Recording a Classic: Amy Winehouse – Love is a Losing Game

This week, Point Blank documents the recording of Amy Winehouse’s classic ‘Love is a Losing Game’, with insights from the students, players and instructors…

Every term, final year students studying a BA (Hons) in Music Production and Sound Engineering Degree at Point Blank Music School are tasked with re-recording a classic track as part of their assessment.

A recent choice of song was the late, great, Amy Winehouse’s gorgeous classic: ‘Love is a Losing Game’. To record the track, the students enlisted the musical talents of several Point Blank staffers, together with a string quartet from the Royal Academy of Music, professional singer Valerie Etienne and Point Blank’s Advanced Composition instructor Claud Ruelle for the arrangement.

Much of the process was caught on film – alongside interviews and insights from the students, players and instructors – to give you an in-depth insight into the study experience for this aspect of this degree programme, validated and accredited by Middlesex University.

PB’s Head of Curriculum Ski Oakenfull was one of the masterminds behind the task, and he gives an explanation of why this project is such a useful learning tool for the students. Meet Creative Content Developer Graham Silbiger, who found time between developing and updating content for Point Blank’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to lay down the bass and guitar parts. Senior Studio Assistant Ricky Vianello, (one half of pulverising techno duo Tapefeed) also features in the video, working with the students to lay down the drums on the recording.

For more information on any of Point Blank’s courses, including other degrees in Music Production and DJ Practice and Music Industry Management, or to book a studio tour, give them a call on +44 20 7729 4884.