Ever dream of playing in a band setting, but are not sure where to start? We organize rehearsals, book shows, and connect you to a supportive community. Expert coaches guide new rockers step-by-step from plugging in to playing on stage—and advanced players benefit from intensive performance coaching and professional arranging. Hundreds of bands have rehearsed with us in professional rehearsal studios and then performed in a NYC nightclub for their family, friends and community.
Make your rock band dreams come true, transform your playing, make friends and make music!
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." - Goethe/Murray
ROCK BAND 101
Expert instructors guide you through every step of your first band, from plugging in and using amps to arranging songs and creating a set list. You rehearse in professionally equipped rooms and finish with an exhilarating in-studio performance of 2-3 songs. Most 101 bands continue into our Custom Band program!
Spots available for Vocals, Keys, Bass, Drums, and up to 3 Guitars. If there is not a bassist or drummer enrolled, guitarists will take turns playing those instruments, with lots of support from the instructor. Weekly 2-hour rehearsals.
Requirements: No prior band experience necessary! Guitarists should have completed Guitar V: Advanced Beginners or the equivalent, be able to confidently switch between barre chords and be able to play entire songs. Bands need four enrolled students in order to run.
THEME BANDS
Theme bands make it easy to connect with other NYC Guitar School musicians. The setlist is chosen from coach suggestions and input from the band members based on a theme, like Blues, 90s Rock or Classic Rock. Your coach will send out one song with charts to prepare for the first rehearsal. Show up ready to learn and have fun! Your band will perform a 20-30 minute set on stage at an NYC club.
Spots available for Vocals, Keys, Bass, Drums and 2 Guitars. (Or 3 Guitarists who switch off on bass if no bass player is enrolled). 2-hour weekly rehearsals and 4 shows a year!
Requirements: For Intermediate/Advanced players comfortable on their instrument who have rehearsed and performed in a rock band. Bands need four enrolled students in order to run.Â
CUSTOM BAND
You and your bandmates select, rehearse, and arrange songs under the guidance of an expert instructor, and work as a team toward a performance on stage at a New York City nightclub.
Bands rehearse for two hours, once a week and have the opportunity to perform in 4 showcases a year! Many custom bands play together for years, and even play shows beyond NYCGS! Most custom bands meet in Rock Band 101, Theme Band or Jam classes–but work groups, families, friends and any other group can form a custom band.Â
If you have a group and are interested in joining our custom band program, please click below to register for one of the available times. If none of the available times work with your band’s schedules please email and we will do our best to set you up with a coach at a time that works with your schedules.Â
Are you an individual player looking for a band? Join a 101 or Theme band and start connecting with the community! Play in weekly jams and let the Jam Coach know you are looking for a band. Are you a band looking for a player? Let us know!
Summer 2022 Showcase
Details and FAQ's
Rehearsals will take place in midtown at Funkadelic Studios – 209 W 40th St 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Here’s a full calendar for the year with all the necessary dates!
Shows run 4:30pm-10:30pm.
FALL SESSION
START: 9/15
SHOWS: Saturday 11/12
NO REHEARSALS: 11/13 – 11/19 (Post show break)
WINTER SESSIONÂ
START: 11/20
SHOWS: Saturday 3/11
NO REHEARSALS:
11/23-11/26 (Thanksgiving)
12/23 – 1/1 (Winter Break)
2/19 – 2/25 (Mid-winter Break)
3/12 – 3/18 (Post Show Break)
SPRING SESSIONÂ
START: 3/19
SHOWS: Saturday 6/10
NO REHEARSALS:
4/16 – 4/22 (Spring Break)
6/11 – 6/17 (Post show break)
SUMMER SESSION
START: 6/18
SHOW: Saturday 8/12
NO REHEARSALS:
7/4 (Independence Day)
8/14 – 9/14 (Summer Break)
Open enrollment begins 30 days prior to session start dates, but feel free to reach out any time to get on the waitlist for a band!
Here’s a full calendar for the year with all the necessary dates!
Shows run 4:30pm-10:30pm.
FALL SESSION
START: 9/15
SHOWS: Saturday 11/12
NO REHEARSALS: 11/13 – 11/19 (Post show break)
WINTER SESSIONÂ
START: 11/20
SHOWS: Saturday 3/11
NO REHEARSALS:
11/23-11/26 (Thanksgiving)
12/23 – 1/1 (Winter Break)
2/19 – 2/25 (Mid-winter Break)
3/12 – 3/18 (Post Show Break)
SPRING SESSIONÂ
START: 3/19
SHOWS: Saturday 6/10
NO REHEARSALS:
4/16 – 4/22 (Spring Break)
6/11 – 6/17 (Post show break)
SUMMER SESSION
START: 6/18
SHOW: Saturday 8/12
NO REHEARSALS:
7/4 (Independence Day)
8/14 – 9/14 (Summer Break)
Open enrollment begins 30 days prior to session start dates, but feel free to reach out any time to get on the waitlist for a band!
No problem! You can drop or change bands after each show. Because we take so much time matching bands, we require 30 days notice for a drop or day/time change. To protect the quality of the band experience, there are no drops or changes available in the 7 weeks before a show.
Ex: You sign up for a Fall band but you want to take a break or try a different band AFTER the Nov 14th show. Just let us know by October 14th that you will be dropping your band or are interested in switching to a different band so we can open up your spot to new students for the Winter Session and get you set up with your new band. If you want to drop or change your band BEFORE the Nov 14 show you would need to let us know by Sept 27. You will only be charged for the rehearsals you have attended.
You will find that the NYC Guitar School Community is an environment which supports you in being your best. Whether you are honing your skills in private lessons or in our lead guitar, vocal or other classes…or when you are cheering on the other bands…or taking advantage of our open mics and student showcases…you will find that you are surrounded by positive people who are growing as musicians and as people. In fact, many of your classmates on stage will have started as Absolute Beginners. And some of your classmates will end up playing in bands on their own, outside the school. Does this sound like it might be the right place for you? Then…it probably is!
Our mission is Coaching Personal Greatness One Lesson At A Time. We believe that each of us is capable of more. By learning and improving in music, we not only experience the fun, connection and excitement of playing, but we live one of life’s greatest lessons, “what you put in is what you get out.” Playing music helps us all be calmer, have better focus, be better at accomplishing great things over time. Also, playing guitar is super fun!
On the 15th of each month. Your first month’s tuition is charged at sign-up and the next charge will run October 15th, 2022. If we don’t have your card on file, we will call you in September to set up the recurring charge.
Average is 4 classes a month. Shows count as a weekly class. December 15-Jan 15 payment is pro-rated to two sessions only.
We match students by level and instrument. We also try to match musical interest as much as possible.
We will work hard to move you to a day/time that works! If we aren’t able to, you will only be charged for rehearsals you have attended.
