Checklist for Recording Studio

Checklist & Why

When I used the studio to record Keep Us Safe, I made a checklist so setting up the recording would be a lot more time efficient, below is the checklist for each individual band player. This made it easier so we didn't have to run in and out of the studio looking for the odd piece of equipment which would just prolong the recording as we were on a schedule. Not only was this efficient but i felt this was a professional manner of doing things which I will take on. When using studios which have to be booked and paid for by the hour this will be a key way of making use of the time given .




For Jack - Bass Guitar - SM57 - Jack to jack - Amp - Score stand - mic stand - Headphones
For Alex - SM57 - XLR - Score stand - mic stand - Headphones
For Monique - SM57 - Jack to Jack - Score stand - keyboard - Headphones
For Josh - Hi-Hats - Snare - Kick Drum - SM57 x3 - Headphones
Below is the actual checklist of what I used to ensure I had the equipment I needed.

Song analysis of Miles Davis So What

Miles Davis So What Song Analysis

Chords

The chords used in Miles Davis So What, play in D dorian mode for eight bars then switching to e dorian then returns to D dorian after 4 bars. This sequence is repeated throughout the song. The song plays at a slow calming tempo, this is done because the music uses phrases such as as the antecedent phrase and the consequent phrase which makes the instruments sound as if there is a conversation taking place. From the score below we can see what chords are played in the song.

Melody

The melody is mainly played by the horns in the song however the piano also sometimes takes over on the 32nd bar. I think this is done due to the lack of vocals so the song has very powerful horns to control the song.

Tempo/Rhythm

The tempo of the song is very smooth, slow and relaxed, it has a slight rise and release feel to it as theres a short build up then the horns and repeats the phrase. This changes when the horns have their solo and whilst the hi-hats are continuous and the walking bass is the same. The chords play on top of the horns yet quieter since the horns are in control. Since the bass in the song is a walking type which means it's mainly going up and down the scale the rhythm doesn't change too much but each horn solo it changes for around 8 bars then continues to walk.

Mix

The horns are the loudest in the mix as that's where the melody and the influential feel of jazz comes from. Throughout the horn solo you can hear the chords, bass and hi-hats, the second thing you notice is most likely the chords as they aren't as consistent as the bass and hi-hats. Also the piano is most likely the second loudest in the mix since the song was created to make it as if the piano and horns we're having a conversation.  

Instrumentation

In the track the instruments used are a type of horn instrument most likely the saxophone, a piano which plays the chords, a bass guitar and a drum kit which the hi-hats is the most used part. The horns play the melody and an influential type which is done so we remember the horns as the main piece. the bass guitar plays the rhythm along side the drums as there is almost never a time where they aren't playing in the song.

Structure

Miles Davis' introduction was unique to the whole song, it was a slow build up with the keyboard, that eventually led to the bass guitar and horns taking over the song.

Lyrics

There are no lyrics in the song. Miles Davis keeps listeners interested for his renown antecedent and consequent phrases, this is effective because it allows the instruments to sound like they are having a conversation.

Modes Within Jazz

Modes Within Jazz

Different types of modes

The different types of modes mainly used in improvisational jazz are Ionian which starts on the first degree of the major scale if you are looking at the stave from C major scale, Dorian which starts on the second note of the major scale, Phrygian which is on the third note and so on from the Lydian, Myxoldian, Aeolian to the Locrian which starts on the seventh note.

Why modal jazz is used in improvisational jazz

Many musicians say that within modal jazz there's more space for your own input whereas in other types of jazz like bebop for example they feel the progression is a lot more unnatural. It's also said it can be played in almost any musical situation. Improvising with modal jazz makes the person playing to use melody, rhythm, timbre and emotion since modal makes the use of chords almost useless. Chords are still used but with less emphasise.

History of modal Jazz

Miles Davis is a key figure in modal jazz, In his single Milestones his A sections were played in the G dorian scale and his B sections played in the A aeolian scale, he was one of the first to do this and this was a crucial point in jazz alongside the release of his album Kind of Blue. 

Midpoint Evaluation & Notes

Midpoint Evaluation

Explain midpoint evaluation, e.g half way through we decided it would be good to present our research to recieve feedback from the class. from this midpoint presentation you could say. From my midpoint presentation I realised that quite a bit of what I was researching would mean nothing if I didn't research deeper. For example I am researching modal Jazz but it could be more useful to research the different modes so I have a better understanding of modal Jazz and all the different types of Jazz like bebop. Furthermore looking more into the different types of improvisational Jazz could also benefit me. In addition it was also brought to my attention that I could research more into electronic fusion Jazz as that's what one of the artists I am research; Herbie Hancock who is a main part of research focuses on.

Case Study on individual songs

Miles Davis So What

Miles Davis' So what starts off in D dorian mode which means it uses the notes of the C major scale but starting on D. After 8 bars it switches to E dorian which has 5 flats and returns to D dorian after 4 bars, this sequence replays throughout the song. Since Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album is mainly improvised, a lot of people doing covers or trying to replicate the song will have to add their own improvisation. Below is the chord sheet of Miles Davis' So What. Many people will say that the riff in So What, is what makes the improvisation so interesting, due to how harmonic it is. I think many people think the riff plays this role so well because between the bass and the rest of the instruments, even though they're not playing at the same time, it's almost like a conversation being led by the bass. So the bass plays what is known as the antecedent phrase, this phrase is followed by the consequent phrase which is played by the rest of the instruments. This is a really interesting aspect that Miles Davis added to the majority of his songs on Kind of Blue, i wish to add this idea to my own work and maybe slightly change the mode it's played in. It was reissue produced by Michael Cuscuna and the remix engineer was Mark Wilder. It is said that So What was recorded in two days and in one take even though the band were given little instructions and we're newly formed. His band for So What consisted of Julian Adderley who played the alto saxophone, John Coltrane who played the tenor saxophone, Bill Evans who played the piano, Paul Chambers on the bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. 

Nina Simone Feeling Good

Nina Simones feeling good doesn't change key, it plays in G minor as seen below, this pattern is the same throughout the song. I think this is done because the instrumental is fairly simple but the singing is what holds the thickness of the song. The song was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. It was produced by Hal Mooney. Furthermore in my piece which will be influenced by Feeling Good I plan to make sure the vocals play the key part they do in Feeling Good. I think this is important because without the vocals i don't think the song would be as powerful as it is or hold the smooth jazz feel it has. The other sheet of music below is  a look at how other people may try to play feeling good but in D minor which is quite interesting.

Herbie Hancock Cantaloupe Island
Much like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock's style is very improvised. However whilst Miles Davis uses a modal style of Jazz, Herbie Hancock uses a range between the bebop jazz and electronic fusion. He is said to be one of the most renown artist for electronic fusion as from early in his career he used a Rhodes electronic piano and continued to increase his collection of synthesizers.

Dj Set review 2

Second DJ set review

During my second Dj set, a lot of my songs stopped playing, were clipping and chopped the audio. This made me panic a bit during my performance so getting onto the next song took a bit longer than i had hoped but after watching my set i feel my recovery wasn't as long as I thought. I liked the way i used some of the effects however next time i will want you use a wider range within reason. Furthermore next time i will ensure the songs i play will work beforehand to prevent and mistakes in the set. In addition i will take on the advise and practice switching between songs to keep the energy and make the transitions smooth.
In my DJ set I used effects such as the flanger, the reverb polar and beat slicer, throughout my set I mainly used the flanger, however i did use the reverb on certain songs. In addition I also used the high, low and mid filters, i think this worked well however i think should use less of this during my sets.

Research Plan

Research Plan

What is your project?

My project is an E.P of three tracks which will individually based off of; Miles Davis for the first track, Nina Simone for the second and Herbie Hancock for the last. I will research these individual artist, the origins of jazz and how jazz has evolved.

What do you need to research and why? 

I will research Miles Davis, Nina Simone and Herbie Hancock, I will look into their chord progressions, bass lines and melodies and take influence from their songs and use it in my E.P. I will research the origins of Jazz so I know why it was so big with the previous generation, which artists made it the genre so big and how Jazz has evolved and changed to fit into the current generation. I will also look at how the artists had their songs mixed and how they structured their songs.

Where and How can you find this information?

I can find these resources, through articles both online and offline, books, interviews, album sheets, previous reviews on albums, biographies and research that has already been done.