Let’s Rock!
We encourage all students interested in the rock band program at MLE to contact the office and set up a consultation with the instructor before registering.
Beginning Rock Band
2023 Schedule TBA
Beginning Rock Band is a 60 minute weekly class open to students ages 10 and up who have basic proficiency on guitar, bass, vocals, or drums (other instruments considered). Students will learn the basics of playing and improvising as a team in a fun and energetic environment. The band will perform community concerts at local venues several times per year. Cost is $55/month for students enrolled in private lessons at MLE and $65/month for non-MLE students, plus a one-time registration fee of $10 (waived for current students). Limit of 6 students per class.
There are no auditions for beginning band, but students should have 1-2 years instruction on their primary instrument and have basic music reading abilities. Students falling outside the age range or playing requirements considered on a case-by-case basis.
Advanced Rock Band
2023 Schedule TBA
Advanced Rock Band is a 60 minute weekly class open to students ages 12 and up who are proficient on guitar, bass, vocals, or drums (other instruments considered). Students will learn how to perform and improvise as a team in a fun and energetic environment. The band will perform community concerts at local venues several times per year. Cost is $55/month for students enrolled in private lessons at MLE and $65/month for non-MLE students, plus a one-time registration fee of $10 (waived for current MLE students). Limit of 6 students per class.
While there are no auditions for Advanced Rock Band, students looking to enroll should meet the standards below to make sure they get the most out of the class. Students falling outside the age range or playing level considered on a case-by-case basis.
Guitarists
Be comfortable playing a blues in the keys of E and A
Be comfortable improvising on the pentatonic scale
Be able to play the main open chords (E, Em, G, A, Am, D, Dm, B7, C)
Be able to play E and A type barre chords
Be able to play 2-3 songs all the way through
Be able to name and play all the notes on the low E and A strings
Be able to listen to other instruments and not play over them
Bass
Be comfortable playing a blues in the keys of E and A
Be able to name and play all the notes on the low E and A strings
Be able to play 2-3 songs all the way through
Understand the root, fifth, root shape on the E, A, and D strings
Be able to listen to other instruments and not play over them.
Keyboard
Be comfortable playing a blues in the keys of E and A
Be able to improvise on the pentatonic scale
Be able to play a song based on chord charts
Be able to play a bass line with the left hand and improvise with the right hand
Have a working knowledge of chords and chord structure
Know and be able to play all the major scales
Be able to listen to other instruments and not play over them.
Drums
Be able to keep a strong beat
Be able to play 2-3 songs all the way through
Have a working knowledge of a few different grooves/feels
Be able to listen to other instruments and not play over them
(Basic note-reading experience preferred)
John Camacho, instructor, is a long-time musician and educator based in Tallahassee, Florida. John’s performance experience includes playing keyboard for the Broadway musical Those Were the Days, songwriting and performing with the rock band The Goods, and working as an accompanist at the Juilliard School, New World School of the Arts, and the Miami City Ballet. Before joining MLE, John taught private lessons and musical theatre at The Mandelstam School and Calusa Preparatory School in Miami.