We weren't able to finalise my set in our last rehearsal which is disappointing, but I know where I stand. After speaking to Annette, it became apparent that a grade 8 level piece would not be suitable for the programme, so that leaves me still with one piece to choose. I was hoping to use a piece that is a different style - more a jazz/funk fusion, and the piece I had in mind was a Rockschool piece meaning  it could easily be performed by just drums, bass and guitar. This is my biggest worry in this area as pieces in this style typically use quite varied instrumentation which could be hard to put together. Annette suggested using a piece with a track, if I can make it work in my programme. This opens me up to some new possibilities, as I know there are advanced fusion drummers such as Dave Weckl who have made backing tracks available for some of their pieces so this is something I will research.

In order to perform the pieces I have chosen effectively, it has been necessary for me to purchase a double bass drum pedal. It has been a while since I used one, and my experience then was quite limited so I have begun an intense course of practice to try and bring myself up to standard. The passages I require it for on the tracks are quite fast and requires some stamina so it's going to be tough to raise my level enough. I have started out with some basic exercises I have adapted from those I would use for my hand technique, including basic rudiments and endurance exercises. I aim to do some work with these every day in order to bring above the improvement necessary. I also intend to speak to my drum teacher and see if he has any advice he can give me on the matter.

I have another rehearsal today in which I'm hoping to finalise my programme. We agreed in our last rehearsal that the difficulty level of the tracks needs to be higher, and chose to cut 'That Golden Rule' while discussing some tracks that would fit the programme better. I've ordered a double bass drum pedal which opens up possibilities, and allows me to do a track my guitarist Dechlan suggested - 'Selkies: The Endless Obsession' by Between the Buried and Me. I've started learning the track which is definitely close to being as hard a track as I've worked on. We have a couple of other tracks to choose from for the last slot. We will weigh up track times and feasibility and decide which will work best.

Aside from this we've had a couple of rehearsals now and are preparing for our first showcase next month. We've been working on Schism, and just about have all the parts arranged so we can start running it to bring it up to standard, and had also started working on Golden Rule before decidingto cut it as it. The other track we'll be looking to perform at the showcase will be 'Sound of Muzak' which I am confident we should be able to put together by then.

I have just become aware that it has been some time since I last updated this blog, but rest assured things are still on track. I have David Wight recruited on bass as I mentioned before and he has put me in contact with a number of people including a couple of vocalists who can cover all the songs, and guitarist, Dechlan, who is happy to do at least half of them. I have rehearsed once with David and Dechlan and we have in place the songs we will be doing for our initial showcase next month. If we continue to rehearse regularly we should be well on track to have those ready.

David has also put me in contact with a guitarist who has experience' in playing material by Liquid Tension Experiment, and has said he is up for playing 'Universal Mind' which I was worried about finding people for. I am looking forward to arranging a rehearsal with him, but we still need to complete the final piece of the puzzle - a keyboard player required for that tune and 2 others. Again David has a few names in mind but we are yet to confirm anyone so that will be a priority as one of the songs they are needed for is 'Golden Rule' which I am hoping to play at the showcase.

As is evident by my lack of posting I have had a lot of other work going on that I've struggled to keep on top of. This led me to missing what should have been a progress report with Annette last Monday the 4th Feb. We are on holiday this week but I have apologised to Annette and am hoping I will be able to reschedule the report for after we are back. I've still one more song to confirm for my set list but I have narrowed it down to a couple of options and am hoping to make a decision tomorrow during our next rehearsal.