Rockschool!

[Pete Academy]

Does anyone remember Rockschool from the 80s? I used to love it. Do you think a similar programme would work these days, or has YouTube killed the idea?

[Musky]

Yeah, I remember that. I had the book that came out under the name as well - it covered guitar, bass and drums. I didn't look too closely at the bass section as I'd already been playing 4 years, but it was very handy for learning a bit of guitar.

I'm not sure a TV programme would really work now, as you've said, because of youtube.

[YouMa]

they are all on youtube if you have a look. Deidre with her synth axe and the very shy and excellent henry thomas with his bass.

Edited July 29, 2009 by YouMa

[Pete Academy]

Henry was my hero, especially as he used to dress up in the style of music they covered. I remember him doing a Country and Western slap part way before Stu Hamm did.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

A keyboard friend of mine got a load of the rockschool dvds from the bay.
I remember it,but missed lots because that was the time when I was out
watching bands regularly . (Don't think I had vhs then)

The reason I don't think it would work now is that, apart from the way TV has gone down the pan
big time (imho) many kids could make'' music'' on pc's etc.and have alot more choice
than we did . It seems easier to make music than ever before. Or am I wrong?

[Pete Academy]

Just been watching some of the original progs on YT. Where's Henry these days?

[YouMa]

He still teaches i think,he used to be in the back of the uk bassist magazine.

[Pete Academy]

We need a Bring Back Henry Thomas campaign.

[steve-soar]

I bought his "Beginners Bass Book", with cassette.

Which I promptly chucked in the corner of my room 'cause I 'ated all those f***in' musos.

Years later, I dug it out and started to teach myself some theory.

[leftybassman392]

The Rockshool exams are an offshoot of that series. If I remember correctly Alan Limbrick (of Guitar Institute fame) was also one of he co-founders. In fact Deirdre Cartwright continues to be very active with the Rockschool exam series, as does Henry himself.

[Johngh]

I remember it well, they use to play Westone guitars I think.

[MB1]

MB1.
Henry definately played a Westone Thunder (2a possibly) bass through a Dynacord bass combo!.

[doctor_of_the_bass]

[quote name='Johngh' post='555739' date='Jul 29 2009, 11:15 PM']I remember it well, they use to play Westone guitars I think.[/quote]

Absolutely - Henry had a couple of Thunder IIIAs- super bass player! Deidre lacked feel imho - very clever player but just felt that she could have let rip a bit more! Geoff Nicholls was great - nice drummer.

[doctor_of_the_bass]

[quote name='MB1' post='555787' date='Jul 30 2009, 12:28 AM']MB1.
Henry definately played a Westone Thunder (2a possibly) bass through a Dynacord bass combo!.[/quote]

He then went onto use Alligator gear! And a Roland synth bass!

[YouMa]

He taught me on his video for learning bass,but being stoners at the time me and my best mate used to just take the piss out of him,until he did his seriously funky slap cop chase solo at the end,jools holland introduced the video. Happy daze

Edited July 30, 2009 by YouMa

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='555790' date='Jul 30 2009, 12:33 AM']He then went onto use Alligator gear! And a Roland synth bass![/quote]

Alligator! No!! Bad, bad memories!

[OldGit]

I remember it a bit like those Open University courses, a bit stiff and stifled.
i used to go and see Deirdre play in the band "The Guest Stars" and she was a lot better in a gig situation ..
Re: would it work today? No, I don't think so. Too many DVD, online and Youtoob lessons around (lucky blighters)

[BigRedX]

Never appealed to me at the time. I was seriously post-punk and didn't need no stinkin' teachers to show me how to make music, plus I was mostly playing synth in those days.

[dave_bass5]

For me the most memorable episode was the one with the Gary Moore interview.
All those Fx pedals, all that hissing when he turned them on and all those funny faces he pulled. Classic.

Edited July 30, 2009 by dave_bass5

[Doddy]

I've got the original Rockschool book.

[leschirons]

Had my very first bass lesson with Henry Thomas at his house. Great player, sh*te taste in wallpaper.

[mob12]

Rockschool was highlight of the week, Henry`s cassete and book landed on my doorstep, don`t think it would work now as you have easy access to you tube and any bass tab you want a song for online, suppose its the way to go if you only want to play the things you like without going down the theory road

[Marky L]

I seem to remember one ep, in the 2nd series maybe, where the drummer seemed to get a bit of an arse on about electronic drums and in particular programable drum machines as if they were the begining of the end for real drummers.