Band Workshops

These group classes are 10 weeks and begin the week of April 12, except where noted.

Class Schedule :: How to Sign Up

Band Workshop at the Blue Bear Showcases [photo by: Julie Bernstein]

Want to play in a band? Blue Bear Band 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 a CD or iPod 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. Outside rehearsals are often scheduled by band members.

At the end of the session, each band performs live in a San Francisco club as part of the quarterly Blue Bear Showcases. Invite your friends!

See the Blue Bear Calendar for Blue Bear Showcase dates.

The following Basic level workshops are for all levels of players, but you need a basic level of competence on your instrument. Guitar players must be totally comfortable moving from open position to bar chords and making chord changes without hesitation. Drummers must be able to play steady time, to do simple fills without breaking the groove or turning the beat around, to learn a variety of drum beats by ear, and to play both straight and swung eighths on the high hat. Bass players must be able to play a variety of bass lines comfortably, to listen to and lock in with the time established by the drummer, and to learn new bass parts by ear. Singers must be able to sing in tune and should be able to memorize lyrics. Keyboard players must know how to form major and minor triads without written notation. Teachers will be able to give some assistance to the learning of parts. Previous group playing experience is not required as long as you have the required proficiency on your instrument.
Cost: $325 - except Intro to Band Playing: $260 - and singers in Seniors Who Rock: $250

• Intro to Band Playing Sat 1-3pm - Janak Ramachandran
• Basic Rock and Blues Mon 6-8:30pm - Jim Peterson
• Classic Rock @ Lennon (SOMA) Mon 6-8:30pm - Sean Leahy
• Basic Rock, Soul and R&B Mon 8:30-11pm - Jim Peterson
• Basic Rock and Blues @ Lennon (SOMA) Mon 8:30-11pm - Sean Leahy
• Basic Rock and Blues Tue 6-8:30pm - Steve Kirk
• Basic Rock and Blues Wed 6-8:30pm - Mark Schuh
• Alt/Country @ Lennon (SOMA) Wed 6-8:30pm - Sean Leahy
• By the Decade: The Eighties Thu 8:30-11pm - Bill Spooner
• Unplugged Rock & Blues @ Lennon (SOMA) Thu 8:30-11pm - Jim Peterson
• Seniors Who Rock Sat 3:30-6pm - Bill Spooner
• The Blues on Sunday @ Lennon (SOMA) Sun 4-6:30pm - Johnny Nitro

The following Intermediate/Advanced workshops are for intermediate players with a year of group playing experience who can read charts and learn parts easily by ear.
Cost: $325

• Intermediate Rock and Blues Tue 8:30-11pm - Steve Kirk
• Intermediate Rock and Blues Thu 6-8:30pm - Bill Spooner
• Jazz Side of Rock @ Lennon (SOMA) Thu 6-8:30pm - Jim Peterson
• Intermediate Rock and Blues Sat 10:30am-1pm - Bill Spooner

Intro To Band Playing is for those brand new to ensemble playing. You'll receive more individualized coaching and direction than in our other Band Workshops as you learn the specialized skills, rules and etiquette of playing in a band, including understanding song charts, how to solo, collective listening, and connecting with an audience. Pre-selected songs will give you experience in different playing styles.

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.

The Classic Rock workshop will include everything from your favorite British invasion bands to songs from the Summer of Love - whatever you deem to be "classic."

The Rock, Soul and R&B workshop will include some classics from the likes of James Brown or Aretha Franklin in the mix.

The Alt/Country workshop covers the twangy side of rock - Wilco, Dixie Chicks, y'all decide.

The Eighties workshop will perform the best songs from your favorite bands, perhaps from your teenage years?

The Unplugged workshop will cover acoustic guitar-based material; the drummer should also be able to play some hand percussion.

Seniors Who Rock is Blue Bear's first geriatric rock band, led by the world-famous now geriatric rocker Bill "Sputnik" Spooner, formerly of the Tubes. Many singers are welcome; for seniors of all ages!

The Blues workshop will explore a variety of shuffles and blues-influenced songs.

The Jazz Side of Rock workshop will cover everything from Herbie Hancock to the Meters, Sting to Steely Dan, Zappa to ??

After School Rock Band - See KIDS and TEENS