Introduction
Teaching students about Ron Wood, renowned guitarist for The Rolling Stones and former member of The Faces, is an excellent way to introduce them to the world of rock ‘n’ roll and explore the impact of individual musicians on the genre. This article will provide some tips and suggestions to guide educators in preparing lessons and activities centered on Ron Wood’s life, career, and artistic contributions.
Background
Born in Hillingdon, England in 1947, Ron Wood was exposed to music from an early age, as his older brothers played in various bands. In the 1960s, Wood joined his first bands – The Birds and later The Creation – before eventually joining The Jeff Beck Group in 1968, then moving on to form The Faces with Rod Stewart in 1969.
Ron Wood joined The Rolling Stones in 1975 as the band’s lead guitarist. Over the years, he has contributed guitar riffs, slide guitar skills, backing vocals, and songwriting talents to numerous Stones albums. Besides his work with The Rolling Stones, Wood has released several successful solo albums, demonstrating his versatility as a musician.
Teaching Strategies
1. Early Life and Influences
Begin by teaching your students about Ron Wood’s early life and musical influences. Discuss his childhood experiences growing up in a musical family and how it shaped his future career path. You might also touch upon the British blues scene and music scene of the ’60s as a significant part of Ron’s musical roots.
2. Music Analysis
Select songs from Ron Wood’s various projects (The Birds, The Jeff Beck Group, The Faces, The Rolling Stones, and his solo work) for your students to listen to and analyze. Encourage them to discuss not only the overall sound of each project but also how Wood’s guitar playing contributes to that sound. Make note of any recurring themes or techniques that showcase his signature style.
3. Creative Project
Assign your students a creative project where they can explore Ron Wood’s guitar-playing and songwriting style further. This could involve composing their own riff or song, imitating Wood’s distinctive approach to writing and playing. Alternatively, students might create an art project inspired by the visual aspects of Ron Wood’s work, such as album covers and his skills in painting.
4. Discussion on Legacy
Facilitate a discussion with your students on Ron Wood’s enduring legacy within the music world, both as a member of The Rolling Stones and his contributions beyond the band. Encourage them to consider factors such as his songwriting abilities, unique guitar-playing techniques, collaborations with other artists, and how he fits into the larger narrative of rock music history.
Conclusion
By exposing your students to the life and career of Ron Wood, they will gain a deeper understanding of the rich history of rock ‘n’ roll while focusing on one of the genre’s most enduring guitarists. By providing context for his work and encouraging hands-on participation through music analysis and creative projects, students will be better equipped to appreciate Ron Wood’s contributions to popular music and culture.
