Teamwork, The Music and Sports Connection

There are definitely many similarities between sports and music. The importance of teamwork is what first comes to mind. Musicians in Rock Camp, our music camp in Bridgehampton, New York, rehearse and learn the music together, and adjust in real time to what everyone is doing on stage.

Basketball legend, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, says it best. 

"The whole idea of teamwork for a basketball team and a jazz group is basically the same.  You have to work within a tight structure of time, space, and rules, and you have to find room for personal expression while supporting each member in time and reacting to what they do in time and space.  Jazz shows how these constrictors can be liberating rather than confining."

 Here is a short clip of the basketball legend, Kareem Abdul Jabbar talking about attending his first music concert, Duke Ellington and the jazz-like quality to his playing.  Here is another clip of him speaking at Lincoln Center.  So good!  

Bridgehampton, NY Summer Music Camp - Rock Camp

This summer, July 10-21, in Bridgehampton Rock Camp provides inspiring musical instruction to students ages 7-19 - ensembles, lessons, concerts, and electives for a variety of interests. There is also an afternoon Jazz Workshop course for interested students, as well as adult lessons offered in the afternoons.

You will be surrounded by aspiring musicians from all over the Hamptons such as Southampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton in this welcoming and friendly camp. Check out our site for more details or give us a call, (908) 230-6079.

Private Lessons & Classes in Music and Art

First off, I want to tell every student, whether you studied music, art, or dance, that we are all very proud of your achievements this summer! Watching each of you grow in your own unique way, was nothing short of amazing. You all worked hard, dug deep, and rose to another level which we all were able to see in your concerts, art exhibits, and dance recitals.

While our full day camp is over for summer 2022, we will be offering private lessons (1 hour long each) in music and art, and folks are also able to book ensemble classes (2 hrs) and art classes (2 hrs).

If you would like to continue your exploration into music and art, we are here, just give us a ring or email, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com. We are here for you!

Last Week of Rock Camp & Diving Into Art, Summer 2022!

Well, It’s been an amazing summer so far. So proud of every student that has walked through our doors and the level of talent you have have shown in concerts, art exhibits, and dance recitals!

This is our last week for summer 2022, we look forward to seeing all you!!

3 Things that make our Hamptons Summer Camp in the Arts a Unique Experience

In our summer camp arts programs in the Hamptons, located in the heart of Bridgehampton, Long Island, students of all ages can choose from a variety of art forms and then focus on mastering skills in either music, art, dance, and theater. Here are 3 things that make our summer art programs different.

1. Students choose a specific art form to focus on.

   If a student has an interest in music, art, dance or theater, he or she will study with master musicians, artists, dancers, and actors for several hours a day on that specific art form. Why this approach as opposed to a more general approach where students study a variety of subjects? It’s important to us that students gain concrete skills in addition to an inspiring experience. For this reason students perform in an end of the week concert or have an art exhibit or a dance recital or perform a play.

2. We are not school….This is Summer!

   Our goal is for every student to have an incredibly fun experience AND explore their interests and come out this experience 10 notches higher in terms of technique, approaches, and inspiration in their chosen field of music, art, dance, and theater. We have a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We feel that once students are having fun and making friends, the learning falls right into place.

3. Our Staff

So all of our teachers are experts in their field and are also busy pursuing their career in their chosen art form. Why is this important? In my experience, teachers who also performers/working artists generally can take you from point A to Point B very very quickly. They are practical. While they know theory, they are not lost in the clouds….because they know deadlines, and what it means to prepare for a recording, concert, art exhibit, play, or movie where one must learn new skills while also exercising time management.

A second feature the makes are staff special is that they love sharing their knowledge with others. We love seeing that light shine bright in students when they are inspired or understand a concept for the first time or perform in a way that they did not imagine was possible just a few days ago.

The Premier Summer Camp in the Hamptons, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you are looking for a different kind of summer camp experience, and curious to explore the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater this summer, then you are in the right spot. In our fine and performing arts camp in the Bridgehampton we have 5 different programs, both day camps and adult afternoon classes, where you can explore and learn new skills while having a lot of fun along the way!

MUSIC - We have Rock Camp during the day, 9-3, where students will learn up to 2 instruments, will be in a morning and afternoon bands, have electives, and perform at an end of the week concert. In the afternoons we have adult lessons from 3-5, and a program called Jazz Workshop for those interested in the world of jazz.

ART - Our art program is called Diving into Art where students learn acrylic paining in our first week and in our second week explore watercolor painting. Like in music there are electives in the afternoon and there is an end of the week student art exhibit for friends, family, and the public. Adult classes are held 3-5 pm.

DANCE - Dance Intensive is structured as a hip hop workshop and meets 3-6 pm. It is led by Carlos Neto one of the leading figures in dance, choreography, and teaching in the world (Alvin Ailey, NYU, Broadway Dance Center). This is designed with students 12-18 in mind, beginners-advanced students welcome.

THEATER - Theater Workshop is a two week program and this summer we will explore the play/musical, Little Shop off Horrors. Theater workshop meets in the afternoons, 3-6 pm.

JAZZ WORKSHOP - Jazz Workshop is an afternoon camp for middle and high school students, college students and adults that meets daily from 3-5 pm. Students play in ensembles and learn the art and craft of playing jazz in terms of rhythm, harmony, and improvisation.

For More Info and Details, Check out our Site.

Summer Camp in the Hamptons, a Different Kind of Performing Arts Camp

Tucked away in Hamptons right in Bridgehampton, New York is a summer camp dedicated to students exploring the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater. Our summer camp programs are meant to nurture that inner curiosity for the arts and build it up with skills and inspiration. We want all of our students to learn and have a whole lot of fun with their peers along the way!

In Rock Camp students from beginners-advanced, have lessons on their instrument throughout the day, perform in two different bands, and have many electives. If music is not your thing, we have an art summer camp, Diving into Art which explores acrylic painting one week and watercolor painting the next. If you love to dance, we have an amazing dance camp in the afternoon focussed on hip hop with one of the world’s leading dancers, Carlos Neto. And if you love the stage, we have a theater camp called Theater Workshop which meets for two weeks in the afternoon and will present the musical Little Shop of Horrors. In addition, we have a jazz program in the afternoon for those musicians looking to explore the world of jazz.

All of our camp programs have an end of the week concert, art exhibit, dance recital, and a theater performance. We also have adult classes in music and art in the afternoon for very beginners-advanced students.

We look forward to seeing you this summer. Whatever your passion or curiosity is in the arts, we are here to help you dive in and come out on the other side with new found skills and inspiration!

Jazz Camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons

Our jazz camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons is meant for musicians who want to take their music to another level in terms of improvising, finding their creative voice, and making music with like minded musicians who love music as much as you do. We have an adult class, a class for high school musicians, and a separate division for our middle school musicians in our jazz camp which meets in July in the afternoons, 3-5 pm (July 11-15 in New Jersey, and July 18-22 in the Hamptons). Whether you are an adult, a college students, a high schooler, or someone own middle school hungry to learn, you will find a welcome home here at Jazz Workshop.

Many musicians in our jazz camp ask about soloing and how to improvise. A few things come to mind.

1. A great solo is like a great story. Just like a great story, whether its a movie or in a book, has an arch, the same is true in music. There is a narrative that one can follow, with a theme or various themes. There is a beginning, middle, and an end. There is dialogue which translates into how a soloist articulates his or her ideas and uses spaces, pauses, exclamations, just like when we speak.

2. The soloist’s ideas are tied into the harmony of the music, and when it’s not connected to the harmony (when someone plays outside the key for instance) it’s done in a purposeful way.

3. A solo is alive, in the moment, and responds and interacts with the band playing.

There are many many amazing soloists in jazz, each with his or her unique voice. Here is the great Sonny Rollins soloing over his song St. Thomas.

Summer Jazz Camp in New Jersey and Long Island, Jazz Workshop

Jazz Workshop is a music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons that aims to take students to a higher level through mastering their instrument or voice, how to solo, how to understand harmony, and inspiring students to find their individual voice in music.

Let’s look at George Gershwin’s song, Summertime, as an example of how we can dive into the music.

1. As a baseline for improvising on this song we need to know that we are in the key of d minor, and everyone will play the triads for d minor, g minor, and A major, root position and with inversions.

2. We see in measure 2 and 3, that we have a ii-V-i pattern. The II-V-I and it’s minor key equivelent, ii-V-i, is a harmonic cornerstone to many jazz songs, particularly music of the American Songbook. So after understanding this we need to put this knowledge in our fingers, voice, and become fluent with playing II-V-I’s passages in different ways and in different keys.

3. What about improvising? Well, there are many approaches we can take. A macro approach, and a way to just start getting into the music would be to review the d and g harmonic minor scales, as well as the f major scale. The d harmonic minor scale (d-e-f-g-a-b flat-c sharp) can be used over measure 1-3, 7-11, 14-16 while the g harmonic minor scale (g-a-b flat-c-d-e flat-f sharp) can be used in measures 4-6. The F major scale can be used in measures 12 and 13.

This is only one of many ways to start creating your own melodies over the song. Initially it’s important to learn the building blocks (scales, arpeggios, etc..), but once you have this understanding, one needs to throw this knowledge out the window in a way, and start creating melodies and lines that come from your voice, your own creativity, what you are hearing into the music. Then the music really comes alive and will inspire you and everyone listening!

Music Camp in New Jersey and Hamptons, 3 Things to Know

I have seen a few different approaches to music camps/education.....At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop, our summer music camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons, I can confidently say we are the 3rd approach, without a doubt!

1. A fluffy-music-appreciation type of experience - that's not us (I am having flashbacks to when my children were very young and we took a few of these classes).

2. A hardcore conservatory approach (i.e Manhatten School of Music, Julliard...this is great but it's meant for older students and is meant as a pre-professional, bootcamp approach) -that's definitely not us either......

3. Banff Approach (a great center for the arts in western Canada). This is us!

The environment is social, fun, friendly, and students are inspired to learn and create as much from their teachers as their fellow musicians. You are surrounded by teachers who are pursuing careers in music who love to share with others. An interest in music or anything I suppose, is something that should be nurtured and allowed to grow at the same time.

Diving Into the Roots of Rock, Rock Camp & Jazz Workshop, Summer Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

At our music camp in the Hamptons, Long Island and New Jersey, we make sure to understand our roots and where the music comes from, the heroes, innovators, and creative spirit of those sung and unsung. So what makes Fats Domino of New Orleans so important in the growth of rock?

First off, Fats Domino was from New Orleans. Well, we know New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz, and of course blues is a cousin to jazz, living side-by-side. A piano style developed out of jazz and blues and Fats knew it well, Boogie Woogie. This involves a driving left hand pattern in the left hand and the right hand plays syncopated lines on top of usually played over the blues or a song with changes that reflect I, IV, V harmony of the blues. Great musicians of this style include Gene Ammons, Professor Longhair, Meade Lux Lewis, and later rock-n-roll musicians like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. Professor Longhair’s music had something else to it, a distinctly New Orleans rhumba-rhythm infused in the music which was very influential to great musicians like Dr. John and Allen Toussaint.

In the 1950’s Fats was able to infuse his music with a triplet feel and his song “The Fat Man” went to #2 on the R&B charts. The site SPClarke.com explains it well down below:

“The Fat Man” is often referred to as the first Rock and Roll song, although such assertions will always be the subject of great dispute. As far as Fats was concerned, he was merely playing the same sort of music he had been playing in New Orleans for years. Referring to being called the “Father of Rock and Roll,” Domino, himself, later said, “Well I wouldn’t want to say that I started it, but I don’t remember anyone else before me playing that kind of stuff.” Whatever the case, Fats Domino was suddenly a Rhythm and Blues star.

This led the way to rock-n-roll hits like Blueberry Hill.

But we all know everything comes from something else, and when we peel things back we also have to give a shout out to the great musician Little Willie Littlefield. His song of 1949, It’s Midnight, pre-dates Fats Domino and he is credited as someone who helped popularize the triplet feel in the music.

Music just goes its own way, and if you like it becomes a part of you. It’s cool that the B-side of the 1985 Paul McCartney single "Spies Like Us", entitled "My Carnival" was recorded in New Orleans and dedicated to Professor Longhair. And if you listen to the Beatles song Oh! Darlin you hear how it’s rooted in the sound and rhythm of many of these innovative and creative shining stars of early rhythm and blues, boogie woogie, and rock-n-roll.

Rock Camp & Jazz Workshop, The Premier Music Camp for Summer 2022 in the Hamptons, Long Island and New Jersey

If you love music, you are in the right spot. Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop are two summer camp programs happening this summer in the Hamptons and New Jersey in which students of all ages, teens, adults gather to learn music in a fun and inspiring environment.

ROCK CAMP…..What We DO!

Meets 9-3 pm

At Rock Camp we start with a brief morning meeting where all students meet up and there is a 20 minute hands on workshop (one day could be polyrhythms, another day the music from another country, jam session, etc..).

- We then dive into morning lessons (instrumental or vocals). Students can choose a second instrument for afternoon lessons.

- Students then join their morning band (music chosen in collaboration with teacher, usually spans the history of the music, from the 50's/60's to a song that came out last month. Students also work on original music.

- We break for lunch and students then have time to relax and hang with their friends.....then volleyball, soccer, or they play with others on their own. Teachers also meet with students 1-1.

- Then we have electives, more niche topics (song writing, reading/writing, African drumming, harmony, improvisation, solo guitar, learning logic, sibelius, etc....).

- Afternoon Lessons.

- Afternoon Band, a different band and teacher than the morning.

- At the end of the week students then do a performance for family, friends, and the public.

Jazz Workshop…..What We DO!

Meets 3-5 pm

Jazz Workshop is a music summer camp and workshop in the Hamptons and New Jersey that meets in the afternoons and its goal is to teach students how to play jazz through:

• Lessons (private or small group).

• Ensembles, learning and playing music from the jazz repertoire (Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, and many others).

• Instruction on improvisation, harmony and chords, and learning to master your instrument as you grow as a musician and find your voice and sound.