Bangalore will always be viewed as one of the original havens for independent musicians trying to leave a mark through their music.
Many of these young and old artistes have even succeeded in doing so. But what really stands out is that many of them take to teaching music on the side thereafter.
Nathaniel School of Music (NSM) in Indiranagar is one of the institutions that allows and encourages musicians from the field to take out time and share their knowledge with those eager to learn.
"Our goal is to see our students perform like us performers," says Jason Zachariah, the chief programme coordinator.
Jason is the keyboardist for bands like 'Allegro Fudge', Bhoomi and 'Caesar's Palace'. For him, teaching is more of a passion than a job.
"As a musician, you can do so many different things — you can play for a band, compose music, record in a studio or simply teach what you know.
But for the students, it's a matter of ten weeks, in which they form bands, jam with their teachers and learn how to become performers," he explains. NSM has students from the age of ten to 60, all of whom are driven by a common passion for music.
Varun Murali, the guitarist of Bangalore-based folk rock band Swarathma, is also a teacher at NMS and takes group lessons. But he prefers focussing his energy on one-one-one private lessons at home.
"If you believe in something, then you'll make time for it no matter what. At a very early stage of learning, I realised that to get better at what I was doing, I could teach others," says Murali.
"I knew that it would help me look at the instrument from different people's perspectives. I take classes almost everyday for a few hours. It just makes me feel more confident as a musician and student of music," he adds.
Another space for musicians and students to interact is 'Taaqademy', a music academy-cum-jam room which was started in 2010 by one of the City's best known musical outfits, 'Thermal and a Quarter'.
"'Taaqademy' is our way to give a little something back. As mostly self-taught musicians, we've all missed having those crucial guides at the right time and as a result, had to do many things the long and winding way," says Bruce Lee Mani, the band's lead guitarist and vocalist.
"We believe that music should be an essential part of education at any age, which is why the motto of the school is 'Make Space for Music'," he adds.
And then there are people like Montry Manuel, the drummer of Swarathma, for whom teaching music does not have to be in a formal setup. In 2011, he started Thaalavattam, a percussion project that uses instruments made out of recycled items.
"We make instruments like plastic bottle shakers, form rhythmic circles, demonstrate how to use these as instruments and then the students can follow," explains Manuel, who has taken this drum circle to many of the City's schools and colleges.
"Others might not call what we do 'teaching' because there is nothing technical and we don't go by notations. But it is my way of interacting with people and bringing the community together," he adds with a smile.
Looking at this passion-driven phenomenon occurring in the City, one thing's for certain — the kids who get to be taught by their musical role models and the rock stars of the Indian scene sure have it easy these days!
Many of these young and old artistes have even succeeded in doing so. But what really stands out is that many of them take to teaching music on the side thereafter.
Nathaniel School of Music (NSM) in Indiranagar is one of the institutions that allows and encourages musicians from the field to take out time and share their knowledge with those eager to learn.
"Our goal is to see our students perform like us performers," says Jason Zachariah, the chief programme coordinator.
Jason is the keyboardist for bands like 'Allegro Fudge', Bhoomi and 'Caesar's Palace'. For him, teaching is more of a passion than a job.
"As a musician, you can do so many different things — you can play for a band, compose music, record in a studio or simply teach what you know.
But for the students, it's a matter of ten weeks, in which they form bands, jam with their teachers and learn how to become performers," he explains. NSM has students from the age of ten to 60, all of whom are driven by a common passion for music.
Varun Murali, the guitarist of Bangalore-based folk rock band Swarathma, is also a teacher at NMS and takes group lessons. But he prefers focussing his energy on one-one-one private lessons at home.
"If you believe in something, then you'll make time for it no matter what. At a very early stage of learning, I realised that to get better at what I was doing, I could teach others," says Murali.
"I knew that it would help me look at the instrument from different people's perspectives. I take classes almost everyday for a few hours. It just makes me feel more confident as a musician and student of music," he adds.
Another space for musicians and students to interact is 'Taaqademy', a music academy-cum-jam room which was started in 2010 by one of the City's best known musical outfits, 'Thermal and a Quarter'.
"'Taaqademy' is our way to give a little something back. As mostly self-taught musicians, we've all missed having those crucial guides at the right time and as a result, had to do many things the long and winding way," says Bruce Lee Mani, the band's lead guitarist and vocalist.
"We believe that music should be an essential part of education at any age, which is why the motto of the school is 'Make Space for Music'," he adds.
And then there are people like Montry Manuel, the drummer of Swarathma, for whom teaching music does not have to be in a formal setup. In 2011, he started Thaalavattam, a percussion project that uses instruments made out of recycled items.
"We make instruments like plastic bottle shakers, form rhythmic circles, demonstrate how to use these as instruments and then the students can follow," explains Manuel, who has taken this drum circle to many of the City's schools and colleges.
"Others might not call what we do 'teaching' because there is nothing technical and we don't go by notations. But it is my way of interacting with people and bringing the community together," he adds with a smile.
Looking at this passion-driven phenomenon occurring in the City, one thing's for certain — the kids who get to be taught by their musical role models and the rock stars of the Indian scene sure have it easy these days!