NQ Music: Rock and Pop
Overview
"It all started here" - Lewis Capaldi, former student
Play! Record! Perform! Start where Lewis started.
Our NC Music: Rock & Pop course is for musicians who are serious about getting better. You'll rehearse in our dedicated music rooms and labs at Motherwell Campus, taught by a team of practising industry professionals.
Then you'll take it out of the classroom. You'll perform at showcases in Glasgow venues including Box, The Classic Grand and Ivory Blacks, and record your music in our recording studios.
The music industry is competitive, and the musicians who get ahead are the ones who put in the hours. This course gives you the space, the facilities and the people to do exactly that, and prepares you to progress to further study in music performance.
Entry
You'll need two National 5 passes, or equivalent. Music and English are useful subjects to have, but they're not essential.
We'll also consider a mix of National 4 and National 5 qualifications, so if you're not sure whether you qualify, it's always worth applying.
No formal qualifications? Relevant experience can be considered instead, whether that's gigging, playing in a band or writing your own material.
Your audition
Everyone who applies comes in for an audition and a short interview. It's a chance for us to hear you play and for you to ask us anything about the course.
What to prepare
Two contrasting pieces on your main instrument or voice. One can be your own composition, and for the second we'll give you a Grade 3 Rockschool piece to learn.
Your main instrument should be guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, saxophone or vocals. Please bring backing tracks where you can, as a YouTube link or audio file.
On the day
Bring copies of any qualifications you have, and a passport-sized photograph.
Learn
This is a practical course. You'll spend your time playing, writing, recording and performing, with the skills to back it up.
One-to-one lessons
You'll get individual lessons on your main instrument, guitar, bass, drums, vocals or piano and keyboard, from tutors who are still working in the music industry.
Perform every week
Weekly performance classes in our fully-equipped rehearsal studios build your confidence and stagecraft, and you'll play regularly at venues across Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. You'll also gain real ensemble experience playing in bands and groups, learning how to lock in with other musicians.
Write your own music
Songwriting classes help you develop your own material and find your voice as a writer, whether you're writing alone or with others.
Understand the music behind the music
Theory and history classes deepen your understanding of style and musicianship. Whatever your background or training, our theory classes are designed to work for everyone, from complete beginners to grade-trained musicians.
Learn the business
Classes in live events and music business skills cover how the industry actually works, so you understand contracts, promotion and getting paid, not just playing.
Modules include
Music: Live Performance · Music: Songwriting · Music: Solo Performance (instrument/voice) · MIDI Sequencing · Creative Project · Music: Management in the Music Industry
Where can I go from here?
Graduates of this course will be able to go directly into the following courses:
