Rock and Pop Band Coaching for all ages and abilities!
You don’t need to be a student of Blackwood Music Academy to take part. We have students taking part in our bands from Rookie Rockstars Falkirk, Brian Hurren Music Academy and all local schools, private tutors. Our adults band participants are a mixture of self taught to used to be taught and have forgot!!!!
We offer a unique service which coaches bands for adults and kids. Or how about playing in a band with your kids. It’s all possible.
Our head of rock and pop band coaching is Karen Blackwood. A classroom music teacher for over 20 years and a seasoned performer. She plays guitar, bass, piano, drum kit, trumpet, ukulele and sings. So you are in great hands.
All you need is a basic knowledge of your chosen instrument and a willingness to make music with others. Parents are encouraged to stay with kids if they’d prefer that. There will be a PA/microphones and drum kit already in the hall. All you need to bring is your instrument and amp if needed. We play a variety of gigs in various locations. Our next gig will be on the 7th of March at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert in aid of Strathcarron Hospice. If you’d like to see what we get up to please come along for a free visit and we’d love you to take part if you feel able. We hire Larbert East Church Hall for rehearsals. Adult band class (affectionately known as the old fogies band - named by the kids classes) take place from 6.45 until 7.30 on a Friday evening. We have three kids classes running on a Saturday from 11.45 until early afternoon. Our beginners class (grade 1 - grade 3), intermediate class (grade 4 - 5) and our senior band ( grade 6 upwards).
Our senior band now have their own branding of hoodies. These kids have all grown into THE best of friends and played a variety of gigs including our local care home Carrondale, a charity busking session for bowel cancer Uk and they’re already playing birthday parties and gigs at local festivals and events. They boast about 25 songs now including a variety of Christmas hits for the season just past. But, they have informed me that metal is about to become their new go to musical style! I think I killed them with Christmas hits for the care home!!!
Our beginners band range from around age 8 until approx age 14. The above videos and photos are from performing experiences at a party, our Saturday rehearsal and a charity busking session in Glasgow for bowel cancer UK. Their next gig will be a charity performance at the Dobbie Hall for Strathcarron Hospice on the 7th of March 2025. If you have a musical kid who would like to play with others then please send us a message at k-blackwood@sky.com or call 07539104230. We have piano/keyboard players, drum kit, guitar, bass and vocals. We encourage all young musicians to sing if they are comfortable to do so. Parents are also welcome to sit in on rehearsals.
The adult band class (old fogies band as named by our younger bands) have played a variety of gigs including a local social club, charity busking session and at our local care home. We have all made some friends for life and recently had our Christmas night out at the wine library in Falkirk where Karaoke was flavour of the day along with the wine of course. We have a range of abilities at band. From those who can only strum a few chords to those who like to solo. We in particular could be doing with an adult drummer. Currently we have a drummer from our younger bands standing in. We have a keyboard player, quite a few guitarists, a couple of bass players and a couple of singers. Feel free to come along to see what we get up to on a Friday night and if you’re brave enough please bring along your instrument. Usual cost is £26 per month for all band classes.