Alternative Ways To Rock'N'Roll

The Jacobs School of Music at IU is highly regarded throughout the world for its in-depth instrumental and performance programs, as well as experienced and knowledgeable professors from prestigious schools of music all around the world.\n"It is considered the third best music school in the world, behind Berkeley and Juilliard," says Garrett Baker, a music major. "If you get a degree from this music school, you should pretty much be set for whatever you want to do."\nBaker says the advantage of the school is how much you can learn from the programs, but along with that comes hard work and high expectations.\n"My theory class actually taught me how to sing, know what notes are being played in songs and how complicated music can really be," Baker says. \nFor music majors, Baker says it is important to take the theory classes and private lessons to gain the most from a musical education at the school. But for non-music majors, priorities like that are far less important.\n"For non-music majors, you don't need to know anything about music for say the Jimi class or the culture class, because if you like any type of music, they are fun and interesting," he says.\nRock History and The Beatles Courses\nOptions for students of any major are the rock history, individual artist and band classes such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and The Beatles.\nGlenn Gass, professor and creator of the Z201 and Z202: Rock History survey courses and the Z401: The Music of The Beatles class, started the courses in 1982 and 1983. He has also taught classical music appreciation in Bloomington for several years.\nGass wrote the books used for Z201, and has traveled great lengths across the world for music. Each trip serves as a family vacation, research and interview opportunities for legendary musicians like Donovan, Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. Aside from playing music in class, Gass plays audio messages and videos from such artists addressing the class about his travels to the childhood homes, recording studios and grave sites of famous musicians. \nAfter teaching these courses for more than 20 years, Gass still says his favorite artist is whomever he is playing at the moment.\n"I don't feel that I can expect my students to be excited about something if I'm not, and you never know who's going to connect with a particular style, singer or song," Gass says. \nHowever, if he had to choose an all-time favorite, he says the Beatles have a special place in his heart.\n"I grew up with the Beatles, and the Beatles course is a constant joy for me and the one chance I have to really go into semester-length depth and detail about one specific artist or group," Gass says. \nDamian Wenzel, a senior majoring in psychology, took the '60s and '70s: Rock History class, and the '80s: Rock History class. \n"I'm a huge fan of rock 'n' roll and wanted a fun class to take away some of the stress and boredom of regular classes," Wenzel says. "Professor Gass and Professor (Andrew) Hollinden were always fun and made me look forward to class because they were entertaining as well as educational."\nWenzel says he also liked learning about new music artists he had not heard before and getting to see videos and music from some of his favorite musicians.\n"It was exciting to hear it in class," Wenzel says. "It was like the vibe I get going to a concert."\nGass says he thinks most of the students sign up because they are already interested in the music and eager to hear and learn more. \n"I hope the classes are fun," Gass says. "I would hate to turn rock 'n' roll into drudgery and homework. It is an ideal teaching situation that provides an opportunity to connect with students on an emotional as well as intellectual level."\nHomework for the courses include: readings about the artists and listening to music students can download from the course Web site. The music is also available on tape at the Herman B Wells Library (main library).\nHands-On Music Courses \nA wide variety of hands-on music classes for beginners, such as piano and guitar, may interest non-music majors.\nFor piano courses, students new to the instrument should enroll in P110: Beginning Piano, coordinator David Cartledge says. More experienced players can use the interactive link on the Secondary Piano section of the Jacobs School of Music Web site to find their appropriate course level. \nKeyboards can be rented from the school or students can use pianos available in their dorms. Students taking secondary piano are also permitted to reserve practice time in the practice room facilities of the Jacobs School of Music, Cartledge says. \n"For students who'd like their own keyboards, these keyboards should have full-size keys, should span the full 88 keys and the keyboard should be fully polyphonic; it should be able to sound many different notes at the same time," Cartledge says.\nNo previous experience or ability to read music is needed for beginning guitar classes, but it is recommended that students have their own acoustic guitar. \nThese courses allow about 15 students per class, so instructors can provide more individual aid according to each student's needs. Students are typically expected to practice about 45 minutes a day, according to the secondary piano syllabi.\nCartledge says there are hearings and juries throughout the semester in the group beginner piano classes. The grades are based on how successfully these items are completed and class participation. Grading for private lessons, for more advanced students, is based on individual student preparation and progress over a semester.\nHands-on music courses are in high demand each semester, Cartledge says. \n"Many students seem to derive a lot of pleasure from having the chance to make music themselves, as part of their class schedule," Cartledge says. "It is very gratifying to help students acquire a new skill, or to further develop their ability at the piano"