Rockschool rocks..!

...until about 1986, a TV programme, originally aired in the UK, was repackaged and presented by Herbie Hancock. It focused on different genres of pop music, and the techniques involved in playing different rock instruments, along with...ah, look it up on Wikipedia..

..also, the episodes are neatly (if not legally) packaged on Youtube, and other on-line video channels..

...I admit to finding this cheesy at the time, but did manage to learn a few things that I never could poring over a Mel Bay book with a hung over guitar teacher every week. As a beginner, I found that just noodling by myself was a waste of time..I never improved. To this day, if I don't practice with at least one other person, I don't bother at all. The show featured some interesting guests, and the hosts, unknown to me, were the top session players. The drummer had actually been in WINGS for quite a while (if you remember, he always recommended "Heavy sticks"), and the guitar instructor, Deirdre Cartwright was and still is an accomplished guitarist. As a guitarist, I picked up a few interesting tidbits, but only recently have I been going over the tapes, as they say. It's very good to see how they put things together as a band, simply, and effectively. Also of interest is the electronic music episodes--the brand new Yamaha DX-7!! Moogs, plug n' play synths, and dear old Deidre, with a Kee-tar!

...I'm still poking through them--the episodes, that is--there are some good tips for songwriting and arranging as well. Timely, in the fact that I can't write a full song, lyrics and all, to save my life...I'm sure the other fellows just let me have a song or two just to make it "fair"--please note every Police album, and the Andy Summers contributions, as an example...

...on a side not, speaking of The Police--check out the soundtrack, by Stewart Copeland, for the film "Rumble Fish"--effectively spooky...

..."Don't Box Me In"...