City Music Centre (East)

All Saturday morning and weekday twilight classes take place at:

Brighton & Hove Music & Arts
County Oak Avenue, Brighton BN1 8DJ

Eira Owen, Team Leader, City Music Centres

Instrumental / Vocal Techniques

At City Music Centre (East) students gain their first instrumental/vocal experience by joining one of our technique classes. These sessions focus on the development of specific instrumental/vocal techniques required for a range of popular/contemporary styles, with an emphasis on learning through performance. Classes are designed for students who have been learning for approximately one year, through to more experienced players. Collaborations between students from different instrumental/vocal groups are encouraged.

Drum Kit Techniques

Day/Time: Saturdays 9.00-10.00am, 10.00-11.00am, 11.15am-12.15pm

Techniques covered in these sessions include timekeeping, improvisation, soloing, and performing style, with backing tracks used to develop these skills. The drum kit studio is equipped with Pearl Drum kits, Zildjian cymbals, Roland VHD-1 V drum kits, a Roland TD8K drum kit and audio equipment. The three classes are progressive, with students usually gaining their first experience of this larger-group tuition at the 9.00am class.

Guitar Techniques

Day/Time: Saturdays 9.00-10.00am, 10.00-11.00am, 11.15am-12.15pm

Techniques covered in these sessions include scale and chord patterns, improvisation, sound creation and performance styles which are explored through audio/visual examples and discussion. The classes provide opportunities for electric, acoustic and bass guitarists to enhance and develop their playing.

Keyboard Techniques

Day/Time: Saturdays 9.00-10.00am, 10.00-11.00am

Techniques covered in these sessions include improvisation, part-playing and further exploration of a variety of contemporary styles. The keyboard studio is equipped with Yamaha DJX's, Roland EM10's and EM20's, however students are also invited to bring their own instrument.

Vocal Techniques

Day/Time: Saturdays 9.00-10.00am, 10.00-11.00am, 11.15am-12.15pm

Techniques covered in the sessions include voice production, backing singing and microphone technique. The vocal studio has a fully equipped PA and audio equipment. Applications are welcomed from students who enjoy singing a wide variety of popular music. Classes are progressive, beginning with a class for children in years 5 and 6 (9.00am), followed by classes for secondary-age students.

Grade V Theory

Day/Time: Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm

This class prepares students for the ABRSM Grade V theory examination. A minimum entry requirement for this course is a knowledge of all major and minor key signatures and an ability to read both treble and bass clefs.

Jazz Band

Day/Time: Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm

Jazz Band provides an opportunity for players to develop improvisation and reading skills, while exploring a broad range of music. Recent performances have included swing, blues and latin classics, through to modern day pop and funk styles. For many students this is their first experience of playing in a specialist jazz ensemble. Applications are invited from students of saxophone, trumpet and trombone who have reached a standard of Grade 4 or above and students of drum kit, guitar, bass (acoustic or electric) and keyboard, with the required reading skills. Applicants may be asked to attend an informal audition.

Rock and Pop

At different times during the year short courses are provided for guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboard players and vocalists who have been playing for a minimum of 1 year, to form bands and work towards performing a gig. A range of classic songs are learnt and there are also opportunities for bands to create their own original material. Please contact us at bhma@brighton-hove.gov.uk for further details and course fee, and to register your interest in the next available course.