Unwind Center is the new hot-spot for Bangalore’s rockers. It is a music school, jam club and general hang-out joint all rolled into one. Located in a quiet part of Koramangala, the central activity is the music school.
They offer courses in rock guitar, drums and keyboards. They have what they call a Fast-Lane package, which they claim can put a complete novice on the stage within 6 six months (the student has to do his or her bit, of course). I have just completed module-1 of the guitar course (two more modules to go, each of two months). I’m not sure if I’ll be ready for the stage in another 4 months, but I have certainly learnt a lot more, a lot faster, than at any other place. Having tried to learn the guitar at two or three other places, I can safely say this is probably the best place to learn rock in Bangalore.
The tutors are Bangalore’s own well-known rockers – they are all professional musicians with their own bands (e.g. my instructor Hemanth is the lead guitarist of Haven). The key difference is that they have all undergone a training course at the Unwind headquarters in Chennai, which trains them into teaching the Fast-Lane methodology. There is an intelligently designed syllabus they all have to follow, and there are regular tests, follow-up’s and assignments. There are regular batches which start every alternate month. The batches are no smaller than six, so that there is sufficient bonding, mutual-assistance and competition between the students, and no larger than eight so that the instructor can give individual attention. The batch system is another key to maintaining a high motivation level among students.
This is what makes the difference: there is no shortage of guitar classes in Bangalore, but this is the only one which follows a systematic, scientific and disciplined approach, and strictly implements a batch system. This is also the best equipped and coolest rock school in Bangalore. There are professional musicians coming in and out all the time, jams and performances happening all the time. The entire environment pulsates with life and music. If you simply hang-out around here long enough, you’ll end up a rock musician.
The other big theme in the Unwind centre is the jam club: There is a permanently set up jam room in the center, with a small stage, professional sound system, sound-proofed walls with excellent acoustics and cool rock posters all around, a couple of drum kits, guitars, keyboards, monitors, and an engineers cubicle. Ram, the manager of Unwind Centre, doubles up as the sound engineer. There are banked seats for the audience – it can accommodate about 80.
Every weekend, either on the Friday or the Saturday, there is a live jam by one or more of Bangalore’s established groups, or an outside group. Entry is either free, or miniscule (Rs 50 or Rs 100) – depending on if Unwind can find a sponsor or not. Even otherwise, there are musicians coming in all day and practicing in the jam room.
The third great thing about the place is nice out-door café, with really nice grilled sandwiches, fruit juices, shakes etc, and a nice little outdoor seating area with a few potted plants all around. Excellent for just hanging-out, or grabbing a quick bite after class, or kill time between the class and the start of the evenings jam.
Best thing about the place is the buzz: lots of talented, artistic, and interesting people, having fun and doing what they enjoy. No swearing, fights, drugs, running other people down, innuendos, misbehavior – all that is banned. This is supposed to be a safe, fun, and positive place, and the management ensures it.
All-in-all, you can safely say this is the coolest place in Bangalore…
How to get there: Unwind Centre used to be in Wilson garden, but it has moved to Koramangala.
Address: #104,17 C Main 5th block Koramangala.
Directions: Get on to Koramangala 100 ft road (directly from the inner ring road). Take a right on the Sukh Sagar corner (1A cross) Take the first right after Barista (17th C-Main). Unwind Centre is the big colorful building somewhere in the middle of this road, on the right.
Contact: +91-80-25436319. Ask for Ram Nath Thakur, or just ‘Ram’ – The ever-smiling manager (and the only permanent staff, as far as I can make out) of Unwind Centre, who doubles up as course coordinator, recruiter, examiner, jam organizer, sound engineer, friend, philosopher and guide.
(Ram and Hemanth in the office)
