Apprenticeship Workshop
Found in: Recitals & Events, Studio Management
Robert R., Kansas
I wanted to share something I did in my studio this semester. I held an Apprenticeship Workshop class for upper level piano, bass, and guitar students of mine. It was designed to teach them how to play in or form their own bands.
We met at my studio for 8 Friday night sessions and finished off with a live performance I set up at Post Coffee. In the workshop we learned:
• 10 Jazz Standards
• How to arrange songs for our line up (2 keys, guitar, bass, drums, sax and singing)
• How to put together a set list
• How to book a gig
• How to set up and tear down equipment
In their weekly lessons, I worked with them on Jazz Improv so they would know what to do in the band sessions. They are all piano students of mine who went on to take other instruments from me. The growth they showed in 8 sessions is hard to even quantify. They did amazing! And they loved it. They are all begging me to do another session.
Check these kids out. They are so inspiring!
Ruth P., North Carolina
This is so amazing! [ I did want to make the singer’s mike louder 😉] Maybe you can offer virtual lessons like this!
Robert R., Kansas
Ruth Wow, that’s a great idea, Ruth. I’d have to think of how to do that.
Megan F., Nebraska
It makes me think of a program here in Omaha called BluesEd.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
Megan I’ve had students play in a BluesEd band. *Fantastic* program!
Lynn S., Illinois
That’s an amazing workshop which you’ve created. Your students did a magnicent job too. Have you thought about creating a recorded course to share your wisdom to a wider audience?
Robert R., Kansas
Thanks for asking. I don’t have anything recorded but I have developed a Jazz Improv curriculum for my students over the past 5 years that segues directly out of my Blues Infusion Program. It’s designed to demystify, and greatly simplify the way jazz improv is taught. I teach it to both my piano and guitar students. The results have been pretty immediate.
Original discussion started May 9, 2023