HOME | EVENTS | ABOUT US | COURSES | INSTRUCTORS | MUSIC ED. | FAQ | SCHEDULE | LOCATION | BOARD | APPLICATION | PHOTOS | CONTACT | LINKS COURSES Click here to view the course schedule Band 101  In Band 101, students will learn the basics of the music industry at both a local and national level. Each class begins with a class discussion. In these discussions, students learn about various topics such as: · Making your first record · Booking your first show · How to rehearse effectively · How to conduct a soundcheck · Business people and what they do · How to listen critically · How to conduct yourself professionally After each class discussion, the class breaks into bands. The bands, each overseen by their own musical mentor, will work collaboratively to write, create, and perform original music. The overall goal is to bring the students to a level in which they can perform at Rock School showcases and record in our studio. Students will need to bring their guitars, basses, small amps, cords, picks, and drum sticks. Although some gear is available for lending, we encourage students to bring their own equipment. Large amps and drum sets provided by Rock School. Acoustic & Electric Guitar Beginning: This guitar class will focus on teaching students how to play basic rhythm guitar using open chords and barre chords.Students are also introduced to basic music theory concepts. After completing Beginning Guitar, students should know: · How to tune a guitar · Proper left hand technique · Proper right hand technique · How to play and name all basic open chords (Major, minor, Dominant 7) · How to play and name all basic barre chords (Major, minor, Dominant 7) · How to read tablature · How to read music · How to build major and natural minor scales Intermediate: Intermediate Guitar serves to develop rhythm guitar techniques using barre and power chords.Students are also taught intermediate music theory concepts and introduced to basic lead guitar techniques. After completing Intermediate Guitar, students should know: · How key signatures and the circle of fifths operates · The relationships between the I, IV, and V chords · The relationships between the ii, iii, and vi chords · How to play 12-bar blues progressions · How to build a minor pentatonic scale · How to build a minor blues scale · How to analyze songs harmonically and write chord/rhythm charts · How to play altered barre chords Advanced: Advanced Guitar aims to teach students how to build advanced scales and perform advanced lead guitar techniques.Students are also taught how to apply this knowledge to analyzing and building solos. After completing Advanced Guitar, students should know: · How to build harmonic minor scales · How to build melodic minor scales · How to build diminished scales · How to utilize hammer-ons, pull-offs, string bending and vibrato as lead guitar techniques · How to analyze and transcribe solos · How to build solos and do basic improvisation · Using microphones, amplifiers and effects What To Bring: All students will need to bring their guitars (electric or acoustic), picks, cables, and amplifiers. Electric Bass Guitar Beginning: We'll cover the basics of tuning and naming the notes, then turn our attention to right hand technique (with and without a pick), fretboard patterns, keeping steady time, scales and simple progressions, walking bass lines, playing the blues, working with a drummer, strength-building exercises, and much more. Intermediate/Advanced: These less-structured classes will focus on each player's distinct sound and direction. We will expand upon the basics learned in the beginnnig course as well as reach into new territory as each student begins to find their style. Focus will be on playing/performing with a band, bridging the gap between the drums and guitar, playing in/out of the pocket, and understanding groove and drive. What To Bring: All students will need to bring their electric bass guitars, picks, cables, and amplifiers. Drums / Percussion Beginning: Students will learn the fundamentals of drumming. This includes proper drumkit setup, maintenance and tuning of the drum set, rudiments (various stroke rolls, paradiddles, etc.), and the importance of keeping steady time. Intermediate/Advanced: After mastering the fundamentals, students will focus on various styles of drumming including rock, blues, jazz, and afro-cuban. They will be taught song arranging, working as a percussion ensemble and with the bass player, as well as other rhythm-section musicians. Techniques for playing a multitude of percussion instruments will also be explored. Instruction will include hands-on playing, studying and playing along with great recordings, and video instruction. What To Bring: Students must bring a drum key and a pair of drumsticks. Kits provided by Rock School. Recording In this class, you will learn how to use the equipment in the studio by recording live music played by students. Starting with the basics, you will learn microphone techniques, headphone monitoring, and signal routing to the digital recording interface.  You will learn how to use the ProTools recording software to track, mix, edit and master songs.  In addition, you will have an opportunity to use other music production software to create loops, beats, drum parts, and special effects.  Many of the recording and production techniques learned in class can be used in your own projects at home. Songwriting & the History of Rock Music This class will focus on learning how words and music interact to create an effective song. Songwriting is a craft that requires an understanding of musical structure and a multitude of musical styles. This is best achieved by listening critically to rock music. We will study song form in general and then deconstruct specific songs to better understand what makes the song work. We'll also trace the history of rock music chronologically as a source of inspiration and practical songwriting knowledge. Through listening to many musical examples we will study how rock grew from the blues, swing, and rhythm and blues of the 1930s and 1940s through the rock 'n' roll of the 1950s and up to the present day. In addition, the class will look at songs in the broader context as instruments of social change and awareness. Through the listening lab, writing workshops, and group discussions, we will generate both the desire and ability to write our own songs. Each student will write and record a version of their song in our digital studio. Vocals In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of singing.They'll study breathing, pitch control, supporting the air column, projection, and phrasing. We'll determine the vocal range of each student and learn how to transpose a song to a key that matches this range. We'll learn care of the voice and warmup exercises that prevent damage to the vocal chords. Students can bring in songs and recordings of favorite singers for study. We'll use karaoke, guitar, and keyboard accompaniment as singing aids.