Band Workshops

See Group Class Schedule for current offerings.  How to Sign Up.

Want to play in a band? Blue Bear WORKSHOPS are student bands organized by the school. You'll rehearse with a professional musician who coaches the band in group playing and arrangement. A full workshop consists of two singers, two guitarists, a keyboard player, bassist and drummer, plus horns, harmonica, etc. All groups will arrange and play songs by a variety of artists and groups, most selected by the band members. Students should bring songs on cassette tape or CD to the first meeting for consideration. Joining a workshop is a commitment to attend all the sessions on time and to do some practicing on your own. At the end of the quarter, each band performs at a QUARTERLY SHOWCASE.  Invite your friends!

The following BASIC level workshops are for those with competence on their instruments but with little or no group playing experience.
Cost: $275 (** = Blue Bear @ Lennon Studios, 468 9th St.)

• BASIC ROCK AND BLUES
• BASIC ROCK AND BLUES
• BASIC ROCK AND BLUES
• BASIC ROCK AND BLUES
• CONTEMPORARY BANDS
• ROCK OUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
• CLASSIC ROCK @ LENNON (SOMA)**

The following INTERMEDIATE workshops are for intermediate players with a year of group playing experience who can read charts and learn parts easily from tapes.
Cost: $275 (** Blue Bear @ Lennon Studios, 271 Dore Street)

• INTERMEDIATE BLUES
• INTERMEDIATE ROCK AND BLUES
• JAZZ @ LENNON (SOMA)**
• INTERMEDIATE REGGAE
• INTERMEDIATE FUNK

The ROCK AND BLUES workshops are wide open as to style. Material may range from oldies to blues, alternative to Top 40. You name it.

ROCK OUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT – for those whose afternoon hours allow time to play.

CONTEMPORARY BANDS is for those who want to play material by current and emerging artists and bands. No “oldies,” please.

The CLASSIC ROCK workshop will include a heavy dose of your favorite British invasion bands.

The INTERMEDIATE BLUES workshop will explore a variety of shuffles and blues-influenced songs; horn players welcome and encouraged.

The FUNK workshop won’t do it if it ain’t funkay!

The REGGAE workshop will cover classic and contemporary tunes, including some ska and dance hall grooves. Special horn player discount: $75 off.

The JAZZ workshop is a small combo: one vocalist, guitarist, keyboard player, bassist, drummer, and up to three horns. A knowledge of scales and progressions is prerequisite, along with some prior reading and improvisational skill. Band members will be reading and soloing from chord charts and will play a diverse mix of old and new jazz standards.

For Showcase dates, see Calendar