Just as we all have different speaking voices, singing should be the same. The goal is to make each student the best version of herself or himself. Through specialized vocal exercises, carefully chosen songs, ear training, understanding of the physiology of singing, and good practice habits, students gain more and more control over their voices over time, as well as agility, flexibility across all registers, placement, versatility, range, repertoire, and even stage presence.

Whether the student chooses the traditional piano route (more emphasis on reading) or the more modern path (more emphasis on chords), all students will work on fundamentals, including fingering, hand positions, scales, exercises for dexterity, and recognition of notes, rhythms, and key signatures. By laying a solid foundation, the potential for growth is endless.

The coolest cats in the music world, like John Taylor (Duran Duran), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Sting, Paul McCartney, Aimee Mann (’Til Tuesday), Bernard Edwards (Chic), and Mark King (Level 42) are all bassists. Along with the drummer, a bassist sets the foundation and the groove of a song; therefore being able to understand, feel, read, and interpret rhythms is of paramount importance. In addition, bass students at BAM will learn to play in positions (playing in “the box”) that make fingering effortless, resulting in smooth, melodic bass lines. Students will also be introduced to such playing styles as walking, slapping, and picking, to name a few.

He sometimes gets so into it that he starts eating pieces of the drum set – you can’t teach that! But in all seriousness, what allows a drummer to feel that kind of freedom and abandon behind the kit is training. If a drummer is not armed with the necessary tools and experience, it becomes a tedious process of thinking his or her way through the music rather than feeling it. After playing for years with a metronome, the different grooves and tempos get inside the player. Often forgotten is the fact that a drummer is a musician – a student has to be able to make intelligent musical choices on the drums, and that is possible only through the discipline of regular lessons and practice.

Being that these are fretless instruments, training the ear to hear pitches and exact tuning are essential components to success. Along with the obvious techniques like reading notes and rhythms, using both hands together in a complimentary manner, and understanding the importance of sound bowing, there is also a strong emphasis on musicality. Simply put, string instruments require emotion. To make a string instrument really “sing,” the player has to give it a voice and a purpose. That can only occur after years of practice and dedication to the craft. It requires patience and perseverance, but it is important to remember that all the greatest string players in orchestras across the globe were once beginners too.

Starting out with just getting used to the instrument in their hands, feeling the air move through it, and playing long individual notes, the student will learn to relax and play slowly, concentrating on making a pleasant sound first. Posture and embouchure are key. Then over time, focus will expand to include all different types of scales and fingerings, reading music, knowledge of the history of the chosen instrument as well as its most famous players, and so much more. The process of learning flute, clarinet, or saxophone requires patience and practice, but it can be a rewarding one for sure! Woodwinds are beautiful instruments and are used in all kinds of music, like jazz, classical, film scores, and even popular contemporary styles.

Not only do these singers learn to harmonize and take on challenging contemporary music, but they also serve as the background vocal group for all concerts put on at the Academy. So instead of just singing their song or two songs and going to sit down, they increase their stage time significantly by participating in the entire show. There is safety in numbers, and singers will try things in a group and take their voices for a test drive more willingly when others are singing with them than they may be willing to alone. We find the singers in Advanced Ensemble will improve more quickly in a variety of areas. Unlike school chorus (don’t get us wrong, we are big chorus supporters at BAM), this class allows the kids to sing much of the music they love, and to do so in “chest” voice rather than just then quiet “head” voice. They learn to belt and blend at the same time, which is great skill to have.

Not only are there tons of performance opportunities for the group, but they also learn some basic techniques that set them on the correct path as young performers, such as warmups, vocal exercises, breathing, diction, and even movement. These kids always do a great job and steal the show at the BAM concerts. Furthermore, the class prepares its participants for the classes and lessons they will want to take when they get a little older and allows them the feeing of accomplishment that comes with moving up through the ranks at BAM over the years.

Instead of just learning about Bach or Beethoven (although that is important too), students get to go through all different decades and styles of music, learning how to recognize bands and singers when they hear them, knowing the characteristics of specific genres and sounds, learning important members of legendary bands, and even being tested on facts related to the music, the artists who make the music, and even cultural events that underscore and reflect the music of a certain period. The kids are so proud because they always know music that other kids their ages have never heard. They don’t just feel cool for knowing who Brian May or Neil Peart are…they are cool.

Learning to arrange vocals and instruments is a valuable skill for anyone serious about pursuing any kind of path in the field of music. It is somewhat academic in nature, yet still artistic at the same time. It is both an art and a science, and is therefore intellectually challenging, yet deeply rewarding. It is a specific trade that, when truly understood, can have practical benefits such as the ability to earn a good living for starters! For those who don’t achieve or possibly even desire being in the spotlight, yet still want an awesome job in music, arranging is a great option. And no matter what area or level of music one chooses, arranging skills are a huge asset.

It is also a learned skill, refined over time. Relying on a song magically popping into your head is like waiting for lightning to strike – it might, but it might not. So it becomes crucial to know how to write a song and then to practice doing so under the guidance and critique of an experienced songwriter. When there is knowledge at the root of one’s efforts, the concept of “writer’s block” ceases to exist, because we are no longer relying on luck, but instead are utilizing our understanding of the craft. John Mayer once said that the secret to writing a great song is to first write a hundred bad ones. BAM instructors will be there through the whole process, from first song all the way to great songs!