Free Songwriting & Guitar Workshop Open Day with AMS Edinburgh
We’re doing something a little different for our next open day…
Join our Edinburgh team on 5th June for an open day with something a little extra – a free guitar and songwriting workshop, for those budding strummers and songwriters out there! Enjoy two workshops with AMS tutors Michael Mackay and Marina Rolink, followed by a presentation about studying at AMS Edinburgh, and a Q&A session for you to ask anything and everything about our courses.
Schedule:
- 12:00: Introduction and presentation
- 12:30 – 13:30 – “Making Friends with Inspiration” Songwriting Workshop with Marina Rolink
- 13:30 – 14:30 – “Tools for the Modern Guitarist” Guitar Workshop with Michael Mackay
- 14:30 – Q&A Session: Courses and Studying at AMS Edinburgh
The presentation will cover:
- How to apply
- Fees and funding
- The audition process
- Life at AMS Edinburgh!
We will be hosting the event via Microsoft Teams. Digital invites to join the event will be sent via email once you have signed up. Sign up via the button below to secure your free slot. The workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn a bit more about us, but would be particularly relevant for those looking into potential further study at HNC/HND level.
For more information feel free to get in touch by calling 0131-656-0600 or email [email protected] if you have any questions about the event or signing up.
We look forward to meeting you all!
ARE YOU 14-19, LIVING IN SCOTLAND, WANT TO PERSUE A MUSIC CAREER?
Yes? Good. Music Plus returns for another year to offer young people free career mentoring and tuition!
Music Plus is back! The project offers 14-19 year olds living in Scotland FREE mentoring, tuition and advice across any genre of music and any career associated with the music industry. Music Plus has provided an invaluable lifeline to the young people participating during COVID giving them a creative outlet to express themselves throughout this difficult time.
WHAT IS MUSICPLUS+?
It’s a FREE mentoring scheme run by the Scottish Music Centre and supported by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative, The Robertson Trust, The PRSF Talent Development Fund and the Scottish Children’s Lottery. The aim of the project is to offer you one to one experience with music industry professionals who will offer guidance, encouragement, skills and knowledge across a range of industry roles from performance to business. We help with choices about further education and career development supplemented by helpful group sessions, workshops and seminars.
WHEN & WHERE?
Early evenings, weekends and during the holidays, in music-related venues. You will also have the chance to attend music industry events and seminars. *Currently sessions are only being held online.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Online registration is FREE and now open for those who are:
-
age 14-19
-
living in Scotland
-
involved in making any kind of music
-
interested in working in the music industry
-
haven't previously taken part in the project
Apply online at: musicplus.org.uk
More from Music Plus: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
ARE YOU 14-19, LIVING IN SCOTLAND, WANT TO PERSUE A MUSIC CAREER?
Yes? Good. Music Plus returns for another year to offer young people free career mentoring and tuition!
Music Plus is back! The project offers 14-19 year olds living in Scotland FREE mentoring, tuition and advice across any genre of music and any career associated with the music industry. Music Plus has provided an invaluable lifeline to the young people participating during COVID giving them a creative outlet to express themselves throughout this difficult time.
WHAT IS MUSICPLUS+?
It’s a FREE mentoring scheme run by the Scottish Music Centre and supported by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative, The Robertson Trust, The PRSF Talent Development Fund and the Scottish Children’s Lottery. The aim of the project is to offer you one to one experience with music industry professionals who will offer guidance, encouragement, skills and knowledge across a range of industry roles from performance to business. We help with choices about further education and career development supplemented by helpful group sessions, workshops and seminars.
WHEN & WHERE?
Early evenings, weekends and during the holidays, in music-related venues. You will also have the chance to attend music industry events and seminars. *Currently sessions are only being held online.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Online registration is FREE and now open for those who are:
-
age 14-19
-
living in Scotland
-
involved in making any kind of music
-
interested in working in the music industry
-
haven't previously taken part in the project
Apply online at: musicplus.org.uk
More from Music Plus: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Exeter Alumni Becky Grinham releases 'Lavender'
First collaborating back in early 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit, AMS Exeter Alumni Becky Grinham has teamed up with South West based producer Justin Novak to create a one-stop series of Dance Pop tracks paying homage to 80’s production, with technology and songwriting of today. The result? 'Lavender'; a gorgeous and punchy, synth-heavy and groove-inciting, Dance-Electronica Pop track, that delivers a rollercoaster of questions and emotions based on the experience of going through mental health therapy.
Out for release today (Friday 16th April), the track might just be the perfect intro to the summer, and these new freedoms we find ourselves faced with. At the same time, the track feels nostalgic – the sweeping synths and summer guitar riffs a pointed reference to the sensitive storyline portrayed by vocalist and lyricist Becky, reflective of her own personal experiences.
But ultimately 'Lavender' is a soundtrack for everyday life with its ups and downs. As the last 12 months have shown us, there really is “light at the end of the tunnel” – and this sentiment really pinpoints the hazy, summery feel of the track.
Of the track, Becky says, "Justin created the most magical, hard-hitting instrumental influenced by his love for 80’s production, but there was this emotional undertone that I could feel pulling me in that I really wanted to bring out through the vocals and lyrics. I was going through CBT at the time and was trailing different forms of meditation, but completely unknown to me until last year, apparently songwriting is a great form of therapy! Lavender is about finding your inner calm, what makes you feel at peace with yourself, practice of meditation – whatever you interpret that is good for your mental health. For me that is blissful dreams, the 5,4,3,2,1 anxiety grounding technique and now songwriting. As for the vocals, I really tuned into an emotional delivery but still wanted to keep its' elements of Dance and Pop music."
'Lavender' will be part of a series of songs to be continued. So be sure to watch this space...
'Lavender' is released on the 16th of April 2021 and is available to stream in all the usual places.
#LavenderDreaming
Read what the press have said...
Hear Justin’s insight…
I wanted to explore the sounds of the 80’s and give my personal interpretation on that era with a modern sound. The drums for Lavender are based heavily on the Roland TR-808 with additional drums coming from the Linn drum and other popular drum machines from that decade. The synths I used in the record were the Korg Polysix, MonoPoly and the SH-101. I did a lot of research on how sounds were processed and manipulated at that time.. Of course I don’t have all the gear that was used to make records back then! However I made heavy use of emulations that similarly effect the sounds like tape and analog distortion and not shy of a decent amount of plate and gated reverb!
Justin Links: @JustinNovakOfficial
Becky Links: @BeckyGrinhamVocals / https://linktr.ee/BeckyGrinhamMusic
Read our interview with Becky Grinham on the AMS Blog here.
Our Fast-Track scheme to get ahead in 2021
Out of music work? Lost out on gigging? Now more than ever, might just be the perfect time for musicians to hop onto a flexible online music course, a chance to expand existing skills and get ahead of the game when things open up again.
At AMSonline, we understand that for many aspiring musicians, time is precious and juggling aspirations with life’s other responsibilities can be a challenge. Through a unique Fast-Track process, AMSonline saves students valuable time by rewarding hard work and real-life experiences and mapping these against the earlier years of an Online BA (Hons) course.
This means FAST-TRACK entry into the final year of the BA (Hons) qualification. Students may achieve a BA (Hons) degree in as little as 2 Semesters full-time (26 weeks) or 3 Semesters part-time (39 weeks), without the need for formal prior qualifications.
Anyone with extensive experience (5yrs+) as a performer, songwriter, producer, publisher, tour manager, artist representation, audio engineer, festival organiser, business owner, composer, teacher, and many others professions and occupations, is welcome to apply for the scheme. All relevant experience can count towards Fast-Tracking.
For anyone interested in developing a career in formal teaching, achieving a BA(Hons) is a must-have step in gaining a postgraduate certificate of education. Having an honours degree could also help you progress much more quickly to M.Mus level, which you may need for a variety of careers in the industry such as Music Therapy.
A message from Principal:
We believe that this presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the music business to up- skill and be able to add a potential new income stream to their earnings as a musician. Perhaps, at a time when the music business has been hit harder than most through the pandemic, it is important to ignore Government advice to re-train as a plumber or some-such but instead to add to an existing musical skill set. All Participants are eligible for a Student Loan to cover the tuition fees providing they meet the criteria.
Please come aboard and join us. Is it time your Music Industry experience was recognised Academically and helped provide real options for your future?
Steve Ryan
Principal, The Academy of Music and Sound
Announcing our new Hip-Hop Free Mini Workshop with Steg G!
Love hip-hop or rap? Want to expand your skills? Considering further study? Come along to our free mini-hip-hop workshop with popular Scottish rapper and AMS tutor Steg G.
Gain an introduction into hip-hop and rap, and studying at AMS Edinburgh or Glasgow at this upcoming one-off mini-workshop. The 2 hour session acts as an introduction to our Hip-Hop and Rap course pathway, part of our accredited HNC/HNC qualification. Attendees will learn some basic hip-hop, rap and beat-making skills, plus get a run down on what our HNC/HND course entails, including the hip-hop specific pathway.
You will also have the chance to ask general questions about studying at AMS (Scotland – Edinburgh or Glasgow) and learn about the courses we offer, in particular the HNC/HND where students get the chance to focus particularly on hip-hop and rap. Sign up to get the Zoom link sent straight to your inbox.
Event Programme
- What is Rap? A brief history and how to start rapping
- Rap techniques for beginners: different kinds of rap and poetry
- Lean about techniques such as end rhymes and internal rhymes
- How to structure and arrange a rap song
- Finding your rap voice
- Freestyle lessons: how to freestyle and expand your rhyme
- Vocabulary: Advanced rap techniques such as assonance, alliteration and multi syllabic rhymes
- Beat making: Introduction to beat making software and hardware
- Introduction to sampling
- Introduction to midi beat-making
- Performance techniques and tips
- Introduction and Q&A to the AMS HNC/HND Course
Steg G
Steg is a Hip Hop Artist from Glasgow. In 2019 he released the album THE AIR IN BETWEEN and in October 2019 won Best Hip Hop artist at the SAMA awards. For the last few years he has been producing for lots of artists such as Loki, Freestyle Master, Empress, CCTV, Stanley Odd, Mad hat, and many more, helping them shine and showcasing their talents. In 2020 he fully produced the – Empress – Love wins album which was released in June 2020 year to critical acclaim. This year (2021) Steg G released his latest album – Live Today . The album is a concept / story that was wrote and produced around the themes of toxic masculinity and addictions.
Hip-Hop at AMS Scotland
Our new Hip-Hop and Rap HNC/HND pathway launched in 2020 – the first music college to run this option – and it has become incredibly popular. It offers weekly classes covering songwriting techniques, style analysis and live performance to improve technical aptitude and theoretical understanding.
Our team have been working diligently with industry professionals to finally provide this course in an area typically overlooked in music education. Alongside this we also run regular free hip-hop short courses each term. Find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Applying
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Delivery
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Finance
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Fast Track
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Certification
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
AMS Gateshead announce 3 new online open events!
The team at AMS Gateshead have just announced 3 course open evenings in February and March.
The upcoming open events will be specific for each of the courses at our Gateshead centre – RSL Level 3 for 16-18 year olds, and our undergraduate qualifications, the Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, and the BA (Hons) top-up year in Music & Sound.
Our BA top-up year is the final year of a BA, designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree. Those with relevant industry experience may be eligible to fast-track onto this final year without necessary having any prior formal qualifications. We value real-life industry experience, and believe you should be rewarded for working hard in the sector.
Sign up via the links below if you’re interested in attending one of the events with the AMS Gateshead team! You’ll get the Zoom video link (which will go live on the day) sent straight to your inbox! Each event will include an informative presentation, Q&A session and performances from staff/students.
RSL Level 3 Diploma
24th February 2021
SIGN UP
Foundation Degree in Music & Sound
3rd March 2021
SIGN UP
BA Hons Top-up Degree in Music & Sound
10th March 2021
SIGN UP
Missed out on our HNC open event? Don't fret, another one is coming!
Missed out on our last open day? Not to worry – There’s another chance to join our Edinburgh team for an insight into the HNC in Music on Wednesday 3rd March!
Last week saw over 30 attend our most recent HNC online open event. There was great performances from current AMS Edinburgh students, a digital presentation about the HNC course, what you can expect from a course at AMS, and all the details on how to apply and when. But if you missed out, don’t worry. There’s another chance to attend an open day in a few weeks.
Wednesday 3rd March 20201: Via Zoom, our friendly team will guide attendees through all aspects of the HNC course (starting in September 2021) covering all you need to know about the course content and requirements. We will host this event on Zoom with invites to join this event via email once you have signed up.
Find out about:
- How to apply
- Fees and funding
- The audition process
- Life at AMS Edinburgh!
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out what it’s like to be part of our team. You will also be treated to wonderful performances from some of our talented students and staff!
Schedule:
- 17:00 – 17:30 – Introduction and Q&A Session
- 17:30 – 18:00 – Performances
- 18:00 – Fin
If you require further information please feel free to get in touch by calling 0131-656-0600 or alternatively email [email protected]
We look forward to meeting you all!