Week 195 B: Learning English Through Music

Hi Guys,
I just finished adding a special page to my Destination English website. I had been teaching teenagers these last few summers in Brighton, UK. Every Friday, we would have a kind of farewell concert in the main hall as students would have to say goodbye to their friends who were leaving. 

We spent the week teaching classic songs like; Yesterday, Hey Jude by the Beatles, as well as modern pop songs. Then the class would perform in front of the whole school. Above is a list of some of the other covers I've done. I'm planning to teach these songs as part of TELF. I think we need other ways of engaging students through music.

I've made a page for my music and I'd like to share that with you. I've made special efforts to write subtitles in English and sync them. On YouTube there is a great feature on the settings button at the bottom of the player (It allows you to change the quality and speed of the video/audio). A fantastic tool for learners of English or anyone that's not native. 

I will be adapting the content and adding notes and explanations of the useful expressions that I use. 


Zack

Week 118: Setting up a covers band

Hi Music Lovers!!

This picture was taken in a cocktail bar called 7Sins!!

It's a great place for my first creative video, very glamourous and stylish (coming in the spring). I'm going to perform my own original songs acoustically in small places in Gracia and play with streaming services, so you can watch the gigs live in the comfort of your own armchair. 

Well it's back to work this month (Feb!) Jan was very slow here in Barcelona. The covers band could be good fun but more than this, it's an incentive to practice on set songs. I've been to 2 rehearsal Jams at BAMM. The 1st was a general Jam & the 2nd was a Beatles Hommage. On Feb 15th we have the Pink Floyd night.

I've put my own list of covers together (see below) and I'm planning to name a date in about 2-3 weeks for the session. Let me know which songs you would most like to hear. Finally we have to select 15 from them.

Let me know if you would like to be involved in any way: zackqureshi@gmail.com 

PLJ 

Zack a.k.a. RedEyeZack

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Week 117: Playing Covers - Beatles Night at BAMM

I joined the Barcelona Amateur Music Makers for their Beatles night. Miquel had printed sheetmusic copies of 6 or 7 songs. Were were a small group of musicians around a piano. It was great to hear the saxophone. We also had guitars, vocals and two ukulele's.

It was fun to sing together. I've always been a big Beatles fan. Here are some pictures and a slideshow of the event. Doing cover versions is a great way to collaborate with other musicians.

It's possible to connect and find common ground when you play songs that you love.

So I've decided to put a covers band together. I'm looking for a core of musicians; Bass, Guitar, piano, percussion. The idea will be to introduce other members of our BAMM community into the coverband to perform in front of friends at small event and house parties.

If you would like to join us then please drop me a line at zackqureshi@gmail.com

Checkout my cover of One featuring Albert Greenlight.

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