Today was my first day on placement! Despite the nerves, I was overwhelmed with excitement! I was asked to assist a recording session for a charity Christmas album, at Abbey Road Studios. This was an unusual day’s task in comparison to the rest of my placement; my usual roles are typically concentrated on film and television. Nevertheless, this change presented itself as a new and exciting challenge that excited me!
Attending Abbey Road itself was incredibly thrilling; having held such an enormous reputation and sense of fame over the years. However, I knew that I had to uphold a sense of professionalism, to get the task done efficiently. It was easy to become overwhelmed and distracted by everything that was happening around the studio, which meant I had to stay focused and committed to my jobs ahead.
During my day’s work, I assisted both the recorder and director of the session with fetching equipment, cables, microphones, and music scores. Although at first glance – trivial, I knew that my orderliness would affect the efficiency and timing of the session. Upon reflection, when recording at such a busy, high-demand studio, time is a precious thing for both the artist and the staff. I found that organization throughout the day was one of the most useful tools to carry. It taught me the sheer pressure you are under when it comes to time. I quickly recognised that creative freedom is not as encouraged as I previously thought!
Overall, I loved my day working at Abbey Road; a slight dream came true. I gained an enormous understanding of the reality and efficiency towards the music industry and recording sessions. The logistics and misconceptions behind how an artist records music for an album!
