Recording Yourself? Options

[louloubelle]

My new toy has just arrived ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif)
I have been wondering about the practicalities of recording my violin / fiddle playing, but came to no conclusion ---until------someone at one of my fiddle groups showed us the gizmo he uses. He bought it for recording wildlife / bird song. so the quality of sound reproduction is good, an henowuses it for fiddlegroup to helphim practice / play alongat home. You need to connect it to speakers of some sort ---ipod speakers, Bose, etc (computer may not good enough sound quality), but the MAIN ADVANTAGE, is that you can record a class or session and play it at reduced speed, maintaining pitch. I know ABRSM has software that will do this, but this little thing is so portable and easy. It is about the size of an old style iPod, has twin built in microphones and works off battery or mains.
I was going to study this afternoon, but I will now be working my way through the instructions !
Roland R-05.

Ihave a feeling however, that I will not like what I hear of my own playing, but it should help me to pick up new tunes by ear---which I am not good at.
Snag?? Not cheap, but will be worth it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[BitterSweet]

My new toy has just arrived ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif)
I have been wondering about the practicalities of recording my violin / fiddle playing, but came to no conclusion ---until------someone at one of my fiddle groups showed us the gizmo he uses. He bought it for recording wildlife / bird song. so the quality of sound reproduction is good, an henowuses it for fiddlegroup to helphim practice / play alongat home. You need to connect it to speakers of some sort ---ipod speakers, Bose, etc (computer may not good enough sound quality), but the MAIN ADVANTAGE, is that you can record a class or session and play it at reduced speed, maintaining pitch. I know ABRSM has software that will do this, but this little thing is so portable and easy. It is about the size of an old style iPod, has twin built in microphones and works off battery or mains.
I was going to study this afternoon, but I will now be working my way through the instructions !
Roland R-05.

Ihave a feeling however, that I will not like what I hear of my own playing, but it should help me to pick up new tunes by ear---which I am not good at.
Snag?? Not cheap, but will be worth it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Just googled the price. Ouch!

[porilo]

Wow, I'm actually surprised how many people record themselves! I have audacity, but suspect my phone or the digital dictaphone I bought for university will be a better bet initially.

I don't know what audacity is, but I wouldn't recommend a dictaphone unless it has a stereo facility. Most dictaphones record in mono.

Audacity is free music editing software for computers available here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

How important is stereo sound for self-reflection? And would an android phone provide stereo? Or a laptop? *genuinely curious*

I'm not sure about android phones, but because we have 2 ears everything naturally sounds better in stereo. Try listening to a CD with a finger in one ear. It just doesn't sound the same. It sounds like something being heard through a telephone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Arundodonuts]

Just googled the price. Ouch!

Looks about right to me for what it is. There are cheaper options available, e.g.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/category/rec...?sort=price_asc

I have a Zoom H2. It doesn't get used at the moment though.

[loops]

I have an edirol gizmo, given to me as a present, and I'm guessing it wasn't cheap. But it's fab.

I have recorded my practice, which can be is a depressing experience, but does make you aware of certain "features" of your playing and that certainly spurs improvement!! My parents live 10,000 miles away, and *very* occasionally I send them an mp3 of what I'm playing, which they like.

I have recorded some improvisations as source material for composition, that was more fun!!

[Gae]

I record quite a lot in the lessons. I use a mixture of devices varying from a sequencer on a Digital Piano to a Recorder app on an I-Pad, an MP3 recorder, or Mobile Phone recorder and if I want a decent quality recording I carry my Korg Portastudio and Laptop with Audacity around with me. I love recording for a variety of reasons. It makes the lesson more interesting and pupils like to hear how they are sounding in order to hopefully boost their confidence. It's great for fine tuning a performance too....to hear the dynamics, phrasing etc but the most important element I find is with regards the tempo. I tend to find that when learning new pieces, we usually play them on the cautious side regarding tempo (about 10-20 BPM slower than the metronome marking) and so its good to hear how the tempo impacts the overall effect of the music. It weakens the music so much for faster pieces as the vital energetic essence is missing if played too slow. A slightly faster performance can bring out so much more in the music and especially bring out the rhythmic qualities in a more satisfying way.

Overall, I think being able to record a performance in the lesson is an invaluable and fun tool to have.

Gae

[Cyrilla]

GAE!!!!!!!!!

Hello (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wave.gif) !

Nice to see you back on the forums after such a long time!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[nicki_flute]

I am currently listening to myself after a practice session.

I use my laptop and Audacity and it seems to do the job pretty well.

I record myself every 2 or 3 practice sessions, or if I think it'll be easier to hear whether I've been achieving different tone colours etc by listening back.

I do think it is invaluable, although I always tend to listen to what I am doing incorrectly. Particularly with dynamics, I always think I am being extreme, and then realise that I am hardly changing.

I've also recorded a masterclass I have done before, so I could remember/look back at what was said.

[barry-clari]

GAE!!!!!!!!!

Hello (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wave.gif) !

Nice to see you back on the forums after such a long time!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Crumbs, there's a name from the past!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.gif) back, Gae, and I agree with all you've said above! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Sprite3]

I was wondering if anyone uses recording as part of their practice techniques? I am a singer, but I imagine the uncertainty I have about the idea is pretty universal for musicians of all types.

If you use it, do you find it helps or do you just feel awkward listening and gain nothing? And what technology do you use? Smartphone, laptop, old-fashioned dictaphone, cassette tape!?

I am considering the idea, especially for exam preparation, but I'm nervous!

My teacher recommended that I try to record myself playing the piano (I'm no singer) and I use my digital camera as it has a long recording facility. I place the camera on the end of the piano keyboard and the recording then only shows my hands playing. Very useful to listen to yourself which you normally can't do. Good luck with your exam preparation. I, too, am nervous and also try to play to friends. Perhaps you could try singing in front of friends - it might help.

[Gae]

Thank you for the welcome back but I'm not really back...more like just passing through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The reason? These days I tend to spend more time on non-work related forums. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Gae

[barry-clari]

Thank you for the welcome back but I'm not really back...more like just passing through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The reason? These days I tend to spend more time on non-work related forums. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Gae

Aw, go on : stay (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

*sorry for off-topic post* (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)