EXP Project Proposal

Project proposal

Introduction

In this project, I will be making use of classical instruments, the trumpet and flugelhorn to create and arrange a 3-track fusion EP consisting of Latin,  Jazz and contemporary classical with dance. Through experimenting with the performance and production techniques, my final project will result in an sampler EP to join together these contrasting tracks with a front cover as a visual for the music within.

Context:

I believe in the idea that music can connect individuals from a range of backgrounds and cultures. For example, live music events can bring people from different backgrounds together who all share a unifying experience. Also, when people buy records they share their passion for the music asynchronously and remotely. Therefore, I would like to express this idea by playing fusions. 
As a female brass player, I will be using this project to contradict the idea of the trumpet and flugelhorn as masculine instruments. 

An example of a band which fuses musical styles is Snarky Puppy. For example, the album 'We like it here' incorporates Latin and Jazz music. Due to my interest in these styles, this has influenced me to choose the style of jazz fusion for my project.

After the course, I will be planning to take my trinity grade 8 exam and going onto a BA music course at Middlesex University. Therefore, I will be relating my practice to what I have to work on before BA music whilst combining a grade a classical-dance piece into my project as part of the Trinity syllabus. Also, I have shaped this project to improve my recording and performance skills which is part of BA music.

Areas of Research:

A segment of my research involves online blogs and articles for researching into the playing techniques of the styles I will perform to ensure that I am playing stylistically correct. 
I will also research into recording techniques as I will be recording jazz fusion and dance classical using the flugelhorn to take into account of the factors which could affect the overall recording.
To alter the sounds of my instrument I will be experimenting with different pedals, mutes through looking into the trumpeter, Mike from Snarky Puppy.I will then be interviewing trumpeters to gain influence on how they apply stylistic techniques. Andy diagram and Sam Barton are trumpeters who use effects to alter the sounds of their instrument which could support the equipment I use in the studio to create sound effects.
I will also be researching into the band 'Snarky Puppy' to look into the styles which fuse together within their album to find out how they use each style to create a fusion. 
Watching and listening to musical performances and looking into more trumpeter who alter the sounds of the trumpet will give me a greater insight into the performance techniques of the style.

Methodology:

T put together my fusions, I will be collaborating with other musicians to accompany my flugelhorn part. Later on in the project, I will be collaborating with a photographer to aid in the creative design of my EP to link to my project.
To begin my practice into musical styles, I will create a practice routine which will allow me to work on each of my styles and scheduling rehearsal and recording times. I will be using a bullet journal to maintain organisation throughout the project.
I will be practicing the flugelhorn, experimenting with different effects in the recording studio together with pedals and mutes to find out what will be relevant to the idea my project.
In order to carry out my interviews, I will be obtaining the contacts of the musicians I wish to interview, planning a suitable date and generating questions particularly about their playing styles which I will review and evaluate. 

To support my preparation towards my Allen Vizzuti piece, I will be attending weekly flugelhorn lessons which will also be preparing me for my grade 8 exam. 
Collating the vlogs which I will record in the studio, to edit, I will be using a movie maker on Apple (e.g. iMovie). 

My ongoing evaluations will be written and voice recorded (attached onto my blog), including the feedback on my project. I will also identify issues which could arise and complete a risk assessment before I start my project in order to prevent or reduce them.

EXP - Time plan:

• Every week Flugelhorn lessons on Friday’s
• Weekly logging into bullet journal and voice recording what I wrote 

Week number – date	Aims for this week	Extra notes
Week 1 –  4/3 – 8/3	· Starting to think about repertoire and styles
Week 2 – 11/3 – 15/3	·Obtaining contacts for the people I will interview · Writing up questions for my interviews Writing up emails to trumpeters (Andy Diagram) · Researching into my musical styles · Deciding on my collaborations for the instruments included in the songs · Flugelhorn lesson – working on Polka – Allen Vizzuti	Research Flugelhorn lesson (Friday) -
Week 3 – 18/3 – 22/3	Choosing repertoire for each musical style Writing up email to Sam Barton · Creating a flugelhorn practice routine using Bullet journal (what will I focus on each day) · Attending concert for Latin pop music and record for research – upload this video to blog and evaluate · Planning a date for interviews – finalised	With research  Continuing with research
Week 4 – 25/3- 29/3	Preparing for recording - research into recording and microphones for styles- planning studio time for experimenting with microphones and effect pedals.	Logging this in bullet journal Arranging interviews outside of lesson times
Week 5 – 1/4- 5/4	Experimenting in the recording studio. (planned last week) Start editing midi file and instruments for other songs - change the midi file - experimenting with different arrangements · More trumpet interviews taking place this week · Making a vlog of recording sessions to go into video · Start working on my original (ideas)	Using a camera – from media?
Week 6 and 7 - 5/4-23/4 (2 weeks)	Begin preparation for recording for the 4 songs –plan booking the studio, a producer to record with and the specific time Start recording sessions – Record the trumpet sections for the styles (use the instruments on logic before) - playing with the midi for 'Spain'. Editing vlogs and making a video · Recording part of the original song (fusion of all styles)’. · Starting with the rhythm sections for the 3 styles ·         Presenting my work to the class – midway point- Prepare for this
Week 8 – 23- 26th/4	·         Mixing, editing and of the already recorded tracks ·         Start to build on the original, recording the rhythm section to begin with. ·         Going over all tracks and editing any errors	Booking studio times and visits to the Roundhouse
Week 9 – 29th/4- 3/5	·         Mixing, editing and bouncing of recorded tracks · Having the comping sections recorded for the original (particularly drums, bass, guitar and piano) · Going over all tracks and editing any errors	Evaluating recording sessions fully
Week 10 – 6/5 – 10/5	·   Going over all tracks and editing any errors · Further video editing, adding filters and effects to videos	Using iMovie on Apple macs- book midi suite sessions
Week 11 – 13/5 – 17/5	·         Making all my recorded songs into a playlist Adding this to my website ad featuring with a description	Ongoing evaluations
Week 12 – 20/5 – 24/5	·         Go over tasks which have been left for later in the project Designing the cover for the EP cover Photo shoot	e.g. Mixing parts of the tracks
Week 13 – 27/5 – 31/5 Week 14 – 3/6 – 7/6 Week 15 – 10/6 – 13/6	·        Finishing off my project Launching my EP EP presentation  Publishing

Teeth of the sea 

For the construction of my songs and pieces, I will be collaborating with other instrumentalists to accompany my flugelhorn parts (and record in the studio) in some of my songs and pieces, however Allen Vizzuti's Polka is an unaccompanied piece. 

The flugelhorn to the trumpet are different in terms of their sounds, which makes the flugelhorn more suitable for some particular genres. Therefore, I may alternate between these instruments during the project. 

Adding effects to my instrument such as reverb can alter the sound further which can help to broadly differentiate my styles.