Team-taught by two facilitators, Inside Rock is a hands-on, insider’s guide to the theory and practice of rock music. Over the course of two hours we will cover:

• The Gear. We’ll demonstrate and participants will learn about guitars, basses, effects, amplification, etc., including set-up and maintenance. Some participants will get to ‘try out’ instruments and effects for themselves.
• How Rock Works. We’ll look in detail at three or four classic rock songs, including the role of each of the instruments in a band and parts of the song (verse, chorus, solos, etc.). Participants will also learn how rock songs, even when they follow the same simple structure, can express many different moods and emotions.
• Playing the Part. We'll learn how a rock song is put together from the ground up, starting with drums (participants clapping, rapping and/or tapping their desks), then adding bass, rhythm and lead guitar to the mix. (Participants are also welcome to bring along their own guitars and basses to join in.)
• I Want to Be in a Band. We’ll learn about what’s involved, including rehearsal, songwriting, gigs (both getting and playing them) managers (finding them or managing yourselves), making CDs, etc. And we’ll discuss the many career options in an industry made up not only of performers but also of producers, sound engineers, artist managers, concert promoters, broadcasters, music publishers, etc.

There will be time as well for questions and answers about the music industry in Ireland.

Options

2 X 2-HOUR WORKSHOPS

Overall length 5 hours (with 30-minute break between workshops and 15-break within each)
Participants Up to 40 per workshop (80 in total)
Fee €650 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)

1 X 2-HOUR WORKSHOP

Overall length 2 1/4 hours (with 15-minute break within workshop)
Participants Up to 40
Fee €380 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)

Details

Day Subject to facilitator availability (please contact us)
Facilities needed Classroom, CD player, whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk
Booking Booking of workshops requires a deposit, payable no less than seven days before the scheduled date of the workshop, and a signed workshop contract (outlining our requirements and the workshop format). Please contact us for more information.
Facilitators Francis Long and John Sweeney

Fran Long has been involved in the music business for many years. At the age of eight he joined the Artane Boys Band, where he learned to play the clarinet, oboe and the bell lyre – before moving on to guitar and bass, playing professionally with different bands, releasing several CDs and recording various artists, including Cathy Davey. Francis has worked in several music shops and was Manager of Waltons Music for five years. Currently teaching guitar at the New School, he has also given workshops at the Ballyfermot Community Centre aimed at helping young people understand the music business.

John Sweeney has been playing guitar and bass for over 25 years and works in many different styles, including rock, trad and jazz. He has written music for, performed and recorded with the Wolf Tones, performed throughout Ireland and Spain and performed and taught in Toronto, Canada. Currently teaching guitar and bass at the New School, John recently gave a rock performance master class at the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland and is always striving to develop new techniques and teaching methods.

Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for an Outreach Booking & Enquiry Form.

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