All bands have the same class architecture, starting with a drum circle, followed by a Rock Pit game, finishing with the bandstand. Each activity has a purpose and focuses on a specific element of music - rhythm, harmony, melody and songwriting. Class begins in the drum circle, setting goals for the day’s rehearsal, and then playing a fun rhythm game on the drums as a team. Next up in Rock Pit, students are up on their feet, perhaps diving into songwriting, maybe playing a harmony game to get them ready for the band stand. On the bandstand, students grab instruments and work on their original song, solidifying the musical BLAM (Big Lesson About Music) for the day!

Brooklyn Music Factory supplies the instruments for in-class rehearsals, and every week you will receive a Band Report with specific practice suggestions for home. Because students in beginner bands play multiple instrument/s—and we do not expect students to have all the instruments at home—the practice suggestions will be exercises that don’t require specific instruments. Students can also play BLAM (Big Lessons About Music) games at home on Big Music Games, our mobile app. 

What’s a BLAM game? BLAM games are games bands play in class with their teachers to learn different components of music fluency. They’re super fun and super effective! You can download the Big Music Games iOS app on the App Store.

All bands—Jam Bands, Rock Write Record and GirlPop bands—spend lots of time writing original songs. Writing songs allows students to go “under the hood” of the songs and develop a knowledge and understanding of the components of music. We call that music fluency. Students are also SUPER engaged in their own songs, which keeps them inspired and motivated.