I have just started production on an album for Chris Reynolds. I had the privelege of hiring two of the norths best rhythm section players. Joel Green and Alex Jeffries. We put down the backing for 6 songs in one day in the studio. Good stuff

Quite a few people have been asking me if they can buy the tracks on the website player...the answer is no...you can have them for free, check out my online shop

Easter 2010 organised a music residential for 12 Young people in the peak district for 3 days. The aim was to teach them how to play an instrument and to write and perform a song together. The guys formed two bands and put on an excellent performance. Other activities included a night walk, where I lost the minibus keys, archery and rock climbing...

This year I have finally got round to making 2 Valve guitar amps and another electric guitar to replace the one that got stolen.
One valve amp was and 18watt 1950's Marshall clone from www.ampmaker.com and the other was a 16watt triple single ended class A amp built from scratch.
Geek-tastic!!!

This year I aimed to do the London Marathon in under 4 hours for Charity. I raised £1500, but after running 9 minute miles for 12 miles I pulled my hamstring and hobbled to the finish!
Still raised money for The Lighthouse Group, which was worth the pain.
I also cycled from Liverpool to Bradford along the canal in two days to raise money for the TLG Summer Music Academy

This year I did music tuition roadshows for education charity "The Lighthouse Group" in Birmingham, Manchester and London. I lead a team of musicians teaching kids who struggle at school how to play drums, bass, guitar and keys and perform a song in just two days!!!
Here are a few videos and a you tube link.

Really enjoying teaching my current batch of students. I really enjoy see my students who range from about 7 years old to 60 plus, improve beyond their expectations...

A few notable successes are Chris Walton getting his grade 8 Guitar, and Alex getting his Grade 1. Worthy mentions go to Micky Cawthra who is using his lessons to record a guitar album, which promises to be an absolute shred-fest!!!

I have turned down a lot of production work this year to focus on FINALLY recording a guitar album and a progressive rock instumental album with my band Lydian Dream.
I did manage to mix and record some additional matierial for Angela Caley's Album, and had the privelege of playing at the launch gig (somewhere near London, don't remember where!!!)
I also produced and recorded an album for Beth Young and a live album for local soul band Motif. I also produced and engineered an acoustic guitar album for John Biglands.

Hi everyone. Due to posting most of my news on Facebook, I have become really lazy when it comes to updating my website news. So I will post a summary of this year below...
Dave

I had the huge privelege of running a Music Academy Roadshow for TLG across 2 weeks in London. During this time we taught four different teams of complete beginners how to play Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keys in just two days!
At the end of the second day we performed Umbrella by Rihanna, Sweet Child o Mine by Guns and Roses and Shackles by Mary Mary. It was a real joy working with inner-city London young people and offering music as an alternative to gang culture and crime. TLG is a charity that works with young people who have been excluded from education for a whole variety of reasons. Seeing how the young peoples eyes lit up when they played a groove or a power chord was very very rewarding...

Ethan passed his grade 2 Rockschool guitar exam with a merit. This young rocker is surely destined for superstardom!!! Well Done

The Album Launch gig with Rhyter was a real blast! Thanks to everyone who came down to support me.

To download the album go to www.rhyter.co.uk

RHYTER ALBUM LAUNCH GIG

MARCH 21st

The New Beehive pub.
189-171 Westgate,
Bradford,BD1 3AA

Doors 7.30 Tickets £3

I have finished producing and playing guitar for Rhyters first album and we are going to do a launch gig.

The music sounds a bit like Linkin Park, Evanescence and Rage Against the machine but don't take my word for it check out the links below.

To check out the tracks go to www.rhyter.co.uk and click on Media.

www.myspace.com/rhyterrock www.facebook.com/pages/Rhyter/231539183112

Will has passed his debut grade Rockschool exam with a merit. Will has really done well to pass his first exam at only 7 years old. Brilliant, Well Done Will.

Bm G / Em C / Am F / Dm Bb / Gm Eb /
Cm Ab / Fm Db / Bbm Gb / Ebm B / G#m E /
C#m A / F#m D/

Ok, so its not news but I thought I'd put this chord progression on this page so my students can practise their chords. You could always try and substitute all the minor chords for either min add 9 or min7 chords and all the major ones for major add 9 or maj 7. The chords just go round and round....and round. For chord shapes check out the chord chemistry page in the lessons section of my website.

One of my top students went out and bought the same guitar as me. Obviously he has great taste. His new Fender strat should help him get through his Grade 5 Guitar exam which his is going to take soon.

Here is a picture with my mobile recording kit. I recorded the Pendle Cellists and Friend over 3 days. A great experience.

Here is my special guitar. I will be including a step by step photo diary of how it was made.

I have built the ultimate guitar, and it is featured in the Warmoth showcase. If you want to see it, here is the link.

Its under my name.
For all you gear geeks I will be adding a step by step photo diary of how I made it.

I have just got back from givin a guitar masterclass in London. As I have finished 2 major production projects for Sneek and Rhyter I decided to take the day off and hang out with the family.
I have a few more production projects in the pipeline. I will post again when the albums are released.
Dave B

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the news section.
I have busy doing the usual mix of gigging, producing and teaching.
I have finished producing a Rock Album for Gary Ward, where I played most of the instruments (apart from drums). I'm gonna send it to the mastering plant next week.
I've done quite a few gigs some of the highlights were doing two gig on New Years eve in London in the same night.
One started at 10pm and the next went from 12am till 4am. It was a brilliant gig.
I also played at a gig celebrating the abolition of slavery and black culture. It was a cool gig playing gospel and reggae music with some top class musicians.
I will update the news section with a few photos in the very near future.

I have just finished the TLG (The Lighthouse Group) Album.
It is a compilation album for the TLG charity. It features a wide range of styles and artists from easy listening, throught to Hip Hop and heavy rock. I had the privelege of producing 6 of the tracks with co-producer Mark Swift. It has been a challenging project to work with so many styles but I think that the results are ace.
A huge thanks to Mark Swift and all of the artists and Young People who have contributed their time and talent to this project.

Thanks to Ben Astin, James Dey, Wayne Raper, Mark Swift, Steve Thompson and Urban Colours, Jon and Jen Biglands, Kev Moore, Gary Ward, Rich Jones, Paul Booth, Tav Lucas and Adam Syrop.

The album is available for sale for 7.99. I will be creating a myspace account this week so you can have a listen.

This is a picture of me and one of my students, Tom who did a guest appearence at a gig. Its fair to say the audience was amazed with such good guitar skills from one so young!!!
Well done Tom.

On the 19th-21st of October I had the privilege of playing at the Fresh Fire conference with some excellent musicians. Andy Mitchell lead the procedings on keys, the very talented Roy Johnson and Jon Biglands provided the rhythm section.
It was a great weekend, we were really looked after by the organisers. A highlight for me was jamming for 40 minutes over 2 chords without it getting boring (for us at least!)
Thanks to Andy and Harrogate New Life for getting us involved.

November has been a crazy month.
I have finished an album for a young singer called Beth Young. I produced, recorded and mixed the album. I really enjoyed coming up with arrangements and playing all the instruments for it.
I have also completed a compilation album for the Lighthouse Group, as well as doing a few gigs for them with the Youth Band.
Last night I played at a fundraising Gospel event organised by my good friend Colin Williams. It was an inspiration to see those guys play gospel music. Such a great groove and vibe on the night. Colin, Ron and Des: You guys rule!
I have two more albums that I am trying to get done in time for Christmas....Busy busy busy!

Hi another picture of Kai. I've been singing to him a lot to get him to sleep. He hates disco but loves Rock band King's X. Great taste!

Kai Rohan Brons was born at midnight on the 22nd of September.
A proud and tired mom and dad are hoping to be back home on tuesday.


Dave B

Hello everyone. I'm back from doing the Inca Trail to Matchu Pitchu with my Dad. We had a great time and we had already left before the earthquake.
Lessons will start up again on Monday 20th of August.
See ya then.

Who says you can't wear shades indoors!
One of my students known as "Tav", came up and recorded the solo for a song that he and some of my other students have written. Tav is going to Iran for 2 months. (According to tav he is to visit his family and do some "training", mmm lol)
All the best Tav, and safe journey.

Another photo of the masterclasses in Singapore.

Hello everyone,
I just got back from tour. I had the priveledge to go out to the Far East with Singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick. The purpose of the tour was to do some playing and some teaching at a "worship music Symposium".
I had a great time. The schedule was pretty intense, teaching masterclasses in the morning and doing band workshops in the afternoon and then playing concerts in the evening. I was really moved by the generosity and humility of the
Singaporeans and the Sri Lankan people. We were so well looked after and well fed!
Hanging out with such great musicians was also a great learning opportunity for me. We had some amazing times of improvising onstage.
It was a great blessing to be in the Far East, I have returned feeling greatly encouraged and excited about playing and teaching!
Dave B

I've finished the tuition DVD, I will be selling it when I get back off tour. Pictures to follow.

Hi guys, I'm going on tour, playing guitar for Graham Kendrick. I will also be teaching some guitar masterclasses.
I will be away for two weeks, from the 11th to the 20th of June.
Those of you who are my students, see ya on the 25th.
I will be posting regular updates on the site so see ya around.
Dave B

My tuition DVD is finished, its packed with over 1 hour of intense rock guitar techniques: Tapping, sweep picking string skipping and scales.
I'm taking orders now, it will retail for about £15. A bargain I recon.
Get your copy now by emailing me at info@davebrons.com

In the meantime check out some of the video extracts on this site.

Last friday I did a Gig for a Charity called City Lights, which a charity that helps homeless people. Jay Cresswell put together a rhythm n blues band to learn 13 songs in two rehearsals. James brown, Mustang sally and Hard to handle all went down a treat. The venue was packed.It was a really fun gig, plenty of jammin and dancin and money raised for a worthy cause.

Due to popular demand, the first of my tuition videos has been uploaded onto my website at davebrons.com.
Its a lesson on playing high speed stuff with a legato technique.
It is a beta version, I still have a few tweeks to do before the full version goes live.
Until then, check it out and let me know what you think!!!

Yesterday I recorded the video footage for my online tuition videos. I've done some teaching around some of the advanced stuff because it is easier to demonstrate in person than on paper. So if fast terror guitar is you thing watch this space!!!
Techniques covered: Legato, picking, tapping and string skipping arpeggios...oooou-a!

This is Kev Moore in my home studio.

Kev, passed his Grade 8 Guitar exam!
Grade 8 is the highest level of guitar exam you can take.

Congratulations to Kev and all the best with your future playing and teaching guitar.
Rock on!

Today I did a recording session for bradford songwriter James Dey. www.jamesdey.co.uk. I had the privelege of playing some U2 ambient stuff with the sprinkling of face melting soloing.

Hey, there are loads of new updates to the website:
More lessons,
Some new pics,
Session section updated
A brand new media player
By the end of this month there will be some Video guitar lessons as well. Thanks to Adam and Ross at adamsyrop.co.uk and rosshalliday.com.

I had the pleasure of going to the Urban Colours Album Launch. I had the huge priviledge of supplying some of the guitar parts for the album, along with french guitar player Nicolas Demarest. Steve Thompson, produced the album for the Salvation Army and it is being released through ICC records.

The event was really moving. the R n B version of True Colours was sung in unity by teenagers from all kinds of different social and racial backgrounds. I must admit it made me cry!

Here is a link to listen to some of the tracks.
Buy the album, it is brilliant.

Dave has just finished a 7 week series of workshops with the St Johns Bowling (Bradford) worship band. During this time Dave has covered playing songs in different styles, from Soul and Blues to U2 Rock style and Reggae. The workshops went really well. Dave is planning use all the course matierial to do workshops with other bands.

I had the massive priviledge of playing at the Love So Amazing 2 Concert in Bradford's St Georges Hall. The event was fantastic, the evening was a massive success. Playing to so many people with such accomplished
musicians was a great experience. Thanks Guys, and thanks to all who came and made the event so special.
Dave B

The Gig with Graham Kendrick in Halifax went really well. It was an awesome event. Our drummer was 14 year old Josh Johnson, he was amazing and so young. There was a huge choir as well. Anyway, I had a great time
and it was a very memorable night

I'm having one of those periods where I'm so busy , it's insane. I've got two major concerts coming up for two different artists where I have had to learn 20 songs for each gig, and do all the charts for the rest of the band.

I was in the studio last night till 4am finishing the guitar parts for an album that gets mixed today. I have engineered the overdubs for a gospel choir for the same record. I've recorded the guitars for an album called Urban Colours which is getting mixed today. So I'm off the the mixing session this afternoon, and don't get me started on trying to fit teaching music in with all the various rehearsals.

Did a Gig in Sheffield with the Graham Kendrick band, it was a fantastic concert. I really enjoyed playing with such amazing musicians and hanging out with some of the support bands. One of the support bands were called "the gentlemen". They were amazing.

Well I'm back. I had a great time, met some great people, taught 'Rock School' to teenages in an international school.

The concert was great, the kids played really well and the album launch was a complete success for Nick.

I'm getting ready to do an album launch in Belgium for an artist called Nick Miller . I've got to re-learn 14 songs that I recorded the parts for at Soundworks studio in Leeds.
Fortunatly Ive kept the charts , so it shouldn't be too hard. (Some of the solos were a bit crazy, will have to brush up on the chops).
I will get the final version of the album tommorow and start practicing!!!

Today is a chance to relax and visit china town, I feel kinda sad to be leaving so soon, as is feels like there is so much still to be done here.

This tour has been life changing for me, it feels like I'm about to start on a whole new journey.

I feel blessed to have made so many new friends and to have been able to share this experience with them.

To summarize the trip I'd say that I really learn't some important things from my fellow band members. 1. Graham Kendrick taught me the importance of prayer and the power of prophecy in worship, the way he lead the team and listened to everyones heart and views in the team, really impressed me. He is a real man of God. 2. After observing and talking to Raul D'Olivera the trumpet player, I realized that for Raul, reading the bible, playing and speaking are all part of worship, He doesn't separate one from the other. So when he is playing he will think of a bible verse and then play music that expresses what he has read. This way God can use his playing to move hearts. 3. On the Second evening concert I was moved to tears, I sensed real grief. Just at that moment Steve Thompson asked me to play a solo. I was so upset I was shaking. Then something weird happened, it was like God took over and I played the most mornful melodic solo I have ever played. Later a sense of amazing Joy came over me as Graham spoke of God's love for me. Steve gave me the nod for another solo. This time it was like there was no separation between me, my guitar and God. It was like time slowed down and I played the notes with my mind. Out came the most wild and joyfully virtuosic solo I have ever played. It felt like the purest expression of worship I have ever had. From now on I am going to integrate reading my bible into my guitar practice routine, to sharpen my ability to play in a spirit lead way by reading a passage and trying to play melodies that express his word. Why don't you try reading a psalm and playing music inspired by it?

The band got together and prayed in the morning. This was a really powerful session.

Another seminar for guitar, this time everyone brought their guitar with them...
35 guitarists. It was really great to teach these guys. 3 hours just flew by, You guys ROCK!


The evening session was mind blowing, I've never experienced anything like it in my life...The music, the singing, the word was amazing, God is amazing.
Gaby did a cymbal solo using the local gongs used in temple worship, to reclaim them for Jesus in Christian Worship, It was amazing how God moved in this worship time. I was doing loads of ambient sounds like bashing my guitar with my fist, bang!, and scrapeing the tremolo springs with pick warp,click,click!!.

This morning we sound checked and did the first concert, it was exciting to see so many people there.

After dinner I did the first workshop for guitar, 2 hours long. I was amazed by the friendliness of the Singapore people. 34 guitar players turned up to the seminar without any guitars, (!) I couldn't quite do what I had planned but it was brilliant to be able to hang out and teach the guys. The time just seemed to fly. I really enjoyed meeting up with the students after the seminar.

Then we did a Q and A session as a band, Roy and Steve were really hilarious. Some of the questions were tough and demonstrated the spiritual searching and struggle to be heard, of the Singapore church youth.
I was impressed by the depth and maturity of the answers given by the band members. I was also impressed how each band member was able to express their unique characters in this session, with freedom and a fun spirit.


The evening concert was dynamite, the horn players played over the congregation while stood in the middle of all the people gathered there. Graham was really brave and pioneering as he lead us in worship

Today we flew from Manchester UK to Frankfurt in Germany. 13 hours later we landed in Singapore, and went straight away to sound check at the venue. Sound check went well.
I got to rehearse with the full band.

Graham Kendrick: Singer Songwriter
Steve Thompson: Music Director / Keys
Roy Johnson: Bass
Raul D'Oliveira: Trumpet and Percussion
Ray Gun the foxy Vicar: Trombone
Claire the Care bear: Saxophones
Gaby Alonso: Drums, Bells and Smells
Andrea Alonso: BV's and general Northern-ness
Dave Brons: Rock Guitar Enthusiast,

The organisers brought us noodles to eat, which was nice. After reheasal we went back to the hotel to get sorted. Nice hotel man!!
Later on one of the organisers called Clement
(the most enthusiastic man on the planet) took out to try loads and loads of different local dishes. Man I ate to much, but it rocked!!!

The tour in Singapore was definitely a life changing experience for me

Wow, its 3.00 am and I have just got in to the hotel. I have had a great time, and I will post some pictures soon.
A big hello to all the new guitar playing friends I've made in the east...
Speak to you soon, Dave B.

Here is the link for what I will be doing in Singapore,

I'm flying out to Singapore with the "Graham Kendrick band" on friday. Graham is probably one of the foremost pioneers of modern gospel worship type music.
The rehearsal today went well. I can't wait to get out on tour!!!

Welcome to my blog

Click on the link below to find out what's been happening in 2007.

Newsletter August 2007