Brass Blast
Members of Brass Blast with the Creative Edinburgh Community Award!
Photos by Ruth Barrie / Waltzer Films
About
Brass Blast is an award-winning youth project in East Edinburgh, providing accessible opportunities to learn an instrument and play in a band. It is a music project, an after school group, an exciting youth street band, a friendly and welcoming space, a learning hub for all abilities and a great place to develop music skills.
We were delighted that Brass Blast won the Community award at Creative Edinburgh's annual Awards celebration on Friday 17 November 2023!
We provide group instrumental tuition in trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone and street drumming (using samba drums) for all abilities, from total beginner to experienced player. Players aged 9+ are welcome – no previous musical experience necessary.
Brass Blast is a proactive response to the disproportionately low numbers of disadvantaged young people taking up instruments in East Edinburgh. It aims to broaden participation in music and create opportunities to learn an instrument for children and young people who would otherwise miss out. We offer free places for families who need them, and we work hard to remove all barriers to participation. Our teaching approach centres on inclusive music practice, providing positive experiences of music for all levels and abilities. Brass Blast is non formal, low pressure and fun. Our tutors are all experienced educators as well as accomplished professional musicians with varied careers including international touring, live performance, recording and teaching. Our team includes community music practitioners, youth workers and arts producers.
Brass Blast works to a loose street band model: learning by ear, playing from memory and working to each player’s strengths. Players are welcome to use notation as a learning tool; but the ability to read music is not required. As well as receiving expert instruction in technique, embouchure and tone, players develop a whole range of skills associated with playing in a band. We have a growing pool of young players who now lead and direct the band, a Youth Committee that meets monthly and opportunities to develop a range of skills from writing music to learning how to solo.
In August 2023 we added reeds to Brass Blast! Although we don't have capacity to offer Beginner tuition on clarinet & saxophone, those who already play and have an instrument (any ability or level of experience) are welcome to join Group 1 (for S1 and under) or Group 2 (for S2 and over).
Get Involved
We currently work with 80 young people across three different groups in East Edinburgh which all take place on a Tuesday after school during term time:
BRASS BLAST BEGINNERS @ BRUNSTANE PRIMARY 3.15 – 4pm (106 Magdalene Drive, EH15 3BE)
– a fun introduction to trumpet & trombone for P5s, 6s & 7s at Brunstane Primary.
**FREE**
BRASS BLAST GROUP 1 @ EDINBURGH COLLEGE 4.30 – 5.30pm (24 Milton Road East, EH15 2PP)
– for S1 and younger. For those who have been playing a brass instrument / drums for a short while.
BRASS BLAST GROUP 2 @ EDINBURGH COLLEGE 6.45- 8pm (24 Milton Road East, EH15 2PP)
– for S2 and over. This group is for those with 2+ years experience on their instrument, who are taking lessons either at school or privately, and who want to push themselves and advance as musicians and members of a band. The group are also exploring areas of youth leadership, composition, arranging music and more in the coming weeks & months.
Sessions at Edinburgh College cost £12.50 per week. Reduced cost and fully funded places are available – we will never turn a young person away for financial (or any other) reasons.
We are also running a programme of optional Creative Sessions every Tuesday from 5.45-6.30pm for curent BB players. Programme chosen and designed by young people. 3 rooms running simultaneously. Develop creative skills or follow a particular interest with your instrument. Decide on the day - no need to commit in advance.
If you are interested in joining Brass Blast, you can sign up below and we’ll be in touch to let you know when a place may become available (there is currently a waiting list).
Brass Blast have performed at:
The Edinburgh International Festival (Ross Bandstand), The Jazz Bar, Leith Theatre (in the Pianodrome), The Edinburgh Big Beach Busk, Porty Village Show, Art Walk Porty Prom Parade, Bellfield Official Launch Party, Refugee Community Kitchen benefit gig, Bridgend Farmhouse Family Fun Day, Edinburgh Tradfest with Fun Fiddle, Tinderbox Hub shows, The Sunday Get-Down at the Jaffle Joint, and Sunday Get-Down Special supporting The Brass Funkeys form London – plus plenty of busking on Porty Prom and High St for Halloween, Christmas and the Edinburgh Marathon!
We are grateful to the following funders for supporting both the pilot, set-up and current phase of Brass Blast: Awards for All, Creative Scotland (Youth Music Initiative), the National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) – Young Start, Youth Scotland (Generation Cashback), the City of Edinburgh Council and the Ronnie Scott Charitable Trust.
Brass Blast Signup Form
