SPECIALIZED LABS
At this level the guitar player begins to specialize & focus. We offer a variety of Specialty labs, but we don't offer all of them every quarter. Watch the schedule to see what's coming up! All our Specialty Labs are described below.
"The Guitar Labs Rock and I am starting to too!' - Rob Cruttenden
SONG CRAFT LAB (Acoustic or Electric Guitar)
Watch the Video (Director Darren Clarke who developed this lab chats about the course)
These labs are designed for Intermediate to Advanced level Guitarists who want to develop their Song Writing skills. Students who join this Lab want to collaborate with other people and learn new skills. The Songcraft lab also gives students the experience of working in a pro studio as well as performance practice on our Showcase stage. Students will work with Producer Darren Clarke on creating original material and by the end of the quarter will perform and record those songs. Some may be asked to perform at the next Openhouse Showcase. Darren Clarke teaches the Songcraft Lab with Guest Instructors.
"I can't express adequately how lucky I feel to have access to this caliber of training"
Charlie Beaudoin - song craft lab.
The songcraft Lab includes (but is not limited to..)
• Helpful Music Theory for Songwriting and crafting original material.
• Song Structure & Arranging Skills
• Song Analysis
• How to communicate with other musicians
• Pro-techniques for practicing and performing
ROCK IMROVISATION LABS (Electric Guitar)
These labs are designed for Intermediate to Advanced level Guitarists who want to take their lead guitar playing to the next level, get out of their rut and get on the road to shredding! This lab reveals the tricks the pros use for their monster guitar solos. Students who join the Rock Improv Labs want to learn new styles and techniques and expand their musicianship.
• Learn how to use modes, scales & arpeggios
• The theory you need for improvising
• Techniques for mastering the fret-board
• How to jam in the style of different Rock icons such as Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck & Carlos Santana
• Techniques & Tricks to develop your own musical voice
• How to rehearse with a band & communicate with other musicians
• Pro-techniques for practicing and performing.
• In addition, play with one of our house bands AND make a recording of YOU playing.
ALL NEW BLUEGRASS LAB (Guitar & Stringed Instruments) with Kelly Powers
This lab is designed for Intermediate musicians who want to explore the world of Bluegrass and play with other people. You may have noticed Bluegrass has made a come back in is growing in popularity, so we have secured an expert (Kelly Powers) to come and teach the program with Director Darren Clarke. Each week we will learn a Bluegrass standard and look at the key techniques used to authenitcally play and jam on the song. Time will be given to playing with other students and performance / band skills.
ALL NEW 'GENRE GENIUS LAB' (Electric or Acoustic Guitar) with Billy Imperial
This lab is designed for Intermediate to advanced guitar players who want to explore the world contemporary guitar beyond just rock and blues. This is ideal for the player who wants a more eclectic reportoire and to expand their horizons and get out of the box. This lab will inspire and stretch your playing by looking at a variety of genres and styles. Each week we will learn a new jam in a different style or genre. For example you'll be exposed to reggae, latin, contemporary jazz, world music, country, funk, R&B and pop. After practicing some key techniques and chord progressions time will be given to playing with other students and performance / band skills.
BLUES LABS (Electric or Acoustic Guitar)
Watch the Video (Director Darren Clarke who developed this Lab chats about the courses)
These labs are designed for Intermediate to Advanced level Guitarists who want to delve into the Blues and jam a lot with other people. This lab is a homage to the roots of rock and roll and some of the great pioneering guitar players, such as T-Bone Walker, B.B. King and Albert King. Students who join the Blues Labs want to learn songs, jam with other people and learn to speak the language of the Blues.
• Learn several classic Blues Songs
• How to jam in the style of the great masters
• Signature Blues Phrasing
• The Art of Blues Comping
• How to rehearse with a band & communicate with other musicians
• Pro-techniques for practicing and performing.
• In addition, play with one of our house bands AND do some recording.
What Students said...
'Your knowledge of music and guitar, your fantastic facility, and your class structure coupled with your passion for music and teaching make these guitar labs an opportunity of a lifetime! Thank you!' - Steve Davis
'This has been a real blast! I'm really finding my voice with the guitar - this is an amazing experience!' -Russ Crenshaw
SONGS include original backing tracks produced here plus songs from, Freddie King, B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Eric Clapton, Albert King& Stevie Ray Vaughan.