John's Jams:

Rock Band

This ensemble class is a teacher guided experience in the skills and teamwork a musician needs to be in a rock band ensemble. Please audition even if it seems intimidating. John strives to make class fun and low stress, and welcomes the opportunity to work with different skill levels. Auditions are open to all instruments and vocalists. 

Auditions:

Thursday February 6th@6PM

(if we need to use some class time on Feb 13 to do auditions that is ok too)

Please drop by, call, or email front desk to sign up for a 10 minute time slot.
info@funmusiclessons.com
​707-664-0123

sign up here

• Prepared piece:  Length 2-5min; please choose a cover, not an original piece of music, and pick a piece that best showcases your skills and abilities. Try to have fun—treat the audition like a performance. Scales:  Be prepared to play Major Scales and Minor Scales
• Improvise: Be prepared to play along with a “backing track;” again, try your best to make music and craft a performance.
• Sight Reading:  An excerpt of music will be presented to you, so be prepared to play a short selection of music on your respective instrument. Try to emulate the style of the recording artist to the best of your ability.  
• Rhythm:  Be prepared to clap or tap or “tah” to an excerpt of music.
• Fun:  I know that this is an audition, but please try to enjoy it—after all, this is a class and all of us are here to learn something, including myself. Please consider mistakes as something to watch out for and avoid, but try not to focus on them or the possibility of making them—this will hopefully allow you to shrug off any mistakes more easily and quickly.    

FREE for MTME private students

If you are taking regular private lessons with an MTME instructor, this class is included in your tuition!
​Must be enrolled in at least one 30min, 45min, or 60min lesson per week, OR one 60 minute lesson every other week.

What if you are not a student and want to audition?

Tuition for non MTME students is $250 (which can be paid upfront or in monthly payments) Please inquire at the front desk. 

Class Information:

Class meets Thursday nights from 7-8:30 PM
February 13- May 14
Culminating in a performance in May

Ages 13+

Participation Requirements

• Practice:  At least 2 hours per week required, a little more than 15 min per day. If you have difficulty playing your part during class, additional practice time will be needed to keep up with the rest of the group—so, if your having trouble with a section of music, then please take the initiative spend more then two hours on weekly practice.
• Listening:  Listen to our performance piece at least three times during the week, not only your part, but how the musicians play together.
• Communication:  If you are having difficulty with any aspect of your experience in Rock Band class please email and we can set up a time to met in person in need be?
• Focus: Please show respect to all Rock Band members by staying focused on the music during our class sessions; avoid extraneous conversation.

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Meet your instructor

John Shebalin

John Shebalin received his first drum set at the age of 8 and has been in love with rhythm and music ever since. He has a bachelor’s degree from US Santa Cruz, and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the California Institute for the Arts.  John is a very active performer in the Bay Area, collaborating with groups in a variety of genres. 
John is a long time MTME teacher. He teaches private lessons for all types of percussion, piano, guitar, and ukulele. He also teaches the MTME Rock Band Program.