SWOT Analysis
Analysis Objectives:
Short term plans:
I aim to find and prepare a piece that I am going to perform for University auditions. I
would like to challenge myself to allow me to highlight my ability on the instrument. I
would like to find a new song, such as, “Ariels,” by System of a down, to enable me to
escape my comfort zone, while giving me the opportunity to begin researching the song
and artist.
Mid-term plans:
I aim to finish college with a Distinction grade, as it will contribute to my success in
University and in the future with jobs and further opportunities. I think this will
motivate me to improve as a musician, which will allow me to progress further in the
industry. I then plan on attending University to pursue a future in Music Performance
and Production, as this is a key interest of mine.
Long terms plans:
I aim to learn more music theory, as I feel it will help me with my instrument, and will
build my understanding in further instruments. I feel this will be a useful skill to pursue
in the music industry, as I will have an improved knowledge of educational courses, as
well as for the future.
Internal Factors:
Strengths:
· Some skills that I have acquired as a musician include: the ability to learn the drums, and teach myself a variety of techniques, such as doubles, paradiddles, double stroke rolls, alongside multiple creative fills that I have heard from various songs. I have also managed to alter these fills, which highlights my interest in creativity.
· I have also gained experience in my time as a musician, using software, such as Cubase to create multiple compositions for my GCSE’s and Band Lab to mix an original piece during Project two, “What a wonderful world.” I feel this is a useful skill to maintain as a musician, as it allowed me to experience a variety of skills that require more than the performing aspect to the course.
· I ensure that I am present at every lesson, which enables me to retrieve the information required for my projects, and so work is complete on time. It also allows me to successfully gain more knowledge in the subject.
· I also obtain the ability to learn new aspects of my instrument quickly, which allows me to learn new aspects of songs within a short period of time. For example, I was unsure how to perform half time on the high hat in Project one, “Hiding under the covers,” for the song, “Smooth Criminal,” by Alien Ant Farm. However, after rehearsing the song, I began to pick up the technique. After practicing in my own time, I was able to improve this, and was ultimately successful in the final performance.
· These aspects may help me in future projects, as I obtain the ability to play the drums, learn new skills quickly, while also being able to mix pieces appropriately on various types of software. Doing so, will allow me to perform and produce music, and theory work, to the best of my ability.
Weaknesses:
I would like to work on improving my confidence, as I have struggled with this massively in previous projects, and I feel it has contributed to the downfall of my previous projects. Improving this will help me in future projects, as it will also contribute to further aspects, such as stage presence and a more relaxed stage persona.
· I would also like to improve on my creativity when performing, as it will make songs increasingly difficult, and I feel that challenging myself with fills and unique grooves will improve my performances. This will help in further projects, as it will create a more intriguing performance for the audience.
· I have had struggles in the past with understanding sheet music and the notes within sheet music while playing. This will give me a disadvantage when learning new songs, that are specifically on a sheet, as I have been unable to comprehend the different notes while playing, as it takes me time to understand which notes are where in the song.
· To develop, I should work on improving my concentration skills, as sometimes I get distracted easily. This will help in future projects, as I will progress further, and my theory work will be of a higher quality, and songs that I rehearse may also be better, as I will be able to further detail the sections.
Opportunities:
My current course may help to improve my strengths and
weaknesses through various projects such as Project two, “What a
wonderful world,” which involved producing a song with a band,
mixing it after it has been recorded. It also involved a documentary,
which, before this project, I had never had experience with. Project
three, “On the road,” enabled me to experience different job roles
in the music industry. Through going to various schools, I became
involved in being a Roadie, and setting up and moving equipment.
Project five, “Final Major Project,” allowed me to identify my
creative skills, by choosing a theme for the project, and completing
research that remains appropriate to the given theme. These
aspects have all had a vital contribution to my work, and has given
me further experience within the industry.
· To help me progress, I will look to adding an extra bass drum to my
performance to complete more challenging songs by a wider variety
of artists. I will also need a computer to document my work, and to
research different aspects of the course.
· To improve my work outside college, I rehearse a variety of
techniques and songs to build my creativity skills, and to challenge
myself greatly. I increase the tempo with techniques, and select a
more difficult variety of songs.
· I have been fortunate enough to contribute to multiple
performances throughout my time in college, which has built my
overall confidence on stage and in front of audiences, which has
improved further aspects such as stage presence alongside it. This
has helped me massively throughout my education in music, and
will continue to improve, as I build as a musician.
Threats:
Aspects that could possibly prevent me from improving as a musician could include my kit breaking, as it will stop me from rehearsing my current progress. This will prevent me from expanding my knowledge in performing temporarily, until it can either be fixed or I replace it.
· If I do not improve my theory knowledge in the industry, it will overall limit my abilities and prevent me from further improving my instrument, and the possibility of learning other instruments further in my life. If I decide to pursue a career in music, this will be a key aspect to my knowledge, and will help massively overall.
· If I am not capable of learning sheet music, I may fall behind when learning songs. It may prevent me from improving if there are no ways around sheet music, especially if I am unfamiliar with the song. Learning sheet music will help me become a more independent musician, and will allow me to perfect pieces beat for beat.
Evaluation of Objectives:
My ability to learn drum sections within a short amount of time allows me to reach my progression goals. However, my lack of confidence may prevent my ability to progress further. To ensure that I improve, I must conduct thorough rehearsals to enable me to gain confidence with the specific songs prior to a performance. I feel that the more I perform, I will gain full confidence when on stage, which will overall improve my stage persona.
If I do not improve further aspects, such as reading sheet music and my theory knowledge, I will lack the skill to progress within the music industry, and may fall below peers in future aspects of life, such as University and work.
I have a strong determination to progress in the industry, so I will spend a great portion of my time dedicated to expanding my knowledge, to enable me to become the best of my ability.