An opportunity to learn the music theory and other skills needed to communicate effectively with other musicians and accompanists.
The course will cover:
- Basic music reading skills
- Basic music theory - keys, scales, chords and rhythm
- Creating and transposing chord charts
- Working with an accompanist, setting the tempo, arranging a song, beginnings, endings and dynamics
- Using a microphone and PA system
- Using computer software to make practise backing tracks and transpose charts. (Sibelius and Band in a Box)
All taught through a series of games and improvisations, & through building a supportive and encouraging environment.
Prerequisites: An intention to attend all the sessions except in the case of emergencies or illness.
Bookings: Essential. Limited Numbers - Click here
contact ph 374 MUSE (374 6873)
The tutors
Nikki Berry's background is as a songwriter and she is a trained audio engineer. She conducts the exuberant world music choir, A Capellago, and the Open Song world music choir. She loves to improvise, compose and arrange music, and has led workshops for singers and musicians of all ages and experience for many years.
Gary Easterbrook grew up in Whangarei, and has flown airplanes, driven trucks, worked in forestry, flirted with television... the list goes on. His musical career has been equally varied - from heavy rock to bluegrass and country, blues and jazz to world music. He learned piano as an eleven year old, took up guitar at fourteen, then bass guitar and back to piano (with a dabble on drums along the way). He's now happy on all these instruments, and also arranges music for choirs. Besides music, Gary loves surfing, sea kayaking and photography.
This course draws on their combined experience over many years of teaching & playing and especially draws on their work with young people. Guest tutors will also run workshops on a range of topics.
