Summer 2009 Short Seminars

Blue Bear Short Seminars are fun and affordable one-night classes for beginners and all levels. Blue Bear Members get one free seminar per annual membership. Call 415.673.3600 to reserve your free seminar.

The Blues Side of Jazz
Monday, June 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Brian Gire
Using examples from jazz guitarists Charlie Christian, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and others, you'll explore blues forms, progressions, comping, chord-substitution, chord-scales and phrasing. This seminar will cover major key blues.
Cost: $30 - sign up now

Shred II
Monday, June 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Lindsey Boullt
The heat turns up for graduates of Winter Quarter's Modern Shred Chops and Beyond! Shred II expands the repertoire and will include exploring Phrygian, Dominant and Harmonic Minor scales and related chord types. Chord progressions common to the shred and jazz-rock styles and the importance of arpeggios will also be covered. Shred II will provide additional licks from each emphasis, and in-class participation and demonstration.
Cost: $30 - sign up now

How to Sing and Play Guitar Together
Tuesday, June 23, 6:30-8:30pm
Janak Ramachandran
You can sing, you can play, but it all falls apart when you try to put it together? Learn tips for how to practice and develop singing-while-playing skills, including the most important aspects of basic vocal technique.
Cost: $30 - sign up now

Basic Guitar Set-Up and Repair
Wednesday, June 24, 6:30-8:30pm
Johnny Nitro
Learn how to make adjustments and simple repairs to your electric guitar that can affect and improve your tone and ease of playing. Bring your axe!
Cost: $30 - sign up now

From Grit to Grease: Rock Vocal Texture
Wednesday, June 24, 6:30-9pm
Janak Ramachandran
Learn how to create vocal colors, from raw to refined, from sugary to sassy, without hurting your voice. You'll explore techniques such as the glottal scrape, covered tone and truncated yodel to take your singing to the next level!
Cost $35 - sign up now

Intro to Speech Level Singing
Thursday, June 25, 6:30-8:30pm
Masha Campagna
Learn the basics of this powerful, effective vocal technique that's been used by such stars as Michael McDonald, Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand. You'll get a chance to experience the benefits with some individual work in class.
Cost: $30 - sign up now

The Minor Blues Side of Jazz
Thursday, June 25, 6:30-8:30pm
Brian Gire
Using examples from jazz guitarists Charlie Christian, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and others, you'll explore blues forms, progressions, comping, chord-substitution, chord-scales and phrasing. This seminar will cover minor key blues; the content is independent of Monday's Blues Side of Jazz seminar, which is not a requirement for taking this one.
Cost: $30 - sign up now

Intro to Drums
Saturday, June 27, 10:30am-12:30pm
Shaun McGonegal
Here's your chance to take a drum kit for a test ride: basic stick technique, simple beats and some snazzy demonstrations from Blue Bear's funky and fab drum instructor.
Cost: $30 - sign up now