DAMN Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Hey there! I'm looking for a place to study electric in London for a while now an the places I've stumbled upon until now are: The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance Middlesex University (Popular Music) London College of Music and that's pretty much it (at least what I found) I really want to study for R&B, Jazz, Funk and Pop and not just Rock and Blues. I wanna become a very versatile and technically trained player. Does anyone know a place where I could find those kind of genres? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Have you checked these out? BIMM - diploma BIMM - degree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) I did my BMus at ICMP, and can personally highly recommend it. It got my onto the path that I’m currently on, just started my PhD at UoB. A friend started at BIMM and left, doing his final year at ICMP. His opinion was that the ICMP course was far better. If I had one criticism of the course; this is just me personally, it lacked a little bit of customisation. It was kind of this is the course, these are the modules. I was starting to do solo bass stuff, and be a little more experimental by year two, there wasn’t really the provision for that. It was the amazing composition tutor who kind of became a mentor for what I personally was doing, rather than the bass tutors. Edited November 18, 2018 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 @Silvia Bluejay @ambient It seems like BIMM and ICMP are more rock oriented, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Just now, DAMN said: @Silvia Bluejay @ambient It seems like BIMM and ICMP are more rock oriented, right? ICMP you study a different genre every 6 weeks. It takes you through blues, into rock, RnB, funk, jazz, fusion, metal, soul etc. There were modules in year two that I enjoyed, where bass was treated as an instrument rather than a role, they were very good. I recommend the course, it was definitely life changing for me. They have open days through the year. The audition was very tough. It’s a two part process, there’s an initial audition to see if you’re up to taking the full audition. The full audition has various sight reading tests, aural and transcribing tests, a harmony and theory exam, and a chance to demonstrate your personal skills by playing a solo piece of your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 My info is less up to date than @ambient's, because I did a bass course over a decade ago, when BIMM was still GuitarX (!) and based in Acton, a short walk from my home in Chiswick. In their case, too, even thrn, the course would take you through all modern genres as you go along. Worth going to an open day for both, perhaps? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Silvia Bluejay said: My info is less up to date than @ambient's, because I did a bass course over a decade ago, when BIMM was still GuitarX (!) and based in Acton, a short walk from my home in Chiswick. In their case, too, even thrn, the course would take you through all modern genres as you go along. Worth going to an open day for both, perhaps? Definitely! At the end of the day, it’s you that has to be happy. ICMP started in Acton as Basstech, Guitartech and Drumtech. I used to go once a month as a teenager for a lesson. I think where they were is where BIMM moved to? I auditioned at BIMM in Bristol at the same time as auditioning for ICMP, the audition at BIMM was a lot easier. Its been 3 years since I graduated now, the courses keep evolving. I was there last year as a guest speaker, and the course had changed since I’d left. I’m guessing it’s changed again since then, so it’s definitely best to go along, look around, meet the tutors and get a prospectus. Another thing to consider is ICMP have just moved into brand new and purpose built premises. Where they were before was good, but a bit of a compromise. Edited November 18, 2018 by ambient 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) Yes, almost immediately after my course finished, GuitarX changed its name to Guitar/Bass/DrumTech and then, later, left Acton for (IIRC) Fulham. ICMP and BIMM both evolved from that a few years later, but are now separate and independent, and have been for a long time. Edited November 18, 2018 by Silvia Bluejay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 Thanks a lot guys! Unfortunately I'm from Austria so checking out one of the schools just for one day is pretty expensive... I was wondering if you know any other places to study electric bass with more of a jazzy program? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 I know a guy who’s studying his Masters in jazz bass at the Guildhall. Birmingham conservatoire have a brilliant jazz course, a friend of mine did his degree there. They even have a little jazz club of their own. I did a workshop thing there earlier this year, they have brilliant facilities, it’s only a year or so old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 all on electric? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 36 minutes ago, DAMN said: all on electric? Yes, though I believe both, depends on what you play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Might be worth checking out Leeds College of Music's jazz courses if that is what you are interested in primarily - certainly living costs will be significantly lower than studying in London. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 2 hours ago, SubsonicSimpleton said: Might be worth checking out Leeds College of Music's jazz courses if that is what you are interested in primarily - certainly living costs will be significantly lower than studying in London. True, anywhere outside of London will be cheaper with regard to living expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg67 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 11 hours ago, SubsonicSimpleton said: Might be worth checking out Leeds College of Music's jazz courses if that is what you are interested in primarily - certainly living costs will be significantly lower than studying in London. I'm from West Yorkshire and I lived in Leeds for 15+ years, and yes it's a lot cheaper, but if you are studying music and can afford London there is sooo much more going on. I still wouldn't live there for any money, but I get why people do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 It was cheaper for me to commute each day for the three years of my degree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share Posted November 26, 2018 On 19/11/2018 at 11:22, SubsonicSimpleton said: Might be worth checking out Leeds College of Music's jazz courses if that is what you are interested in primarily - certainly living costs will be significantly lower than studying in London. Yeah I've heard about Leeds and that they have a great program there but as @adamg67 said, I would rather prefer London because of it's high amount of music being played every day. So does anyone have any experience with University of West London (London College of Music)? and again, thanks a lot guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 1 hour ago, DAMN said: Yeah I've heard about Leeds and that they have a great program there but as @adamg67 said, I would rather prefer London because of it's high amount of music being played every day. So does anyone have any experience with University of West London (London College of Music)? and again, thanks a lot guys! I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Jake Newman (on here) used to occasionally teach there. Great teacher who gave me some lessons on double bass when I was beginning. I studied at ACM (just outside London) but frequently was in London and moved there for 5 years after I graduated. Theres loads going on but once you're out of the student bubble, getting gigs is hugely competitive which is something to bare in my mind. I eventually ran out of energy and made the move to Manchester which also has a good scene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share Posted November 26, 2018 8 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said: I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Jake Newman (on here) used to occasionally teach there. Great teacher who gave me some lessons on double bass when I was beginning. I studied at ACM (just outside London) but frequently was in London and moved there for 5 years after I graduated. Theres loads going on but once you're out of the student bubble, getting gigs is hugely competitive which is something to bare in my mind. I eventually ran out of energy and made the move to Manchester which also has a good scene. Yeah looking at the tutors there it looks like a great school. Could you recommend any teachers there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 Pick whichever has the most reading and theory content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAMN Posted November 26, 2018 Author Share Posted November 26, 2018 5 minutes ago, fretmeister said: Pick whichever has the most reading and theory content. I get why you're saying that. Can you recommend any specific place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 A quick Google suggests that the following would be a good place to start: https://www.rncm.ac.uk/study-here/what-you-can-study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-music-popular-music/ https://www.bimm.co.uk/manchester/ Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 Dave Swift. http://daveswiftbass.com/teaching/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.