Stoke LA – Music suite using hi-tech hook-ups for lessons
A NEW music suite has been created offering residents the chance to learn how to play electric guitars, keyboards and drums.
The facility, at the Bridge Centre in Birches Head, is available to everyone in Stoke-on-Trent.
Using new “Gigajam” software, the City Music and Performing Arts Service will be able to teach people how to get involved in music and play different instruments with the aid of cutting-edge computer programmes.
Instruments are plugged into each of the suite’s 16 computers. Those playing the instruments are able to record a piece of music before Gigajam tells the musician which sections of the music they got wrong, and helps them to correct any mistakes.
Lord Mayor Councillor Jean Bowers said: “This is a wonderful facility for young and old alike to use, and the tuition they receive is also excellent.”
In addition to Gigajam, the City Music and Performing Arts Service is also hosting classes using popular “Wii Music” and “Rock Band” games for budding musicians.
Ruth Steele, ICT and music specialist at the service, said: “We’ve found it’s a really exciting and useful way of teaching people how to play, especially if they’re familiar with the games themselves.
“We can put the game screens on a big screen meaning we can have a whole class of people learning at the same time.”
For more details, call 01782 233794 or 233796.