Wednesday 28 September 2011

'GOOD IS' - Studio workshop.

THE UKULELE.

1. What makes it good?


It's relaxing.It sharpens your mind and memory.
It has a bright and happy sound to it.
They're cheap to buy.
They're easy to learn to play.


2. Who would find it good?


Musicians.
Music lovers.
Hawaiians.
Holiday makers.


3. Who wouldn't find it good?


Fans of heavy metal.
Music haters.


4. Whats it better than?


Other instruments.
Watching T.V.
Not having a hobby.


5. If your good was a profession what would it be?


Entertainment.
A musician.
A session artist.
An event performer.


6. If your good was a celebrity who would it be?


George Formby.
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
Arthur Godfrey.
The entire Great British Ukulele Orchestra.
Spongebob Squarepants.


7. If your good was a place where would it be?


Hawaii.
Portugal.
A music shop.
A beach holiday destination.
Bikini Bottom.


8. If your good was an event what would it be?


A jam session.
A Hawaiian cultural festival.
A gig at a venue.
A society social.


9. If your good was a product what would it be?


Ukulele.
A felt plectrum.
A packet of nylon strings.
A shoulder Strap.
A gig bag or flight case.


We the compiled one answer for each question and displayed them on a different sheet of paper for everyone to see. From here Fred began to unpick certain points about what we had written down, the use of words like 'people, someone, anybody' are all too vague and generalised. We need to be more specific with our answers.

The task now is to review the answers we put down and go back over the questions to develop the answers and make them more specific and to give each answer a reason as to why it is the best one.

Further more we have to collect an example of Branding, Identity or Logo to do with each question and answer in relation to our 'good'.

1. It's relaxing.
2. Acoustic Music Lovers.
3. Music Haters.
4. Other Instruments.
5. Entertainment.
6. George Formby.
7. Hawaii.
8. An open air gig or mini festival.
9. Ukulele.

Some of the answers I selected I thought were good and just needed explaining but there are some in here that need to be modified as well as justified through further investigation.


REFINED ANSWERS

1. What makes it good?

I went back and researched further into the benefits of playing the ukulele and found some more helpful websites with lots of points on how it can be healthy and relaxing.

Sunnier disposition
Relief from stress
Promotes musical tendencies
Impulsive socialization via song
Release of inner child

This website also provided a lot of valid points as to what makes my 'good', good.

From this further research I've decided that my answer for this question is...

...it makes you and happier, healthier person because it relieves you from stress, broadens your minds capability and gives you a positive social aspect.


2.Who would find it good?
3.Who wouldn't find it good?
4.What's it better than?

For this one I'm sticking with my original answer of 'other instruments'. I play a range of instruments myself so and I don't believe the ukulele to be superior to them but more practical and fun than the rest of them.

Guitars for example, as a first instrument it can be rather intimidating and overwhelming but the ukulele is small  and the strings are soft so its doesn't hurt your fingers and you feel in control of what your doing.

The ukulele is cheaper than most instruments, only the vintage ones control a lot of money. You can buy a ukulele for as little as £12.99. Consequently, the ukuleles size means that gig bags, flight cases and strings are all cheaper than it would be for any other string instrument.

They are easily transportable as don't take up much space, so you can take it anywhere you want and it wont be any trouble.

My refined answer for this question is...

...other instruments, because of its practical, financial and spacial benefits.


5.If it was a profession, what would it be?

Easy, ENTERTAINMENT.


6. If it was a celebrity, who would it be?

George Formby hands down. He was an entertainer from 1921 for 40 years until his death in 1961. He pioneered the ukulele's popularity boom with his tongue in cheek songs and his quirky northern accent. People to this day of all ages have picked up the ukulele purely because of Georges example.


Below is a website for the George Formby Society where they review his life, his films, his music and any other topic to do with him. They celebrate his life and works in full and hold conventions throughout the year to bring people together to appreciate him.


7. If it was a place, where would it be?

Hawaii was my first choice of answer because it's the country that the ukulele is most commonly related to and it has a great reputation for being a place with a happy culture and also to be a popular holiday destination. However there is more to Hawaii than the instruments they play so I've revised this one and changed it to...

...a minor/vintage music shop. Mainstream music stores don't often stock instruments of such low retail, and if they do they don't have the best range to choose from. They tend to be more commercial selling mostly, guitars, pianos, drums and bass guitars.


8. If it was an event, what would it be?

my first answer was very vague for this one and I realised a had a few gaps in my research into Hawaiian culture. I went back to my research and began to look into Hawaiian events and festivals. An discovered a few websites aimed at tourists mostly about the islands and what they have to offer.

My refined answer for this question is...

...the Honolulu festival. Because it's a true example of the Hawaiian culture that the ukulele is associated with which brings together art and dance as well as music. The festival culminates in a vibrant parade through Waikiki.



9. If it was a product, what would it be?

My 'good' already is a product so it would be difficult to say it would be anything else other than itself for this question. I did however list as many other products that relate to it.

nylon strings
steel strings
felt plectrum
tuning keys
electronic tuner
capo
gig bag/flight case
varnish
shoulder strap
grass skirt
flower necklace
package holiday
surf board

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