Username: Password:
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 4

Author Topic: So, which should I do?  (Read 22253 times)

_tom_

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 8842
So, which should I do?
« on: November 13, 2005, 08:42:32 PM »
I've decided 6th form isnt for me, IT and business studies suck and I'm not even interested in them really. I went to a local college today and I am really interested in the Music Practise BTEC (except you have to do some singing lessons :cry: )

Anyway, the bloke I spoke to said that its best to take a CD with some recordings on to the interview. I'm gonna do covers as part of the course is performing covers in a band, I just dont know which songs to cover! Nothing too "look at me I can play fast" Steve Vai type stuff, I bet they hear that all the time. I just want something that sounds good and takes a bit of skill but not too show-offy. Whatcha think?

Cheers!
Logged

chrisola

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 1068
So, which should I do?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2005, 10:31:04 PM »
good luck with it all tom :)

These are what I would look at if i had my own covers band :P

1) Metallica - Whiplash
2) Helloween - Ride The Sky (id fight for it :P)
3) Saxon - Princess Of The Night
4) Iron Maiden - Phanton Of The Opera
5) Ozzy - Crazy Train
6) Motorhead - Ace Of Spades
7) Diamond Head - Am i Evil?
8) Pantera - Cowboys From Hell
9) Accept - Fast as a Shark

Id stick 'My Sharona' by The Knack in as a cheesy encore aswell :P

Imo for a course, anything 'classic' or slightly mainstream would be good, as long as it has some good guitar melodies\hooks.. think of some classic tunes and perhaps go off the mainstream route a bit (eg dont play enter sandman or Hey joe!)
Logged
"Turbo F***ing Spinning PILEDRIVER!!!"

_tom_

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 8842
So, which should I do?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2005, 10:45:48 PM »
Hmm thoose have solo's I'd probably mess up  :lol: I was thinkin Miracle Man as I can sometimes make the solo sound OK. I still need some more, should I do More than a Feeling, or is that too cheesy  :P Hi-Ho Silver Lining?
Logged

willo

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 1512
So, which should I do?
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2005, 12:36:01 AM »
Just play something that means a lot to you. If they whinge at you, just remind them that any form of music is valid expression, 2 notes or 200 notes. If it means something emotionally, then it is right.

If they dont agree with you on that, then they are quite obviously robots and is that really a course you would want to do?

I have mixed feelings about these courses. I was working in a college over the summer and enrolling people on these courses, I just don't know what it means to say you have done this course? What does it achieve? I don't mean to piss all over your parade, Tom, sorry if I have; I'm just interested to know how other people - people who think differently about it to me  :wink:  - think?

And, if it helps, I heard some kid's entry piece that he submitted and got accepted into the legendary Berklee college with. It wasn't that good; not to knock the kid but I was expecting Vai style theatrics and it wasn't even technically demanding. So whatever you do, HAVE FUN!
Logged
The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away...

Skybone

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 735
So, which should I do?
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2005, 10:09:24 AM »
Do a wide variety of stuff, from say pop to indie to metal maybe. It'll show them you can turn your hand to anything and be a good addition to the course.

I think...  :?
Logged
Bibble.
BKP's: Black Dog set, Emerald set, & Crawler set.
http://www.myspace.com/misericordedoom

HJM

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 2330
So, which should I do?
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2005, 10:29:17 AM »
They probably do get a lot of flash playing, but most of it won't sound any good!
Logged
Apache,VHII,Emerald,Nailbomb,MiracleMan,StormyMonday,BlackDog,Trilogy,Mothersmilk,Sultans+Sinner

dave_mc

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 9796
So, which should I do?
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2005, 11:31:51 AM »
parisienne walkways? that'd be a good one, well known, not too hard, good guitar playing...

good luck, anyway!
Logged

HJM

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 2330
So, which should I do?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2005, 12:22:09 PM »
Yeah - all they need to know is that you can play in time, in tune (watch the bends) and have a decent level of technique. I've had some pretty average pupils get into Leeds College of Music on the BTEC - don't get too worked up, be proffessional about it and you'll be fine :wink:
Logged
Apache,VHII,Emerald,Nailbomb,MiracleMan,StormyMonday,BlackDog,Trilogy,Mothersmilk,Sultans+Sinner

Underground_Player

  • Featherweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 258
So, which should I do?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2005, 01:22:24 PM »
I was in your position about a year ago. In the end I did a simple, maybe 30 second long fingerpicked jazzy comp style thing, no fast playing whatsoever. I didn't use a pick at all through the whole 80 minutes, even for lead stuff, cos I knew nobody else would have done that. The guy auditioning me said he'd had one guy after another come in and shred badly.  :roll:
HJM's totally right - I mean the school can teach you how to twiddle, but they can't neccessarily teach you how to play in time or nail any of the other 'basics'.

So whatever you do, just play something that's different - cos its much easier to stand out from the crowd this way than to stand out purely through technical ability.
Logged
Mostly Harmless

willo

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 1512
So, which should I do?
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2005, 02:18:54 PM »
how about 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers' by Jeff Beck?

Its an incredible piece of guitar playing, quite demanding but I think it shows real composure to play that piece. You need perfect timing and intonation and all these other underrated skills to play it. Its not a flashy piece particularly, but other guitarists will definitely appreciate it - Jeff Beck really is the guitarists' guitarist!

I can supply you with the full tab/score if you want...
Logged
The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away...

_tom_

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 8842
So, which should I do?
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2005, 04:20:26 PM »
Yeah I thought most people would just do loads of stupid boring shred/metal things so I didnt want to bother with wasting my time. I think I'll just do some Led Zep and stuff then seeing as thats what I like to play the most. Willo I'll have a listen to that song, and as for what I want to get out of the course, just better at playing I guess, more confidence, and stuff. Plus the 3 a-levels you get from it  :lol:
Logged

donovan.x

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 518
So, which should I do?
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2005, 10:12:33 PM »
Tom, you are going to hate me for saying this but Btec is not the right way to go if you want to get into music. I did a BTec and I did very well, I passed with a distinction but they are worth nothing  and I am now at a point in my life where I regret it deeply and really need to get a decent qualification. There are lot's of music studies available, choose something with genuine prospects whilst you have the chance and as for your hair, just don't touch it at all, the odd wash here and there and you will have long rock god hair before you know it.
 :lol:
P.S I know that I sound like a condasending old fart ( I am only 26) but it is all so fresh in my mind.
Logged
DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL!

_tom_

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 8842
So, which should I do?
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2005, 11:56:42 PM »
Oh right. Well I was actually having second thoughts any way, before I read this. As I dont think I am good enough a player, and I just dont have the confidence to sing infront of ANYONE, not even good friends or family, which means I will do badly on the course I guess. This thread has been helpful nonetheless, I guess I will have to plod on with IT and business  :lol:
Logged

jt

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 1575
So, which should I do?
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2005, 02:56:25 AM »
:D I`ve been wanting to reply to this thred but i`ve held off from doing so as i`ve not wanted to offend anyone. But to be quite honest all of these courses are uterly worthless in the real world. These courses should be treated by the pupils as personnal development not as enhancing job prospects. These courses are as worthless in the real word as Media studies !!! As much as i hate to say it & i do Stick with the IT & Business studies. At least if you don`t make it in becoming a rock god you`ll have some marketable skills in the real world.

 :D  8)

Sorry for the reply being such a bummer !! :P
Logged
God I could do with a Gin & Tonic !

donovan.x

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 518
So, which should I do?
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2005, 05:40:09 AM »
I'm sure your playing is more than good enough, it's the course that's not good enough. :shock:
Logged
DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL!
Pages: [1] 2 3 4
« previous next »