Friday 7th August 2009

The class perform ‘Black Night’ – Deep Purple (Vocals – Catrin)

The class perform ‘Summer of 69′ – Bryan Adams (Vocals – Ian)

(Thank you to Colin McKay for recording the performance.)

Session 1

We spent our first session rehearsing the structure of the songs chosen for the concert:

Sound check!

1. ‘Summer of 69′ – Bryan Adams
2. ‘Black Night’ – Deep Purple

We were scheduled to sound check at 11a.m. The class familiarised themselves with stage and organised where to stand when they perform later.

Session 2

After our sound check the class regrouped and continued to rehearse the songs back in the classroom. We were joined by Catrin, our singer for Deep Purple’s ‘Black Night’.

We practised the getting on stage drill. The class lined up in order of their stage position and rehearsed walking on stage, albeit a pretend one in class.

Session 3 & 4

Rehearsing their moves!

One of the main goals of the Monsters of Rock class was to encourage students to interact with other musicians, make friends, feel confident when performing in front of new people and encourage students to take a lead role in instructing the class.

During the afternoon sessions we continued to encourage students to stand up, as a tutor, and take turns to teach the class a riff, or two. The exercise was very successful and everyone took the opportunity to take centre stage.

Ed, Lewis and Harry show a 'Whole Lotta Love'

We spent the mornings first session learning the remainder of the songs in the course book. First we learnt JJ Cale’s ‘Cocaine’ (also performed by Eric Clapton’s Cream).

We then played through Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love’, which led into two similar riffs that use the same three, yes three notes! These were Ocean Colour Scene’s ‘Riverboat Song’, a classic modern guitar riff in 6/8 and Gary Moore’s heavy blues rendition of ‘Walking By Myself”.

Next up was Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Purple Haze’, from the dissonant diminished intro chord and instantly identifiable lead melody to the E7#9, G, A chord rhythm part.

Session 2

Our second session of the day focused on finalising the song structures for the gig and deciding which students wanted to perform solos in the songs.

Song structures and solo cues!

Session 3

Harry perfects his solo in Deep Purple's 'Black Night'

We were joined by vocalist, Ian, for the afternoon performance session, completing the line up of the band for the concert performance, tomorrow! The class were divided into two groups with one perfecting their solo ideas for the songs, while the other performed with the bassists, drummer and newly recruited vocalist.

Session 4 – Special Interest Classes

Students chose to attend either a special interest class in ‘Extended Alternate Chords’ or ‘Jazz Soloing’.

The class rock out with their Satriani style open string licks!

The class were divided into two groups for todays first session. One group were taught some further pentatonic and blues scale based licks with Andy, while the other group learnt how to solo using modes of the Major scale.

Firstly the Dorian Mode, commonly used in jazz, blues and funk. Secondly the Phrygian Mode, which is often used  in metal and spanish flamenco styles.

The class took turns to each take a solo over a drum and bass backing track, using expressive soloing techniques like bends, vibrato, hammer ons, pull offs, RH tapping and ascending/descending open string pedal licks!

Session 2

The class make easy work of Deep Purple's 'Black Night'!

Our second session was dedicated to learning Deep Purple’s ‘Black Night’. The class worked together to write out the song structure, using their newly learnt skills from the previous day – counting bars and determining song sections.

The class did a fantastic job learning of ‘Black Night’ today. The track is a more difficult song to learn than ‘Summer of 69′, which uses both riffs, chords and solo spots for the brave!

Session 3

After lunch the class reconvened for the afternoons performance session. The class were split, once again. into two group and took turns to rehearse ‘Black Night’ and ‘Summer of 69′ with the band.

When one half of the class were not rehearsing they took part in an ‘Introduction to Guitar Effects’ session, which covered using guitar based effects such as Delay, Reverb, Flanger, Phaser, Chorus, Wah, and Distortion.

'Intro to Guitar Effects' - Class 1

'Intro to Guitar Effects' - Class 2

Session 4 – Special Interest Classes

The final session of the day was a choice between two special interest classes ‘Hybrid Picking’ and ‘Introduction to Fusion’.

Wilf and Danny, on bass guitar, rehearse 'Summer of 69'

We began the days first session with a look into connecting together the five pentatonic positions. We worked on a number of soloing ideas over an A power chord backing track using the minor pentatonic scale.

We focused on developing vibrato technique using the first and third fingers of our fretting hand. We also used slides, bends, hammer ons, hammer offs and some right hand tapping ideas – for fun!

Session 2 & 3

During session 2 the class worked on the Bryan Adam’s hit ‘Summer of 69′, learning the four main sections of the song; verse, chorus, bridge and middle 8. The afternoon session (3) was our performance session, which involved, for the first time for many students, performing alongside a bassist and drummer in a band format.

Miles rocks out with his power chords!

The class was divided into two groups and both took turns to perform with the band while the other group were learning how to recognise song structures, forms and key changes.

Session 4 – Special Interest Classes

Todays final session was a special interest class dedicated to covering the Rockschool Awards. A vocational award that students can choose to be assessed for on the final day of the rock camp. The award is designed to reward students for their progress on their instrument, whether it be on guitar, bass or drums.

Monsters of Rock - Class of 2009

Session 1

After class registration and a run through the house rules, the class began working on their rhythm chops using the ‘Hendrix’ chord, an E7#9, over a drum and bass backing track, demonstrating their soloing skills using the E minor pentatonic scale.

Session 2

An attentive class of rockers!

After the break the class ran though a ‘caterpillar’ warm up exercise, designed to strengthen the fingers and build coordination between right and left hands.

This led into Jimi Henrix’s rendition of ‘Hey Joe’, which uses a chromatic walking bass line riff following the chord pattern. We then learnt the fourth box shape position of the minor pentatonic scale. Soloing, once again, over an E7#9 vamp.

Session 3

The afternoon sessions are designed to focus on performance skills. We began working on two of the songs that will be performed as part of an instrumedley at the student concert on Friday (7th August 2009). These were AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ and Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’.

Session 4 – Special Interest Classes

Todays final session was a choice between two special interest classes ‘Introduction to Alternate Picking’ and ‘Hybrid Pentatonics’.

Rocker 1!

Rocker 3!

Rocker 2!

Rocker 6!

Rocker 4!

Rocker 5!

Rocker 7!

Rocker 9!

Rocker 8!

Rocker 12!

Rocker 11!

Rocker 10!

Rocker 13!

Monsters of Rock

Learn how to build powerful rhythm parts and construct effective solos. During the week we will explore power chords, open position chords and other ‘clever’ chord voicings. Lead guitar technique will focus on pentatonic tricks, blues scale licks, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and tips on improving your improvisation and vibrato.

You will also have the opportunity to perform in public at the student showcase on the final evening. The set list includes: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Bryan Adams, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Thin Lizzy.

Course Tutor - Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins has a degree in Commercial Music from Bath Spa University and runs the successful Bath Guitar School.

Richard performs regularly alongside award-winning guitarist Stuart Ryan under the guise of the Bath Guitar Duo and has been a regular member of the IGF faculty since 2005.

http://www.bathguitarschool.com

Additional tutor support by Andy Cook.