Clinics, Residencies and Consulting

Clinics and Residencies

I really enjoy working with the public and I offer clinics and residencies for education, business and corporate clients. In the classroom and at music stores I have offered clinics such as "Maximize Your Practice, Maximize Your Playing" and "Getting Great Tones From Your Guitar". I also offer workshops focusing on songwriting, guitar playing, teaching guitar, guitar repair and maintenance, digital audio recording, and live sound mixing.

For business clients I use music creativity - performance and songwriting as a vehicle for teaching and developing team work, problem solving and creativity. As a successful award winning performer and sales professional, I understand first hand how artistic and business practices go hand in hand in to develop successful organizations.

Audio Consulting

Brian offers consulting and staff training services for people who use sound and recording systems. Examples of past projects include:

• Train music directors and students to operate live sound systems

• Create operation manuals and train employees to operate systems

• Consult with agencies to recommend and design portable sound systems

• Act as a purchasing agent for institutions and organizations

• Work with individuals to set-up and trouble-shoot home studios

• Provide clinics to the public regarding audio production

• Work with musicians to design live performance stage set-ups

• Train musicians to operate stage equipment

Audition Tapes and Videos

Are you or your children planning to submit an audition tape or video to a school, music camp or competition?

I will help you with the musical and technical aspects of this process. I will work with you as both a "musical coach" and "engineer" to help ensure the best possible audition recording. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a recording session. Unlike most people who offer recording services I also bring my expertise in music education to the process. The technical aspect is actually a small part of getting the best possible audition recording.

I will help to translate the live performance into a quality recording that will set you apart from the others. Recording is an art in and of itself and a bit of professional coaching and technical skill can make a huge difference in the end product. Contact me: brian@brianrivers.com to arrange to meet and discuss your needs.

RATES

Outside my studio: $90.00 per hour/one hour minimum

Inside my studio: $60.00 per hour/one hour minimum

Band Coaching, Recording and Showcase Preparation

"Rock Bands" have been mostly ignored by music educators. As a result, kids are left to their own devices in garages all across America. Not surprisingly, the result has often been frustrated musicians playing poorly conceived material loud and out of tune.

I am available to work with these bands and give them that professional feedback and guidance that many groups so desperately need. I will meet with the band members and any other interested parties to develop a plan for success. Often this will include a plan to help the band to find more success booking and performing their own shows. Sometimes I function as a "Band Therapist " and simply help them to identify the issues that prevent them from being successful.

My years of experience performing in bands combined my years as a classroom music educator provide me with a great set of skills to motivate and connect with young musicians. Contact me: brian@brianrivers.comfor more information.

Band Coaching, Recording and Showcase Preparation

Producer Services

The term "Producer" is very hard to define. My best description is: a person who works with an artist to create a vision and plan for a specific recording project. The most important aspect of choosing a producer is to find someone you can connect with and trust. Here are some specific examples of what producers can do:

Help an artist with...

• Defining project objectives

• Song selection

• Instrumentation and arrangement

• Selecting Musicians

• Scheduling and facilities

The other main benefit of working with a producer is to have a second opinion and fresh ear and perspective when creating. I think just as every good writer has an editor, anyone recording should have a producer. Contact me to discuss your project.

Custom Songwriting

I will write and record "custom songs" for your special events. Weddings, birthdays, corporate events are some examples. The process requires some information about the subject matter and then I will send a few "draft ideas" for you to approve. At that point I can record the complete song with vocal, and also send a "karaoke" version without the vocal for you to sing. I can also perform a "vocal/guitar" rendition of the song at the event for an additional fee. You can also have me write new lyrics to an existing karaoke track as well. Contact me: brian@brianrivers.com to get your custom song project started.