Every season of Rockschool ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Rockschool!

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.

Equipment

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.

Tuning

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).

Basic Technique

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).

Blues

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).

Heavy Metal

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).

Funk

An episode about reggae focuses on dub methods, the basic one-drop rhythmic pattern and variations. Featured: Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and Dennis Bovell.

Reggae

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.

The Future

After the last show a studio audience of young people was invited to take part in a discussion with the show's presenters.

Studio Audience

How electronic developments have affected music includes the history of the synthesizer. Guests include Tony Banks and Rick Wakeman.

New Technology

How to use MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), sequencers and drum machines. Guests include drummer Omar Hakim and keyboard player Vince Clarke.

MIDI

An explanation of melody focuses on chord sequence and structure and singing technique. Also: clips of James Brown, Eurythmics and Bronski Beat.

Melody

An introduction to soloing techniques examines phrasing and dynamics and demonstrates how to use relative scales. Guests: Tony Banks (Genesis) and singer James Ingram.

Soloing

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.

Guitar and Drum Synths

An explanation of rhythm focuses on two-handed playing techniques for bass, piano and drums. Elton John in concert. Also: keyboard player Jools Holland.

Rhythm

Instrumental and vocal orchestration guitarist Andy Summers; keyboard player Tony Banks (Genesis); and singer Michael McDonald.

Sampling and Harmony

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.

Arrangement

The series explored the history of rock music and gave instruction in popular performance techniques.

The Best Seasons of Rockschool

The Best Seasons of Rockschool

Season 1

Season 2