Band Workshops

These group classes are 10 weeks and begin the week of July 7, except where noted.

Class Schedule :: How to Sign Up

Blue Bear Band Workshop Showcase [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 Band Showcases. Invite your friends!

See the Blue Bear Calendar for Band Showcase dates.

The following Basic level workshops are for those with competence on their instruments but with little or no group playing experience.
Cost: $295

• Basic Rock and Blues Tue 6-8:30pm - Steve Kirk
• Basic Rock and Blues Wed 6-8:30pm - Mark Schuh
• Basic Rock and Blues Sat 10:30am-1pm - Bill Spooner
• Basic Rock and Blues @ Lennon (SOMA)* Mon 8:30-11pm - Sean Leahy
• Basic Rock, Soul and R&B Mon 6-8:30pm - Jim Peterson
• Contemporary Bands Sat 3:30-6pm - Bill Spooner
• '80s Pop @ Lennon (SOMA)* Mon 6-8:30pm - Sean Leahy

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: $295

• Rock and Blues Tue 8:30-11pm - Steve Kirk
• Rock and Blues Thu 6-8:30pm - Bill Spooner
• Blues @ Lennon (SOMA)* Wed 6-8:30pm - Johnny Nitro
• Jazz @ Lennon (SOMA)* Thu 7:30-10pm - Jim Peterson

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

Contemporary Bands is for those who want to play material by current and emerging artists and bands. No "oldies," please.

The '80s Pop workshop will dig into your favorites from another time.

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

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.

Summer School Rock Band - See KIDS and TEENS and SUMMER CAMPS