Gympie Kids Rock
Gympie kids rock will cater for years 6, 7 and 8 students who wish to learn to play the guitar, bass guitar, keyboards or drums. (see below for other instruments)
Beginner students will be taught in groups with something approaching the same repertoire and instrumentation as is available in a contemporary rock/country band.
According to Dr Geoff Walden, Education Director for the AICM, “Music is usually made and consumed in social and shared situations. So it makes sense to teach music, at least the basics, in a similar manner”.
Classes
Classes will meet each Wednesday afternoon. The first class will begin at 3.30 and if numbers require a second class, it will run from 4.30 to 5.30.
The teacher will be Dr Walden and the cost will be $8 per lesson, paid upfront in 10 week blocks. There will be opportunity for parents to pay half up front and the other half within 30 days.
Class members will be expected to have access to their own instruments for home practise purposes and students will be expected to maintain a practise regimine that will allow them to progress. Just like any other group situation, one person not progressing can hold the whole group back.
While the classes will accommodate the wishes of students and parents where possible, it is important that suitable instrumentation is available for each class - eg we need to have at least 1 bass guitar learner and 1 drummer for a class to proceed successfully.
What you need to bring to lessons
All students will be asked to bring with them an A4 folder with clear plastic inserts into which handouts are placed. There will be a number of handouts provided during the lessons and students are expected to have them with them each lesson. As well:
- Guitarists bring your guitar, pick, lead and tuner
- Bass guitarists bring your bass, lead and tuner
- Keys bring yourselves
- drummers bring your sticks.
Guitars
Guitar students are encouraged to purchase acoustic guitars initially and proceed to electric as they gain more skills. The AICM has guitar amplifiers available for those who already have electric guitars. We believe that it is worth having a guitar tuner from the very beginning. Guitar players also need to get used to carryiing a lead with them. So if you have an electric guitar, a lead and a tuner are basic to your kit.
Bass Guitars
It is often difficult to get bass guitar players, so students are encouraged to think about taking up bass guitar. The AICM has a bass amplifier available so there is no need to transport one for lessons. As is the case for the guitarists, you should have a tuner and a lead as part of your kit so please bring them with you.
Keyboards
There is no need to go out and buy an expensive keyboard in the beginning. But you do need something to practise on. The AICM has has a keyboard available so there is no need to bring one to lessons.
Drums
Drum students will need to have some kind of drumkit at home to practise on and somewhere they can practise without opsetting the rest of the household too much. The AICM has a drumkit that can be used during lessons so there is no need to transport one for lessons.
Other Instruments
While we will focus on the instruments listed above, we may be able to cater for students who play other instruments. For example there is a great need for good banjo players in this community. As well, students who learn violin at school may be interested in playing mandolin in these classses.
So if your child is interested in learning any of these instruments, please discuss it with the AICM teachers.
