Instrument Labs

Following a progressive, multi-level curriculum that builds skills.

Instrument Labs are weekly, small-group sessions within the CMI program. In Labs, students build technique, musicianship, and musical fluency on their primary instrument. Those skills are then applied in weekly Ensembles.

Graphic with the words 'KEY LAB' and an illustration of a hand holding a keyboard with a string attached, plus sparkling star-like shapes.

KEYBOARD LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Keyboard layout, five-finger positions, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, ensemble basics.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Scales, arpeggios, chord inversions, Rockschool Grade 1–2, collaborative arrangements.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Extended chords, improvisation, jazz and funk, Rockschool Grade 4–5, group jams.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Original compositions, studio skills, Rockschool Grade 6–8, capstone showcases.

A graphic collage with the words "Voice Lab" in bold black letters, a dotted illustration of a hand and a mouth, a black and white halftone pattern of a hand holding a microphone, and a digital silhouette of a bird.

VOICE LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Breath support, pitch, simple harmonies, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, stage basics.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Range building, tone shaping, Rockschool Grade 2–3, pop/R&B stylings.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Complex harmonies, improvisation, emotional delivery, Rockschool Grade 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Songwriting, recording, Rockschool Grade 7–8, capstone showcases.

A purple background with black text reading "GUITAR LAB." A white acoustic guitar and a black and white amplifier are positioned over the text.

GUITAR LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Tuning, open chords, strumming, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, early group performance.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Barre chords, riffs, pentatonic scales, Rockschool Grade 1–2, first improvisation.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Modes, arpeggios, advanced rhythm and picking, Rockschool Grade 4–5, songwriting.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Artist development, original music, Rockschool Grade 6–8, capstone showcases.

Graphic design with orange background, large white text reading 'My PRO LAB', a black and white halftone image of hands holding a vinyl record, a black DJ turntable, and a black stylized wave pattern.

MUSIC PRODUCTION LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Intro to DAWs, loops and samples, basic beat-making, recording simple tracks, and ear training for producers.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Song structure, layering sounds, intro to synthesis, multi-track recording, basic mixing, Rockschool Production Grades 2–3.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Advanced mixing & EQ, sound design, live recording techniques, producing across genres, Rockschool Production Grades 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Portfolio development, advanced production & mastering, collaboration with vocal/instrumental labs, Rockschool Production Grades 7–8, capstone project (EP or live showcase).

Graphic with the words 'DRUG MS LAB' in bold black letters, with a hand holding a DNA double helix and two cotton swabs crossing each other.

DRUMS LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Drum kit basics, posture, quarter- and eighth-note grooves, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Funk and Latin grooves, 16th-note fills, Rockschool Grade 2–3.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Polyrhythms, odd meters, soloing, Rockschool Grade 4–6.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Session skills, fusion and funk, Rockschool Grade 7–8, capstone showcases.

A graphic design featuring a black and white hand with a dotted pattern, red string, and a toy guitar in the center, with the words 'BASS' and 'LAB' in bold black letters, set against a pale yellow background with black dotted circles.

BASS LAB

BEGINNER students | LEVEL ONE

Tuning, open strings, root notes, Rockschool Debut–Grade 1, early ensemble experience.

INTERMEDIATE students | LEVEL TWO

Major and pentatonic scales, walking bass, slap basics, Rockschool Grade 1–2.

ADVANCED students | LEVEL THREE

Arpeggios, modal grooves, syncopation, Rockschool Grade 4–5, improvisation.

PRO-PREP students | LEVEL FOUR

Advanced techniques, session skills, Rockschool Grade 6–8, and capstone projects.

Outline of a microphone and a keyboard with musical notes and sound waves.