Lessons

WHAT IS GC STUDIOS' EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY?

Our philosophy is simple and unique. We teach you to play your instrument while you learn to play songs from popular bands so you can ultimately perform solo or in a band. The GC STUDIOS curriculum, created by leading music education publisher Hal Leonard and GC STUDIOS, is based on a progressive advancement model that always leaves you wanting to learn more through one-on-one lessons, workshops, and clinics. Customized lesson plans will help you explore any genre, from Rock and Metal to Blues and Jazz. Our program is fun but challenging - truly for the student wanting to be a serious musician or improve their existing chops.

WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO YOU TEACH AT GC STUDIOS?

We offer private one-on-one instruction for Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, and Vocals. In addition, we have a full recording software curriculum to learn Pro Tools and Logic. We also have a great program called RockShow designed to help individuals form bands and learn to be a band.

HOW DO YOU SELECT YOUR INSTRUCTORS?

We've carefully selected the most qualified and well-respected instructors in Southern California to teach at GC STUDIOS and they are perfect whether you are just learning to play or want to advance your skills to become a master musician. Beyond having celebrated careers playing with some of the biggest names and bands in the business, every instructor is personable, patient and well educated - often with advanced degrees in music from renowned colleges. Of course, all Pro Tools instructors are Digidesign certified.

HOW WILL I BE ASSIGNED AN INSTRUCTOR?

The GC STUDIOS Education Manager will work with you to determine your current skill level, stylistic interest, and ambitions. Then, we'll match you up with the instructor who best suits your style and goals as a musician.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE LESSONS?

Come on in and get signed up! We believe in flexible scheduling for your private lesson and welcome you to attend our regularly scheduled walk-in clinics or workshops. Learn to play on your time.

WHAT IF I WANT TO CHANGE INSTRUCTORS?

No problem, we want you to be happy! If you are not jiving with your instructor, let us know. Our standardized curriculum means you can switch to any of our qualified instructors or another instrument without missing a beat.

WHAT IS THE JAM NIGHT PROGRAM AND HOW CAN I BE INCLUDED?

Our Jam Nights are a fun, casual way to meet and play with others on our professional, fully equipped stage. To help put you at ease, we'll match musicians of similar skill level together so you can easily swap great musical ideas. All Jam Nights are free for our members and instruction-based.

WHAT IS THE ROCKSHOW PROGRAM?

This unique GC STUDIOS program coordinates you and other musicians of similar skill and musical interest, regardless of your playing experience. An experienced band coach, who’s lived it, will help you learn how to play together, write songs, produce music, and be a real band.

WHAT IS THE CERTIFIED PRO TOOLS CLASS?

Our Pro tools curriculum includes level 100 and 110 taught by a certified Pro Tools instructor using the Pro Tools syllabus. Once you complete the 100 and 110 classes you will earn a Pro Tools level 100 certificate of completion from DigiDesign.

WORKSHOPS, CLINICS, AND SEMINARS…HOW CAN I ATTEND AND WHAT DOES IT COST?

GC STUDIOS will host a regular series of workshops and clinics on our main stage or in one of our large rehearsal studios. As a GC STUDIOS lesson member you are welcome to attend any of the clinics or workshops that are of interest at no additional charge, it's part of the benefit for taking lessons at GC STUDIOS.

Rehearsal

IS THERE GEAR IN THE STUDIOS?

Yes, of course there is and only the best from leading vendors. Studios include top-of-the-line gear included in the hourly rental price. We only ask that you take good care of it so it will be in good working order next time you decide to rehearse at GC STUDIOS.

CAN I BRING MY OWN GEAR?

Of course you can load in anything you want to ensure that your band sounds great. Instruments, amps, mics and stands are all cool. If you're planning on bringing in your own drums or PA system you must let us know in advance and pay a $25 service fee for us to break down, move, and reset the GC STUDIOS gear to make room for yours. Remember there is no grace period for overtime so if you bring your own gear make sure you leave enough time to break it down and check out of the room before your time is up.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO RENT A REHEARSAL STUDIO?

All studio rates are per studio NOT per person. Two-hour minimum is required.

CAN I REARRANGE THE EQUIPMENT?

We'd rather you didn't. Each studio has been professionally engineered, with the selection and plac?ment of the gear matched to the acoustics of each room. However, if you do move some of the gear it is your responsibility to put it back in its original position at the end of your session. We reserve the right to charge a $25 reset fee if we have to put the room back together after your session.

WHAT IF I WANT DIFFERENT GEAR THAN WHAT IS IN THE ROOM?

All rooms come standard with the best gear from the leading vendors. The only difference from room to room is the drum kit. Four rooms have Pearl and the other four have Tama so if your drummer prefers one to the other let us know and if we have a room available with that kit we will reserve it for you.

CAN I RENT ROOMS ON A DAILY, WEEKLY, OR MONTHLY BASIS?

GC STUDIOS is an hourly studio facility with a two-hour minimum but if you are interested in a daily, weekly, or Monthly rental please call us.

CAN I RECORD MY SESSIONS?

Yes, all rooms have built-in CD recording systems using ceiling-embedded Shure microphones. We will provide you one free CDR to record your session through the Sound Craft board. Extra copies can be purchased for a nominal fee.

WHAT IF I PLAY OVER MY SESSION TIME?

Our rental periods begin on the hour and end on the hour. Each room is equipped with a red light above the studio door. As a courtesy, 15 minutes before your session is up the red light will go on to let you know that you have 15 minutes left in your session. We expect you to be out 5 minutes before your hour ends so we can check you out, clean and prepare the room for the next band. To help you keep track of time each room has a digital clock. Our policy is to bill you $1 for each minute of overtime you are in the studio.

HOW DO I RESERVE A STUDIO AND DO I HAVE TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

All you have to do is give us a call to check for availability and give us a credit card to reserve the studio. We recommend that you reserve a studio in advance to ensure availability of the studio that you want when you want it. We're getting significant interest from professional bands looking for regular rehearsal space and from players like us who just don't have a killer place to jam so we do book up fast.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO RESERVE A STUDIO?

Simply call us and the first time we will ask you for your contact information and credit card to reserve the room. The second time you call to reserve a studio your information will be on file and all you will need to do is tell us who you are and when you want to come in and if we have the studio available, it’s yours.

DO I HAVE TO USE A CREDIT CARD TO PAY FOR MY SESSION OR CAN I PAY WITH ONE OR MORE FORMS OF PAYMENT?

You may pay for the studio with Cash, Check, or Major Credit Card. We will however require a credit card on file each time you reserve and rent a studio so that we can protect our gear and ensure that it all stays in place for the next band.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Please call us 24 hours in advance to cancel your session. In the event that you do not show up for your reserved time and do not cancel prior to 24 hours we will charge your credit card for the time that you had reserved because we did not have ample time to rent it to another band.

CAN I BOOK ONLINE OR VIEW AVAILABILITY?

Not at this time, but you will be able to in the future.

CAN I BRING IN MY FRIENDS TO WATCH?

GC STUDIOS is a place for serious musicians to rehearse and perfect their craft and have a great time. The studio's are not set up for spectators, however if everyone is cool we are open to 1 visitor per ?and member. All guests will be held to the same policies and rules as you and your bandmates.

CAN I EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THE ROOMS?

You may eat and drink non-alcoholic beverages in the Studio but we ask that you be respectful of GC STUDIOS and the other musicians that use it. All food and drinks must remain on the concrete floor. You may not smoke anywhere in GC STUDIOS but you are welcome to go out to the side and use the smoking area. If you chose to eat or drink please do not put anything on the gear or take it onto the stage. Just like you, other musicians come here to enjoy a clean and comfortable place to play, so it's up to all of us to help GC STUDIOS remain clean.

WHERE CAN I SMOKE?

We ask that if you have to break for a smoke, please do so on the side of the GC STUDIOS building or in your car. You will know where the smoking area because we put an ashtray there for your use. Please be respectful and use the ashtray and do not throw cigarette butts on the ground.

HOW DO I MEET OTHER MEMBERS FOR JAMS?

We'll be scheduling plenty of open jam sessions, clinics, and other jamming events to make it easy to meet other players and singers. Check for the jam session times/days and informative vendor and celebrity artist clinics on the Events tab on GC STUDIOS.com or on the digital marquee in the GC STUDIOS lobby.

CAN I BUY GEAR OR INCIDENTALS AT GC STUDIOS?

Yes, GC STUDIOS has a selection of accessories that you might need during your rehearsal session such as strings, picks, sticks, earplugs, tuners, and more. The best part is that our prices are exactly the same as Guitar Center so you know you will never be paying anymore than you need to, even at 11:00 PM at night. Also, all the gear that you play at GC STUDIOS is sold at local Guitar Center stores or you can buy gear at GC STUDIOS using GuitarCenter.com and have it delivered to the studio or your home.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I BREAK SOMETHING?

That depends on the circumstances. We expect that gear will occasionally break or need replacement parts due to use. In the event that a piece of gear is not working properly please let a GC STUDIOS studio associate know so we can assess the situation and replace the inoperable gear so you can finish your session. You will be using top-of-the-line, road-tested gear, so accidental damage should be hard to accomplish, but it does happen and we will take care of it when it does. If we discover damage due to carelessness or abuse, your credit card on file will get charged for that piece of gear at the lowest current price listed on Guitar Center.com.