By the time all ten students had introduced themselves, Jake had added some notes to the board. He had updated their instrument beside their names then randomly noted down what the students hoped to learn from him. Scanning over his scrawled notes, Jake was relieved to see he had a mix of guitarists, pianists, vocalists, a drummer and a flautist.
“Ok, here’s the game plan for the next ten days. Today we get to know each other a bit better, figure out our strengths and abilities. As the day goes on, I’m going to put you into twos. No swapping partners. You will undertake the homework assignment as a pair. I’ll give out the assignment this afternoon. You will be given some time in class to work on it. Next week, from Wednesday onwards, we will be based out at JJL Recording Studios out on the Coastal Highway.”
Jake paused and glanced round at their surprised faces for a moment or two before continuing, “I want to give you a taste of the real music industry. Share what it’s like to be in the live room with a producer and a sound engineer. For the singers among you, it’ll give you experience in the vocal booth. For our budding producers, it’ll give you the opportunity to learn from one of the best, my good friend Dr Marrs.”
“For real?” gasped Carlos.
“For real,” assured Jake, relieved to see all ten students looking engaged and excited by his plans. “Now, this is a music class. Let’s play!”
When Jake returned to the teachers’ base during morning recess, he was surprised to find another teacher sitting typing rapidly on a slightly battered looking laptop. She barely glanced up as he poured himself a coffee.
“Hi,” said Jake, still holding coffee jug. “Care for one?”
“Please,” she replied without raising her eyes from the screen. “Half a mug. I prefer plenty of half ‘n’ half in mine.”
Pouring coffee into her empty mug, Jake said, “I’m Jake by the way.”
“I know.”
“And you are?” he quizzed, feeling slightly annoyed by her off-hand manner.
“Nicole Tonriverdi,” she replied. “Department head.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she said as she watched him pour some half ’n’ half into the mug. “I’ve seen you in concert.”
“Hope you enjoyed the show.”
“I did,” she replied. “New York City about three years ago.”
When she looked up from her laptop, Jake found himself gazing into the most amazing green eyes he had ever seen. She smiled then looked away, breaking the eye contact.
“Dr Jones said you might need some assistance in the class,” commented Nicole. “Do you need me?”
“Probably not,” replied Jake. “I was going to take it easy today. I’ll possibly need you nearer the end of the week and then again next week.”
“Fine,” she said, closing over her laptop. “I’ll be in my class if you need me.”
Gracefully, she got to her feet, picked up her tote and her laptop then the coffee cup. Her height took him by surprise. Nicole Tonriverdi was almost as tall as he was.
“Thanks for the coffee,” she said as she swept past him.
Stunned into silence, Jake watched her as she walked off down the hallway.
Shortly before lunch bell, Dorrian finally plucked up the courage to ask the question all of them had been desperate to ask. While Jake had been helping him to bring his guitar back into tune, Dorrian said, “Will you let us hear you play?”
“Me?” echoed Jake with a grin.
“Yes,” replied Dorrian hurriedly. “Can you play a Silver Lake song?”
Glancing at the wall clock, Jake smiled, “Ok, do the rest of you want me to play?”
The chorus of “yes” almost deafened him.
“Ok. Ok. I get the hint,” said Jake, walking over to pick up his own guitar. He’d brought his cherry red Gibson SG into the class but was now wishing he’d brought his customer Mz Hyde instrument instead.
“Well, what do you want me to play?”
“Dragon Song,” said Cole with hesitation. “I’ve been trying to learn that solo all summer.”
“Will you sing too?” asked Riley hopefully.
“Maybe later,” replied Jake. “After lunch.”
The green-haired student looked disappointed.
Note-perfect, Jake played Dragon Song straight through, including the solo, much to Cole’s amazement. The student kept his eyes locked on Jake’s hands throughout the entire song. When he was finished, Jake winked at him and promised to talk him through it later. Growing in confidence, the other students put in requests and, by the time the bell rang, Jake had played through Out Of The Shadows, Engine Room and Mysteries.
“Folks, we’ll continue this after lunch,” called out Jake as the students prepared to leave the class. “Vocalists, start to warm up those voices before you come back in.”
Towards the end of the afternoon, Jake halted the class and asked them all to gather round. All afternoon he had let them play whatever they wanted, using the time to listen out for their strengths. While the musicians among the class were playing, he had taken the three vocalists, Riley, Mia and Landon, out of the class and into the small rehearsal room across the hallway. For half an hour, he coached them through some of his basic vocal warm-up routine. Once he was satisfied that they had grasped the exercises, they returned to the class and he asked them to listen to what the others were playing, choose a song they knew and to pair up. The resulting cacophony of noise had been beyond loud but the students had remained focussed and worked hard in their pairs.
“Right, folks,” began Jake when they had all gathered round. “Time to
