Rockschool

Name: Rockschool
Released: 1983-11-01
Cast: Deirdre Cartwright, Henry Thomas, Geoff Nicholls, Alastair Gavin

November 1, 1983

2 Seasons • 17 Episodes

Ended

Documentary

Overview

The series explored the history of rock music and gave instruction in popular performance techniques.

Created By

Chris Lent

Cast

Deirdre Cartwright

Henry Thomas

Geoff Nicholls

Alastair Gavin

Episodes

1. Equipment

November 1, 1983 • 25m

Tips on selecting instruments and equipment; a tour of the Gibson guitar factory in Nashville, Tenn.; comments from John Taylor of Duran Duran and a performance clip of bassist Stanley Clarke.

2. Tuning

November 8, 1983 • 25m

Methods of tuning guitars, basses and drums tips from John Entwistle (formerly of the Who), Bootsy Collins (formerly of Parliament Funkadelic), Ian Paice (Deep Purple) and reggae drummer Sly Dunbar. Host: Herbie Hancock.

3. Basic Technique

November 15, 1983 • 25m

Tips on basic technique include handling drumsticks, the use of picks and string damping. Among the artists featured are Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic); John Taylor (Duran Duran); Carl Palmer (Asia); Larry Graham (formerly of Graham Central Station).

4. Blues

November 22, 1983 • 25m

How to play the blues is demonstrated by B.B. King and Chet Atkins. Topics include the blues scale, chord structures, bass lines and string-bending techniques. Also appearing: Status Quo, Nile Rodgers (Chic).

5. Heavy Metal

November 29, 1983 • 25m

An episode about heavy metal focuses on amplification effects, power chords and soloing techniques. clips of Jimi Hendrix, Iron Maiden and Motorhead; and a demonstration by Ian Paice (Deep Purple).

6. Funk

December 6, 1983 • 25m

Elements of funk are demonstrated, including guitar chops, chord inversions, drum fills and syncopation. Featured: Bootsy Collins (Parliament Funkadelic); Larry Graham (formerly of Graham Central Station); Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic).

7. Reggae

December 13, 1983 • 25m

An episode about reggae focuses on dub methods, the basic one-drop rhythmic pattern and variations. Featured: Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and Dennis Bovell.