rock camp!

As i'm reading the paper i notice F&S music which is in the mall in my area is starting a rockers boot camp.
It states,rockers of all ages learn to play in a band!

I'll have to wait for tommorow to call,closed on sundays.
I may take them up on that offer.
I'll know all the details tommorow.
Rich any advice for me,would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Hey Axe -

Don't know why you think I can offer any advice!?!?! ;-).

That's AWESOME. My advice is call them as soon as you can and get signed up! Things like this are an incredible opportunity. I don't know about you, but for me playing guitar was always about playing in a band. Playing in a band gives me purpose, which gives me focus. My playing goes to another level when I'm playing with others.

You may have to audition, but I suspect that might be just to make sure you really know how to play your instrument at some level appropriate for being in a band. The place I do this at says you have to audition, but they don't (though they should!).

Other advice is to be open minded as far as song selection goes and roles (lead vs. rhythm).

Let us know if you get involved and how it goes!!

I guess advice was the wrong word I used.

I was basically trying to ask you,how it went for you on ur first day.

Like what should I expect on my first day that's all.

Auditions I agree. There should be auditions, how else can they pair the right ppl together. Last thing I need is to play with amutars.

I have been in bands before, but its. Been a long time since I have.

Anyway idk if I even have time for it,but ill try.

Now that I think about it,the ad says learn how to play in a band.
Well that I already know, I just would like to be in one.

Playin in a band is what its all about,it gives good purpose , focus like u said.
And it keeps ya on ur toes.
And u can only improve playing with others.

I would like to play with musicians that are a little more advanced then myself.

Hmmm, it may not be for you then. I'd still check it out though...you never know. The one I am in and the ones that the School of Rock do are about learning to play in a band.

I had played in a band way back in high school, but never in front of an audience. Then I played in a church group. So I wasn't a total newbie to the whole thing. For me it was about getting in front of people and playing and improvising.

Anyway,. the thing they are doing could be totally different - check it out. Certainly worth a phone call.

As far as what to expect - expect people from various backgrounds, ages, and musical tastes. Expect it to take a bit for everybody to gel and get the groove going.

Alternatively, you could check out some of the websites that are out there, like BandMix. Before hooking up again with my music school group, I was seriously considering putting myself out there. It is www.bandmix.com.

Good luck!!

Hey rich-
You to good of a player to not through ur self out there.

You said ur a solid rhythm player which i think is hard to find.
Alot of ppl ignore there rhythm playin for lead playin.
Everyone wants to play lead.anyway you have them both down.i heard ur improv solos,they were great...

Thanks Axe!! One way or the other I'm getting out there. There's potential with the folks I'm playing with now, so I'm sticking with this for now. If this doesn't work out this time, I'll start looking for another band.

Lead playing does get a lot of focus. You make a good point about being a rhythm guitarist. That could be a good foot in the door with a band. Bass players can pretty much walk into any band since there are so few. It may be a similar case with rhythm guitar players. Hmmmm...

Thanks Axe - that means a lot to me!!!

And thanks for your comments on my improved solos. I was actually listening to them again this weekend while BBQing on the deck. Having not listened to them or played them in a long time, I can better appreicate them. My lead playing is definitely starting to catch up with my rhythm playing. My accuracy and speed are getting better. Learning the Whole Lotta Love solos helped me with that quite a bit. I should start working on some Rush I've always wanted to learn (YYZ!!).

This weekend I also recorded the guitar parts for Day Tripper over a backing track I found on the Internet. I really liked how it came out. Unfortunately I can't share it here because you can only post originals...no covers. It's unfortunate because you can't share songs that you've learned on this site!

I should see if there is a loophole for that...probably not though...

I had called f&s music and get there voice mail.
I will try again tomorrow.
Rich I remember u had said there was a mentor , was he the one picking the songs for the band to play?.
cause I would like to play at lease some of the songs I know how to play.

And of course learn new songs too.
But I don't think I would want to learn a song that iam not in too.
Anyway I will know more about it tomorrow. Peace.

He took input from us for song selections. Because our group was indecisive, he chose 3 out of the 4 songs. The only one I knew a bit was Long Train Running. It was exhilarating and stressful since I was no only getting comfortable in front of an audience, but also learning new songs...and improvising the solos.

This time around however, I know 2 of the songs cold, so I almost feel like I'm cheating :-).

We are playing songs that are far from my first choice, but I still had fun.

Every place may do it differently. Where I'm going, different instructors may even handle it differently.

Well i had got in touch with f&s music.
The outcome is it costs $200 for 2 weeks u play with other ppl that joined up.
Then you play what u learned in the mall.
No one over 18 years of age.
So that leaves me out..

That's too bad. Maybe one day they will have something for adults.

I know that stinks.
But $200 for 2 weeks, does that sound about right to you.
Did you have to pay? And your project went on for months didn't it.

I'll check out band mix.
Thanks for the tip.
HAPPY FOURTH. .........

For us it is $25 per session, so $200 for 2 months. If you are taking lessons there, it's even cheaper - $15 per session. If you were meeting every night for 2 weeks, that wouldn't be bad.

Good luck with BandMix.

Happy 4th to you too axe!