Outline of Project

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What is your project?

My fmp is to perform three songs that suit my style best, which allows me to be portrayed as the performer I want to be, whilst focusing on the mental health downside of the industry. My project research wise is searching, artists who have struggled with mental health problems as well as addiction and how they have overcome these struggles. I will also be researching what they do to prepare for performances and what they do to avoid going back to old habits. My performance for the practical side of my project; I will be doing this as it is my favourite thing to do and what I would like to improve on the most.

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What influenced your decision to undertake this project?

Something that influenced me to focus on the mental health aspect of the industry was because, personally I used to struggle with anxiety and still do some days, so it was more of a personal thing to me which I wanted to find more about as well as other people's experiences.

 

Research a similar project to gain ideas as to how it was undertaken, potential pitfalls and ideas that could be brought into your project. Write in sentences and be as detailed as possible.

 

Project TV- Guitar songs EP.

Person/Organisation Billie Eilish

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How does this project relate to your own?

This project relates to my own as it goes through a journey lyrically, talking about feeling depressed, the emotional influence on what was happening in the world for her to feel these ways. It relates to my project as I am exploring artists conveying their emotions into lyrics and what struggles that have been through to create this.

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What are the similarities between the two projects?

Exploring emotions through songs and being open about what happens behind the scenes in the industry. TV by Billie Eilish - Songfacts

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What are the main differences?

I will not be putting my personal emotions into writing a song, I will be looking at other artists who have experienced struggles, moments at their lowest that they have hidden when performing. I will be looking at their experiences and what they do to avoid going back to their old ways. I will also look at the emotions the artists express when performing songs, seeing how they change throughout different songs, so I can do this when I am performing to help the audience feel the

emotions of the songs.

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What techniques could be taken from the project to be used in your own?

Not just researching the emotions the artists feel but also if there was a cause then research the cause for example a lyric in the song TV is “While they're overturning Roe v Wade” which is a very tragic thing happening in America which would and has taken a toll on people including Eilish. At the end of the song the lyric “maybe I'm the problem” is repeated, which she got the audience during her show in Manchester to sing to use for the track, this creates a connection between her and the fans giving a sense of community. Billie also uses more of a soft tone when singing this song, I take this as the themes of the song are moving and something that should be informed to the world in a gentle way rather than in an aggressive tone.

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What are the skills used in the project you are researching?

I will be researching other celebrities' experiences not just influenced by the events going on in the world. I will research how Billie overcomes these feelings and what helps her to perform. I will research different ways artists change vocally to express the emotions of their songs; I will do this by comparing different performances of artists and studying their tonality in songs as well as stage presence.

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What techniques did you learn that you had not thought of before?

Something I have learnt is that sometimes it is important to be selfish to get out your best potential of work, and to look after yourself when struggling, prioritising my emotions. I am going to attempt to sing my natural tone when performing rather than trying to match the original.

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How successful was the researched project?

Guitar songs EP by Billie Eilish was released on the 21st of July 2022 it was ranked 105/1930. This makes the project quite successful in comparison to other artists however, considering Billie has 14 number 1s and neither song from Guitar songs EP achieved that number 1 spot it takes away that success.

 

If successful, what were the main factors?

The song was successful in many ways but especially lyrically. It was lyrically successful, with it being so honest and open about her views on the world, her being so vulnerable, sharing the emotions she felt through her lyrics. An example of this is: I don't wanna talk right now I just wanna watch TV I'll stay in the pool and drown So I don't have to watch you leave

I put on "Survivor" just to watch somebody suffer Maybe I should get some sleep Sinkin' in the sofa while they all betray each other What's the point of anything?

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If not fully successful what were the main factors?

It was not as successful as her other songs. An example of this would be Birds of a Feather achieving number 1 globally in the charts as well as becoming a trending TikTok song. Yet, Billie speaks about writing this song just before they overturned Roe v Wade, so releasing this was just what people wanted to hear at the time.

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SWOT Analysis

 

Analysis Objectives:

My analysis is to identify strengths and weaknesses that will impact me and my project, highlighting what skills I need to improve on.

 

Internal Factors

 

Strengths and Weaknesses:

 

• I have the skill of singing meaning that I can sing multiple different genres of songs and develop consistently in my singing, for example when having my singing lessons, it supports me in finding different ways to approach songs that may challenge me more vocally an example of this would be during the genres gig when we done Paranoid Android in a jazz style which I had to change my voice for as well as when we done Cosmic Girl to match the style of Jamiroquai's songs.

 

• My strong personal attributes are that I am quite resilient when doing each project for example when we are struggling with rehearsal, I will try and encourage others to keep on trying and continue rehearsing personally. This is important to have for now and in the future because I am going to have many things come in my way and try and knock me down but overall, I will always maintain resilient and try my best always.

• I believe my skills and attributes will help me in future gigs as vocally developing will allow me to explore more difficult songs that other band members may want to do but hesitant due to my voice. I will also always maintain being resilient in my work in upcoming projects as it is something which is necessary to have and to encourage others to have when working independently or in a team. I have a high attendance which shows I do not miss key rehearsals or time that could be spent completing my course work.

• Another professional strength is the enthusiasm I have for my work, as I will put all my best efforts into my work. It also means I will complete my work at home as well as in lessons so I can stay on track as much as possible.

• I think a skill that I can improve on would be my stage presence during performances as I have the tendency to hold myself back and overthink when on stage. This would affect my performance as it could hold back my best potential being shown off to the audience and may bring me to a likelihood of making mistakes. This could fail the aims of my FMP as it may disconnect the link between my performance and research.

 

• An attribute I think I can improve on is my confidence, not just when performing on stage but also when there are band discussions or if I have certain opinions on our work as a band, I should say it instead of keeping it to myself and just communicate slightly more. This will help me progress as an individual as if others agree with my opinion, then my confidence will grow in multiple situations not just in band discussions. Taking these things into consideration will help me improve as a performer and a band mate, if I can identify personal problems in projects solving them, then I should be able to do that with band projects. This is important for me in my FMP as I will be the only one who is being assessed throughout my performance, so I do need to take control of my performance and put what is going to have the best outcome first.

 

• Another weakness of mine is sometimes I expect too much of other bandmates, say if I was motivated to complete a certain number of songs in a specific duration of time other band mates may see that as unrealistic or may not be as up for the task as I am. To avoid this, I would discuss with the band when they think they would be able to have songs prepared to create a realistic time frame for us to work with.

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External Factors

Opportunities:

 

Threats:

 

• My current college course allows me to improve my strengths and weaknesses. Improving my strengths being singing by providing me with weekly singing lessons to help me develop in my projects, focusing on songs I may struggle with in previous projects, for example my solo piece doing Grenade by Bruno Mars or receiving advice when doing Happier than ever by Billie Eilish and finding ways to change that song to make it sound more interesting. My singing lessons have helped me develop as a vocalist as I have learnt new techniques to do that will help me with belting, like mouth placement and leaning over as well as continuously moving to distract my throat from forming tension. Outside of college I am consistently rehearsing my project songs with a back track and listening back to see what areas I would like to improve on. I am also keeping up with my written work, so I do not fall behind in that area, giving myself the time I need to complete written and practical work. This helps me with my FMP so I can meet all deadlines as well as getting out my best potential when performing. I think my singing lessons constantly allow me to progress so they will be a big help when it comes to my project.

 

• College gigs have given me the opportunity to perform in several different venues with different levels of intimacy, helping me develop with my stage presence. Examples of this would be when I performed in the college playhouse where the audience is further away but above you, whereas in The Studio the stage is higher up above the crowd. College has prepared me for different venues as well as scenarios when performing. This will help me with my FMP as my performance will be in the playhouse where I have performed in college before so I know what to expect and I have a somewhat expectation towards how the audience members will also react. This will also help me as I will know what and what not to do based on past experiences in the playhouse, I can also research performances in similar venues to help me with how to use my space on stage when performing.

 

• I would say that allowing myself to fall behind would prevent me from improving, this would impact me in year two because I could make less of an effort with my work, and I might not get my best quality of work out of myself. I am just going to maintain consistent in my work and less lazy so I will not fall behind because it is the last thing I want to happen; I want to get the best potential out of myself performing and in my course work. It is important that I do not fall behind during my FMP, because I have a deadline to meet as well as personal targets and not meeting these will not allow me to get my best work out in the long run.  

 

• The large gap in the summer of not having any singing lessons. I can continue rehearsing songs and techniques which Claire has taught me to avoid this.

 

 

• College allows me to have many opportunities when performing and many venues throughout the year however, my confidence stops me from finding new opportunities for myself to help me develop as a solo performer. It is important to avoid doing this during my FMP as I want to be able to push myself as much as I can without my lack of confidence getting in the way, and if I push myself more and more throughout this project it will result in my best work yet.

 

 

Evaluation of Objectives

From my analysis I have identified that my time management and not sticking to schedule would affect my project and falling behind could cause me to rush and not achieve the best possible result for myself. I will also be consistently working on my strengths so I can get the best outcome achieving my best potential.