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From little acorns, oak trees grow. A chance meeting on the sunny island of Lanzarote in 1990 has led to a great musical and business success story. Stuart Bull (one half of the founding team) was playing guitar to a blues backing track in a tourist bar Kim Waller (the other half of the team, and an aspiring guitarist) watched him perform and was suitably impressed. Later, Kim approached Stuart to make a backing track for his own personal use, which he did. Kim then discovered his playing improved in leaps and bounds. This gave the pair a great idea....
A mere six months after their original meeting, Kim and Stuart formed Total Accuracy. They produced full-band CD backing tracks of original blues and rock styles for guitarists to practice and improvise over. This was later expanded to include classic rock, pop and blues songs, coming complete with full guitar tablature and two versions of each song on the CD. One is complete with the guitar part - to hear what it should sound like - and one professional backing track where the guitar is missing, so you can fill it in.
Total Accuracy went on to become the world’s foremost producer of backing track driven tutorials for guitarists, winning awards and becoming the market leader in just eight short years.
“In 1998 we made a conscious decision to create our identity on the web” says Kim “the concept of a library of licks and riffs explained in a video download format seemed to be the most engaging form of tuition after private lessons with a pro”
Hence the rebranding of the company as Lick Library to identify with a library of resources for guitarists on the internet. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, becoming the benchmark by which other tutorial methods (the Licklibrary DVD catalogue), and other educational websites are measured.
“Our mission is to provide the best possible experience for musicians of all levels to learn their chosen instrument, benefit from the wisdom of world class tutors, interact with other musicians worldwide, and on a global level be able source a wide range of entertainment and resources based around streaming media, such as product demos, live gigs, and of course shopping for any educational material.
A central component of this business model is streaming media, which for the educational content is far more engaging than reading TAB, and for elements such as product reviews adds a whole new dimension to the experience.
We chose to upgrade the media streaming for all the tutorial content as we feel it is important to engage our users by having the best streaming media delivery available. Many people still believe internet based video to be a few jerky images, so when they see a 700k stream from our site they quickly realise that it is a remarkable experience, and they understand that video on the internet is a viable user experience today. It is now possible to watch lessons for a wide range of tracks from Hank Marvin to Steve Vai streamed in an ‘online TV’ format from our server.
Other spin offs such as live band performances, interviews etc are are obvious additions to the mission statement for this online community and education centre. In some ways it is a traditional TV style concept, but with the added attraction of being able to watch what you want, when you want.
The latest reinvention of the site sees us launching many new community features... my personal favourite is a Lickspace area where users can upload video material of themselves, and with the forthcoming addition of bass and drums as new categories in the licklibrary community we expect this to become a hugely popular meeting point for musicians to share and showcase their talent.
Licklibrary TV is the first broadband TV channel for musicians offering this level in media delivery. Site members have an ‘all access’ pass to a great site containing a continually expanding archive of guitar tutorials, technique tips and products to make them better guitarist.
A manufacturer has the opportunity to demonstrate their products in a way that will make it more interesting and enjoyable for the audience. Anyone browsing the site has the opportunity of seeing and hearing how a particular product performs in streaming video format, which is far more engaging than a sterile magazine advert.
As for the future… well, we’ll just keep on providing a great service to musicians and improving our service wherever we can and whenever technology allows. Until somebody invents a hologram of Eddie Van Halen that teaches you guitar solos in your front room, in my opinion Licklibrary offers the best educational methods out there whether online or on DVD.
By the end of 1965 a production of 40 amplifiers and 100 cabinets per week was unable to reduce the growing back orders. Demand, fuelled by the appointment of a distribution company, exploded. The world was crying out for more Marshall. The solution was another move. Marshall now moved to Bletchley, Buckinghamshire into 7000 sq.ft. Export sales grew as the success of British bands spread abroad. Throughout the 1960's Marshall sound powered the most influential and original guitar players. From Pete Townshend with The Who, Eric Clapton with his distinctive Bluesbreaker tone, then with Cream; to Ritchie Blackmore with Deep Purple and the greatest ambassador of all, Jimi Hendrix. With his prodigious guitar talent, he used the power of Marshall as a creative tool and as an extension to the instrument itself. 1968 and the sales explosion created the need for greater capacity. A 14000 sq.ft. purpose built factory was opened and at last the world market stood a chance of fulfilment. Investment in massive PA systems powered the tours of many early 70's “super groups”. Multi coloured Marshalls appeared and the product range expanded.
By 1975 the first transistor heads were introduced, followed by the first Master Volumes in 1976. Guitar styles soon adapted to squeeze the most from this extension of the Marshall sound. Here began the quest for gain which continues to this day.
1981 saw the end of the 15 year distribution contract and the introduction of the JCM 800 Series. We were now fully back in control of our own destiny, with phenomenal products, another demand explosion occurred. The long awaited Split Channel amplifier came in 1982 and was an instant success, with it's incredible flexibility and distortion control; the world loved it!
One of the proudest moments for Jim and the company came in 1984 with the presentation of the Queens Award for Export Achievement. This was followed by the move to our present site, where a staff of 90 now occupied 50000 sq.ft. Another personal triumph for Jim was his induction into the Hollywood Guitar Centre Walk of Rock in 1985.
The road from my workshop in a historic, haunted Annapolis garret to a state-of-the-art factory was a tough one. Fact is, I always loved working with my hands. Why else would a high school kid sign up for three or four shop classes at a time? My first guitar was built as a challenge to my college music professor for some credits. I got an “A” and decided to pursue my dream of making guitars for a living.
There were a lot of late night brainstorms. I was lucky if I finished a guitar a month. Once a guitar was completed, I’d play it at a gig — field testing in the purest sense. Every design change taught me something new. The next change was built on what I had learned or on feedback from other players test driving the equipment. Over ten years we went through three headstocks, several renditions of body shapes, many tremolo designs, and many experiments with woods and construction methods to get the right mix.
I remember hanging out at the local concert arenas for six or seven hours before a show to make friends with the roadies. With a backstage pass in hand, I’d peddle my guitars to the stars. One night in ten I’d make a sale. Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, Howard Leese, and other well known players agreed to check one out. I made deals. If someone gave me an order, made a deposit, and then didn’t love the finished guitar, I’d give them their deposit back even if I couldn’t make my rent the next day.
After getting a small following and orders for more than 50 guitars, we built two prototypes. I popped them in the back seat of my truck and cranked it up, calling on guitar dealers up and down the East Coast. After many days and many miles I came back with enough orders to start a company. With the support of my wife, skilled assistants, engineers, lawyers, top salesmen, artists, machinists, and friends who emptied their bank accounts to help me get started, we developed a strong team.
We’ve come a long way, with steady growth in factory capacity, employees, distribution, and the number of prominent artists using our instruments. We’re not stopping here. Every inch of your PRS guitar is based on decades of testing, rethinking, and reinventing. We continue to push the curve beyond what others would consider perfection. With experts to make sure the technology is unsurpassed, and dedicated craftspeople who guarantee a finished product you can’t keep your hands off of, we make no compromises. That’s the story of the beginning of the journey. Not so short, but very sweet. The moral? Believe in your dreams.
Rockschool is the original rock music exam board. We offer rock musicians the opportunity to get the same qualifications that classical music can get. All our Graded Music Exams have original repertoire, encourage improvisation and have an element of free choice so you can play the music you love AND get a qualification. We are committed to making music examinations, practical, flexible and fun.
We offer a range of practical qualifications tailored to suit musicians of all abilities and aspirations. If you have the ambition, we have the qualification for you. Find out more
Our Teaching Diplomas are endorsed by the Musicians Union and offer skilled and experienced musicians the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification in Music Teaching. These qualifications have been developed alongside teaching and regulatory bodies with the practicalities of teaching in mind. Seasoned musicians wanting to supplement their performance with teaching or wishing to become a full or part-time teacher in schools or the further education sectors will find the Teaching Diploma a great match.
The Teaching Diploma was designed with you in mind. Its straightforward relaxed nature means you can complete the majority of your work alongside a busy lifestyle, and in the comfort of your own home via distance learning. The qualification provides an excellent entry point to further training beyond Level 6.
Start your career in music teaching today
Our Performance Diplomas are the next step for any Grade 8 musicians wanting to start a career in Music Performance. If you have a real passion for your instrument and want to progress and perform at a professional level then the Performance Diploma is perfect for you. In an industry with ever increasing demands and competition you will not only be trained to deliver consistency and professionalism in your playing but to also think about self promotion and the demands of the industry.
All our Diplomas come accredited by the qualifications regulators of England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Ofqual, DCELLS, CCEA & SQA
Take the step-up to a career in music performance Performance Diplomas
We also offer world famous Grade and Performance exams from Debut to Grade 8 in:
Brush-up on your guitar licks today with a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate from Rockschool.
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Ultimate Performance, Rock Artistry & English Excellence… Jaden Rose Guitars
Designed and built to the highest standards in Cambridge, England – a city built upon scholars, the education of Kings, and scientific discoveries that changed the world - a new force in rock guitars has emerged...
Jaden Rose Guitars feature the finest tone woods, hardware, pickups and cutting edge designs with quality and meticulous craftsmanship: every guitar is made entirely by luthier and guitar designer Jaden Rose, resulting in the best of hand built quality and personal attention to detail combined with state of the art tooling and CNC machinery. This ensures perfect replication and precision for each and every guitar built.
Frustrated as a player by the limitations of production guitars that just missed the mark, Jaden Rose launched the Jaden Rose Guitars Company in 2007 to provide an alternative choice for the discerning guitarist who requires the performance and consistency of the major rock brands, but also welcome the personal touch that a custom builder can provide.
Jaden Rose Guitars produces no more than 200 guitars a year and every guitar is set up and checked by Jaden personally - nothing is commissioned or sub-contracted to guitar factories abroad ensuring a world class consistency and quality.
Jaden Rose guitars are played and road tested by professional guitarists in the real world: from pub and club gigs, to festival and stadium shows, home recording situations to pro studio sessions: this research and development process ensures that every Jaden Rose guitar will perform to the highest standards.
Guitars are available with unconventional features and innovations such as multi-scale extended ranges, ‘true temperament frets’, and the inlaying of entire guitar bodies with exotic woods. No valid approach is frowned upon, and all options are considered by a focused team who ensure that the original vision and aims of the customer's dream guitar is realised.
The critical acclaim from leading guitar magazines from all over the world – including Guitarist and Guitar Buyer (UK), Gtr (Germany) and many others was universal: 5 stars and Gold Awards aplenty confirmed that Jaden Rose Guitars had well and truly arrived!
To expand upon the success of his main lines, in 2010 Jaden brought a new concept to Jaden Rose Guitars: a new range that would bring no functional compromises or outsourced labour to the equation, maintain the original series world beating playability, sound , design and quality - but at a more affordable price bracket. The Series 2 range was received to the same public and critical acclaim as the original models, has enjoyed success in both its 6 and 7-string variations, and attracted many new players.
Jaden Rose Guitars customizable range of guitars quickly evolved to accommodate 7 and 8-string guitars, designed to attract not only metal players - to whom such instruments have become increasingly popular – but also the extended range and multiscale community of guitarists from Jazz, Fusion and Rock through to World Music and beyond…
Today Jaden Rose Guitars continue to expand and develop their line, maintaining the principles upon which the company was founded: quality, precision, an extensive and on- going ‘real world’ research and design program with top players consulting on all aspects, and the meticulous crafting and attention to detail in the Cambridge factory – and always under Jaden's watchful eye…
In the near future we can look forward to many new high profile endorsees and users from all genres of music ensuring that Jaden Rose will soon become the choice for the discerning axeman!
The Institute is widely recognised as one of Europe’s leading schools of modern music. Established almost a quarter of a century ago, the Institute has been developing and delivering cutting-edge courses to students of contemporary music for longer than any other UK-based school. Originally known as the Guitar Institute and Basstech, the school has built its reputation on providing world class teaching using the very best teachers and state-of-the-art facilities. It now offers a range of professional courses including a 3-year Degree (BMus), a 2-year Foundation Degree in creative musicianship or songwriting, a fully-funded 1-year Diploma, a specialist 1-year Higher Diploma, a Professional Diploma in Songwriting plus a wide portfolio of part-time courses designed to meet a variety of training needs for guitarists, bass players, drummers, vocalists and songwriters. Past or present Institute students can be found everywhere, touring with the likes of Moby and The Noisettes, playing with bands like Radiohead and Babyshambles and artists like Eric Clapton and Kylie Minogue, and also working as teachers all over the world.
For over 25 years, musicians have been coming from all over the world to study at London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Hundreds of guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists and songwriters every year take advantage of its world-class teaching faculty, outstanding facilities and great industry connections. The Institute offers a range of courses including A BMus Degree, Diploma and Higher Diplomas, Foundation Degree and Part-time certificates.
Full and partial scholarships are available for Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals as well as the Steve Vai Scholarship for Guitar.
Alongside their studies, students have the opportunity to participate in a range of visits, workshops with industry partners, and regular masterclasses with leading musicians and vocalists. Previous guests for guitar masterclasses include Wes Borland (Limp Biskit), John Petrucci, Carl Verheyen, Jamiroquai’s band and Greg Howe.
Students are offered a range of performance opportunities, including open mic nights, showcases, band competitions and gigs at festivals and venues such as Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Southbank Centre.
The Institute works with a range of organisations to support students’ career development and is regularly approached to arrange auditions for artist agencies and signed bands.
The Institute has so much going in its favour, for example
Faith Guitars are Acoustic Guitars designed in the UK by Patrick James Eggle. Faith Guitars are the choice of thousands of musicians around the world. Made from nothing but all-solid tone-woods, Faith Guitars sound great amplified or unplugged. Electronics are provided courtesy of Shadow Electronics, Germany.
Faith Guitars are the acoustics of choice for many top artists including Paul Smith and Duncon Lloyd from Maximo Park, Tom from The Enemy, Irwin from The Hoosiers, country legend Beth Neilsen Chapman and many others.
Blackstar have sponsored Guitar Idol since 2008
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