Reflection Juliette Keir

I really struggled this semester with recording and uploading videos of my own
practice as I was anxious about uploading something that was not my best work.
After my first video I uploaded, Simple Joys, I received some fantastic feedback from
my peers that I really took on and incorporated into several of my pieces. For
example, I experimented with dynamics both in Simple Joys and in other pieces in my
repertoire such as Burn, and I Don’t Need Your Love. I also practiced adding more
movement and expression throughout my pieces as all of them are musical theatre
and all tell a different story about the character. To do this, I analysed the lyrics of
each song I was singing and added an emotion to each line. For example, in Journey
To The Past, I added the emotion of longing to the line ‘I know someone’s waiting,
years of dreams just can’t be wrong’. This really helped me to attach the story to the
song, instead of just singing the lyrics. I found that whilst I was recording myself for
the videos, I could then analyse how I was performing and what my style was so I
could adapt and change this to suit the piece and music. This was something I have
only done a few times before when auditioning but I found this really helpful when
practicing pieces I had memorised.
The feedback I received from my peers was a mixture of things I had been told
before and things I hadn’t considered. Use of dynamics and breathing were things I
had never considered before and was very useful to hear. I worked on these by
finding sheet music and marking in where I thought was a good place to breath and
circled dynamic markings. I then practiced the songs while reading through the sheet
music until I had memorised where I should take a breath and where I should change
dynamics. I used the feedback of belting and anchoring as well, practicing scales and
calling in the key of all my songs that require a high belt. I also practiced my
intonation on higher notes and sustained higher notes by repeating phrases and
recording myself to hear what I was missing.
Challenges I had when incorporating feedback was accepting that what I was doing
wasn’t perfect. Even though I know that nothing I will do will ever be perfect, I
struggle to put out something that I believe is not the best of my ability. Receiving
this feedback was constructive and I’m very grateful for it, I need to become
accustomed to putting myself out there even if it isn’t perfect!

Feedback

Week 3
Hey Grace!
I absolutely LOVE Heathers and this song is super challenging so props to you for
doing it!!
Your storytelling is amazing, I love watching you perform this piece and you'll be
amazing at connecting with the audience.
My only suggestion would be to practice anchoring for those super high belting
parts, maybe try a mixed head and chest voice belt? Yell belting can sometimes
sound a bit pitchy and forced but it's understandable, it's such a hard song.
I agree with Katherine about putting the song down, even a semitone or tone to
make those high notes easier?
Can't wait to hear you perform this!

Hey Mitchell!
Really loving this song, I love jazz!
The laid back timing sounds really good, I love that bass line underneath.
I'm really just being super critical here but theres a couple of times notes were
slightly off (by like a semitone). The only other thing I can think of is performance,
engaging with your audience more? I'm not sure how to do that playing guitar,
maybe looking up a few times in the piece?
Other than that, super clean performance, love it!

Hey Liam!
You look like you'r having a great time playing this piece, its so fun to watch!
The runs and riffs are so cool and sound super clean.
Only thing, just wondering if theres any opportunities for growth in the piece, by
dynamics? The 2:30 mark seems pretty intense and it would be cool to showcase that
part a little extra by building up to it?
Otherwise, love the performance (and super cool guitar!)

Hey Dan! Really love this piece its so funky and cool. Can't wait to hear it with the
backing!
Really the only thing I can give you feedback on is in a few places you seem very very
slightly out of time, maybe the pauses are too long? I'm sure this would be easier to
keep track of with a backing track. You seem really into the music and super
concentrated, I'm just wondering if you'll do it without music for your performance to
connect with the audience?
Love your work!!

Week 6

Hi Dan,
This sounds amazing! The notes are super clear and rhythmically it sounds really
good. I also really love your performance of the piece, its obvious you love this song
which makes me love it even more! Only thing I could say would be to incorporate
some more dynamics, especially in contrast from verse to chorus!

Hey Grace!
This sounds amazing, you portray this character so well!
The tone and intonation is fantastic as well, your performance is always on point!
Only thing I could add was to limit the glottle onsets in the middle of phrases to
keep it flowing, but other than that, it sounds awesome!

Hey Liam! Awesome song choice it sounds really good and you obviously enjoy
playing it! At some points in the video, it was hard to hear the backing track at all, I'm
not sure if this was intentional. Otherwise, sounds great!

Hi Katherine! This is such a cool and fun piece I really enjoyed listening to it! Very
cool transitions, a few small note errors and maybe some timing issues? I think if you
had a page turner for you, it would run a lot smoother. Love your work!

Week 9

Hey Grace!
I absolutely LOVE this song and can appreciate just how hard it is to sing! You're an
amazing performer and I really love the story you tell through this piece. There were
a few sections where your timing was just a little bit off, but super minor and only
because I know the song so well!
For the high notes, I think maybe if you prepare a tad earlier they won't be as hard to
reach!
Love your rendition though, cant wait to see the final performance!

Hi Jonathan! This sounds super cool, I love the laidback version! I think that the
opening section could have a bit more structure (if it's not improvised) and some
dynamics could be really cool too! Love your performance!

Hey Najia! I always enjoy your performances, they always sound amazing! Is there
any accompaniment that goes with this piece? I think that that would be the thing to
take your performance to the next level, otherwise its beautiful!

Hey Shane, this sounds super solid and very well-rehearsed! I loved the improvised
section, it sounds great but maybe it could use a bit of variety? I also think that there
were a few notes that sounded a tad flat, but that might just be me.
Overall, love your work and can't wait to hear the final piece!