Gonna have to make this quite brief - rescheduled a lesson with Rich that I missed cos of snow for noon today, plus I really need to pee.
Just got my grade back for my presentation. Got an A. :) Pretty chuffed with that, hadn't thought it went that well but turns out I was right on the money in terms of the material I prepared for it which is nice to know.
Got a new double bass drum pedal the other day for this performance I'm doing. Was quite a cheap one - only £70 new, but I think it'll do a job. Will benefit me to do some work with it. I don't have much time to bring myself up to standard for the performance though. Thankfully none of the pieces we're doing for the showcase next month require it's use. I've started an intense practice schedule with it, just doing basic endurance exercises and rudiments that I'd have used for hand work. Of course I do all that whilst watching BBT or HIMYM or New Girl on the Laptop. ALso Community season 4 just started. Don't think it's as good as it was though tbh. Still love the character's but the scripting's not the same. Shouldn't have sacked Dan Harmon.
Other than that not much to report I don't think. Lessons are all going okay. Got the Braidwood kids the night, which I kinda dread which is a shame. I'll keep doing my best though. Seeing it all pay off with Max and Sophie and Conner and Craig though which is cool. Also might have a new student on the horizon - some guy in Forth has a daughter learning drums. Will be my first exclusive drum student which will be cool!
Need to start posting more regularly. I keep forgetting til I'm in the library which is a shame cos all I do is talk about College stuff! Outside of that I had a good open mic at the Crown the other night. Also played football that night and apparently had a really good game. Starting to get into the swing of that which is cool.
Now that I think about there is a bigger thing I'm forgetting - started a new exercise and diet regime. Doesn't sound like big news but I think I might stick with this one. Eating constantly which is a nice bonus ha, and exercising every night. Is def gonna reap rewards.
Also not sure if I've mentioned it but Avicii's new song feat. Nicky Romero is awesome.Been proper loving it this last week. Went to no 1 in the charts and everything which is quite an achievement. Don't think it did anywhere else in Europe though which is weird ha!
Anyways best get moving. Drum lesson awaits. Wait, I saw another one yesterday... What was it? Damn forgot. If I remember I'll say!
Monday, 25 February 2013
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
19/2/13 - about 10.30am
Yes, it's one of those... EARLY MORNINGS. I don't think I'll ever be a morning person. Saying that once I've got past the shock of being up in essentially the middle of the night I usually get on alright. Had my drum lesson with Rich which was alright, was given a Cha-cha piece to look at - left foot Guiro pattern, that should be fun - and did a bit more work on the reel Pretty Marion which I'm really enjoying. Don't know what it is about snare drum music, it just appeals to me, the challenge of it, and generally hitting sticks off a pad just feels good ha. I think the fact I seem to improve as quickly as I do makes it more enjoyable. It takes me a bit of time but I always seem to get it in the end and I can feel the difference.
Not really got much more to say right now. Avicii's new song 'I Could Be The One' went to number 1 at the weekend and I'm obsessed with. It's been playing in my head for 3 days straight now and I still love it. Beautiful piece of music, on a par with Levels, which is saying something. Of course this all leads me back to one of my old problems - the muso vs the pop fan. I had some new thoughts about that today. Maybe the muso part is something I'll do later in life. Play jazz gigs and shows and stuff on drums. If right now I want to make pop music and get famous that's cool really. Yes, it does make me question why I've spent so much time working on other things but that's just life. There's still time for me to do everything I want to, I just gotta get on it asap.
Of course on the other hand there's still this degree. Ordered a double bass drum pedal yesterday for my performance. Gonna really have to work with it though. Doing a song called 'Selkies' by Between the Buried and Me which has some pretty tough stuff in it. I've never really been a great dbd player but I guess it's time to get on it. Been listening to the song and started learning it but it's tough, will take some time, and even more to play it well. Would help if I had an mp3 player broke - my Sansa broke the other day. One of the ear's has gone pretty much. Ordered a new one, hopefully will be arriving today. It's red, and should be an upgrade on the other one although a lot people say it's debatable. I think I'll like it more anyway. I wasn't keen on using the rockbox on the other one, and the playlists didn't work. Will be nice to make some playlists again!
Also been reading 'The Game' by Neill Strauss. Very interesting read, really enjoying it so far. Some useful tips in there for getting girls, even if you're not a PUA. I don't think I ever could be a PUA, but it's made me think about relationships. They obviously treat relationships very lightly, and if I were in one would they still be a threat to me? They obviously think so. Makes you realise maybe it's important to make yourself attractive regardless of your position. Even if I get a girlfriend it would pay to have some tricks to ward off other guys. Girls like what they like by default. Just because you're a good guy and they've decided they love you doesn't mean they won't be attracted to other things. Think that's important to remember.
I'm gonna leave it at that. Could talk all day of course but I wanna update my other blogs and shit. Btw, 'Madam'. That popped up in the book last night, that's another good one.
Ciao for now.
Not really got much more to say right now. Avicii's new song 'I Could Be The One' went to number 1 at the weekend and I'm obsessed with. It's been playing in my head for 3 days straight now and I still love it. Beautiful piece of music, on a par with Levels, which is saying something. Of course this all leads me back to one of my old problems - the muso vs the pop fan. I had some new thoughts about that today. Maybe the muso part is something I'll do later in life. Play jazz gigs and shows and stuff on drums. If right now I want to make pop music and get famous that's cool really. Yes, it does make me question why I've spent so much time working on other things but that's just life. There's still time for me to do everything I want to, I just gotta get on it asap.
Of course on the other hand there's still this degree. Ordered a double bass drum pedal yesterday for my performance. Gonna really have to work with it though. Doing a song called 'Selkies' by Between the Buried and Me which has some pretty tough stuff in it. I've never really been a great dbd player but I guess it's time to get on it. Been listening to the song and started learning it but it's tough, will take some time, and even more to play it well. Would help if I had an mp3 player broke - my Sansa broke the other day. One of the ear's has gone pretty much. Ordered a new one, hopefully will be arriving today. It's red, and should be an upgrade on the other one although a lot people say it's debatable. I think I'll like it more anyway. I wasn't keen on using the rockbox on the other one, and the playlists didn't work. Will be nice to make some playlists again!
Also been reading 'The Game' by Neill Strauss. Very interesting read, really enjoying it so far. Some useful tips in there for getting girls, even if you're not a PUA. I don't think I ever could be a PUA, but it's made me think about relationships. They obviously treat relationships very lightly, and if I were in one would they still be a threat to me? They obviously think so. Makes you realise maybe it's important to make yourself attractive regardless of your position. Even if I get a girlfriend it would pay to have some tricks to ward off other guys. Girls like what they like by default. Just because you're a good guy and they've decided they love you doesn't mean they won't be attracted to other things. Think that's important to remember.
I'm gonna leave it at that. Could talk all day of course but I wanna update my other blogs and shit. Btw, 'Madam'. That popped up in the book last night, that's another good one.
Ciao for now.
Monday, 11 February 2013
11/2/13 - about 2.30pm
I'm beginning to lose interest in writing this blog, which is a shame. Seems that's the way everything goes for me, I start with conviction and just slowly lose it til I stop. I'm going to persevere with it though, cos I know there's merit in this even if I can't feel it right now.
Maybe it's not entirely my fault. College just seems to be sucking the life out of me right now, there's so much to do for it, including blogs for some of my projects in it. Speaking of which, I was already planning on updating my project blog but it's just occurred to me I've not updated my performance one in ages so I'd better get on that...
So what's happening right now? It's Monday, and I'm off college all week, have a holiday apparently which is good. Still got plenty to get on with though. Been practising sight-reading on the glock. Not doing well at it. Getting a bit better I guess, but still not fluent enough over whole pieces. Keep forgetting dynamic markings and stuff. I'll be talking enough about that in my other blog though so I ain't gonna bother here haha.
Called up and emailed the college to try and book a rehearsal room for tomorrow but I don't seem to be getting through which is pretty shit. Tomorrow's the one day everyone seems cool to practise so I really wanna get one in. God, everything's just trying to fall apart.
Went out in Edinburgh on Saturday there for Siobhan's 22nd. Was a good night in many respects - didn't spend much for once and did what I set out to do which was cool. Had started reading 'The Game' the night before we went, think that inspired me in some way haha. Got a bit too drunk as usual though - drinking cider always ends like that for me. Felt like the guys and girls were too separated over the night which was a shame, wanted Siobhan to still feel like we were there for her. On the other hand that made doing other things easier. And when I think about it I did see the girls intermittently, and talked to them I think, just don't remember properly ha. Still, was a guid night all in all.
But now, back to business. I know I've moaned about it and said it all too much but I can't wait til this course is over. It's the weight of everything at once... Teaching, performance, project and the blogs. I need to do stuff for all of that today alone. It's just pish. Haven't written properly in ages, want to get back to recording as well but I've no time for that. Guess I'll get there eventually, just gotta keep juggling these balls for a couple more months and we'll be in the clear...
Other things on my mind. Nadal played in the Chile open, his first tournament back from injury. Stormed to the final but got beaten by the 73rd seed or something haha. Strange things.
Got a text from Teri there about booking a holiday. Wish I could but I ain't gonna have money. If I keep saving a bit I should be able to do something over the summer but not a big assed holiday. Next year I think. Still need to buy new cymbals soon. That's on my to-do list today as well. Need to research what kind of cymbals I want. I do often wonder if life will ever really be relaxing. Maybe I don't want it to be. More than it is I think though.
Maybe it's not entirely my fault. College just seems to be sucking the life out of me right now, there's so much to do for it, including blogs for some of my projects in it. Speaking of which, I was already planning on updating my project blog but it's just occurred to me I've not updated my performance one in ages so I'd better get on that...
So what's happening right now? It's Monday, and I'm off college all week, have a holiday apparently which is good. Still got plenty to get on with though. Been practising sight-reading on the glock. Not doing well at it. Getting a bit better I guess, but still not fluent enough over whole pieces. Keep forgetting dynamic markings and stuff. I'll be talking enough about that in my other blog though so I ain't gonna bother here haha.
Called up and emailed the college to try and book a rehearsal room for tomorrow but I don't seem to be getting through which is pretty shit. Tomorrow's the one day everyone seems cool to practise so I really wanna get one in. God, everything's just trying to fall apart.
Went out in Edinburgh on Saturday there for Siobhan's 22nd. Was a good night in many respects - didn't spend much for once and did what I set out to do which was cool. Had started reading 'The Game' the night before we went, think that inspired me in some way haha. Got a bit too drunk as usual though - drinking cider always ends like that for me. Felt like the guys and girls were too separated over the night which was a shame, wanted Siobhan to still feel like we were there for her. On the other hand that made doing other things easier. And when I think about it I did see the girls intermittently, and talked to them I think, just don't remember properly ha. Still, was a guid night all in all.
But now, back to business. I know I've moaned about it and said it all too much but I can't wait til this course is over. It's the weight of everything at once... Teaching, performance, project and the blogs. I need to do stuff for all of that today alone. It's just pish. Haven't written properly in ages, want to get back to recording as well but I've no time for that. Guess I'll get there eventually, just gotta keep juggling these balls for a couple more months and we'll be in the clear...
Other things on my mind. Nadal played in the Chile open, his first tournament back from injury. Stormed to the final but got beaten by the 73rd seed or something haha. Strange things.
Got a text from Teri there about booking a holiday. Wish I could but I ain't gonna have money. If I keep saving a bit I should be able to do something over the summer but not a big assed holiday. Next year I think. Still need to buy new cymbals soon. That's on my to-do list today as well. Need to research what kind of cymbals I want. I do often wonder if life will ever really be relaxing. Maybe I don't want it to be. More than it is I think though.
Monday, 4 February 2013
4/2/13 - about 2.30pm
Did a presentation for instrumental teaching today, talking about grade 3 & 5 Rockschool pieces and how to help students bridge the gap between them. Also talked a bit about 'Some You Win', a grade 8 piece at the end of. The whole Power-Point's on a black memory stick if you still have it. The presentation itself I think was alright, although I'm not sure if he wanted us to say more about learning styles and stuff. Spoke to Ruairidh beforehand and he mentioned talking about Kolb's learning cycle which I didn't mention at all. But delivering the presentation was a bit of a nightmare. Made mistakes toward the end of my quick study snare piece then spent the first half of the presentation itself pointing to the computer instead of the actual projector screen! Forget to play clips of the songs I was discussing, although that wasn't the worst thing as it cut the time down a bit, and had to keep going back and forth to the drum kit which might have looked silly. I wish I'd had a control for the projector. Then at the end I had to perform a bit of Some You Win and didn't turn the music up nearly loud enough so went out of time a couple of times which will have looked silly. I don't think I'll have failed, and that's all that really matters, but I'm annoyed at myself again for not relaxing more. I don't want to get nervous. A bit of nerves is fine but my brain needs to start functioning better in pressure situations. Stop clamming up!
Aside from that not much happening. Got more lessons on the go which is good money-wise. Had my first lessons with Max and Sophie last week and they went quite well. Max seems very promising. Only and loves performing and singing. Isn't at all afraid which is great. I'm gonna enjoy teaching him.
Trying to keep on top of instrumental teaching stuff. It's a pain in the arse. About to go and try finish plans and evaluations for Mum and Chris's lessons now. Also need to arrange my next lesson with Jamie. Will be glad when that's all over. That goes for the whole course really. I've got plenty of things I wanna get on with. Wanna keep singing (although my voice is ALWAYS going), wanna join a function band, make some money and I just can't find the time to do any of this stuff. Can't wait til I can.
In other matters it's Siobhan's birthday this weekend, going out in Edinburgh apparently which should be good. Be my... 3rd time out in Edinburgh? or 4th maybe? No, just 3rd. Not sure exactly who'll all be going, don't think Chris has had it mentioned so doubt him and his mates will be there this time but should be good anyway.
Anyways. Back to work. Groans.
Aside from that not much happening. Got more lessons on the go which is good money-wise. Had my first lessons with Max and Sophie last week and they went quite well. Max seems very promising. Only and loves performing and singing. Isn't at all afraid which is great. I'm gonna enjoy teaching him.
Trying to keep on top of instrumental teaching stuff. It's a pain in the arse. About to go and try finish plans and evaluations for Mum and Chris's lessons now. Also need to arrange my next lesson with Jamie. Will be glad when that's all over. That goes for the whole course really. I've got plenty of things I wanna get on with. Wanna keep singing (although my voice is ALWAYS going), wanna join a function band, make some money and I just can't find the time to do any of this stuff. Can't wait til I can.
In other matters it's Siobhan's birthday this weekend, going out in Edinburgh apparently which should be good. Be my... 3rd time out in Edinburgh? or 4th maybe? No, just 3rd. Not sure exactly who'll all be going, don't think Chris has had it mentioned so doubt him and his mates will be there this time but should be good anyway.
Anyways. Back to work. Groans.
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