Events
Events
Drumstick & Brush Control - February 20th, 2021 at 11:00am - Online Class
Curious about drumstick control? Ready to get dialed in? February 20th, 2021 (11:00am - 11:45am), with an opportunity for Q&A. $25 per Participant : VIRTUAL ZOOM CLASS Led by drummer & teacher, Zachary Morris, in this clinic, you will learn to utilize and learn new and old stick/brush combinations in single and double strokes with accents to fuel musicality in your drumming. You will learn how to use a metronome to increase understanding of notation, tempos, subdivisions and polyrhythms. This course draws from traditional rudimentary jazz and world music patterns, as well as classic concepts in drum and percussion music. This is designed for beginners and intermediate players who want to improve their playing! Sign up now to reserve your spot! The class will be a virtual online class. A link will be emailed to all paid & registered students 24 hours before the class begins. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Zachary at zachdrum@comcast.net. Sign up now to reserve your spot Having trouble signing up? Reach out to shaana.k@bananas.com!
How to Create Music Anywhere at Anytime - February 27th, 2021 at 11:00am
Ready to create music? Want some helpful tips on making music anywhere? February 27th, 2021 (11:00am - 11:45am), with an opportunity for Q&A. $25 per Participant : VIRTUAL ZOOM CLASS Led by music creator, drummer & teacher, Zachary Morris, in this clinic, you will learn how to utilize Low Fi, Smart Phones and Tablets to create music anywhere anytime! Learn how to start making music without thousands of dollars out of your pocket start creating your musical ideas now! Learn about apps and methods to multitrack using a smart phone or tablet and break through creative blocks while learning new patterns to begin shaping your creative ideas and goals today! Sign up now to reserve your spot! The class will be a virtual online class. A link will be emailed to all paid & registered students 24 hours before the class begins. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Zachary at zachdrum@comcast.net. Sign up now to reserve your spot Having trouble signing up? Reach out to shaana.k@bananas.com!
Secrets to Songwriting - Full Version - March 27, 2021
Ever wonder how you can make your songwriting better? Want to know the "Secrets" of Successful Songwriting? REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. Please join us next time! Thank you! What’s the difference between a song that you and your friends like and one that can connect with a worldwide audience? In this expanded and deeper version of the short introduction Jai gave in 2020, he will share the “secrets” professional songwriters use to craft their songs that impact millions worldwide. The workshop will include the essence of everything he has learned in forty years of working as a pro songwriter and coaching hundreds of developing writers to their own successful careers in the business. He will answer questions like: • What is the one aspect of songwriting all professionals see as the most important? What are the two key elements of lyric writing found in every impactful song? What makes a melody hooky and attractive to the listener? What is the difference between a great track and a great song? How do chord progressions fit into today’s market? How can you write from inspiration and still apply the technical aspects of the craft? He will also demonstrate how you can immediately begin applying everything you learn in the workshop to your own writing. The first five songwriters to sign up can also choose to have one of their own songs critiqued and used as an additional example. (Note: It is not necessary to submit a song or to have taken the intro version to benefit from this workshop). "I was a relative beginner when I started working with Jai, and today I am an award winning full time writer and performer with regular placements in TV shows and movies. If you’re looking to strengthen your songwriting abilities, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Jai is your guy." Patricia Bahia – Grand Prize Winner WCS International Song Contest “My band went from playing small local gigs to having an international distribution deal with a major label and opening for hit acts. I attribute this primarily to how much my songwriting improved studying with Jai.” Jeffry-Wynne Prince Don't wait: space is limited and will fill up fast! Sign up today to reserve your seat. Pre-registration is required. (Rescheduled from January)Saturday, March 27th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM PST $35Sign up Here to Reserve your seat! This class is an online, virtual workshop hosted in Zoom. A link will be sent to registered participants only 24 hours prior to the class. Bananas At Large1504 4th StSan Rafael, CA 94901 Jai Josefs is a world renowned songwriting coach who has taught songwriting at UCLA, and at dozens of seminars and conferences throughout North America. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in the industry and have secured major label record deals, publishing deals and placements in film and television. His book “Writing Music For Hit Songs” has been endorsed by hit writers including Diane Warren and is used as a text on contemporary music composition worldwide. He has also had a successful career as a songwriter/producer in the music industry working with such artists as Jose Feliciano, Little Richard, and Pam Tillis, and doing projects for such companies as Universal, RCA, Motown, and Disney. His original songs have been featured in over 70 TV shows on every major network including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, HBO, and Showtime as well as in over 20 major motion pictures with such stars as Harrison Ford, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Lange, Mark Wahlberg, and Denzel Washington. He currently coaches songwriters privately and leads workshops right here in Marin. To find out more, visit his website at http://jaijomusic.com
Expand your Bass Playing : 5 Pentatonic Positions - 1/30 - Past Event
Curious about the pentatonic scales? Are you stuck playing the same old stuff? Want to get some step by step instruction? January 30th 11:30 - 12:30, plus a thirty minute Q&A directly after the clinic Led by bass player & teacher, Angeline Saris, in this clinic, you will learn the five pentatonic positions and how to use them to craft interesting fills and enhance your overall bass playing. Beginner’s will learn the basics of the major and minor pentatonic scales, while more intermediate and advanced students will learn all five positions. Everyone will have an opportunity to write a few fills in class over a backing track to apply your new knowledge and understanding! Finally, we will look at how some of the masters have used these shapes in their own bass lines. All levels welcome! By the end of this clinic, you will: Know how to construct both a major and minor pentatonic scale Understand the scale degrees that make up both the major and minor pentatonic scales Learn the 5 pentatonic positions Have written at least 1-2 of your own fills during class over a backing track Study and start to learn one of Pino Palladino’s and Nathan Watts pentatonic bass fills Sign up now to reserve your spot! The class will be a virtual ZOOM class. A ZOOM link will be emailed to all paid & registered students 48 hours before the class begins. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Angeline at angelinesaris@gmail.com. Sign up now to reserve your spot Having trouble signing up? Reach out to shaana.k@bananas.com!
Life, Music, and Laughs with John Doe - Nov. 5th, 2020 - Live on Facebook
The real John Doe is taking over our Facebook! On November 5, 2020 at 5pm PST, John will be "taking over" our FB Live for a special interview and chat about life, songwriting, and music. Join us to get in on the fun by going to our Facebook page & clicking on the event to remind you to jump in on Thursday! Bananas at Large Facebook Link Check out John's Website to see more about him! About John Doe John Doe was born in 1977 when he arrived in Los Angeles. His previous life in Tennessee, Wisconsin & Baltimore was a great & fertile time but new music and social changes led him to events that created a life in art. He graduated from Antioch College in Baltimore in 1975, worked as a roofer, aluminum siding mechanic, and ran a poetry reading series. Ms. Meyers was his landlord in the rural black community of Simpsonville , MD. John met Exene Cervenka at the Venice poetry workshop Nov 1976 and he started working with Billy Zoom around the same time. When DJ Bonebrake joined X in mid-1977 the line up was complete. They released six studio records, five or six singles and one live record from 1978-1993. Five of X’s records have been re-issued along with two compilations. The Unheard Music documents their lives and progress as a band from 1980-83. In 2009 the film was included in the Sundance UCLA Archive of greatest films of all time. They appeared several times on American Bandstand, Solid Gold and David Letterman. As one of the last original punk rock bands standing, they continue to tour. The day that X played a free noontime concert in Fullerton, CA, they caused Orange County’s greatest high school truancy rate to date. In 1988 John started a family and lived in the Tehachapi Mountains, near the “Grapevine” of Highway 5, which separates southern and central California. He has recorded 8 solo records w/ numerous renowned singers and players, more recently including Patty Griffin, Dan Auerbach, Aimee Mann, Don Was, Kathleen Edwards and Greg Liesz. He has appeared in over 50 films and television productions, with some of his most notable roles in Road House, Georgia, Roadside Prophets, Great Balls of Fire, Pure Country and Roswell. He continues to act these days but more sporadically as his touring schedule has become more demanding. Other musical side projects include work with the Knitters, Jill Sobule and The Sadies. He continues to write poetry and has even taught workshops from time to time. He currently lives north of San Francisco, California.
Boutique Guitar Showcase - 10/3/20
A curated collection of unique, World Class guitars is coming to Bananas on Saturday, October 3rd. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the most interesting guitars from the most elite builders, and Bananas at Large is the only place in Northern California to have them. See some of the most creative and most beautiful instruments on display and available for purchase. One day only, this experience will be one to remember. Click here to see a few of the storied instruments available! View the Complete Collection Here! Watch the video from last year's event! Sat., October 3rd - 12:00pm to 4:00pm Bananas at Large1654 2nd StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901 See guitars made by elite builders you can find nowhere else! Check back for more details - you don't want to miss this! If you haven't been to our new store location, stop by 1654 2nd Street in San Rafael! Masks and social distancing are required & all sanitation protocols are followed! We hope to see you soon!
Yamaha MODX Synth Clinic - 11/7/19 - Past Event
Want to empower your creativity and stand out from the crowd? Learn how with Yamaha's newest Synthesizers! Drop in anytime between 3pm to 6pm and join Yamaha's product specialist Blake Angelos as he shows you how to utilize the Yamaha synthesizers to take back your sounds! He will be giving musical performances and presentations focused on the latest and greatest updates to MONTAGE, MODX and CP73/88. A brand new Pattern Sequencer, new sound shaping tools and new sounds are just a few of the cool upgrades you’ll see! In addition he’ll talk about the 45th Anniversary of Yamaha Synthesizers and the recent live stream event in Japan.Check out our available Synthesizers and see what amazing things are available!Yamaha Synthesizer Product Specialist Blake Angelos has over thirty years of experience with music hardware and software. An expert in music technology, Blake has conducted numerous clinics, master classes and presentations throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. Before his work with Yamaha, he taught music theory and jazz studies courses at Arizona State University; managed a technology- focused music store in Seattle and was a production supervisor at Microsoft, where he led a team that developed groundbreaking interactive music content for the Microsoft Network. Blake holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a Masters of Music degree from Arizona State University. Blake currently resides in Bellingham, Washington with his family, and between his travels around the country for Yamaha, he performs as much as possible with several jazz and creative music groups in Bellingham, Seattle and other places in the Pacific Northwest. For children 12yo+ and adults. Thursday, November 7th 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM FREEBananas At Large1654 2nd StSan Rafael, CA 94901 Facebook Event!
Fender Ultra Test Drive Event - 11/16/19 - Past Event
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF FENDER ULTRA AT OUR SAN RAFAEL STORE! Please join us for an exclusive event as we unveil Fender’s new line "Ultra" at Bananas at Large in San Rafael. Officially launched earlier this month, the new line is first of its kind for Fender and for Bananas at Large. The line brings together cutting edge craftsmanship and nuanced design to push your playing forward. We would love for you to see the new Ultra Line at the launch event. Celebration details include: • Giveaways for all attendees! • Opportunity to win 2 tickets to Winter NAMM in January! • Ultra Video Booth Kiosk - try the Ultra, record yourself, and share! • Fender Artist Performance from Andrew Martin with the new Ultra series guitar! Time to be announced soon! Saturday, Nov. 16th from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Bananas At Large 1654 2nd StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901 Facebook Event Click here to check out the Ultra models in-stock and available for pre-order at Bananas!
Boutique Guitar Showcase - 9/14/19 - Past Event
A curated collection of unique, World Class guitars is coming to Bananas on Saturday, September 14th. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the most interesting guitars from the most elite builders, and Bananas at Large is the only place in Northern California to have them. See some of the most creative and most beautiful instruments on display and available for purchase. One day only, this experience will be one to remember. Click here for a sneak peek of the guitars! Watch the video from last year's event at our old location! Sat., September 14th - 1:00pm to 5:00pm Bananas at Large1654 2nd StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901 See guitars made by elite builders you can find nowhere else! Check back for more details - you don't want to miss this! RSVP below and share this event on Facebook! If you haven't been to our new store location, stop by 1654 2nd Street in San Rafael! We're open Monday-Friday, 10am-6:30pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
Instrument Maintenance Class - 10/5/19 San Rafael - Past Event
Learn to keep your instrument happy & healthy! Did you know that maintaining your instrument regularly is part of keeping it healthy, happy, and playing well for you? Cost: $25 Teresa Topaz, our in-house certified Repair Technician, is offering a one-time Instrument Maintenance Class at our San Rafael location. This class will include information on: Replacing your strings & tools to use Differences in String Gauges & types What is a "setup" and why you should have one! How to take care of your instrument What Intonation is and why it's important Answering common questions & more! San Rafael : Saturday, October 5th from 4:00pm - 5:30pmSign up Here Bananas at Large1654 2nd StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901Facebook Event! San Rafael
Vintage Guitar Showcase - Santa Rosa - Sept. 6th - 8th, 2019 - Past Event
Vintage Guitar Showcase featuring rare and hard-to-find instruments! Bananas At Large, in the beautiful city of Santa Rosa, will be hosting an exciting collection of rare and vintage acoustic and electric guitars Friday, September 6th through Sunday, September 8th. Featuring hard-to-find instruments from Fender, Gibson and Martin, we are creating the opportunity for the discerning collector and player to get up close and personal with these incredible musical treasures. Private audition time will be made available for serious buyers by prior appointment. Please contact us here in Santa Rosa to set up a personal appointment time with these instruments or drop in anytime during the showcase event. Shop the Collection here to see the showcase early! Interested in making a private appointment? Reach out to Zack at zack.m@bananas.com to set up an appointment. Friday, Sept. 6th - Sunday, Sept. 8th - Santa Rosa Bananas At Large531 College AvenueSanta Rosa, CA Share this event on Facebook! If you haven't been to our Santa Rosa store location, stop by 531 College Avenue in Santa Rosa! We're open every day from 10am to 6pm!
Paoletti Guitars presents Richard Fortus - Past Event
JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING PERFORMANCE AND MEET & GREET! Richard Fortus, guitarist of Gun N' Roses, will make a special in-store appearance for a meet-and-greet at Bananas at Large on Saturday, June 22 at 3pm. He will be showing off his Paoletti Richard Fortus signature model guitar, as well as sharing a few stories from his varied career. Richard has played with everyone from Enrique Iglesias, Rihanna and N’Sync to Thin Lizzy, The Psychedelic Furs and The Crystal Method. He has been with Guns N’ Roses for the last 18 years and is presently on a break from the current “Not In This Lifetime” tour (one of the highest grossing tours in history). Paoletti Guitars are handmade in Tuscany, Italy, using chestnut wood reclaimed from 130 to 150-year-old wine barrels, the effect being layers of tone and sustain that feed a guitarist's sound. Richard's signature model features a black croc pattern Italian leather top, roasted curly maple neck, aged pickguard and handmade pickups. www.richardfortus.comwww.paolettiguitars.com Shop all Paoletti Guitars here. Saturday, June 22nd from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Bananas At Large 1654 2nd StSan Rafael, CA 94901 Facebook Event
