Tips on selecting instruments and equipment; a tour of the Gibson guitar factory in Nashville, Tenn.; comments from John Taylor of Duran Duran and a performance clip of bassist Stanley Clarke.
Methods of tuning guitars, basses and drums tips from John Entwistle (formerly of the Who), Bootsy Collins (formerly of Parliament Funkadelic), Ian Paice (Deep Purple) and reggae drummer Sly Dunbar. Host: Herbie Hancock.
Tips on basic technique include handling drumsticks, the use of picks and string damping. Among the artists featured are Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic); John Taylor (Duran Duran); Carl Palmer (Asia); Larry Graham (formerly of Graham Central Station).
How to play the blues is demonstrated by B.B. King and Chet Atkins. Topics include the blues scale, chord structures, bass lines and string-bending techniques. Also appearing: Status Quo, Nile Rodgers (Chic).
An episode about heavy metal focuses on amplification effects, power chords and soloing techniques. clips of Jimi Hendrix, Iron Maiden and Motorhead; and a demonstration by Ian Paice (Deep Purple).
Elements of funk are demonstrated, including guitar chops, chord inversions, drum fills and syncopation. Featured: Bootsy Collins (Parliament Funkadelic); Larry Graham (formerly of Graham Central Station); Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (Chic).
An episode about reggae focuses on dub methods, the basic one-drop rhythmic pattern and variations. Featured: Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and Dennis Bovell.
An episode that explains future trends in music features Carl Palmer (Asia) and clips of the Police, Gang of Four, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Host: Herbie Hancock.
After the last show a studio audience of young people was invited to take part in a discussion with the show's presenters.
How electronic developments have affected music includes the history of the synthesizer. Guests include Tony Banks and Rick Wakeman.
How to use MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), sequencers and drum machines. Guests include drummer Omar Hakim and keyboard player Vince Clarke.
An explanation of melody focuses on chord sequence and structure and singing technique. Also: clips of James Brown, Eurythmics and Bronski Beat.
An introduction to soloing techniques examines phrasing and dynamics and demonstrates how to use relative scales. Guests: Tony Banks (Genesis) and singer James Ingram.
How to use synthesizers with drums, guitars and basses. MIDI controllers, and acoustic and electronic drums. Guests include drummer Bill Bruford and guitarist Allan Holdsworth.
An explanation of rhythm focuses on two-handed playing techniques for bass, piano and drums. Elton John in concert. Also: keyboard player Jools Holland.
Instrumental and vocal orchestration guitarist Andy Summers; keyboard player Tony Banks (Genesis); and singer Michael McDonald.
An introduction to arrangement features a discussion of the parts of a song and a segment on the five-string bass. Guests: drummer Omar Hakim and keyboard player Tony Banks.