http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:32:26GMT http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day/weblogs/chris_j_day/opus_day/ahhh hey sir, i missed you today as i had to dash to an orthodotist appointment before you arrived in school, is there anyway you can send me a copy of the guitar music i need to *&^%$*&^$%@*&^%$*&^$? if you could that would be great! cheers jade *&^%$*&^$% Mon, 12 Jun 2006 10:48:00GMT http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day/weblogs/chris_j_day/opus_day/blog I've enjoyed the blog. How about some tracks by Fish for the soul band, oh dear i think I am a bit confused........... Thu, 08 Jun 2006 09:12:36GMT http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day/weblogs/chris_j_day/opus_day/welcome I really enjoyed your first blog. Welcome. Tue, 06 Jun 2006 08:57:34GMT http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day/weblogs/chris_j_day/opus_day/aringarosa_calling_silas Apprentice? "You're ..............."........just kidding. Too kind my dear boy. Glad to see you're up and running. I look forward to keeping up with your blog. How about some Celice Dion numbers for the Soul Band? Mon, 05 Jun 2006 23:17:57GMT http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/chris_j_day/weblogs/chris_j_day/opus_day <p> Does Exc-el really need another blog by a guitar teacher? </p> <p> Well it seems not! After two weeks of technical difficulties I was begining to think there was dark forces conspiring against me.<br />David Gilmour (Exc-el guru and not, to my knowledge, of Pink Floyd fame) suggests that I should 'publish and be dammed' rather that all this saving a draft to refine nonsense - which seemed to be causing the problems. Un-refined and without the use of the editor commands (Won't work on my ibook) - fingers crossed this time.<br /> </p> <p> I was inspired to 'blog' after reading Alan Coady's informative and humorous offerings, I decided to join him in 'reaching out through the ether'. In comparision to Alan's years of experience I'm relatively new to the Instrumental Instructor's life. </p> <p> Could I be Alan's Apprentice? ('With out a doubt, I'm your Apprentice' etc) </p> <p> Watch this space! </p> <p> As an itinerant guitar teacher, (straddling the highways and byways of EL searching for the 'lost chord') you do get a privileged overview of different approaches to education. Each school has it's own 'vibe' when you walk through the door. Exploring this, and other related topics, I hope will make interesting reading as well as a tool for my own reflective practice. </p> <p> Some highlights of last couple of weeks.... </p> <p> New Pupils </p> <p> Always exciting! I've taken on a 2nd year pupil at Ross High with an obbsesion with Jimi Hendrix. He's fantastic and I can't wait to work up 'Hey Joe' etc.<br />Another pupil has been asking me for guitar lessons every break and lunchtime for the last year. I've finally got him on the timetable. My background is in social inclusion - it pains me that being an Instrumental Instructor sometimes involves an element of 'exclusion'. <br />I'm sure I write a lot more on this and the selection process! (Incidentally - I failed the test to play a musical instrument when I was at school! I took my guitar in anyway and played the riff for 'Paperback Writer' outside the music room for six weeks until the guitar teacher invited me in.)<br /> </p> <p> Dunbar Grammar Soul Band </p> <p> After school on a Monday. I happened to mention covering a Stevie Wonder song - without a breath the bass player jumps into the riff for 'Higher Ground' after which the drummer nails the groove for 'Superstition'. I'm constantly amazed at the talent in our schools. </p> <p> Ross High Soul Band </p> <p> After school on Thursday. The band came in especially, (they were all on 'study timetable') we set about the Sam and Dave classic, 'Soul Man'. What I did notice was that their playing was 'looser' and 'funkier' than usual - was this because they were not in uniform? Can you play 'soul' in a school uniform? Discuss. </p> <p> Preston Lodge - Japan Project </p> <p> Three Concerts/Exhibitions </p> <p> Joint 1st year venture with Music, Drama, Art and I think, Home Economics and Geography Departments.<br />I love being involved in the wider school. I was drafted in to play along with an ensemble performing arrangements of Japanese music (a first for me). <br />Hats in the 'off' position to all involved - including Vera Hoben for overall production, Linda Sinclair for the Music arrangements and of course the pupils.<br /> </p> <p> Well I'm tempted to set the alarm clock to 06:06:06 tomorow being the 06/06/06 just to see what happens..... </p> <p> Dark Forces indeed! </p>