GUITAR MASTERCLASS WITH PETER SKLAROFF
The Art of Rhythm Guitar
Understanding the rhythmic role of rhythm guitar in a band. Time, feel and groove; finding the right guitar sounds for rhythm; chord voicing and harmonies, varying rhythm guitar styles.
Wednesday 20th October
Wednesday 27th October
Wednesday 3rd November
7pm – 9pm
£75 for the 3 classes (NB: Maximum 10 Students) Click here to book
Improvisation for Guitarists
What is a solo? Phrasing, time and feel, bending and vibrato techniques, clean and distorted soloing, playing with melody pitch and intonation, varying soloing styles.
Monday 15th November
Monday 22nd November
Monday 29th November
7pm – 9pm
£75 for the 3 classes (NB: Maximum 10 Students) Click here to book
Developing Your Guitar Playing
Practice tips, developing your ear, using the sounds on your guitar, pick and fingers, getting to know he fret board, working with a metronome and developing sounds and effects.
Monday 18th October
Monday 25th October
Monday 1st November
7pm – 9pm
£75 for the 3 classes (NB: Maximum 10 Students) Click here to book
Harmony for Electric Guitarists
Triads first, Arpeggios, Common harmonic progressions, The Blues, Jazz and Rock styles, Seventh chords and extensions, Symmetrical harmony, Clusters, Open String voicings.
Wednesday 17th November
Wednesday 24th November
Wednesday 1st December
7pm – 9pm
£75 for the 3 classes (NB: Maximum 10 Students) Click here to book
Biography
Peter Sklaroff former Head of Jazz at Leeds College of Music is joining Factory Street Studios for a series of Guitar Master Classes. Peter graduated from Edinburgh College of Art (Heriot Watt University) with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and Humanities before pursuing his musical studies full-time at the City of Leeds College of Music.
Peter graduated with a Diploma in Jazz, Light & Contemporary Music and received a First Class award for Jazz Guitar Performance. The four classes; ‘The Art of Rhythm Guitar’; ‘Improvisations for Guitarists’; ‘Developing Your Guitar Playing’ and ‘Harmony for Electric Guitarists’ will begin in October. Each workshop consists of 3 sessions of 2 hours and comes complete with handouts.
Little Heroes Music Festival & Family Fun Day
Little Heroes, a charity that organises days out for young cancer sufferers, is holding a family fun day and live music festival.
The Family Fun Day will begin with a petting zoo, archery, a fun fair and bouncy castle and ‘Little Heroes Live’ will feature 22 live bands, 3 bars and 2 stages. Starting at 11.45am and will continue till late with live bands playing accompanying the festivities.
One of the bands featured on the line-up is Laika Dog, a rock band fronted by former Terrorvision frontman and Bradford local Tony Wright. Also featured is Jasmine Kennedy who recently won the BD1 Live competition.
The two part festival and family fun day is on Sunday 29th August 2010 and begins 11.45am – late.
Music Photography Exhibition.
Factory St Studios will be hosting a music photography exhibition in the new ‘Pop Up’ art space situated between Markaz restaurant and Starbucks Coffee in Centenary Square, Bradford. The event will showcase the photography of Danny Payne , as well as acoustic acts on Saturday 17th of July and a live funk DJ. For all things vintage this is a must, also Bradford Classic Car and Bike show featured in Centenary Square over the weekend.
A lookback at the Mela 2010
The Peel Stage at this year’s Mela festival saw an eclectic line-up from Factory Street Studios.
The stage was shared by folk and heavy metal artists alike; Singer-songwriter and Batley resident Jasmine Kennedy began the day with an acoustic set. Beginning the day and warming up a cold crowd is no mean feat but Jasmine took to the stage with a quiet confidence. Sounding like a young Tracey Chapman, the set rightly showcased her as an insightful lyricist. Despite the modest description that prefaced ‘Successfully Connected’, she failed to convince anyone that the song was simply about the internet. Welcoming onstage special guests Pete Earnshaw on drums and Chris Martin on slide guitar, with overwhelming aplomb Jasmine showed the type of talent and composure expected of someone far beyond her 17 years.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Shaun T Hunter performed under the moniker Quiet Rebellion, a project making use of percussion and loop pedals to create layers of ascending detail above and beyond one man and his guitar. Building live his own backing tracks, the performance was as much a showcase of technological ingenuity as artistic expression. His unique vibrato style and the ascension of musical complexity were testament to critics hailing him as one of the first true original talents of the millennium.
Bradford’s Solar Ghost performed following an appearance on BBC Radio Leeds, drawing in crowds with a refined, alternative rock, heavy in dynamics and elaborate song structure, only to be chased up for a second interview after their performance. The band brought in a younger audience that might otherwise have passed by, who had no doubt had their collective attention caught by the sudden bursts of raucous choruses. With press waiting for them back stage Solar Ghost could well be set for big things. And at the price of full-disclosure we’d like to thank our former co-worker and guitarist James, and wish him and the rest of Solar Ghost the best of luck in the future.
Folk rock quartet Hall Brothers & John Carey with special Guest Michelle Plum took the crown for longest band title, urging the sun to come back from behind the clouds with upbeat acoustic melodies and plenty of crowd involvement. Though Mexican waves and a group of Disney characters doing a jig failed to change the weather, the atmosphere was certainly sunnier after their set.
TLG Music Academy Allstars were treated to a packed crowd as it started to rain, and though these young bands have had only a matter of hours rehearsing they won over an initially unwilling crowd just trying to keep dry. What they might have lacked in rehearsal time they made up for in bags of confidence and a willingness to learn and grow as musicians.
It was fitting that as rain began to pour and black clouds rolled in that so too did the heaviest act of the day Gods of Hellfire. A seasoned heavy metal band in the Bradford area, they made no excuses for their sound. Lead Alec Calderbank commanded the stage wearing metal plated gloves. They made their presence known and could be heard throughout at least a 50 meter radius. Whilst not for everyone, the crowd who did weather the storm for Gods of Hellfire were more than satisfied that they had.
Poorboy, a band of truly seasoned musicians, played the blues as only they know how; that is to say, very very well. The self proclaimed ‘no-nonsense, groove-laden’ blues band were the height of professionalism.
The Heavens, a band who might well have suited a clear sunset more than a storm with a perfect mix of the British and American Psychedelia, Rock & Roll and 90’s Brit-Rock closed the night and though the heavens were still open when The Heavens opened, Bradford’s finest talent was for a little while all in one place at the same time.
Factory Street Studios, Peel Stage, Bradford Mela
We are very pleased to announce our Peel Stage line-up for Bradford Mela 2010:
Sunday 13th June 2010:
Jasmine Kennedy Biography:
I’m Jasmine, I’m 17 and I’m from Batley. I started writing songs when I was 8 and they were terrible. At the age of 16 I recorded and released my debut album ‘I Don’t Have An Uncle Pat’ which a couple of people seem to like (namely my mum and dad who may just be being polite). I try to be as original as possible but in the past I’ve been likened to Tracy Chapman and Joan Armatrading… I can’t complain!
Quiet Rebellion Biography:
Quiet Rebellion is a new project featuring the acclaimed singer-songwriter Shaun T Hunter, who has, over the last few years, carved a strong reputation as a performer and writer of a singular intensity and originality. Shaun has moved on from the guitar plus vocals approach in his stunning live shows to incorporating rhythmic loops and effects into his musical palette. A former acoustic roots award winner, with Classic Rock describing him as ‘the first true original of this millenium’.
Solar Ghost Biography:
Solar Ghost a four piece alternative outfit hailing from the ruins of West Yorkshire, a band born from a love for music a willingness to experiment and push boundaries, while at the same time employing catchy hooks and melodies.
Over the last year Solar Ghost have refined their sound and recent name change (formally Cyclone Pink) has been the beginning of a new era for the band.
Solar Ghost today are a tight and concise sounding band who have managed to keep the energy and passion often missing in live acts cutting their teeth in the overly saturated world of popular and alternative music.
Gods of Hell Fire Biography:
Currently cutting a swathe through the musical scene of Bradford and the North of England are battle-hardened metallers, The Gods of Hellfire. This newly formed collection of grisly lovers of the riff are ready to take the country by storm with their no holds barred, down tuned, pedal to the metal riff assault. Taking their cues from veterans such as Trouble and Black Sabbath, as well as adding the contemporary sound of more modern bands such as Grand Magus and High on Fire, the band wear their influences on their sleeve without ever falling into the trap of being clones. Originally spawned as the brain child of ex-Lazarus Blackstar guitarist Rich Savage.
Poor Boy Biography:
Poorboy are a Leeds-based outfit borne out of the desire to form a no-nonsense, groove-laden blues band. Staying true to the raw earthiness of the Chicago masters, the band strives to bring a contemporary edge and energy to the music they perform.. All seasoned musicians, each member draws from a wealth of musical experience and love of the blues to shape the band’s sound. As a collective, Poorboy deliver the rootsy power of the blues, infused with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll kick..
The Heavens Biography:
Best described as a blend of British & American Psychedelia, Rock & Roll and 90’s Brit-Rock, The Heavens are Richard Green (vocals and guitar), Davey Fairbrother (drums and vocals), James Heggie (bass guitar) and Mark Drury (organ and guitar).
Bradford Mela – Factory Street Studios Peel Stage
Factory Street are pleased to announce we’ll be programming the Peel Stage at Bradford Mela this year. Make a note in your diary for Sunday 13th June 2010.
Bradford Mela is Europe’s largest Mela and attracted thousands of people from all over the world. It was an amazing festival last year and we are honoured to have been asked to bring some contemporary original bands and artists to the festivities again this year.
Enjoy a host of educational and play activities in the children’s zone, to crafts and costume making, interactive sports and dance routines. Plus there will be stalls selling foods from around the world and exotic gifts, entertaining street theatre, exhibitions and visual arts, high quality music and dance on stage, thrilling funfair rides, and performances by the best in local talent.
For further info see Bradford Mela
Holmewood Gala
Saturday July 3rd 2010, Holmewood Football Field.
Call out for bands, any bands/solo artists interested in playing please contact james@holmewoodactivitycentre.co.uk
Jon Gomm Masterclass at the studios
Jon Gomm played a host to a lucky few guitar players in a masterclass that included tapping and harmonic techniques. View a snippet below and be sure to catch the next masterclass before its gone.