Rock stars in training

<p>Learning to be a rock star isn't just about banging on drums, screeching electric guitars, torn blue jeans and cool hair.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>There's a wide array of skills, techniques and responsibility involved with being in a rock band, which is precisely what a Rock 'n' Roll 101 class strives to teach to young teens who are eager to become rockers.</p><p>The Rock 'n' Roll 101 class was started six years ago by Petaluma Junior High School music director Preston Bailey, with help from fellow musician-friend Frank Hayhurst. </p><p>The class meets every Friday, right after school, at Petaluma Junior High School. The goal of the class is to teach young musicians everything they need to know before landing their first gig.</p><p>“We go over how you rehearse, how to get things done, the benefits and drawbacks of having a smaller or larger band and how to perform,” said Bailey. “They learn musicianship. They also are getting important life skills out of this, such as responsibility and discipline.”</p><p>Bailey had the idea to create a rock 'n' roll class after realizing that there wasn't much instruction out there for youth interested in this form of music. </p><p>Since the class formed, guest instructors have included a variety of accomplished musicians, such as drummer Tracy Rose, George Merrill of the band Boy Meets Girl and Hayhurst, owner of Zone Music and former lead guitarist of the '60s band Bronze Hog, a rock trio that played regularly at the former Inn of the Beginning in Cotati.</p><p>“Things have been going great,” said Bailey. “That first year, we had five bands participating. This year, we're going to have seven bands and a number of professional musicians coming in to work with the kids.”</p><p>Students participating in the nine-session class sign up as a band, which is something Bailey found works much better than trying to assign individual students to bands.</p><p>“We discovered a number of things over the years,” he said. “One thing we've found is that students didn't have the same commitment to each other when assigned to a band. So, we decided that students had to sign up for the class as a band. We also hold a meeting about a month before the class starts to tell the students what's expected from them, how to prepare and get students looking for a band, into a band.”</p><p>The skills students learn range from general musicianship to tips such as how to plug in a bass and where to put a music stand so that the audience doesn't notice it.</p><p>“I tell them, when you make a mistake, do not wince and do not make a face,” said Bailey. “When you do that, you've just told everyone that you've goofed up. These are all skills and things you pick up from years and years of playing. </p><p>“One of the first student groups that got on stage to play walked around facing each other with their backs toward the audience. They were trying to figure out what they were going to do. When they finally started to play, I stopped them and told them that you don't start talking about what you're going to do when you're on stage. Understand that the stage is precious. Decide what you're going to do before you go on stage — and tune your guitar.”</p><p>The class comes to an end with a music final performance on May 7 at the Phoenix Theater. The concert is open to the public and gives the bands a chance to demonstrate everything they've learned.</p><p>“After six years, the class is going strong,” said Bailey. “And we still have a good time.”</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier. com)</p>