Ensembles
AfterHours™ Ensembles
After Hours is for the career and post-career adult with a serious love of music and the time to finally enjoy reconnecting with their musical genes. It gives people a creative outlet for their music. Players enjoy the camaraderie of being in a band while working toward improving their musicianship. (ages 20-something to 90-something)
The After Hours “concept” is one of atmosphere… loose, relaxed, inviting. The different ensembles are tailored to the kind of progress the individual wants to make. Whether you want to just play, hang and enjoy yourself, work toward becoming a gigging musician, or all of the above, there’s an ensemble for everyone! Building “chops,” developing and growing repertoire, honing arrangements, the dynamics of playing in a group — and maybe even enjoying a good glass of wine — are all part of the curriculum.
Ensembles
Instrument Labs
Get down to the business of learning ALL about the instrument you love.
Instrument Labs are group classes where we go in-depth, studying the essential techniques and concepts of your chosen instrument. These are classes where you work and play with others who share your interests, and with the guidance of our fabulous instructors, get down to the business of learning ALL THINGS about playing the instrument you love. The bullet points below are but a hint of the range of topics covered:
Drum Lab covers topics like:
- Sticking patterns
- Comping
- Soloing
- Brushes, including pointed study of the best: Philly Joe Jones, Vernell Fournier, Ed Thigpen
- Drum set grooves
- Grip
- Sight reading
- Rudimental studies
- Improvisational skills
- Song forms
- Styles: swing, ballads, latin, funk, hip-hop, rock and the numerous “fusions” that exist in our modern world
- Working within the rhythm section
- Working with a soloist
- Standard repertoire for the drum set
- Numerous songs will be analyzed, studied, and memorized
- Polyrhythmic studies including metric modulation, multi-simultaneous patterns, and cross rhythms
- Moeller technique and it’s off-shoots
- Metronome games!
Guitar Lab covers topics like:
- Ensemble group-playing skills
- Comping techniques
- Making great melodies
- Soloing skills
- Sight reading
- Improvisation within the ensemble
- Interpretation of lead sheets
- Blend / balance
- Rhythm / time feel
- Standard repertoire
- Exercises, drills and weekly assignments
- Scales and arpeggios
- Voicings
- Harmonizing melodies
- Numerous songs will be analyzed, studied, and memorized
