Classes

Private/Group Classical Percussion Lesson

Classical percussion lessons focus on snare drum, marimba, timpani, and auxilary percussion instruments. These lessons are designed to supplement the music program at each student’s school. Focus in lessons will be on basic technique, music from school band/orchestra, solo and ensemble repertoire, recital pieces, and audition material. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
**Timpani currently offered only if taught at student’s school.**

Private/Group Drumset Lesson

Drumset is one of the most popular instruments taught in private lessons. Focus here depends on your ability level, but all lessons will include basic technique. Styles offered include rock, jazz, and select latin styles. Group lessons are offered, but it is recommended that group lessons be at least 45 minutes. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

Private/Group Piano Lessons

I began taking private lessons at a very young age, and I believe that piano lessons will help students in their pursuit of any other musical instruments. Focus will vary depending on your ability level and length of lesson, but each lesson will begin with technique and will have music theory involved. For beginning students of any age and all students in elementary school, I recommend 30 minute lessons. Repertoire covered for intermediate and advanced students will include classical solos as well as jazz, popular, and duets. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

Private/Group Beginning Flute Lessons

All flute lessons  are designed to supplement the music program at each student’s school. Focus in lessons will be on basic technique, music from school band/orchestra, solo and ensemble repertoire, recital pieces, and audition material. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

Group Body Music Lessons

I often describe body music as “Stomp without their toys”. This style of music focuses on using the most natural musical instrument: your body. It is a naturally collaborative style, and so is only offered as a group (2+ students) lesson. Focus will be on developing a level of comfort with your own body, composition, improvisation, and technique. This is a style of music that requires no musical background, and is great for students of all ages. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

Body Music Ensemble

The Body Music Ensemble is the most flexible of all ensembles offered at Slap Happy. You do not need any musical background in order to begin, and there is no “beginning” or “advanced” ensemble. It is a very experimental style of music, and there will be frequent opportunities to improvise and solo. Styles will include samba, funk, and techno, among others. Beatboxers wanted! Be prepared to sing, as the voice is very much a style of music you can make with your body!
**Must have at least 3 students interested.**

Private/Group Brazilian Percussion Lesson

These lessons are designed as extra study for musicians in the Brazilian Batucada (coming soon). Private lessons focus on technique, history, songs and pronunciation, and the role of each instrument in the whole ensemble. Instruments currently offered are: caixa, repinique, pandeiro.  Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

Group West African Drum and Dance Lessons

Focusing on the drumming of the Ewe people in Ghana, this is a fully cultural style of music. In order to learn this music, the student will learn drumming, dancing, and singing. Because it is all-encompassing, it is not currently taught privately. In group lessons, each student will learn several instruments and will learn partner dances. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
**Must have at least 5 students interested.**

Private/Group Music Theory Lessons

Music Theory is the study of music as a language. Even a basic knowledge of theory (scales, clefs, and key signatures)  will greatly aid your playing, no matter what instrument you play. I recommend that music theory lessons only be taken by middle school students and older. Elementary students will get basic theory in their private piano, percussion, and flute lessons, and more will probably only frustrate them. These theory lessons are designed to supplement your private lessons and school music program, and do not stand alone. Studying theory is only truly useful if you put it into practice. Topics covered include reading multiple clefs, scales, key signatures, harmony, rhythm, aural skills, sight reading, sight singing, solfege, analysis, composition, and much more. It is highly recommended to begin with 30 minutes and increase at the quarter if you discover you really enjoy it. Lessons run 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
**This class will be offered beginning in the winter 2011 quarter.**

Classical Percussion Ensemble

Percussion Ensemble takes what you have learned at school and in private percussion lessons and puts it into a group setting. Depending on the size of the ensemble, the instrumentation for each piece will vary. Each student in the ensemble will be expected to perform on multiple instruments: you do not have the option to be “The Snare Drum Player” for the ensemble. Students will rotate so that everyone gets the opportunity to play their favorite instrument, as well as the chance to learn a new one or practice a challenging one.
**Must have at least 5 students interested.**

Brazilian Batucada

The batucada is an Afro-Brazilian style of music. It is very loud, very energetic, and a lot of fun! Instruments used in this ensemble include shakers, agogo bells, tamborim, caixa, repinique, timbal, and surdo. Musicians in this ensemble will all learn to sing songs in Portuguese and will learn the basic technique for every instrument. Music will be learned by ear. All students are required to have ear plugs for these rehearsals.
**Must have at least 5 students interested.**

Ghanaian Drum Ensemble

The Ghanaian drum ensemble is taught by ear and includes drumming, singing, and dancing. Each student will learn all three aspects of the ensemble. You do not have the option to only drum and never dance. In order to really understand the music and hear how it fits together you have to be able to see the connection between the instrument, the voice, and the body. This is a very physical style of music, and comfortable clothing is required. Ear plugs are very strongly recommended.
**Must have at least 5 students interested.**

Flute Choir

Flute Choir is an opportunity for all flute students to play in an ensemble setting. Focus includes staggered breathing, performing without a conductor, student leadership, intonation, and matching articulation. Repertoire will be beginning to early-intermediate.
**Must have at least 3 students interested.**