A 3-hour workshop to learn, rehearse, and perform a song with fellow musicians.
Song Labs — One Day Song Workshop
No pressure. No perfection. Just the joy of making music together. Sing, play — or both.
Song Labs is a fun, beginner-friendly 3-hour music workshop for adults in NYC where you learn, rehearse, and perform a song in one day. It’s a mini-adventure for anyone who loves music — whether you’re brand new, returning after years away, or already playing and want more experience performing with others.
Before the workshop, you’ll receive chord charts and lyric sheets so you can arrive relaxed and ready. During the session, you’ll break into small, supportive groups — beginner guitar, intermediate/advanced guitar, and vocals — and learn your parts with expert NYC Guitar School coaches. Then we bring everyone together to rehearse as a band and finish with a group performance that’s videotaped so you can relive and share the experience.
All levels welcome. No experience required.
Join In on the Fun
"My first song lab was a little emotional. Players from beginners banging out whole notes to advanced students playing leads align to create a song. It is a rare experience to join with people you would never otherwise meet to accomplish something greater than the whole. The experience goes beyond just the music."
"Song Lab is an amazing way to start playing with other people, test your skills, learn new skills, meet other musicians. I highly recommend - it's a lot of fun."
"Beginners get a chance to play alongside musicians with varying levels of experience & intermediate/advanced players get to hone their performance skills. Song Labs are a ton of fun and a stepping stone towards my ultimate goal to rock-out with a band.”
Song Lab FAQs
Song Labs are perfect if you’re curious about music and want something fun, social, and creative to try. They’re a great way to improve your skills, play with new people, and stay connected to a supportive music community. You’ll jam with a mix of NYC Guitar School students and people who are completely new to our community. Whether you’re looking for a beginner guitar or singing class, a unique NYC experience or date night, or a low-pressure way to get back into music, Song Labs are for you!
Before the workshop, we send you chord charts and lyric sheets so you can preview your part and arrive feeling comfortable. During the workshop, you’ll break into small groups (8–15 people each), learn your part with expert coaches, rehearse the song together, and then perform on our Midtown studio stage as a big group. After the workshop, you’ll receive a video of the final performance to keep and share.
Song Labs are designed for adult guitarists, vocalists, and bassists of all levels — from complete beginners to experienced players. NYC Guitar School students and people who are completely new to our school all join to improve, connect, and play music with others.
You do not need ANY experience performing with other people!
For the beginner guitar group, it’s helpful if you already know a few simple open chords and can play a basic strumming pattern. You don’t need to be polished at all — just comfortable holding your instrument and changing between a couple of chords. Your coach will break everything down step by step in a low-pressure, encouraging way.
For those with more experience, we have an intermediate/advanced group that works on lead parts, riffs, fills, and more detailed arrangements — so you’ll feel both challenged and comfortable. And our vocal group is open to anyone who loves to sing — no experience required.
We have lots of acoustic guitars available for students to use at no charge. We also have a limited number of basses and electric guitars available. Singers don’t need to bring anything — just your voice.
Absolutely. Song Labs are a fun activity to share with friends, partners, or family members, and many people join together for a unique NYC experience or date night. Space is limited – make sure each attendee from your group registers individually to confirm their spot!
No. Song Labs are open to everyone. Current students join to improve and connect, and many participants are brand new to NYC Guitar School.
Song Labs are designed for adults.
We work in small, supportive groups of about 8–15 people per section (beginner guitar, intermediate/advanced guitar, and vocals).
Yes! You’ll learn your part, rehearse as a big group, and perform together at the end of the workshop. The performance is videotaped so you can keep and share the experience.
Many participants leave inspired to continue their musical journey through guitar classes, singing lessons, or rock band programs — but there’s no pressure to continue. Song Labs is a complete one-day experience.
