Week 1
Week 1 was about what we have around us, so we made a physical map of what we have that is music related around where we live. For me, there are very little options for spaces where I can rehearse other than my own room, which is equipped with two guitars, one bass, a keyboard, electric drum kit, three amps and a mac with Logic on, as well as a Focusrite interface and a harman/kardon speaker and sub set. Having this equipment means I can record freely and rehearse on any instrument I have, as well as play as a band or group if there are people here.
Besides my own place, there are a couple local pubs and community centres that allow people to perform but not very commonly, and spaces are taken up quickly.
I didn’t know that there was someone nearby that does piano tuning, but there is someone a few streets away from my home. The library has a limited amount of music-related stuff there, but likely does have some selection of books or posters on local music teachers or events. I forgot to put this up, but there’s a charity that works with local primary schools for music and art clubs, but I can’t remember what it was called.
Week 2
In our second week we had a tour around Bingley to see what spaces there were for local performers who wanted to build a name and portfolio for themselves. There is a sheltered area in the park by the arts centre that allows bands who don’t play electric instruments to play, as there aren’t any outlets or access to electric. Apparently brass bands sometimes play there for events, but otherwise it is rarely used. In the arts centre, they have a stage that is primarily used for drama performances but is sometimes used for bands. Bingley town square has electrical connection but is never used for music and is becoming a space that is barely used for anything as of recently. Sometimes there are markets that allow locals to sell their products. It would be a challenge to have the local council work with musicians and people who have power to influence the growth of music in Bingley, but it is a reasonably sized space that could be put to good use. Besides that, there are cafes that performers can sometimes go to. Everything that Bingley music town have on their site is also musical and local, but is mostly good for children or people over the age of 40.