Critical Evaluation
In
this essay, I will be critically evaluating the production of my
individual study composing task. I will be assessing both the
positive and negative aspects of my recording, the ideas and
intention behind the piece and how they could be improved.
To
begin with, I will look at the negative areas in my piece as opposed
to the positive after. The first negative point I have in mind about
the recording was the lack of richness, I believe my piece felt empty
and could have been filled with harmony and other things such as
ad-libbing to help the song to feel like an actual track. It is
important to include these things as they add to the wholeness of the
piece, sounding less harsh on the audience.
'Harmony
supports the melody and gives the music texture or mood. You can
change how a piece of music sounds by changing only the harmony.'
(The Music Lab. 2015.)
Even
if one harmony was included it would have made the piece more
interesting and varied rather than it sound the same all the way
through.
The
second point is the tuning of my ukulele, as a beginner I have
struggled to learn the instrument. As I have always only sung I
sometimes find it hard to hear anything other than voice. Tuning is
one of the most important things in music and I was disappointed that
I couldn't tune my ukulele myself, as well as doing this the
instrument was brand new and therefore kept falling out of tune (it
would have benefited me to use an older one).
'I
admit it is a little hard to detect the Interference beats at first
if you are new to instruments, but after time you will be able to
detect it easier.' (Get-Tuned.
2015.)
If
I were to make an improvement on this point I would watch YouTube
videos to help me with my tuning problems, which would instantly make
my performance better.
In
terms of improvements, re-recording my track would also enhance the
song, recording the instrument and vocals separate would let me have
more control over the levels and editing, it would also make both
parts sound more comfortable until I am confident with doing both
together.
One
positive point I have to make about my recording was the audience
intention. The lyrics for me were one of the hardest parts as I am a
creative writer but I have never put this to test in terms of song
writing. I struggled with where to start therefore I used research to
find others tips regarding beginning a new song. 'Good
songwriters use song craft to give their songs emotional impact and
make them memorable for listeners.' (Frederick.
2015.)As I can
only write from experience I tend to stray away from the cliché love
ballad as this is not interesting to me. I prefer to make my audience
laugh and this was achieved. 'Comic
texts make an immediate impact.' (Arias.
2001.) My lyrics
reflected my personality, with rhyming couplets and comedy elements
it was fresh and new which everyone seemed to enjoy.
Overall,
I think my recording could have been improved with more time and
practice. Each point made could easily be improved with the right
guidance, excelling my instrumental skills and vocals as well.
Enrique
Alberto Arias (2001). Comedy
in Music. 1st. ed. USA:
Greenwood Publishing Group.
Frederick,
R (2015) LEARN
HOW TO WRITE A SONG: a step-by-step guide.
[online] Available from: <
http://robinfrederick.com/learn-how-to-write-a-song/>
[14/01/2015].
Get-Tuned
[online]. (2015). Available from:
<http://www.get-tuned.com/tuning_science.php>. [Accessed
14/01/2015].
The
Music Lab [online].
(2015). Available from:
<http://www.sfskids.org/templates/musicLabF.asp?pageid=16>.
[Accessed 14/01/2015].
