There's no better way to share music than to teach it.ˇ
This idea seems to be key in the success of Marc's Guitar Center.ˇIn honor of its 25th year, the UNM area business will be giving away guitars and conducting workshops at local Albuquerque public schools.ˇMarc Foman, who co-owns the shop with his wife, said his goal is not only to give something back to the community, but also to personally teach students, something the business side of things gives him little time to do.
Marc's Guitar Center did not always operate out of its easily recognizable, ideally situated location on Central Ave. across from the UNM Bookstore.ˇ The store began in Foman's home where his student base quickly outgrew limited space.ˇ
He soon moved to a duplex on Harvard Drive where he and his staff taught more than 100 guitar students.ˇ Foman also rented instruments to his students who sometimes came to him with guitars that were so poorly adjusted they were discouraging to play.ˇ His stay on Harvard lasted for about 15 years until a new space became available and the shop moved to its current location.
"We took a chance and it worked out," Foman said.
But even with the expansion, his focus has primarily been on instruction at what he calls Albuquerque's only student-oriented guitar center.
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Foman, who has been playing guitar "since just before The Beatles broke," seems to be a big believer in stressing to students that first and foremost, music should be fun and not drowned in technicalities. The guitar workshops' structure, which so far have been slated to take place at Jefferson and Grant middle schools and Manzano high school, certainly seem to emphasize that point.ˇ
The blues and rock workshop will focus on how scales and other aspects of music theory are used in the popular music students may recognize from the radio.ˇThe styles workshop is a survey of the blues, rock, folk and classical genres and the special skills a mastery of each involves.ˇ
"We'll try not to be too technical," Foman said.
After a mention of Jack Black's ultimate music-class movie, "School of Rock," Foman added, "I'm hoping we'll be entertaining for them."
In addition to the workshops, Marc's Guitar Center will also be giving away guitars, which he said will definitely be a welcome gift to schools that often struggle to keep music programs afloat financially.
More and more people are coming to realize the importance of music programs in schools with such personalities as Public Enemy's Chuck D lending his name to the "Save the Music" cause.ˇFoman is also quick to point out music's numerous benefits.ˇ
"Music is wonderfully therapeutic," he said, adding that it also can involve math concepts and requires concentration and some level of physical aptitude.
Foman is frank about the lack of opportunities for musicians who want to become professionals, especially in a city the size of Albuquerque, and he is clear that not everyone who picks up a guitar is going to become the next leather-clad darling of rock 'n' roll. Still, he is adamant about the fact that pursuing music is a worthwhile, rewarding endeavor.ˇ
"If I can help make it a lifetime rewarding hobby, then that's what it's all about."
