Final Blog- Reflection

Initially for my FMP I wanted to make a Bhangra Ep, but I looked at the time constraints we were under to make our projects. I decided this wasn’t really time effective, so I changed my mind and decided to make a Soulful House Ep instead. Changing my mind automatically made me behind target as I had already started to work on my first idea.

Over the past year, I feel as if I have learnt a lot of skills and have been able to put them into practise, by incorporating these skills within my FMP. I think by incorporating these skills, it has made my FMP successful.

In terms of time management, we were a bit off key at the start. We didn’t plan out our studio session, therefore we didn’t use our time effectively, and sometimes we would arrive at the studio and decide what we were doing on the day, rather then prior to the studio session. In terms of studio roles, we each had opportunities to act out each studio role, we each responded well to each of these roles and didn’t have any struggle staying within them.

In terms of strengths and weaknesses, I think we each had different strengths and weaknesses, so I can’t really comment on everyone else’s. I think personally one of my main weaknesses was recording in generally, as normally I’m reliant on midi and sampling. To overcome this, I conducted research prior to my studio sessions, on microphone choices, and microphone placement. I think my strengths were in my mixing and actual compositions; I was able to do both of these with very little assistance.

Through out the year, we came across a lot of problems, such as the snow, which delayed us by a few weeks. Also we had alot problems with absences, resulting in a shortage of musicians in our studio sessions. As well as these problems we often came across a lot of problems with the studio equipment not working, such as microphones.

I think overall from this whole experience, I have learnt a lot from many sectors of the music technology spectrum, and also time management and planning skills. Compared to when I first started this year at college, my compositions have made vast improvements, due to these skills I have learnt.

I’m really pleased with the two products, which I have produced for my FMP. Overall I think they’re possibly the best pieces of music I’ve ever composed. I feel as is if I’ve actually incorporated all the skills I’ve learnt over the last 2 years into these two compositions.