The Original Music School

Why Our School is So Cool!

Kids have the desire to make their own music; they also have the ability to write, record, and perform their own songs. And they will be good, better than you can imagine. After all, Stevie Wonder had a #1 album when he was 13. The Kinks’ Ray Davies wrote You Really Got Me at 16. And Green Day were all stars by the time they hit 20. So, what are the music schools—even “performance-based” schools, doing to help these “artists-in-the-making” achieve their goals? Nothing!

But one music school—The Original Music School— is based on the principle that if we teach the right things, kids can spend most of their music training creating their own, original music (Wow, so that’s where the name of the school comes from!). The results are that students:

Develop creativity
Improve musicianship
Gain confidence in performing
Learn teamwork skills
Build self-esteem
Reap the rewards of a disciplined activity
Aspire to further develop their musical skills

Of course, not every kid will become a filthy-rich rock star. That’s not the point, just as youth sports programs don’t expect every kid to go pro. The goal is to let those with the desire go as far as they can, which is certainly farther than they’ll go merely memorizing parts of songs that had made someone else rich.

Original Music School Students learn the techniques needed to perform the music they love—whatever that may be (rock, pop, reggae, blues, country, even rap):

Timing
How to take cues from other musicians
How to be independent (improvise) within an ensemble context

Students come twice a week for:

1. A private lesson on their instrument: voice, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, sax, brass, violin, whatever
2. A group class on the 3 essentials for songwriting/composition:

Musical Structure–using music theory, scales and chord theory, they learn to create beautiful and creative melodies.
Lyric Content–Most of us have the ability to express what we feel on paper. The Original Music School teaches how to interweave those thoughts with melodies. Students learn how to properly use words, phrases and rhymes, as well as creative ways to spark a single thought into a whole song.
Style & Form

3. Guided rehearsal with their band
After songwriting class, students break out into their bands. Students are placed in bands directed by faculty mentors—a professional working musician/teacher who guides them and brings the bands to a level at which they can record in our studio and perform live. We group students into bands by age, experience and musical preference. Mentors take their bands through a team-oriented process of writing, arranging, rehearsing, and performing. This includes instruction in songwriting, ensemble playing, and stage presence. The collaborative writing process reinforces the concepts of cooperation and teamwork. Students form lasting friendships as they work together creating, jamming, and just having fun. The bands perform their songs at concerts in local public venues 3 or 4 times a year (Isn’t performing the reason anyone learns an instrument?)!

Plus, by being in a mentored band, Original Music School students learn the basics of the music industry.

Students learn about various topics such as:

Making your first record
Booking your first show
How to rehearse effectively
How to conduct a soundcheck
Business people and what they do
How to listen critically
How to conduct yourself professionally

The Original Recording Studio, a professional, working studio is in the same building (Go to our Studio page on this site to learn more). Besides recording their own songs, students may get a glimpse of professional recording artists making CDs—more and more kids (even those who don’t play an instrument) would like to learn recording, and that optional program is available here.

Whether it’s pop or punk, metal or blues, country or rap, The Original Music School provides the essential technical training and fundamental knowledge necessary for success. Above all, we are dedicated to developing the whole person through mentorship by caring, supportive, inspiring professional musicians.

Unlock the creative potential that is inside your youth musician.

8 East Frederick Place, Suite 101B, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 973.593.0258 create@originalmusicschool.com

Website by: DataPositive