New gig economy: Musicians go online for work

Former Side A drummer Mar Dizon is conducting drums lessons via Zoom

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a new gig economy that Filipino performing musicians are engaging in–sharing their professional skills online for reasonable fees.

Unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to the closure of bars, clubs, and concert venues, musicians have started using social media to put food on the table and to fight boredom.

It’s still in the experimental stage, but the response, according to drummer Mar Dizon, is very encouraging.

Overwhelmed by the number of interested individuals, he said he had to limit it to 60, for now.

Dizon, formerly of Side A, is conducting drum lessons for students which he has divided into several classifications: hobbyist/ amateur/elementary; intermediate; advanced; and pro.

The classes, which started a few days ago on Zoom, are divided into two groups: group 1, elementary, 8 p.m.; and group 2, intermediate/advanced, 10 p.m.

Dizon didn’t want to set specific amounts for fees, so he decided to just accept donations from his students.

Musicians group Musikaramay is holding piano, guitar, drums, and bass lessons online for reasonable fees.

Musikaramay

Meanwhile, a group of musicians called Musikaramay has announced online classes for piano, guitar, drums, and bass.

The roster of music teachers includes Niki Cabardo, Juni Sitaca, and Ivan Lee Espinosa, piano; Migs Rañeses Makoy Portado, and Xergio Ramos, guitar; Junjun Regalado, Rickson Ruiz, and Sandy Baliong, drums; and Tin Caberto, Stephen Lachica, and Joshua Royeca, bass.

The classes, which consist of 10 sessions, are divided into beginner, P7,000; intermediate, P8,000; and advanced: P10,000.

https://facebook.com/musikaramay; tel. 0999-999-0969

Faye Yupano: One-on-one

Faye Yupano, vocalist of Project Yazz, is likewise conducting online lessons.

Standard rate for one-on-one sessions is P8,000 for 10 sessions, one hour each.

Students can ask for a lower number of sessions and they’ll be given a different rate depending on the number of sessions they’ve requested.

“I was teaching four to five students per week in person before the quarantine. They visit me at my apartment, and now I have changed the platform to online sessions to catch up with the current challenges and to maintain my students’ progress,” said Yupano. “I’ve always deemed digital interactions to be less effective in teaching, but this quarantine has taught me otherwise. My students and I have learned to adapt by doing hand signals for turns in speaking, and I’ve created a much more detailed course that the student can follow without real-time instructions.

Nicky Tejedor: Any specific genre

Nicky Tejedor is teaching saxophone for beginner and intermediate levels, once or twice a week, depending on the students’ availability.

The sessions consist of tone quality, scales, dynamics/phrasing, and improvisation.

Fee is P1,000 per one-hour session, a minimum of three sessions.

“I’ll teach you any specific genre/song you like,” said Tejedor.

Facebook.com/nicoletejedorsax/; Instagram @nicoletejedor; email: [email protected]

Paolo Cortez: Jazz guitar

Paolo Cortez is conducting jazz guitar lessons on Facebook Messenger, Viber, or Zoom.

“I’ll be sharing all my spontaneous jazz guitar line ideas every session,” he said. “Lessons are based on the student’s preferred specific piece, like jazz standards, R&B, pop…”

Fee is P1,000 per one-hour session, a minimum of three sessions.

[email protected]; fb.com/paolocortezmusic

Junji Lerma: Guitar lessons

Junji Lerma of Radioactive Sago Project is conducting guitar lessons. Email [email protected].

Melinda Torre: Yoga

For a change, Melinda Torre, vocalist of Baihana and The Blue Rats, teaches yoga and fitness classes online. She’s affiliated with Urban Ashram Yoga, Elev8, and barre3.

Rate is P300 per class for online group classes. She also offers one-on-one classes with tailor-made programs, P800 per class.

Cheaper package options are available.

0917-5414186 (SMS, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram); email [email protected]

My Bro’s Mustache regular performers are doing a benefit concert online at 9 p.m. on May 6.

My Bro’s Mustache benefit

For regulars of the popular folk music bar My Bro’s Mustache, owner Boy Vinzon has put up an online benefit concert, “The Artists of My Bro’s Mustache on Q,” on May 6 at 9:00 pm.

Catch the livestream on fb.com/mybrothersmustache/live.

The performers’ lineup, in order of appearance: Albert de Pano, Bong Baybay, Chickoy Pura, Lester Demetillo, Mon Espia, Old Friends (Corky Crescini, Kiko Crescini, Rene Vega), Gary Arriola, Cynthia Ubaldo Gallegos, Brixio Tan, Black Vomits (Igan D’Bayan, Bryan Escueta, Julius Sanvictores, Mark Albert Contreras), Toto Sorioso, Bobby Mondejar and Friends (Joey Urquia, Boy Collado, Wally Singson) and Noel Cabangon.

Donations are welcome. Proceeds go to the performers.

/MUF