ROCK SCHOOL 2008

I'm just starting to think about summer '08. If you're interested let me know by filling in this low tech form and emailing it to me. Make sure Rock School Reg is the subject. My M.O. is to collect the registrants and see if I can put something together that works with different ages and abilities. I'll let you know as soon as I can - I know how comlicated it is to arrange kid activities around vacations etc.

ROCK SCHOOL 2007

This is a what happened in the summer of 2007. The FINAL CONCERT was a hot ticket on Oct 28th, at the Ladner Community Centre. Here are some more pics of the show.

This was how last summer unfolded - in reverse order.

WEEK 5 - Holly Hells

4 of these 5 musicians went to Holly Elementary last year, so what else would you call 'em?

Jesse, Bobby, David, Chris and Meagan

We had a great week - 2 veterans and 3 first timers made for some very productive learning and rehearsing. We got down to business with I Love Rock & Roll (Joan Jet), then the 90's Hole classic Doll Parts. The challenge tune of the week was Joker And The Thief by Wolf mother.

WEEK 4 - Merlin and the Noobs

Merlin, CJ, Mark, Ryno and D-Man Keen

This was my youngest band, except for Carson Jordan - the kid with 2 first names. This week he played drums instead of guitar. I'm thinking of adding a week just so I can get him playing bass! The dudes got down to business right away - besides Brian Stew as a warm up, we learned three good songs: Seven Nation Army (White Stripes), TNT (AC/DC) and American Idiot (Green Day) which proved to be the toughest. Sometimes the simpler the song, the more difficult it is to play.

WEEK 3 - Bleech

Ryan, Spencer, Nick and Taylor

Veterans rock schoolers Bleech were in the house this week and they continue to get better and better. Taylor is singing more and they're developing quite the repertoire. We fixed up a couple of tunes they'd been working on on their own: Heart Shaped Box, Woman and Jumpin' Jack Flash. We also learned 3 rockers: Rock & Roll All Night (Kiss), Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard) and Mama Let Him Play (Doucette).

WEEK 2 - Rized

This band started with a classic: Smells Like Teen Spirit and moved quickly to two very challenging songs. It took us a week to get Welcome Home (Coheed & Cambria) and Fallen Leaves (Billy Talent) so we could play them. Parker had to miss the last day for a funeral so we worked up Woman by Wolf Mother.

Devon, Trevor, Parker, Graeme and Carson

WEEK 1- Moop

We learned 4 songs and they're good ones: You Really Got Me - Kinks, Vertigo - U2, Enter Sandman - Metallica and Come Out and Play - The Offspring. All good - Joe Murphy did all the singing. This time it helped to have Chris Kinsey to help with guitar duties. The Horan brothers have to be the best brother rhythm section in south Delta! I'm looking forward to seeing how they rock it at the show.

Chris, Chris, Tim and Joe

 

 

ROCK SCHOOL

I played in my first band when I was 14 and we knew nothing about how to do it. We spent more time trying to come up with a name than we did practising our instruments. I've since spent years and years in bands and hundreds of hours in rehearsals; from my first bad rock bands to high school jazz and concert bands to professional bands and ensembles.

When we learn to play an instrument we ultimately want to play in a band! These are some of the questions I address at the Rock School Camps this summer:
How do we do this?
How do I know what parts to play?
How do I play them?
How do we practise in band situation?
How do I sing back up?
What sound do I use on my amp? Why?
How do I set it up?

This is how it'll work:

Register:
Fill in the form - this will allow me to determine the instrument, age and experience so I can put kids together in similar age groups and skill level. A 17 year old speed metalhead and a 9 year old Green Day dude don't want to be in the same band. You’ll be in a band with 4 or 5 other people.

Evaluations:
Between now and the first week, we’ll arrange a time for you to come to my studio and show me where you're at and we can discuss what you want to accomplish and how we can do that.

Rock School Camp:
11:00am to 3:00pm – bring a lunch. We’ll learn and practise 3 to 6 songs but we’ll likely do some jamming on other tunes and styles that you may or may not be familiar with. I've had some unfirm commitments from local celeb/musicians that they'd drop in to provide some inspiration and sage wisdom. Guaranteed fun!

We’ll record the experience on video and I’ll make a DVD for you to look back on when you’re a rock star.

I’m aiming for a performance at the end of the summer that we can invite all your friends and family to attend. They'll be able to see what you’ve accomplished in only one week. Last year it didn't happen until November but it was all good.

Cost:
$250

Don't know if you're ready to rock? Not sure if you're qualified?

Rock School Prep Week

OK it's actually two weeks. I get many parents and kids contacting me about Rock School and I'm not certain of their ability because they either don't take lessons from me or are on my wait-list. I'm encouraging any noobs to sign up for some power learning. I'll evaluate and get you into shape by working on the songs we're likely going to learn. I recommend 2 sessions per week. ($25 per)

 

Have a look at the local support I got last year.

Ladner May Days Parade - click the image to see the video on YouTube

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Copy and Paste this low tech form into an email:

Name:
Year Born:
School:
Instrument:
Sing?
Haven't sung before but think I would like to try: yes or no
Years playing:
Bands I like:
Phone:
Parent's Email:
Parents names:
Numbers incl. mobile:
Gimme details (food allergies, learning style etc):

Indicate the week you're interested in:
June 30**-
July 7 - D-Man
July 14 - Booked - Holly Hells
July 21 -
July 28 -
Aug 4 -

**I'll likely start this one Fri the 27 and take Canada Day off