

 

Sing2Guitar | Acoustic Backing Tracks (2013). Pumped Up Kicks (Acoustic Guitar Karaoke Version) Foster the People. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5pjS2K2XZk>. [Accessed 26/11/2014].

Sing2Guitar | Acoustic Backing Tracks (2014). Rather Be (Acoustic Guitar Karaoke demo) Clean Bendit. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4E-ZqW7SCQ>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

 

Sing2Piano | Piano Backing Tracks (2013). Summertime Sadness (Piano Karaoke Version) Lana Del Rey. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PjDTYPeTFU>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

 

SiriusXM (2014). Sam Smith "How Will I Know" Whitney Houston Cover // Hits 1 // SiriusXM. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwHACITShSI>. [Accessed 20/11/2014].

 

SmashBROficial (2013). SMASH - Don't Forget Me (Karen Cartwright) #SmashBrasil. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YVL8I-o8lM>. [Accessed 05/12/2014].

 

Sound Effects (2013). Traffic Jam Sound Effect - Free Sound Effects. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIXpLA4Q1Tc>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

 

theirishmani12 (2011). Baby Crying Sound Effect. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xRrUVVKigk>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

 

TheWelleszCompany (2011). Boris Blacher: Abstrakte Oper n.1 op.43 (1953) (1/2). [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsNGLWyOPmA>. [Accessed 21/10/2014].

 

Twilight Place (2009). Queen - Freddie Mercury Vocal Improvisation (Wembley 1986). [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjh3-JE0S-A>. [Accessed 14/10/2014].

 

Undying23 (2009). Frédéric Chopin's "Raindrop" Prelude, Op 28, No. 15. [online]. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OFHXmiZP38>. [Accessed 21/10/2014].

 

UrbanSurvivalTactics (2012). Heartbeat - Sound Effect. [online]. Available from:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-07AA8mFEX0>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

Bibliography

African Treasures [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.africantreasures.com/product-category/african-percussion-instruments/>. [Accessed 30/09/2014].

 

American Rhetoric: Top 100 Speeches [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm>. [Accessed 30/09/2014].

 

AZLyrics.com [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/fosterthepeople/pumpedupkicks.html>. [Accessed 26/11/2014].

 

Bankhead, D (2014). Understanding Harmony: Part 1. 31/01/2014. tuts [online]. [Accessed 13/01/2015]. Available from:< http://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-harmony-part-1--audio-23066>.

 

bio [online]. (2014). Available from: <http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123>. [Accessed 17/12/2014].

 

Borch,D (2015). Find Your Unique Sound. 20/06/2012. voice council [online]. [Accessed 13/01/2015]. Available from: http://voicecouncil.com/find-your-unique-sound/.

 

Buchthal, S and Comment, B (eds). (2010). Fragments: Poems, intimate notes, letters by Marilyn Monroe. London: HarperCollins Publishers.

 

Cavalcade (2015). Recording With Audacity Or Not. 01/10/2013. ultimateguitar.com [online]. [Accessed 15/01/2015]. Available from: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_guide_to/recording_with_audacity_or_not.html.

 

Causey, T (2014). Is Musical Theatre Your Calling? . Available: http://majoringinmusic.com/is-musical-theatre-your-calling/. Last accessed 02/11/2014.

 

Cooke, M (2013). The Chronicle of Jazz. Exp Rev. ed. England: Oxford University Press.

 

crime library [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/celebrity/celebrity_addiction/6.html>. [Accessed 17/12/2014].

 

EricArceneaux (2013). Professional Vocal Warmup 2 - "Increasing Vocal Range". [online]. Available

 

Ewer, G (2014). Song Analysis: “Pumped Up Kicks” (Foster the People). 22/06/2011. The Essential Secrets of Song Writing [online]. [Accessed 26/11/2014]. Available from: https://garyewer.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/song-analysis-pumped-up-kicks-foster-the-people/.

 

Ewer,G (2015). The Essential Secrets of Songwriting [online]. Available from: <https://garyewer.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/tips-and-tricks-adding-vocal-harmonies-to-a-song/>. [Accessed 13/01/2015].

  

goodreads [online]. (2014). Available from: <http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/82952.Marilyn_Monroe>. [Accessed 17/12/2014].

 

Hein, E (2014). Is music the most abstract art form?. 02/11/2011. The Ethan Hein Blog [online]. [Accessed 21/10/2014]. Available from: http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2011/is-music-the-most-abstract-art-form/.

 

Howlett, G (2013). How to develop musicality. 11/06/2011. Greg Howlett Productions [online]. [Accessed 07/10/2014]. Available from: http://greghowlett.com/blog/free-lessons/061111035.aspx.

Lalinde, J (2014). The Writing on the Wall. 05/10/2010. Vanity Fair [online]. [Accessed 05/12/2014]. Available from: http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/11/marilyn-monroe-handwriting-analysis-201011.

Levitin, D (01/05/2008). This is Your Brain on Music. 1st. ed. London: Atlantic Books.

 

Light, A (2014). Billy Joel Restarts The Fire. 27/05/2014. American Songwriter [online]. [Accessed 28/10/2014]. Available from: http://www.americansongwriter.com/2014/05/billy-joel-restarts-fire/.

 

Loudon, J (2011). What makes a good live performance?. 27/10/2011. The Record [online]. [Accessed 30/10/2011]. Available from: http://recordbeat.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/what-makes-good-live-performance.html

 

Marilyn Monroe [online]. (2014). Available from: <http://marilynmonroe.com/history/>. [Accessed 17/12/2014].

 

Melton, J (2007). Singing in Musical Theatre The Training of Singers and Actors. New York: Allworth Press. 3.

 

O'Connor, K (2013). Correct Breathing and 'Support' for Singing. Available: http://www.singwise.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?section=articles&doc=EffectiveAndProperBreathingForSinging. Last accessed 02/11/2014.

 

Oxford Dictionaries[online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/music>. [Accessed 30/09/2014].

 

Pattison, P (2012). Songwriting Without Boundaries: Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice. 1st. ed. England: Writer's Digest Books.

Pritchett, J (1993). James Pritchett: Writings on Cage ( [online]. Available from: <http://www.rosewhitemusic.com/cage/texts/bookintro.html>. [Accessed 14/10/2014].

 

Rosman, M (2014). Using Music as an Escape. 02/10/2013. The State Times[online]. [Accessed 06/10/2014]. Available from:http://thestatetimes.com/2013/10/02/using-music-as-an-escape/.

 

 

Sheperd, J (2003) Continuum Encyclopaedia of Popular Music of the World: Volume 2 Performance and Production. London, Continuum.Soundbyter (2011).

 

Small, C (1999). Music of the Common Tongue: Survival and Celebration in Afro-American Music (Music Culture). New edition. ed. America: Wesleyan University Press. 

 

Song Facts [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=13386>. [Accessed 28/10/2014].

 

Song Facts [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2398>. [Accessed 29/10/2014].

 

Songwriting Business [online]. (2015). Available from:< http://www.songwritingbusiness.com/the-biggest-secret-to-becoming-a-great-songwriter>. [Accessed 13/01/2015].

Thompson, J (2004). Find Your Voice: A Self-Help Manual for Singers. 1st. ed. United States: Artemis Editions.

 

Uremusic [online]. (2014). Available from:< http://www.uremusic.org/composition/modern-techniques/aleatoric-elements-in-music>. [Accessed 21/10/2014].

Veltman, C (2009). Voice Check: 10 Tips for Healthy Singing. Available: http://www.tcg.org/publications/at/jan10/healthy.cfm. Last accessed 02/11/2014.

 

Victoria Falls Guide [online]. (2013). Available from: <http://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/african-traditions.html>. [Accessed 07/10/2014].

 
 

Zadeh, J (2014). These Are the Worst Ever Performances from Radio 1's Live Lounge. 03/11/2014. Vice [online]. [Accessed 20/11/2014]. Available from: http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/blog/worst-ever-live-lounge-performances.

 

Week Fourteen 13/01/2015

Critical Evaluation

 

Within this essay, the production of my individual study composing task will be critically evaluated considering both positive and negative aspects. As I was not confident enough to incorporate my piano skills, the main instrument used was my voice.
 

The main positive aspect of my performance is that I was able to discover my own voice; I did not imitate how other singers sound, I was myself. Borch discusses the importance for vocalists to find their own distinctive style 'if you want to stand out as an artist. This means that you want to embrace your personal sound as well as your own inspiration to combine this with certain musical qualities.' (Borch 2015) I managed to meet this target by listening to artists that inspire me vocally such as Ellie Goulding; her unique sound had a very positive impact on me during the creative process. As well as this, writing my own lyrics helped as there was nothing to copy or hide behind. If I had arranged an already existing song, I would not of showcased my vocal abilities due to simply imitating. It is vital to have your own individual voice so this was a huge achievement for me. In terms of my future works, I think I could develop this further by using improvisation techniques to see exactly what my voice is capable of.
 

Another positive attribute of my performance links to my personal progression in terms of harmonies. Bankhead (2014) explains why 'melody is the most important part of the music. It is the tune of the song. But harmony can add so much depth and meaning!' (Bankhead 2014) Within my previous group performance, I feel like I had improved a lot but I had only used already existing songs where the harmonies are easier to pick out by ear. I was proud that I was able to identify unfamiliar harmonies within my own track using improvisation enabling me to perform with confidence.
 

Although numerous harmonies were included within the final track, I think I could of improved by including lower harmonies and 'oo' sounds to add more texture thus creating a more professional sounding track which would be more appealing for my listening audience 'because of the positive impact that vocal harmonies have on a finished song, I like to think of creating them as part of the writing process, not just something you add to a song to “make it pretty.”' (Ewer 2015)
 

The main negative within my track was the quality of the recording. Due to me being unable to control the dynamics, my track was on the same level from throughout; there was a lack of light and shade. To improve, a crescendo affect with the introduction quieter and the chorus sections louder would make the piece more interesting for the listener. Audacity simply did not fit the professional requirements I needed and I should of used 'something more full-featured than Audacity. It's just not geared towards audio production, professional or even amateur' (Cavalcade 2015) I think I should of developed my skills on more advanced technology such as Garage Band as I would of been provided with more control.
 

Overall, I think I have found my own style as both a song writer and a vocalist and although my track is not perfect, I am extremely pleased with the progress I have made throughout the creative process.

 

 

Bibliography

Bankhead, D (2014). Understanding Harmony: Part 1. 31/01/2014. tuts [online]. [Accessed 13/01/2015]. Available from: <http://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-harmony-part-1--audio-23066>.

 

Borch,D (2015). Find Your Unique Sound. 20/06/2012. voice council [online]. [Accessed 13/01/2015]. Available from: http://voicecouncil.com/find-your-unique-sound/.

 

Cavalcade (2015). Recording With Audacity Or Not. 01/10/2013. ultimateguitar.com [online]. [Accessed 15/01/2015]. Available from: <http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_guide_to/recording_with_audacity_or_not.html>.

 

Ewer,G (2015). The Essential Secrets of Songwriting [online]. Available from: <https://garyewer.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/tips-and-tricks-adding-vocal-harmonies-to-a-song/>. [Accessed 13/01/2015].

 

Pattison, P (2012). Songwriting Without Boundaries: Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice. 1st. ed. England: Writer's Digest Books.

 

Songwriting Business [online]. (2015). Available from: <http://www.songwritingbusiness.com/the-biggest-secret-to-becoming-a-great-songwriter>. [Accessed 13/01/2015].

 

Thompson, J (2004). Find Your Voice: A Self-Help Manual for Singers. 1st. ed. United States: Artemis Editions.

Week Thirteen 06/01/2015

Individual Work For Assessment

This week I worked on perfecting my individual solo piece in preparation for the following week's assessment. I tried numerous different approaches when adding additional elements to the track including experimenting with clicks and other body percussion sounds and adding vocal sounds such as 'oo's. Unfortunately these elements did not fit in with the atmosphere I wanted to create as the created sounds did not compliment the lyrics I had wrote, so I removed them.



I have added numerous vocal harmonies in different sections of the track. Screen shots from Audacity are displayed below;

Fig.18

 

Fig.19

 

 

Fig.20

 

Fig.21

 

 Fig.22


 
 Fig.23

Fig.24
 
I have also used the Audacity software in more technical terms to make the piece sound more professional and interesting. I used the 'pan' option to choose which speaker the sounds come out of. The guitar track and the main vocals are positioned more towards the left speaker and the vocal harmonies are positioned more towards the right speaker. This aspect really improves the general listening experience.

Fig.25

The final recording of my song titled 'Monroe' is displayed below;
 

Week Twelve 16/12/14

Individual Work For Assessment

When beginning to write my lyrics, I realised that the track I had selected did not reflect the idea I wanted to portray. I decided to change my track selection to an acoustic version of the song 'Crazy' by Gnarles Barkley. I have sampled this acoustic guitar track within my performance. The track does not sound anything like the original recording meaning that I am not tempted to sing my lyrics in the same style; I am able to put my own stamp on the performance.

When writing my lyrics, I took a lot of inspiration from the book titled 'Fragments' (Buchthal, S and Comment, B 2010) using poems and diary entries from Marilyn Monroe herself. I also used some very well-known quotes from her. I carried out a lot of research into Marilyn Monroe including her earlier life so I could get an insight into her thoughts and her feelings. Hopefully, my lyrics will capture her personality and my audience will understand the aim of my performance.

I have wrote the whole song including two verses and a number of chorus sections. All I have left to work on is the end section of the performance where I am going to include riffs and trills to communicate to my audience what I am capable of doing with my vocals. I am also going to use my improved ability to harmonise in various areas of the song to make it more entertaining and interesting to listen to for my listening audience.

The quotes I took inspiration from include;

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” 

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”   

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soulmate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”   

“A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left.”   

“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.”   

“You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself.”   

(goodreads 2014) 

I also took a lot of inspiration from the song 'I wanna be loved by you', performed by Marilyn Monroe herself, for the chorus section within my song;

My lyrics and rehearsal recordings are displayed below;

Verse One

Beneath the make-up and behind the smile,
I'm just a girl, who wishes for the world.
And I try to give them enough,
But they want too much.

Please don't talk about me when I'm gone,
It's all wrong, that's not what I want.
So you think you know,
Who is Marilyn Monroe?

Chorus

I just wanted to be loved by you,
Just you, nobody else, just loved by you.
I didn't want nobody else, I just wanted to be loved by you,
You, only you.



Verse Two

People change so you can learn to let go,
Things go wrong, things go right, but then you know,
That you can trust no one but you,
Not everything you hear is always true,
This life is what you make it.

I'm out of control, I make mistakes,
There's only so many times a heart can break,
A wise girl kisses but she does not love,
She listens but she doesn't believe,
And before she's left she leaves.

Chorus

Chorus
(sang a lot softer to range dynamics)

Final Chorus (including riffs over the original lyrics to showcase my vocal abilities)

End

When I next work on my individual performance, I am going to complete the recording process by recording the piece as a whole and then add in harmonies, sounds such as 'oo's and potentially incorporate elements of body percussion. I am going to use a trial and error approach to see what works and what does not and hopefully I will be able to make my performance the best it can possibly be.