Become a Jam Coach!

ToneWay “Get Started” Classes:
An Introduction to the Method and Mountain Music

For folks new to the ToneWay Method, offering an introductory class gets everyone on the same page—again, helping with group cohesion. We can send you the materials you’ll need to give this class to a small group of folks: guidelines and examples to review, and outlines and posters to use in class. The class is designed such that it is most effective when the instructor follows the curriculum very closely. This makes it easy to teach, so long as the instructor has the discipline not to get carried away with tangents and “rabbit holes.”

Our online “Get Started” workshop video models a real-life “first class” very closely. We have prepared some additional curriculum to fill out the first class and follow up with a second class. Beyond that, the students just need to put their knowledge into practice at JamShops.

Fees for JamShops and Classes

As a jam coach, you have the choice of hosting your ToneWay classes and JamShops for free, or asking for a small fee or donation. Charging money can help filter out the less interested players, if that becomes an issue. In Santa Cruz, the going rate has been $5 for a JamShop, $15 for a ToneWay class. That said, they started out free of charge, and we recommend doing the same in your group. Initially, you may actually be learning more (about coaching) than your jammers (about playing). Heck, perhaps you should pay them for being your guinea pigs!

The Book Requirement

Participants of JamShops and ToneWay classes will need a copy of Get Started Plus.

We have found the JamShop works best for everyone, both coach and participants, with this basic requirement. It ensures that everyone has some essential resources and a common repertoire. When everyone is ‘on the same page’, everything runs much smoother. A successful outcome is more certain.

Having folks order the book online and review it for a few days before they attend works best. Naturally some won’t get around to looking at it much beforehand, but at least they will have the repertoire, and the resource to answer the questions they are bound to have afterward.

In a “introductory class” situation, having students receive their copy at the first class works fine. However, for this to work, coach must buy enough materials ahead of time. Note: We can offer an attractive wholesale price (a 50% discount) for a package deal which includes: 1) Get Started Plus: Core Songs Edition, 2) the companion CD, and 3) an MP3-CD of all 100 Core Songs, or the Core Songs 5-CD Set. (Wholesale pricing for individual products is not currently possible, due to high production costs.)