A COMMON interest in music led Youth Support Officers David Dodd and John (Tiny) Lewis to propose an instrumental music program for local youngsters who join their program.
The Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation (MPREC) agreed to their request and provided funds to purchase instruments and audio equipment that they set up in one of the old squash courts at the MPREC Railway Street youth facility.
The gear includes acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, drum set, keyboard, speakers, microphones amplifiers and mixing deck.vFortunately, David can play most of these.vHe learnt guitar from his uncle Keith (Tibby) Hamilton, his brother and other relatives.
“They used to sit around and play and sing,” says David. “Our idea is to have a range of instruments to suit different kids.”
“Many of these kids have trouble focussing,” he said. ““A lot of these kids are referred to us because they’re easily distracted or hyperactive. Learning an instrument can help with that.”
Jaxson Corby is one of those keen to take up guitar. When some of his mates joined the boxing lessons with Lindsey Kennedy at the MPREC centre, Jaxson took the chance to have some music lessons with David.
“I like Ed Sheeran’s music, and Matt Corby. He’s a folk singer. (apparently no relation), and I like anything country,” he said.
David Dodd uses new technology and simple steps rather than traditional methods of teaching instruments. “We just do small steps. We use a loop station to record a sample. They can play along with that till they’re comfortable and then we learn something else,” says David.
David himself plays in a local band that also includes Alan Dodd (not the tall bald one) on lead guitar, Brad Jones on rhythm guitar, Billy Leonard on drums and Robert ‘Marto’ Richardson as lead singer.
“I play bass guitar in the band, but we do swap sometimes and I play drums,” he said.
David currently has three young men learning instruments. They aim to attend music sessions three days a week, working around their other commitments. “We aim to start small for big outcomes,” David said.
“I hope to eventually get a young band together but its really about giving these kids another skill and somewhere positive to direct their energy.”