GagaRaga

Incorrect Notes – 0:49 1:29 2:10

Poor timing – No metronome 4:36 Seems like an echo where actually the parts should be played at the same time.

Tempo increases rapidly

All one instrument sounds like a big mess

Clipping 0:10

1:03 problems with tempo and all the parts clash. Very poor timing

In the GagaRaga Sitar cover the overall recording of the song is poor.  This is because the performer played each part separately and pasted them in Audacity. Since he recorded each part separately he didn’t use metronome to keep in time so when the parts are all put together some are in varying tempos.  This is evident at 4:36 where you can hear the main track play the main notes and then a second later you hear it again quietly. This is because the separate tracks don’t line up properly.  Playing without the metronome would also mean at some parts he is playing too fast and at others too slow. If I were to record this song myself I would use metronome to keep the recordings in time. I would also use other instruments to play the other parts of the song, I would also place in a drumbeat or something so the song sounds normal and provides the listener something to tap to.

The whole song uses one instrument for all the parts. This means it’s hard to distinguish which part is playing what as they overlap in keys. Usually sounding like a big mess of random playing, this can be heard at 1:03.

The performer also plays some incorrect notes, which can be heard at 0:49 1:29 and 2:10. To fix this I would have rerecorded those tracks until it was perfectly played.

The recording of the song is also pretty poor, from recording the parts separately and using a microphone to close mic it would mean he changes distance between the microphone, as well as playing at different levels.  To fix this I would measure how far the microphone should be and then alter the microphone’s gain till it was level with all the other parts on the sitar and make sure it wouldn’t clip.

Katy Perry Firework 2010 X Factor

Intonation – Flat at 1:54 and 3:12

Tempo (Out of breath 4:05)

Voice is very quiet at the beginning. 1:12

The song is out of tune all together. The original song is a few notes higher than what she is singing at.

The whole performance of this was flat when compared to the actual version released.  When listening to both songs you can hear that the live performance is a few notes lower than the original. Another difference is she starts to improvise some vocals at 2:40, this is sung entirely differently to the original song.  At 1:54 and 3:12 she sings some lyrics out of tune, this is possibly due to the performer not warming up properly or being ill during the performance.

To improve this live performance I would have made sure the performer was at their best. I would have made sure they have warmed up their vocals. I could also use pitchshifter on the vocals, this could have made the voice sound less flat and bump the notes the vocal is singing up to the correct pitch. However the improvisation might be unique and the audience might like it as it is original, I would have liked the song to to be sung how it was recorded as it shows professionalism and the performer is skilled enough to sing the song and make it sound similar to the recorded track. I would have also reduced the amount of dancing the vocalist does. This means the performer cannot become out of breath and can focus on singing and hitting the notes. It also means the performer and audience have a connection as the performer is focused 100% at singing to them rather than dancing around the stage in front of them which is the dancers' job.