Recording Artist: Studio vs. Live

Last weekend my class got together to discuss the class song we have to write, perform, and record. It's one of our many projects and is often reported by other classes to be one of the most fun experiences during the year. For me, I'm kind of scared about it. I don't write music, so I'm not much help there. I play the flute...but it's been a long time since I've done so consistently. Oh well...have to try. One of the guys, Mark, does write music and he wrote something basic in the Pro Tools software that I was able to transpose for my my flute.

Now you have to know that what he wrote was insanely simple. My only errors should have been in my transposing skills (the screen that tells you the notes in the program is small and sideways and on a keyboard, so it's minorly tricky). But...I get nervous just doing my thing solo in front of people. Plus, Mark had rigged a sort of mini recording studio in our classroom. I sat there with two microphones aimed at my flute and headphones on to pump the rest of the song in. I couldn't get it right to save my life. Mark suggested we do it without the music playing in my ears. I'm thinking that's fine, but clearly I'm not doing so hot. You know what, we turned that off, and I was spot on. He said there's a difference between people who do better as Studio Artists vs. Live Artists (such as playing in band, orchestra, etc.). Live artists have learned to just have a natural internal tempo to match while studio artists need to hear it very directly. Anyway, my brain was taking the time to hear what was played and then prompting me to play my flute...putting me ever-so-slightly off the beat. I wouldn't think there would be a difference between that and playing with a live band that you hear around you, but I guess there is. At least until you can get used to it.

I feel better about recording my flute playing now, so maybe before the real thing (our group recording session is May 30), I can practice and adda a few more interesting things to my part. Of course, that's if I have time. That's a big if! But hey, there's an honest-to-goodness studio-style recording of my flute playing now. Who'd have thought!