This lockdown is dragging a bit, isn't it? The grim weather meaning we're less inclined to go outside for our exercise, the continued uncertainty of when it'll end and the fact that January/February is usually a bit rubbish anyway. But, I'm determined for some good to come out of this horrible time, so...it's time for the student album to raise money for charity!
The plan is simple: each of my students are set a tempo (somewhere between 60 BPM and 170 BPM), I'm lucky enough to have plenty of students so it's roughly 4-5 students per BPM. The student then grooves to it, writing their own rhythm (under my guidance/encouragement in a lesson), not being restricted to just one pattern and quite often fill-heavy if they are able. Whatever they come up with, it's totally unique to them, their own creativity. Everything is recorded virtually and sent over to me. I then piece it all together, to create interesting rhythmic soundscapes. Interesting rhythmic soundscapes...that sounds pretentious! But it won't be, it'll rock...
It's essential that students get used to playing to a click (metronome) anyway as it obviously helps timekeeping, but it can often feel so boring. Recording an album at the same time makes everything so much more exciting!
And then what happens? With these interesting, and I imagine crazy, rhythms all combined and clashing (in a good way) all over the place, we're inviting guest musicians to improvise over the top of it. You'll be given an agreed key and obviously I'll let you know the tempo and you'll do your magical thing. Guests vocalists welcome, too. We're going to create a bold, imaginative album that changes in feel, in style and it'll do a lot of good. Why? Because it'll be released as a charity album for The Trussell Trust - who help stop hunger in the UK. ALL money raised from it will go straight to the charity (I'll pay for distribution costs myself), by making music, we can save lives whilst learning at the same time.
So, I'm pretty good for drummers, thanks, but we need musicians. Lots of them. As many as possible. I want this to be a nightmare to mix, because it'll be fun. Who's in? We're going to create a masterpiece, promise!
Drop me an email if you're a musician who's amazing at improvising/riffing over a set tempo/key and it'll be wonderful to have you involved!
My email is: thepaulrichards@gmail.com