Band On The Box
RGT member David Millar explains what was involved when he became the guitar coach for a BBC documentary…
Ensemble and performance opportunities are an important aspect of learning for guitar and bass students, so I was delighted when I was asked to undertake some work for the BBC who were filming a documentary about young people learning instruments and embarking on the process of forming a band and making a professional recording and music video. BBC Blast "Bandwagon" was recorded in Northern Ireland last autumn and will be broadcast on regional television this spring. My role on the project was Guitar/Bass Coach and I worked alongside Keyboard, Drum and Vocal Coaches together with an image consultant and choreographer, guiding the group of young musicians through the process of forming a band, and learning to record and perform.
Selection Process
A
team from the BBC went on the road to audition over 100 young people who
wanted the chance to be part of BBC Blast's pop band, and their judging
panel selected 30 young people to attend a set of five day workshops with
myself and the other music coaches. The first two days of the workshops
involved teaching the instrumentalists and singers their individual parts
in the chosen song to be recorded and performed, and teaching aspects of
playing in a band.
The third day involved forming and evaluating various line-ups of the students in a complete band format. The coaches then had the difficult job of selecting the final line-up at the end of the third day - the remaining students had to be told they were "Going home". However, a positive learning ethos was maintained throughout the project even for those who did not make it through to the final selection. We tried hard to ensure that everbody realised how much they had achieved in getting that far.
Recording and Performance
During day four the process of rehearsing as a band and making the audio recording began. On day five the audio recording was finished and the music video was shot. It was an intensive two final days for the students to work together, but a musically complete learning experience for the young musicians.
Broadening Students Opportunities
A lot of guitar/bass students often don't get the opportunity to play outside their own homes, and ultimately they will only develop as fully rounded musicians when they get the chance to perform with and for others. Why not contact your local LCM representative and make contact with other music tutors in your area, and perhaps organise a student concert or facilitate a band/group workshop. You may also find opportunities for classical guitar students - many Local Education Authorities run youth orchestras and concert bands and some of these can provide excellent ensemble and performance opportunities for guitarists too.
