New class structure

Draft for comments

OK, based on the valuable feedback in the last few weeks I have drafted a new structure for rehearsals. Note this is a draft for your comments only at this stage, it will not start until a few weeks from now.

Advanced group
Key to the new structure is the introduction of an 'advanced' group. The members of this group will be nominated by myself, based on the following criteria:

• Skill level, including ability to learn new things quickly
• Commitment, in particular ability to attend classes very regularly

Please note the amount of time someone has been with the samba school doesn't automatically qualify for membership of the advanced group. Nor is this group just for 'my favourite members', whatever that might be. Please leave any politics out of this.

I don't intend to limit the number of people in the advanced group, and in fact I encourage everyone to practice, learn, and work hard to one day, sooner or later, become part of this group too. To help with this, I am developing a skills matrix to help people progress and to learn to play instruments in a more structured way. Coming soon to a Samba School near you...

Songs
To introduce some much needed variety, we will be playing songs, as soon as we've sorted out the PA. We'll play songs both in the common and advanced group, although the advanced group will have more complex arrangements. Besides songs we will continue to do plain batucada, so just percussion, again the breaks in the advanced group will be more complex. Also, I might try new things with the advanced group first, and later use that group to teach the same thing in the common group, as it will be easier to understand something new if you can hear what the result should be.

Performances
I still want to give everyone the opportunity to perform as often as possible. I believe most performances we do will still be with the whole group. However for some performances, and it really depends on the circumstances, we'll also have the 'advanced' group doing some features. I think for these gigs we'll start with the smaller advanced group, then get the full bateria on stage at a later moment for extra impact. And yes, for some gigs I might just be able to invite the advanced group, depending on the circumstances.

Class/rehearsal structure

• The first part will be used to set up and to play (new) songs in a more informal setting, with smaller instruments often used in pagode, as it's easier for everyone to get used to a new song with only a few instruments than with the full bateria. Note I still like to keep this central, so please keep any other noise to a minimum. Everyone is welcome for this part. I will not be able to teach any instrumental skills in this part of the night, as I'll be playing cavaquinho most of the time.
• The second part will be technique training, where people can practice and learn to play an instrument or instruments as well as playing together. Everyone is welcome for this part, and advanced members can learn new instruments, practice, have fun, and help out others.
• The third part will be dedicated training for the 'advanced' group, with more complex rhythms, breaks and arrangements. This part is only open for the 'advanced' group, and it is expected that the advanced members attend this session pretty much weekly. I do encourage everyone else in the Samba School to stick around and listen though, as you'll also be able to learn a lot from listening.

The timetable will be as follows (times are approximate):

• 7.00pm – 7.30pm: Setting up, pagode, new songs, welcome
• 7.30pm – 8.25pm: Technique training (common group)
• 8.25pm – 8.40pm: Break
• 8.40pm – 9.30pm: Advanced training (advanced group)

Advanced members can skip the first parts if they want, although they are very much encouraged to attend the whole night to learn new instruments, help the common class and have a good time.

Discipline
A few members have commented that there should be more discipline during the classes, and I fully agree:

• Be on time as much as you can
• Be there as often as you can, in particular advanced members for the advanced training
• Be quiet when I'm explaining something
• Be willing to learn, allow me to teach you, and don't get offended if I try to explain something to you and you don't get it straight away
• Respect each other, and maintain a positive attitude (believe it or not but I often get complaints about other members 'whinging')

(I could have started each of the above with the word 'please', but I'm Dutch ;-)

I realise this is all quite a bit of information to take in, and that it will be lost in the depths of the Blog fairly soon. I therefore will also introduce the 'Primavera handbook', which will contain the above information plus other useful stuff. This will be given to all current and new members.

I hope this structure will not only improve the skills in the samba school, but also increase the fun and achievement. After all, if we all progress we can be more proud on what we have achieved! And remember, the samba school can only be what you make of it!

I look forward to your constructive feedback. As always, please keep it short and sharp. I have also included a little poll to the right of this page.

Thank you
Remko