Progressive Music Center

WE HAVE MOVED

2010-09-30T21:34:00.001-04:00

To a new website, so you'll have to catch our blog, news and latest posts here

We'll see you all there!

Southeastern Guitar & Amp Show

2010-09-21T08:52:00.003-04:00

If you're heading to the Southeastern Guitar & Amp Show this weekend, Sept. 25/26th, please stop by our booth and check out the Jam Hub and hear our Rock Academy All Stars rehearsing live in the booth through this incredible practice tool.

New Website Coming Soon!

2010-09-15T10:53:00.003-04:00

We're working on the final details of a new website that we will launch soon! Huge thanks to Kevin Haga of the askourmusicians.com team for coming in and filming the new videos for the site!

Love Those Krispy Kremes!

2010-09-08T12:46:00.001-04:00

Sept. Newsletter Out Now

2010-09-08T12:37:00.004-04:00

2010-09-03T09:31:00.000-04:00

It's The End

2010-08-21T09:17:00.010-04:00

of our 2010 Summer MusicTech Camps, and what a great summer! This week was spectacular and all of the bands at each camp week did a tremendous job. Thanks to all of our staff, camper, parents and all the people that came out to the concerts to support these musicians.

Showtime!

2010-08-05T10:22:00.007-04:00

Scenes from MusicTech week 4 Friday Finale concert (July 30).

MusicTech session 5

2010-08-05T10:02:00.010-04:00

We're on the home stretch of our 5th session of our summer MusicTech camps and this week has been just as great as the first 4 sessions. We do have several students with us this week that are multi-instrumentalists, so we have saxophone, violin and trombone that we have put into the mix, so we have a few amazing cover tunes and originals that you will have to hear to believe! Come check it out at the Friday Finale concert on August 6 in our Wake Forest location. Show starts at 7:30 and as always it's a free event.

Progressive @ Mayhem Festival

2010-08-04T10:53:00.012-04:00

Progressive Music Center was on site at the 2010 Mayhem Festival hanging with Shadows Fall, Chimaira and Winds of Plague. Check out these pictures from our vantage point in front of and on the stage with these killer bands!

Progressive Music Center's Billy Cuthrell at side stage

Rob Zombie

Mosh Pit

Shadows Fall

Register Now For Back To School Lessons

2010-07-29T09:58:00.000-04:00

Scenes From MusicTech Week 4

2010-07-27T21:35:00.008-04:00

Rehearsals continue for MusicTech week 4.

July/Early August eNewsletter

2010-07-26T11:11:00.005-04:00

Our July/Early August eNewsletter is available now! Get all the latest news and info from our studios and see what we have been up to this summer. Not getting our newsletters? Shot us an email at info@ppdsonline.com and we'll add you to our list

Progressive at Vans Warped Tour

2010-07-24T23:31:00.011-04:00

Progressive Music Center teamed up with the Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) and Vans Warped Tour to offer free 5 minute Lesson Labs on site at the Charlotte, NC Vans Warped Tour stop on July 22. Progressive Music Center teachers and staff were on site at the PMC playdrums.com tent all day at the Warped Tour providing free 5 minute drum lessons, having giveaways for a 16” Zildjian A crash and other cool gear. We were joined in the tent by Dillinger Escape Plan’s drummer Bill Rymer (below in white T-shirt) and Gypsy from Haste The Day along with other guest drummers from the tour throughout the day. Other PMC sponsored dates this summer include LA, Mountain View, CA, Boston, Milwaukee and Pomona, CA. If you are attending any of these shows stop by the playdrums.com tent and say hello!

Bill Rymer of Dillinger Escape Plan teaches a drum lesson

Gypsy of Haste The Day

and Progressive Music Center's

Hampton Smith

Progressive Music Center's

Dexter Horton teaches

a drum lesson

MusicTech Session 3

2010-07-12T11:00:00.010-04:00

Week three (July 12 - 16, 2010) of our popular summer camp experience MusicTech has started and the bands are up and rehearsing first thing! Original tunes are underway and we will start recording some basic tracks for each band tomorrow afternoon. This camp week is sold out so we have a full house with lots of music going on in each rehearsal room, which means the Friday Finale Concert is going to be AWESOME!

MusicTech Day 3

2010-06-23T21:17:00.006-04:00

MusicTech Rehearsals Day 2

2010-06-22T21:47:00.002-04:00

Rehearsing original tune during MusicTech week 2 June 2010

MusicTech Week 2 - Day 2

2010-06-22T21:08:00.006-04:00

improvisation class (we know the sound is not that great, but it was filmed on an iPhone on the fly)

Nick & Les...

MusicTech Week 2

2010-06-21T13:14:00.005-04:00

Progressive Guitar/Bass Instructor Matt Grady works with his band this

morning on our main stage while amusing drummer Hampton Smith.

It's the second session (out of 6) of our MusicTech Summer Sessions and things are off to a great start. Just like last week we are sold out for this session so we are working at capacity with 6 bands of incredible student musicians. The groups started their day at 9:00 AM getting to know one another and then jumping right in working on song selections and and developing some original tunes. Things seem to be going very smooth!

MusicTech Update Day 4:

2010-06-17T11:21:00.006-04:00

MusicTech Update: Day 3

2010-06-16T21:38:00.003-04:00

This week is flying by and running very smooth. The bands wrapped up working on their original songs today and are now focused on getting their cover tunes in order for Friday evening's finale concert. Two workshops on mic placement for stage/studio and a vocal workshop were held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Progressive Instructor Derek Arnold took 9 rockers through proper voice warm ups, natural singing positions and exercises to help them prepare for the concert while Kyle Long worked with everyone on recording techniques and simple set-ups for DIY home recording solutions. It's been so busy that we have not had time for getting pictures, but the sessions are being recorded with the Zoom Q3, so we'll have video up on our youtube page (and new website - more on that news very soon) later this week. More updates Thursday & Friday -

2010 MusicTech Session 1 Sold Out & Off To Great Start!

2010-06-14T21:16:00.004-04:00

Paralyzed Drummer Plays Again

2010-06-09T08:39:00.001-04:00

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/living/2010/06/08/welch.beat.goes.on.cnn

Student Concert Footage Part 3....

2010-05-26T10:20:00.002-04:00

Student Performances Cont. Part 2

2010-05-26T10:05:00.003-04:00

From our ZOOM Q3 in house recorder - student concert

Student Concert Footage

2010-05-26T09:46:00.003-04:00

Filmed on our ZOOM Q3 camera, footage of featured performances (original material and cover tunes) - Progressive Music Center guitar instructors Andrew Davis, Chris Bodall and drum instructor Joey Stultz's students.

Bootsy's Funk University

2010-05-25T20:24:00.001-04:00

Trouble Viewing? Jump Here....

Making Music

2010-05-24T20:32:00.000-04:00

Recent News

2010-05-17T13:11:00.001-04:00

DIY HiHat Stand

2010-05-15T15:43:00.004-04:00

If you just happen to have a 3/8"-16 x 36" threaded rod, 1/2" x 12" pipe, 1/2" x 8" pipe 1/2" x 3" pipe, 3/4" x 6" pipe and a 1" x 2" pipe then you have the beginnings of this DIY Industrial HiHat stand. Full directions here.

Or you can always go with a full DIY drum set...

Progressive Students Back Stage at Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame

2010-05-11T12:21:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Greg Petruzzi for sharing these pictures of Nick and Amanda Petruzzi (students at Progressive Music Center) hanging out backstage at the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert. Pictured with Alan White (drummer for YES and performing with the White Sox All Stars during this show)

The Final Countdown.................UkeKazoo Style

2010-05-03T21:52:00.003-04:00

Zoom Q3

2010-04-30T11:35:00.007-04:00

Continuing our quest for cool music tech products we are adding the ZOOM Q3 to our line-up of products in stock in our retail shops and in our teaching rooms. The Q3 uses the same microphone capsules as the industry-leading H4n Handy Recorder and is perfect for recording anything where great audio and video are a must. A user friendly must have A/V recorder for under $250!

We already have 4 of the 6 units we were able to get reserved. Call us, we'll reserve yours before they sell out again.

Orange Computer Amps

2010-04-28T09:01:00.002-04:00

Orange Amplifiers announce the launch of the revolutionary all-in-one Computer Amplifier Speaker – The OPC, and we want one!

A fully fledged computer, the OPC has 4GB DDR2 RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Intel chips, Windows 7 x64 home premium, 8 x USB2.0 ports, is Wi-Fi enabled and has an integrated GeForce 9300 graphics card with an optional dedicated ATI 5670 512MB card for those who may want to play a few games while they put their guitars down. The first models will include modelling software incorporating computer samples of vintage and current Orange amps and cabinets as well as free branded recording software package. Once plugged in, you can then use the software included to create music or choose your guitar sound and then play, record and hear your guitar through the computer!

June 2010 $TBA orangeamps.com

Summer Art Classes @ Progressive!

2010-04-22T14:47:00.002-04:00

Spring/Summer Student Performance Schedules

2010-04-14T15:45:00.001-04:00

Small Amps

2010-04-09T08:15:00.005-04:00

We agree with Jeff in the video below in the fact that we all love the sound of big amps, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices. If you live in an apartment/townhouse or simply can't haul around that Marshall stack then you may want to look into the Roland Micro Cube.

The Eigenharp

2010-04-07T12:19:00.004-04:00

We saw the Eigenharp at NAMM in January and thought it was a very cool! Check out this great video from Germany's Musikmesse show in March for a preview of the Eigenharp in action. With three models to choose from (that's the Eigenharp Pico above) there is sure to be a right size/sound for all of us.

Progressive Uses iPad (and we like it so far)

2010-04-07T09:27:00.008-04:00

For several years now Progressive Music Center has believed in the use of new technologies and related hardware in the creation and education of music making. So when the Apple iPad hit the market we could not wait to get our hands on the device and see how it can be applied to our teaching curriculums. We are currently experimenting with the iPad and working to integrate it into our teaching rooms by allowing all of our staff to use and discover the Apps and ideas that the iPad brings to the table. (one recommendation: please add a camera!)

With our upcoming summer MusicTech programs and our growing expansion into lessons and programs in the music technology field, we will begin to incorporate more tech trends into our teaching rooms, and offer programs that put our students at the forefront of creating, designing and distributing their music in today's wired environment.

Although a little pricey up front the verdict on the iPad is good, especially when you can use it for downloading tabs and notation, videos, lyrics and so many useful teaching tools. if it's anything like the iPhone, the amount of really good Apps that will get introduced will make it an even better tool for our students and teachers as time goes on and the iPad becomes even more mainstream in households.

Guitar Tips

2010-04-05T08:54:00.004-04:00

We get a lot of repair jobs on various models of acoustic and electric guitars in our shops. Some are quick fixes that we can get done in just a few minutes, but some take time to repair and get right. A Google search on guitar maintenance will bring up sites that can help you understand simple repair, but we have found a few that we like with some nice pictures and explanation of what's going on.

Check out:

www.projectguitar.com

for simple set-ups, instrument terms, etc...

10 really good tips

NES Harmonica

2010-03-23T21:44:00.001-04:00

If you're old enough to have owned an NES, you no doubt have memories of foolishly blowing into game cartridges in the hopes that it would allow them to play without forcing some sort of improvised wedge into the console. NES Harmonicas ($20-$35) take advantage of this nostalgia by installing Hohner harmonicas in the cartridges themselves, letting you play music while reminding you of your wasted youth. As an added bonus, you also get the game's circuit board in the package, so you can actually play the copy of Zelda that sacrificed its housing for your harmonious enjoyment.

2010 Modern Drummer Festival

2010-03-23T10:30:00.003-04:00

Tickets are on sale now for the May 22 Modern Drummer Festival at Montclair State University

in Montclair, New Jersey. The line-up for this year is includes:

Shawn Pelton

(Saturday Night Live)

Stanton Moore
(The Stanton M

oore Trio, Galactic)

Benny Greb
(extraordinary

European drummer/educator)

Chris Pennie
(Coheed & Cambr

ia, Return To Earth, Fight Mannequins)

Shannon Forrest
(Faith Hill, Nashville sessions)

Adam Deitch

(John Scofield, Wyclef Jean)

New
Master Classes

Daniel Glass
(Royal Crown Revue)

Chris Coleman
(Chaka Kahn, New Kids on the Block, Bootsy Collins)

Previous Modern Drummer Festivals have been generously supported by the drum industry’s leading manufacturers and have included the most spectacular drummers and percussionists on the planet, with sold-out crowds and highly popular videos. A partial list of the legendary artists who have appeared at past Festivals includes Ginger Baker, Louis Bellson, Terry Bozzio, Dennis Chambers, Billy Cobham, Vinnie Colaiuta, Stewart Copeland, Jack DeJohnette, Sheila E, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Roy Haynes, Joe Morello, Simon Phillips, Chad Smith, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, and Tony Williams.

Mid March Updates

2010-03-15T08:11:00.001-04:00

2010-03-15T08:09:00.004-04:00

Guitar Strings BOGO Offer Today Only!

2010-03-12T09:55:00.003-05:00

For our Fans on Facebook! Buy one pack of guitar strings and get the second pack FREE!

Rules and Regs....

1. Must be a current Fan of Progressive Music Center on Facebook

2. Offer runs from 3 - 6 PM March 12, 2010 only

3. Good while supplies last

4. Offer good on any IN STOCK brand of strings (no rain checks, special orders, etc...)

4. Limit one pack per customer

5. Can not be combined with any other offer, discounts, coupons

Maintenance Tips For Your Drum Set

2010-03-04T09:49:00.004-05:00

Although you would not change the oil every 3,000 miles, instruments are like cars where they require some routine maintenance to keep them in performance ready shape and sounding their best. In our teaching studios we often have drums, guitars, basses, amps, and keyboards that come in with minor problems that could have been prevented with some minor maintenance.

Here are a few simple things to consider for your drum set to keep it sounding great and trouble free.

1. CHANGE YOUR DRUMHEADS. Drum heads are often neglected and go for months, and sometimes even years, before they are changed. If the heads have small dings (we call them dimples) then they are in need of changing. Of course, drum heads with splits in the ply's or heads that no longer tune up need replacing as well.

2. TIGHTEN TUNING LUGS. We often have drums come in with very loose tuning rods or are missing them all together. As you play the drum the vibrations will cause the tuning rods to become loose and eventually fall out. Regular tuning will prevent this.

3. ARE YOUR DRUMSTICKS CAUSING DAMAGE? Drum sticks literally take a beating and this can cause damage to your drum heads and cymbals. Sticks that have broken, cracked or chipped tips sticks need to be replaced. This also goes for sticks that are splintered or being "eaten away" on the shaft from been hit on the edge of hihats or cymbals. The balance of the stick will be different and it needs to be replaced.

4. CLEAN YOUR DRUMS. A simple dusting will do once every week or two. This will keep the finish looking great and prevent the chrome from dulling.

5. GREASE THE TUNING RODS. If you really ant to do some good cleaning then take your tuning rods out and put a small dap of lubricant on the ends. This will keep them free from rust, dust and grim and make them turn smoothly when tuning.

If you have some tips or tricks that have worked for you in the past, or if you have any questions about proper care of your instrument let us know. info@ppdsonline.com

Gibson 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD Guitar

2010-03-03T22:40:00.002-05:00

Sporting a semi-hollow body,period-correct hardware like volume and tone knobs, double band tuners and dual PAF-style 57 Classic humbucking pickups, the Gibson 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD Guitar ($5,700-$6,200) is as close as you're going to get to an original without shelling out way, way more cash. Created to celebrate the ES-335TD's golden anniversary, each guitar is handcrafted by Gibson Custom's Memphis division, and comes in either a Vintage Sunburst, Faded Cherry, or Antique Natural finish, each of which is applied using Gibson's Vintage Original Specs process to make sure it looks the part.

Play Guitar

2010-03-01T21:20:00.001-05:00

askourmusicians.com

2010-02-19T08:57:00.003-05:00

Bringing a variety of content to the web aimed at helping up-and-coming musicians be successful with their music careers, askourmusicians.com offers original video content focused on both music performance instruction, as well as tips and advice for surviving and thriving in the business. askourmusucians.com will also publish relevant music industry news and events.

Early Bird Camp Specials End 2/28!!!

2010-02-19T08:52:00.004-05:00

Registering for our MusicTech Summer Camps? The Early Bird Special ($50 Off Total Tuition) ends February 28! If you miss the deadline we have a second special ($25 Off Total Tuition) good through April 30th.

JIM CHAPIN MEMORIAL TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP

2010-02-03T08:16:00.004-05:00

The Jim Chapin Memorial Teacher Scholarship will be launched at the Hard Rock Café in New York City on February 17, 2010 at 7:00PM. The event, which celebrates one of drumming’s most dedicated and influential legends, will include performances by some of today’s leading drummers, along with music by members of the Chapin family.

The Jim Chapin Memorial Teacher Scholarship, open to instructors that want to improve their teaching programs, will be given annually and will be maintained by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

Progressive Music Center Founder Billy Cuthrell studied under Jim for 6 years and accompanied him on multiple trips for clinic appearances around the US and to many NAMM shows. Jim taught private lessons and conducted numerous master classes on a regular basis at Progressive Music Center, and on many occasions held court for hours with his stories, ever present practice pad and sticks at the dinner table and in the living room of Billy’s house.

Jim Chapin was not only an amazing teacher, he was a friend, a mentor and one of a kind.

Contributions can be made at the February 17 event and any time by check (payable to PAS/Jim Chapin Scholarship) or online.

Mail checks to:

Percussive Arts Society

110 W. Washington St., Suite A

Indianapolis, IN 46204 USA

tel: 317-974-4488

fax: 317-974-4499

e-mail: percarts@pas.org

(Pictured: Jim Chapin, Billy Cuthrell, Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater at Progressive Music Center 2002)

Check out DRUM! Magazine's Wiretap

2010-01-28T12:07:00.007-05:00

Progressive Music Center founder Billy Cuthrell is in DRUM! magazine's Wiretap online news section with members of the NAMM Foundation and Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) announcing the 20/10 Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) campaign.

(Chad Smith - Red Hot Chili Peppers/ChickenFoot)

Progressive Music Center Student Austin Haga and Chad Smtih

2010-01-20T21:44:00.003-05:00

Back From NAMM 2010!

2010-01-18T16:51:00.008-05:00

The guys are back from their West Coast Adventure at NAMM and looks like they had a great time! From press conferences with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, NAMM panel presentations to meet and greets with Alice In Chain's Jerry Cantrell, Slash, Flea, Victor Wooten and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D, there is no doubt that we work nationally to make it better locally!

You can always be FAN of Progressive's on Facebook for full pictures, videos and more!

Registration Now Open For ALL Summer Programs

2010-01-08T09:08:00.001-05:00

NAMM Updates

2009-12-29T09:19:00.002-05:00

Staff from Progressive Music Center's Raleigh and Wake Forest locations will be attending NAMM January 12 - 20 in Anaheim, CA and providing updates direct from the show floor. Progressive founder Billy Cuthrell (pictured below with Gene Simmons and Mitsuru Umemura/President Yamaha USA) will present two sessions at NAMM's Idea Center for the NAMM University series. Progressive will also launch a new website while in LA, askourmusicians.com with clips and footage from Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Fender, Gibson and Marshall artists.

Summer 2010 Camp Dates Released

2009-12-02T13:24:00.004-05:00

We know it's only December, but believe it or not we start preparing for our summer camps in October. We also start receiving camp registrations for our summer camps in January, and our first camp does not start until June. We love early registrations, so send em' in (you even get a discount for doing it early!). Registration opens for Progressive students only January 2, 2010 and to non-students on February 15, 2010. Early bird registration discounts will apply through March 20102. Registration forms will be available on our website www.ppdsonline.com.

The 2010 Camp dates are as follows:

June 14 - 18 - Raleigh Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 18th)

June 21 - 25 - Wake Forest Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 25th)

July 12 - 16 - Raleigh Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 16th)

July 26 - 30 - Wake Forest Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 30th)

Aug. 2 - 6 - Raleigh Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 6th)

Aug. 16 - 20 - Wake Forest Location (finale concert @ 7PM on the 20th)

Add To Christmas List

2009-12-01T10:48:00.003-05:00

Invented in 1967, the Dübreq Stylophone is a small synthesizer played by touching a built-in stylus to the metal keyboard. It was famously used on David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and Kraftwerk's "Pocket Calculator." $20 at thinkgeek.com. Check out the below video of Brett Domino performing a "1980s Hits Medley" on the device.

Looking for the BEST Christmas Gifts

2009-11-25T23:11:00.001-05:00

Holiday Gift Guide 2009

2009-11-22T13:09:00.008-05:00

Gibson Offices Raided

2009-11-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

11/17/2009 From MMR

While no charges have yet been filed, NashvillePost.com is reporting that earlier today, Federal agents and local police seized wood, guitars, computers and files from Gibson Guitar's Massman Road manufacturing facility in Nashville.

Sources say the guitar manufacturer is being investigated for violating the Lacey Act, a key piece of environmental law, for importing endangered species of rosewood from Madagascar.

Rosewood is widely used in the construction of guitars and sells for $5,000 per cubic meter, more than double the price of mahogany. The island nation off Africa's east coast is a key producer of the hardwood, the export of which has links to international criminal activity.

Madagascar has struggled financially since a January coup and new President Andry Rajoelina issued an executive order in September legalizing the export of rosewood and ebony. The move was decried by environmental groups and political leaders worldwide, as hardwood forests are key to Madagascar's unique ecology and serve as a habitat for a dwindling lemur population.

Sources have told NashvillePost.com that Gibson was involved in a scheme that shipped the wood from Madagascar to Germany and then to the United States.

Progressive's Gift Guide Is Coming

2009-11-12T21:27:00.006-05:00

Our First Annual Holiday Gift Guide is coming November 16. Find cool music gear for anyone on your list. Here's a sneak peek...

Breaking News Chik-Fil-A Mascot @ Progressive Music Center

2009-10-28T22:17:00.005-04:00

Breaking News

The Chick-fil-A mascot made a stop in the Progressive Music Center Wake Forest, North Carolina location during a business expo being held in the adjacent building. The local Chick-fil-A restaurant handed out samples of sandwiches and drinks. No cows were harmed during the visit, but lots of free chicken sandwiches was consumed.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Pictured - Progressive Music bass student Katie Sullivan with the Chick-fil-A mascot.

And Now We Present...U2 Live

2009-10-26T21:48:00.002-04:00

Can't See The Video? Check It Out HERE

STOLEN!

2009-10-22T11:32:00.004-04:00

Progressive Music Center guitar instructor Andrew Davis has alerted us that his band, To The Republic, was a victim of theft on October 15.

Thieves broke into their storage space and walked out with $14,000 in amps, mixers, speakers, monitors, guitar effects pedals and more.

Here's a list of some of the larger items:

Vox AC30 amp, Marsahll 1960a Lead 4X12 speaker cabinet (has the letters "CC" on the back), Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Head, Ampeg SVT810E Classis Series 8X10 Bass Speaker Cabinet, Mackei 408S Pro Mixer, Creative Acoustics CA Speaker CA112F 12" stage monitor

If you have any information that could lead to the recovery of any of this gear please email nate@totherepublicmusic.com or info@raleighROCKschool.com

Roscoe P. Coltrane Digs Progressive

2009-10-21T15:09:00.002-04:00

Otcober 10, 2009 - Wake Forest, NC

Progressive Music Center student Charlie Keith and James Best, aka Roscoe P. Coltrane from the original Dukes of Hazard television show.

Halloween Bash

2009-10-20T12:24:00.005-04:00

No Halloween plans? Check out Progressive Music Center instructors Chuck Barchuk, Bill West and Jason Farley at Mac's Tavern for a night of live music, costume contest and bonfire! It all starts at 8PM on October 31 and the cover is only $8! If you have wanted to check out our teachers and staff on stage this would be a great show to see.

Progressive Teacher's Embrace Tech

2009-09-30T21:17:00.004-04:00

Progressive Music Center staff and teacher's in our Raleigh and Wake Forest, North Carolina locations have been using and embracing the iPod and iPhone in their lessons and during in-store events for over a year now, and we are seeing the advantages of the popular devices everyday. With the growing popularity of Apple's App Store, it is getting harder to not use one of these handy devices during our lessons.

Progressive's Operations Manager Kyle Long says, "I use an iPod touch to play music between sets during our student showcases and Rock Academy shows. It's cool because we can set-up playlists that coincide with what the bands are playing that night".

The overall benefits of the devices show up in the lesson rooms when teachers use them to search youtube and other music sites for music, tabs, lyrics and videos for use during the lessons.

"All of Progressive's teaching rooms have an internet connection and wi-fi, and at one point I was using my laptop daily during lessons, but once I got my iPhone I realized I could use that for everything I needed. It was nice because I could stop carrying that bulky laptop and my iPhone actually has better applications that what I had on my old computer. I've got a metronome, tuner, chord charts, scale finder and tons of other bass/guitar related apps on my iPhone that I use all the time with my students", says Progressive bass guitar teacher, Larry Dempsey.

Progressive drum instructor Dexter Horton adds, "most of my students have an iPod touch and a few have iPhones. They come in each week and will show me a new App or some music sites they have found and bookmarked. The cool thing is all of my students have a digital file saved on their iPods that I email them after their lesson. It's just a great tool and I think Progressive is the only music school that I know of using the iPods and iPhones as much as we do".

New from case-mate...iPhone Recession Case

2009-09-17T21:58:00.006-04:00

Only $.99! Wonder if they can make some nice cardboard drum and guitar cases for recession strapped musicians...

Group Classes

2009-09-01T08:37:00.005-04:00

Group classes for GUITAR and DRUMS are now registering for our Wake Forest, NC location. All group classes are 10 weeks and cost $150. A Real Feel practice pad and sticks are required for the drum class and a guitar and beginner book are required for the guitar class. These materials are available for purchase in our retail shop. Jump HERE for drum class info. and registration and HERE for guitar class info and registration. Come join the fun and learn a new instrument!

Wake Forest Open House

2009-08-22T22:56:00.001-04:00

Raleigh Open House

2009-08-22T22:55:00.001-04:00

New Raleigh Studios Pics

2009-08-04T13:52:00.005-04:00

Open now about 2 months and moving right along!

Here's a view from the front

Coming In Through The Out Door

Clearance!!!!!

2009-07-30T08:33:00.001-04:00

ALL in stock guitars, basses, amps, & more! We only have 1 clearance a year & this is it!
We just returned from summer NAMM where we tested, sampled, played & ordered our new 2010 stock, so we're clearing out the 2009 stuff. Get it now @ or below cost! Raleigh 919. 787. 1688 | Wake Forest 919. 453. 1688

Fender Now in Stock!

2009-07-23T11:49:00.006-04:00

Progressive Music Center is proud to announce that we are now an authorized Fender dealer!! We have Strats, Tele's, basses, amps, acoustics and all accessories in stock and ready to go!

Wake Forest location: 919. 453. 1688

Raleigh Location: 919. 787. 1688

info@raleighrockschool.com

Camp Roundup

2009-07-23T11:02:00.004-04:00

We've been so busy with our summer that we have not had any time for regular updates! Our third summer session of MusicTech is coming to a close this week with a Friday Finale Concert tomorrow night (24 July, 2009). The past two weeks have been our first ever double week sessions where we see the same groups for 2 weeks with one big finale concert at the end of the second week.
We were not sure what to expect from a two week long camp session since we have always held our sessions on a weekly basis, but have found that it's been a relaxed, fun experience. The bands have been able to take their time writing some really great music, recording the songs and getting to know our staff and each other over the last two weeks.
This has been an incredible summer for us! All of our summer sessions sold out and we moved into our new Brier Creek location at TW Alexander and Frankies Fun Park. I don't think we could have had a better summer!
If you are in town tomorrow night, please come out and support the band at 7PM in our Wake Forest location. These are great musicians with a lot of talent!

United Breaks Guitars

2009-07-10T17:21:00.002-04:00

A few years ago on a flight to Nashville we witnessed the same activity from another airline...don't check your guitar!!

Jim Chapin 1919 - 2009

2009-07-05T17:27:00.003-04:00

James Forbes Chapin, legendary jazz drummer and educator, died July 4, 2009 in Florida just a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday.

Jim was an amazing drummer and a mentor to Progressive founder/owner Billy Cuthrell. Chapin held residency teaching students young and old at Progressive Music Center from 2001 until his health prevented him from traveling in 2006. Jim will be greatly missed for all of his stories, songs and solos, but most of all for his friendship and encouragement to all that meet him.

MusicTech Week 2

2009-06-22T21:05:00.003-04:00

Off to a great start - several bands already up and running with a few song ideas, band names, etc... If this group of rockers is as good as last weeks, and we think they are, we are in for a great concert again on Friday evening!! Video of last week's camp and concert, which was AMAZING, up in a few days on Youtube and RaleighRockSchool.com.

09' Summer Camps Kick Off

2009-06-16T08:39:00.007-04:00

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2009

The first camp session of 2009 has kicked off with a sold out week and some serious music making on the first day.

Progressive Music Center's 15th year of the the Original School of Rock Summer Sessions kicked off Monday, June 15 in a brand new Raleigh, NC location. For 2009 a Music Technology curriculum has been added and titled called MusicTech. Through the new MusicTech format camp Rockers write, record, promote and perform their music in a one week period ending with a finale concert. "The overall idea of MusicTech is to offer campers a complete submersion into what it takes to play in a working band. In today's connected world the need for large record deals and distribution is greatly minimized with social networks and readily available, inexpensive recording equipment such as the Zoom H2", says Progressive Music Center's Billy Cuthrell.

Started in 1994 as way to showcase students, Progressive Music Center's camp has grown year after year and produced a year around program called Rock Academy where students rehearse weekly in Progressive's studios with a staff member that coaches the bands and prepares them for live shows around the NC area.

Dream Cymbals "Tasting Tour" @ Progressive

2009-06-03T21:49:00.007-04:00

June 17 - 24

jump here for details

or call us to make appointment

EHX Overdrive for Rock Band 2

2009-05-28T20:27:00.003-04:00

http://www.ehx.com/blog/ehx-overdrive-for-rock-band-2

Originals Custom Shop

2009-05-08T08:23:00.004-04:00

Progressive offers custom graphics called "Originals". Here's a Dean ML with one of our Originals design for a few Dean guitars. Go Ahead, Be Original!

Tricked Out Strat

2009-05-05T20:55:00.003-04:00

http://www.steampunkworkshop.com/steampunk-strat.shtml

2009-05-05T12:34:00.001-04:00

The Dead Weather

2009-04-30T11:31:00.003-04:00

Jack White (White Strips/Raconteurs) has a new project out - The Dead Weather. Featuring White on drums in place of guitar/vocals, Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stone Age) on guitar, Jack Lawrence (Raconteurs) on bass and Alison Mosshartit (Kills) on vocals. We like it more than White Strips and close second to Raconteurs. Take a listen and tell us what you think at info@ppdsonline.com for a chance to win tickets to the 2009 Vans Warped Tour (sorry, Charlotte, NC date only).

VANS Warped Tour Ticket Giveaway

2009-04-20T21:16:00.005-04:00

But Can You Play Music With It?

2009-04-19T11:26:00.002-04:00

Can't View the Clip? Go HERE
See more interesting instruments HERE

MusicTech Camp Article

2009-04-19T10:16:00.004-04:00

If you are planing to attend our upcoming summer camps, here's a great article that will discuss some of the recording ideas we'll present during MusicTech 09'.

Homebrew "Banjo" Guitar Hero Controller

2009-04-06T22:44:00.002-04:00

Built by RIT students - thanks to Cory Doctorow

"One of my highlights from the Game Developers' Conference for me was the "Oh No Banjo" exhibit, showing off student work from the Rochester Institute of Technology's "Alternative Controllers Seminar." The students gutted a guitar game-controller and built a very credible banjo using its buttons and electronics, then wrote custom software and musical arrangements for it (apparently the Scruggs people rightsholders wouldn't let them use "Duelling Banjos," even for a noncommercial, student project). I played it for a while and found it very fun -- I totally rocked the banjo for MC Chris's "Fett's Vette."

DIY Electric "Guitabasukealastick" Thing..

2009-04-06T22:33:00.007-04:00

Mark Frauenfelder demonstrating his electric string instrument at RIT from Chris Tomkins-Tinch on Vimeo.

Guthman Musical Instrument Competition

2009-04-04T11:36:00.002-04:00

From Wired.com

It was like a low-stakes X Prize for music as musicians, inventors and hobbyists competed against each other in the first annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at Georgia Tech for cash prizes of $10,000. More than 60 people applied, and 25 were chosen to show off a stunning variety of musical instruments of their own devising. The judges — Harmonix co-founder Eran Egozy, Georgia Tech professor Parag Chordia and Wired.com's Eliot Van Buskirk — had to evaluate a diverse field of worthy competitors. Meet the contestants and judge the instruments for yourself.

Progressive's Pick:

Too Much Time On His Hands...

2009-04-04T11:23:00.001-04:00

Can't See the Clip? Go HERE

Metallica's March Madness

2009-03-31T08:31:00.002-04:00

Having trouble viewing the clip? Go Here

Jimmy Jams with Elvis

2009-03-30T21:34:00.002-04:00

Having trouble viewing the clip? Go Here

Progressive Rocks Twitter

2009-03-26T16:13:00.003-04:00

Follow us online at any of the following:

http://www.raleighrockschool.com/

www.twitter.com/werockitbigtime

www.youtube.com/werockitbigtime

MusicTech Camp 09' = Learn. Practice. Perform.

2009-01-26T21:17:00.008-05:00

It's not too late to register and save for our summer camps, and we still have spots open for ALL camp sessions in our Raleigh and Wake Forest studios! We know it's a tough economy, so we're also cutting the 50% deposit to only 20% on all camp sessions through May 1st!

Registration for the GREATEST summer camp experience of your life opened in February! Have you registered and saved $50 yet? Progressive Music Center's Original School of Rock Camp 2009 returns with an updated and innovative approach to our ever popular camps.

For summer 2009 we will still have our "campers" rehearse and perform a weekly concert, but on top of that we will combine music and technology to offer MusicTech. We'll have sessions on recording, promoting your music, the latest in music tech gear and how to use it in your band's gigs and rehearsals and we're adding more to the schedule everyday. These will be hands-on sessions where you do the work and by weeks end you can take your work with you (we'll record your rehearsals and gig).

We are also introducing our first ever double week session. We'll have the same group of musicians for 10 days instead of the normal one week period, and then wrap it up with a huge concert the last day of the camp (see below for a listing of all camp dates and concerts). There's also an early bird registration offer (only $350 for registration payments received before March 31st!) and if the Gods of Construction are on our side, we may be in our new Raleigh, NC location just in time for the first MusicTech session.

Ready to rock? Ready to learn new music technology? Call or email for a registration form.

ph. 919. 787. 1688 (Raleigh location) or 919. 453. 1688 (Wake Forest location)

e. info@ppdsonline.com

2009 MusicTech Dates:

Camp 1 - Raleigh Location: June 15 - 19 (Concert Fri. 19th @ 7:00 pm)
Camp 2 - Wake Forest Location: June 22 - 26 (Concert Fri. 26th @ 7:00 pm)
Camp 3 - Raleigh Location: July 13 - 24 (Double Week - Concert Fri. 24th @ 7:00 pm)
Camp 4 - Wake Forest Location: Aug. 3 - 7 (Concert Fri. 7th @ 7:00 pm)
Camp 5 - Raleigh Location: Aug. 10 - 14 (Concert Fri. 14th @ 7:00 pm)

**Are you a guitar player, but you're not ready for one of our MusicTech camps? Check out our new Summer Guitar Workshops. We'll offer 2 sessions in June and July. Call or email us for details.

NAMM Gear

2009-01-26T21:06:00.008-05:00

Ethan Powell's Awesome Derby Car!

2009-01-26T12:01:00.002-05:00

NAMM People

2009-01-22T16:45:00.010-05:00

Progressive's Billy Cuthrell with Gene Simmons

Alicia Keys andKeyboard Magazine Eds...

The Bangles

Progressive's Dexter Horton & Iron Maiden's Niko McBrain

Carmine Appice at the dDrum booth

GWAR

Lacy from VH1's Rock Of Love

She digs GWAR :)

Kyle