Date/Time
Date(s) - 18/01/2017
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Mint Music Yonge & Dundas
Categories
Description:
Have you always wanted to write your own music but are not sure where to begin? Or perhaps you are a budding songwriter looking for fresh input and ideas? Come join us for a fun and stimulating class series that will help you develop your own musical style and ideas. We will discuss a different topic in every class, and give you many musical tools to help you interweave the elements of melody, harmony and rhythm in creative ways. Also, you will have the opportunity to record and perform your own songs for the class at our next student concert.
Requirements:
Ability to play and accompany yourself on an instrument of your choice is helpful. If not either Barry, Glen or our guest instructors will be able to do so. Every participant will have access to guitars (both electric and acoustic), Ukuleles, a Drum Kit and a Piano that is in the room where class is held. Working knowledge of the keyboard or guitar and the ability to play basic chords is recommended. An ability to read music and some previous chord theory is also helpful.
Course Outline – Topics covered will include:
Lyric and Melody Writing
Song structures that are common to popular music
Basic song arrangement techniques for: A) solo performance – piano or guitar and voice for example and B) typical rock band (drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and voice) will be covered.
Tips and habits that will accelerate your musical development & songwriting chops
Use of the piano as an arrangement tool.
The importance of rhythm and space in melody and arrangements
Chord progressions and harmonization techniques
Learning to play your own songs and notate your own rhythmic and melodic ideas so you can effectively communicate your music ideas to others.
Participants will have the opportunity to perform their songs for the group in class, at our school concerts and other performance venues in Toronto.
Instructors: Glen Alan and Barry Livingston
Video: Barry Livingston Group performs “Windcatcher” – Written and Arranged by Barry Livingston
Barry’s Bio
A graduate of the University of Toronto, Barry Livingston has played at jazz festivals across Canada, and in New York City. He is a former member of the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, and has also played with Juno-winning saxophonist, Jane Bunnett. He has attended the Banff Centre where he studied and collaborated with many jazz greats, including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Muhal Richard Abrams and Don Thompson.
Barry is also a respected and established music educator, with over 20 years of experience, including Langara Community College and UTS. He also has hosted popular jazz and global music programs for CIUT FM (Toronto), and CFRO FM (Vancouver), and has contributed to CBC radio.
Glen Alan’s Bio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV7V071f2dQ
A graduate of the Humber College Jazz Vocal program, Glen Alan has performed in venues in Canada, the US and Europe. Glen has his Grade 8 Piano Certification with honours from the Royal Conservatory and also plays the guitar and ukulele. Glen currently performs his original music with the Glen Alan Band in Toronto. Some of the people has worked and performed with include Keifer Sutherland, David “Soulfingaz” Williams, Jackie Richardson, Don Ross, Brian Dickenson, Natalie McMaster, Mark Dubois, Lenny Soloman, Steven T Hunter, Tim Bovaconti, Paul Delong, Wendell Ferguson, Suba Sankaran and Dylan Bell.
In 1996 Glen founded Mint Music (formerly know as Find A Way) and the Toronto Guitar School in 2014. Mint Music today is a thriving music school, recording studio, video and live event company. Glen Alan is also an experienced recording engineer, producer, and recording studio owner with over 20 plus years of professional music industry experience. As a studio designer and consultant he has overseen the major upgrades and construction of 3 commercial recording studios to date.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Class 1: Wednesday, January 18th, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Class 2: Wednesday, January 25th, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Class 3: Wednesday, February 1st, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Class 4: Wednesday, February 8th, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Class 5: Wednesday, February 15th, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
SPECIAL OFFER:
Prepay for this course before January 18th and SAVE OVER $85!
You will Receive:
• $50 off the regular course cost of $150
• 50% discount on a 1-hour private music lesson with Glen Alan or Barry Livingston (Savings of $37.50)
Bonus: Those currently enrolled in our school courses ALWAYS receive the discounted rate on all of our other drop-in classes and courses.
Payments can also be made in person at the Toronto Guitar School’s Yonge and Dundas location (116 Bond Street) by appointment only. Cheque, VISA, debit or cash are the accepted methods of payment at this location.
Payment must be received 24 hours prior to the start of the class to qualify for the discounted price otherwise the regular course rate of $150 applies. Feel free to email us at info@torontoguitarschool or phone 416-707-1077 if you have any further questions.