Rhum Academy Beginner Guitar Class

Rhum Academy of Music & Performing Arts Center
Beginner Guitar Class

WHEN: Starts Thursday, October 1st 2009 @ 6:00PM

WHERE: Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901

CLASS TIME: Every Thursday* from 6-7:30PM

DURATION: ELEVEN WEEKS - October 1st - December 17th 2009

COST: $150.00 Per Student

This is a class based on the premise of learning the basic skills to form players for the future. You will learn open chords and how they work together. Songs that are reachable as well as cool and lots of fun strumming! You will also learn basic 4/4 & 3/4 timing to establish rhythm methods that will be used over your lifetime of playing guitar.

Registration is underway - Class starts October 1st and meets every Thursday night through December 17th 2009. Register today to ensure a seat in this class. Must be enrolled before SEPTEMBER 19TH!

* There will be no class meeting on Thursday, November 26th 2009 (Thanksgiving).

Graduating students will participate in a Christmas performance at the Academy on Saturday, December 19th 2009.

Humidity, Temperature, and Solid Wood Instruments

Humidity, Temperature, and Solid Wood Instruments

As with any high quality, solid wood instrument, humidity and temperature are the most vital variables in the care of your guitar or mandolin. Fortunately, humidity and temperature are easily monitored and regulated with just a little knowledge and a few small investments.

First, establish an environment for the storage of your guitar when not being played. Part of choosing a spot, is to measure that environment’s relative humidity (RH) and temperature in Fahrenheit (F). This can be accomplished by purchasing a Radio Shack™ Indoor Thermal Hygrometer, Cat. No. 63855 (approx. $30-$40) and stationing it in your guitar’s environment. If your hygrometer reads between 40% and 50% RH, you can rest assured that your guitar will be comfortable in its new environment. Bear in mind, RH changes with the weather, so monitor your hygrometer.

If the environment you have chosen is below 40% RH, you will need to invest in a humidifier with variable controls to establish the most desirable level of RH. If the environment you have chosen is above 50% RH, you will need to invest in a dehumidifier with variable controls to achieve optimal RH. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are available at most department stores for about $125.

If your guitar’s environment is a suitable one, you can transport the instrument into and out of less than desirable conditions without fear of damaging your guitar. Long trips and sustained touring, however, require a bit of preventative care. Avoid exposing your instrument to extreme temperatures like those in your car’s trunk on a hot day or the cargo hold of an airplane. Keep the instrument in an environment of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

While on the road during periods of dry conditions, to maintain acceptable humidity we suggest that you utilize a simple guitar case humidifier. Do not use a sound hole humidifier. It is very easy to over-humidify your guitar’s body with these devices, which can result in serious damage to your instrument. Keep the neck and the body at the proper humidity and temperature.

Your guitar will alert you to an RH problem before it poses a serious threat to your instrument. Below are some telltale symptoms of improper RH. If your guitar shows symptoms of being over or under humidified, call the Academy @ 765-236-0567 and talk to Gary today.

Over-Humidified: Raised action, Sluggish tone, Low volume, “Bellying” up of top Lateral finish cracks.

Under-Humidified: Lowered action, Fret buzzing, Fret ends protruding, Dips in top.

Courtesy of BREEDLOVE GUITAR WEBSITE.

Student Night this Saturday August 29th @ 7:00PM

With the Power & the Glory at the Academy

You gotta see our new inventory of guitars!

RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC’S “CELEBRATE THE GUITAR” WEEKEND SUCCESS!

RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC’S “CELEBRATE THE GUITAR” WEEKEND SUCCESS!

“It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.” That future got a little bit rosier for some Howard County residents in need this past weekend.

Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, downtown Kokomo, held it’s first annual Guitar Competition and Concert Series called “Celebrate the Guitar.” It was a three-day event that focused on music and the positive effect it has on our community. All proceeds from the event were donated to the United Way of Howard County. The Academy raised over $800.00 to help those in these trying times.

The event began Thursday night with musician Eric Hyman, bass instructor at the Academy performing solo. Eric is an extraordinary player, extremely stylistic and he skillfully managed to captivate the audience from the first note and gently held them spellbound until the final melodies danced from the ceilings.

Following Eric T-Bird Blues Band featuring J.T. Boogie took the stage and blew the house away. T-Bird (of the up & coming band Big Betty) gave us the blues as they should be played. From the heart and full tilt. After three standing ovations and shouting ourselves hoarse, they took their final curtain call and left the stage, leaving us wanting more. This is a band that will knock your proverbial socks off, clean them, fold them and put them away neatly in your drawer! Check them out!

As if T-Bird wasn’t enough, Drop Four band finished the evening in fine fashion. These guys grabbed their instruments and did not look back. They are a divine mix of punk, rock, rapand acoustic. They rocked the house from the moment they stepped on stage and showed us diverse, entertaining and some action packed fun!

Friday night Gary Rhum, Eric Hyman, Jake Walden & Patrick Hagenow, all instructors at the Academy, gave us a night of improvisation and perspiration. Though attendance was minimal, they played as if the house was filled to the rafters. Thank you guys for giving us an evening of exploration and creativity, for sharing your gifted talents and for being an inspiration to us all.

Saturday night was the Big Kahuna, the Grand Poobah: The bag with All The Marbles! The night started with the guitar competition. Participants included Kelby Chesshire, Jake Walden, Kody Kennedy, Nick Johnson, Sean Sorrell, Mitchell White and Brad DeCarlo.

There were two categories, People’s Choice Popular Vote & Judging Panel Selection (Judges were Andy Kennedy & Winston Howard). Brad DeCarlo was the overall winner of BOTH the popular vote AND Panel Vote! Congratulations to Brad and all the participants, you all were winners. It was an amazing display of talent.

After a short intermission, the concert series began. Highlights included “A Teacup Orchestra” featuring Gary Rhum & Eric Hyman. The intricacies of this duo are indescribable. They make playing complex, syncopated, rhythmically stimulating music look almost easy! Put this group on your calendar of must-sees!

Following the TCO, sound designer Paul Miller took the stage and blew us all away. His original computer-generated electronica music was not only amazing, but Paul was very eloquent in talking about the processes involved in making music and how important music was to our spiritual growth. Check out his website: http://justplainpaul.com/

Headlining the event was one of the premier bands in the Midwest. Kokomo’s own Ecliptic Switch mesmerized the audience with their intricate and articulate performance. Switch consists of Tim Boor, Andy Kennedy, Winston Howard, Phil Donaldson & Scott Titus. This is a band that will go far in the competitive world of music, they are a testimony to hard work, dedication, professionalism and some extraordinary talent! They can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/eclipticswitch1

The final event was a raffle drawing for a beautiful Breedlove guitar provided by Rhum Academy. The $1100.00 guitar was won by Brandon Penning. Congratulations to Brandon!

Thank you to Event sponsors for your special generosity: Pulse Music, Coca Cola, Shoffner Kitchen Distributors & Fortune Management. A special shout out to United Way’s Alison Brantley, to the Academy’s Eric Hyman for all their determination and hard work, and to Gary & Jessica Rhum for making the Academy dream a reality!

JR McIntire
Rhum Academy of Music & Performing Arts Center

Guitar Competition and Concert

RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC GUITAR COMPETITION AND CONCERT

SATURDAY, JULY 18TH - CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS!

SOLO GUITAR COMPETITION INFORMATION

Rhum Academy of Music & Performing Arts Center
110 North Washington Street, historic downtown Kokomo, Indiana 46901.
Presents:
1st Annual Academy SOLO Guitar Competition
The Preliminary Rounds

Thursday July 9th – 5:30-9:00PM
Monday July 13th – 7:30-9:00PM

Applicants
- Age Limit 22 Years old (Must have valid ID)
- Must bring own instrument (Acoustic or Electric)
- No personal instrument effects – Academy will provide amplification, Wah-Wah pedal and distortion unit.
- Performance time limit: 2 ½ minutes
- Applicants will not be judged on genre – All styles welcome!
- SIGN UP TODAY!

FINALS FOR THE ACADEMY SOLO GUITAR COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JULY 18th @ 6:00PM

Contact Eric Hyman or Gary Rhum @ 765-236-0567 or erichyman@aol.com or garyrhum@sbcglobal.net for more information! See you at the Academy!

CELEBRATE THE GUITAR - JULY 18TH - BREEDLOVE GUITAR RAFFLE!

Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, Kokomo Indiana and United Way of Howard County
Presents
Celebrate the Guitar
Saturday, July 18th 2009

HIGHLIGHTS:

Solo Guitar Contest (Either Acoustic or Electric)
Open to players 22 & younger – Limited to 25 entries – Amplifiers for acoustic & Electric guitars will be provided. Performances limited to 2- 2 ½ minutes per player. Effects (Distortion & Wah-Wah) will be provided. Personal effects and boards will not be allowed. There are two categories with one winner each.

(Category 1) People’s Choice - winner based on total number of
Popular votes ($1.00 per vote).
(Category 2) A Distinctive Panel of Judges will select a winner based on the following criteria: creativity, technique & performance.

Live Music – THURSDAY (7-9PM), FRIDAY (7-9PM) & SATURDAY (6-10PM)
July 16th through the 18th
Artists tentatively scheduled to Appear (Order to be determined)
T-Bird Band, Best Restless, A Teacup Orchestra (Gary Rhum & Eric Hyman) & Ecliptic Switch.

COMMUNITY RAFFLES (Participants TBA) – LOCAL VENDORS (TBA) – GUITAR EXPO (Sell your used musical equipment – Academy will charge 20% service fee for sale of all used equipment – This fee will go directly to United Way).




RHUM ACADEMY WILL RAFFLE A BREEDLOVE OM/SM Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag! Retail Value $1069.99. The Breedlove Retro Series OM/SM is a vintage orchestra model instrument with a solid Spruce top, solid Mahogany back and laminate sides, Tortoise Shell binding with top purfling, BWB rosette and an L.R. Baggs Stage Pro and Element Active pickup system with volume and tone controls.


Drawing will be held evening of Saturday, July 18th. You must be present to win! Tickets only $5.00 each! – Proceeds will go to the United Way.

KATHY SIMMONS IS OUR NEWEST INSTRUCTOR AT THE RHUM ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Kathy Simmons is our newest instructor at the Rhum Academy. Kathy brings fifteen years teaching and as many in performance to our staff, and we are extremely excited about what she brings to the Academy.

She teaches French Horn (beginning to advanced)also Trumpet, Baritone, Trombone & Euphonium (beginning to intermediate).

Kathy holds a music degree from Indiana University, she's taught jazz improvisation and guitar and has performed in several Indiana University music ensembles, Dominic Spera's Jazz Band, Latin Jazz Band, IU Marching Hundred, Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Pit Orchestra.

She's a Tippecanoe Arts Federation Grant Recipient and Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship Grant Recipient.

Kathy's teaching philosophy. "Students are naturally inspired before they head my way. My goal is to keep them motivated and inspired. I will use a variety of positive ways to help each student develop their music reading and brass playing. We'll have fun learning, practicing musical exercises that promote good brass playing, and performing traditional and new music. Every effort will be made to nurture the students' love of music and to encourage them to set attainable music goals and reach them."

Interested in signing up for lessons? Call us today @ (765) 236-0567, or email Gary @ garyrhum@sbcglobal.net. Don't forget to visit our website for additional information about the Academy

SUMMER GUITAR CLASSES

Here's a list of our summer guitar classes offered at the Academy. We also offer a master guitar class, but unfortunately, it is full for this session. Just wanted everyone to know we have a new website rhummusic.com
It is still under construction, but holds a plethora of information about the Academy. Please bookmark us and check back often.


Rhum Academy of Music
Beginner Guitar Class
WHEN: Saturday, June 13th
WHERE: Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901
TIME: 12-1:30PM
DURATION: Eight Weeks
COST: $150.00

This is a class based on the premise of learning the basic skills to form players for the future. You will learn open chords and how they work together. Songs that are reachable as well as cool and lots of fun strumming! You will also learn basic 4/4 & 3/4 timing to establish rhythm methods that will be used over your lifetime of playing guitar.

Rhum Academy of Music
Intermediate Guitar Class
WHEN: Saturday, June 13th
WHERE: Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901
TIME: 2-3:30PM
DURATION: Eight Weeks
COST: $200.00

Our intermediate guitar class covers how barre chords, pentatonic scales and chord scales work together. We also cover an introduction to heptatonic scales, plus guitar licks for blues, rock, country & classical. And finally, how to follow charts and improv techniques are also included in this class.

Rhum Academy of Music
Advanced Guitar Class
WHEN: Friday, June 12th
WHERE: Rhum Academy of Music, 110 North Washington Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901
TIME: 6-7:30PM
DURATION: Eight Weeks
COST: $200.00

In the advanced class you will learn chords and formulas to make those great chords like Mayer and scales to enlighten those trademark riffs like Matthews & Clapton, advanced rhythms 7/8, 12/8, etc.
Rhythmic reading. Introduction to melodic minor and harmonic minor scales. Transposing songs to fit your voice. Charting songs for other musicians. Understanding limitations and how to enhance your style.

Call today (765) 236-0567 to sign up or email us for additional information.

Eric Hyman - Teacher Bio!

Eric Hyman – Electric Bass & Guitar

Eric has played and performed for thirteen years, studied at the prestigious Bass Collective in New York and was awarded First Place (Bass Category) in Mars’ Music Hottest guitar player.

Eric’s teaching philosophy is “to appreciate and understand each student’s personal goal in music. I try to stay casual and approach music as an art form that can be taught in multiple, easy steps.”

Gary Rhum's Background

Here's Gary with a couple of his students.

Gary Rhum has an extensive background in the music arena. During his earlier years, he traveled constantly, playing in hole-in-the-wall dives where your mike stand would sometimes serve double duty assisting to "quell" a rowdy customer, rock clubs, college circuits and major concert stages all across this great country of ours.
He tired of the drudgery of touring, moved to the studio and became a sought-after side man, worked in the film industry, scoring soundtracks and eventually was drawn to teaching. We are so happy he made that choice.
Gary is the ultimate teacher. His background has helped him understand the needs of both the aspiring player and the seasoned veteran. He's intuitve and patient. He's firm yet quick to offer praise. He develops bonds with his students that stand the test of time.
During his sessions, He not only allows his clientel the chance to learn, but also a chance to play with one of the best guitarists in the midwest.

Rhum Academy of Music & Performing Arts: Click here to check out Gary & Jessica's myspace page!

Gary Rhum "For What it's Worth"