January 2nd - 6th A winter retreat with progressive metal band animals as leaders&special guest instructor evan brewer
FULL MOON RESORT
BIG INDIAN,NY
(845)254-8009
Curriculum Concepts:
SCALES AND SOLOING CONCEPTS
An introduction to the CAGED system. A extremely useful method of being able to play the same scale in all 5 positions on the neck. We’ll also examine an arpeggio based approach to soloing using modes of the major scale as well as modes of melodic minor. We’ll also dive into symetrical scales like the diminished scale and augmented scale for more exotic tonalities.
EXTENDED RANGE CHORDS CONSTRCTION
We’ll dive into the potential chord voicings available to the extended range guitar player in multiple chord qualities, with an attempt to establish a useful method for the student to create new chord voicings on their own.
THUMPING/ TAPPING
A crash course in this percussive right hand technique. Song examples from existing Animals as Leaders tunes. An excellent supplement to Evan Brewer’s class on right hand techniques.
ODD METER/POLYMETER
We’ll break down creative use of odd time signatures as well as the very popular idea of “poly-rhythms” and poly-meter. (Excellent supplement to Matt Gartska’s classes)
FINGER STYLE/HYRBRID PICKING
We’ll let go of the more common approaches to the electric guitar and focus on using an open right hand to achieve everything from chord comping to counterpoint.
LIVE PRODUCTION
We’ll take a look at the live setting and go over ways in which performances and presentation can be improved. Everything from eq-ing guitar tone that will cut in the mix to how to set your noise surpressor. Also a focus on how to get the most out of your AxeFX.
STUDIO PRODUCTION
Recording tips and tricks for most DAWS ( Ableton, LOGIC, Cubas, ProTools)
SONG WRITING
Whether you are composing for a band, writing solo pieces, or just writing bass lines for a band, there are some fundamental concepts that are very useful. We will use a class to discuss these things.
PHILOSOPHY
Why music is so powerful, what is the right mindset for success, music is not a competition, staying inspired, applying the values that can be learned from playing music to your life, continuing to progress, understanding the influence of musicians and how it is important to take that seriously. WATCH AN ACTUAL ANIMALS AS LEADERS REHEARSAL.
BASS SPECIFIC COURSES WITH EVAN BREWER
Reading chord charts: If you plan on being a working bassist you will want to take this class.
Two hand tapping: everything you want to know about two hand tapping.
Styles: a basic intro to the most common styles of music you may find yourself in. We will discuss the style of bass play that pertains to the style of music. For each style discussed we will cover the techniques bassists in the genre commonly use and the equipment that is common to get the tones necessary for the specific genre.
Recording: tips and tricks for recording bass in the studio. Things that will help the student be prepared for recording sessions as well as recording themselves.
Right hand techniques: down and up with the thumb, finger-style, di piazza style, up and down with individual fingers, traditional slap, picking, chordal finger picking.
Left hand techniques and practices: building strength, building speed, approaches for improving left hand, keeping your left hand (note selection) from getting into a rut. Developing interplay between left and right hand. Hammer ons.
Theory: common scales and their uses, common chords derived from these scales with voicing’s for bass, Approach to learning and practicing scales. Being musical with theory in practice. The advantages and disadvantages of thinking of scales in modes. Understanding what scales work with specific chords. Running scales using different intervals.
Gear: we will talk about what I use and why. We will also discuss how to use common effects properly like compression for example. (open discussion format)
Chords for bass: a bit more introspective look at chords for bass. Particular voicings and using scales to make up your own voicings.
Drum Specific Courses with Matt Garstka:
Creative and Technical Development Methods-Creative being the “Yin” and technical being the “Yang”. How to develop each independently and how they feed each other.
The Improviser in All of Us-Developing the improviser in all of us. How to bring the level of our improvising to the level of a prepared piece. The role phrasing plays in holding together the musicality of the “improvised”.
Groove and Time Keeping-Musicians often use groove, pocket, time keeping and feel interchangeably but in fact they each have their own meaning. Methods on how to Quantize your time keeping, accentuate YOUR feel, embellish your groove, and make your “pocket” more consistent will be covered.
Polyrhythms and Displacement-The lines blur whether we are displacing or playing polyrhythms. Yet both will be explained. Polyrhythms will take your phrasing to the next level, and displacement will bring greater depth to your accuracy sense of time.
Rhythmic and Melodic Phrasing for Drumset- One of the most essential parts of being a drummer people want to hear, is being musical. Exposing the melody instilled in all of us.
Speed Development (Mind and Body)- We spend a lot of time trying to make our muscles move faster, but a lot of times our muscles are not the problem. Our minds must be able to think fast enough, and furthermore the connection/dialogue between our hands/feet must be strengthened!! Tests and exercises will be given to help pinpoint the area of weakness and attack it. Endurance vs speed bursts will also be discussed.
The Balanced Musician-How fitness, nutrition, practice, routines, and experiences affect performances and creativity.
source :campingwithanimals.com
