Spring is on its way and what better way to celebrate its arrival?
Our first open house/free introductory guitar class of 2012 will take place on Sunday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. This free 45-minute class is a friendly guitar how-do-you-do for girls (ages 7+) and women of all ages.
Class is taught in our group class space nestled in the heart of our favorite Valley music store, Baxter Northup Music, 14534 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA.
Come on by and say hello to your inner guitar player! There will also be live performance at 1:00 p.m. featuring GGS adult students as well as a mini-set by rock cellist (and GGS collaborator), Helen Money with her students.
This event is in conjunction with the Baxter Northup Music open house and will feature other live performances of both students and teachers alike. Always a fun day and a great way to support local music. We hope you will join us.
In other news…
We are in the midst of putting together a new group curriculum to provide ensemble experience for those students already studying the guitar. If this is something of interest to you or your favorite female player, please drop us a line and let us know. We will be putting groups together based on experience and age of students. We hope to have the details nailed down and ready for roll out in March. This will include group programming for classes beyond guitar 101. We will be in touch via email with 101 students this week with days and times of 102 programming.
As always, please contact us with your questions, ideas, and suggestions for our YouTube channel, Links page or like-minded organizations to partner with. Thank you for your continued support of women in music, especially instrumentalists. We are changing the face of music one girl at a time. See you in class.
This Sunday we will be sponsoring our first free introductory group guitar class for girls and women of all ages! Class starts 12 p.m. and goes until 1. All you need to do is show up with a guitar. We’ll walk you through the rest.
Next official session starts Sunday, July 3 and runs for eight weeks (no class 7/24). Can’t make the first class? No problem! We know it’s a holiday weekend. You can sub one 30-minute private lesson in its place at some point over the session. All classes are taught at Baxter Northup Music, located at 14534 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Tuition for the eight-week session is $250.00 (class on Sunday is FREE!).This is in conjunction with the music school at Baxter’s open house.
How are you keeping yourself inspired for the summer? These are a few of the ways to keep the inspiration fires burning:
Read!
Here are a few of the books in our stack for July.
My Misadventures as a Teenage Rockstar by Joyce Raskin
Rock ’n’ roll isn’t just about sex and drugs. It’s about self-expression, lasting friendships, and self-empowerment. That’s what Alex learns after she starts playing bass for a rock band in this almost true story. Joyce Raskin, author and musician, culls from her memories to create this funny, touching, and honest look at what it’s like to be a teenager, a girl, and a rock star all at the same time.
Also included are a note from the author, instructions on how to play basic guitar chords, advice on songwriting, and more!
Joyce (and Scarce) will be joining forces with GGS for book signing and performances at Stories LA in Echo Park on July 24 at 4 pm w/Cool Moms and other special guests. More details to follow! More info on Joyce can be found right here info about the West Coast tour here.
The Girls’ Guide to Rocking by Jessica Hopper.
We here at GGS consider this book an essential read for any guitar player. Packed with all sorts of information, this book will be a go-to volume throughout your musical journey – what to look for when buying your first instrument, how to record yourself and your friends, how to book your first tour, be in a band. Also includes a great timeline spanning the history of women in rock, more recommended reading, listening and watching!
Go to camp!
There are several national music camps happening across the country in July. Here are a few of our favorites (click pink link for website).
Rock n Roll Camp for Girls or Girls Rock!These camps are usually a week long and are all about empowering girls through music education. Camps usually culminate with a show at a local venue. Please see website for listing of camps and cities.
Friday, June 24, the red sparowes will be playing at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock. Tix are $12.00. It is an all ages show. Get your tix here! Tickets
Make a mix of some of your favorite female players and ask a friend to do the same and then exchange them!
It’s loaded with interviews, instruction and music by a variety of female guitar players and bands. Subscribe today and let us know what other videos we should include. Coming soon to the girlsgtr channel – GGS instructional videos. Woohoo!
Open Mic it, lady!
Pick a song or two and try out playing live at a local open mic or just for your friends at casual summer gathering.
Whatever you do – make it a musical summer. As always, please email or give us a jingle if you have any questions.
It’s almost here and we are ready for it. Next session of group classes for both Girls and Ladies Guitar School will begin in June. We are still in the midst of fine tuning schedules but will posting the start dates soon.
Help us make this girls music revolution a thriving and vibrant thang – do you have any old rock posters, pictures, record jackets, etc of female musician, bands or songwriters that you would be willing to donate to the cause? If so, please email us at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com to sort out pick up/drop off/mail details.
Did you hear the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame has just launched a new exhibit honoring the women of rock n roll? Yes indeed! More information here: http://rockhall.com/exhibits/women-who-rock/
There are a slew of female artists on the road right now. KT Tunstall, Thao and Mirah are but a few of the women you will find hitting the summer tour circuit. Check your local listings and go, go, go!
Know of other female artists coming through Los Angeles? Let us know! Our goal is to have a current comprehensive list of events throughout the Los Angeles area.
Still pondering whether or not to take a class? Seats are going fast but a few spaces remain for Guitar 101 and Moms Rock. Classes start mid-October. For more information or to sign up, call or drop us a line!
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