Pro Audio Essentials -Ear Training

Attention AS and A2 students! You could do worse than visiting the iZotope Pro Audio Essentials ear training site to help prepare for your upcoming exams!

https://pae.izotope.com/

A-Z of pickups – Music Radar

AS and A2 students will want to take a look at this, as questions on pickups regularly feature in exams!

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-a-z-of-electric-guitar-pickups-620467

Special Focus Styles – Pulp

Pulp were formed in the late 70s, but only really came to prominence in the 90s, with their blend of socially aware commentary and catchy tunes. Jarvis Cocker and the band created sometimes lavish longs focusing on the minutiae of everyday life, and rode the wave of Britpop success for a few years. They were also adept at blending an eclectic mix of styles, the swagger of glam rock, disco beats, synthesisers, indie thrash guitars or folk style violins and acoustic guitar. Cocker’s iconic vunerable vocal style (with occasional breathy spoken or falsetto moments) helped the band to stand out.

Special Focus Styles – Arctic Monkeys

The now venerable northern rockers made a huge impact with their debut album. Aggressive moods, difficult topics and total confidence (sometimes verging into outright arrogance at times, see Alex Turners 2014 Brit speech). Their signature stripped back indie style includes loud guitars, often riff based songs (especially more recent ones) Turner’s unapologetic Sheffield-tinged drawling delivery, ‘detail rich’ semi-poetic lyrics full of wit, and a relatively lo-fi sound, especially on their earlier albums.