Thanks for checking out our lesson on how to play the first riff of “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple with your friends!

Be sure to have each instrument of your band watch the video for their instrument, then watch the final video to see how to put it all together!

1. GUITAR

2. BASS

3. DRUMS

4. KEYBOARDS

5. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!

Teenage guitarists and a drummer from the Detroit School of Rock and Pop music gave the music at Royal Oak’s holiday parade a hip flavor, as they strummed and sang “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” this morning. (Bill Laitner)

Crowds greet Santa at Royal Oak Parade

BY BILL LAITNER

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Billed as Santa’s first stop in metro Detroit, downtown Royal Oak’s Holiday Magic Parade kicked off the region’s Thanksgiving-through-Christmas period this morning with a blend of yule tradition and electric guitars.

Organizers estimated the crowd at more than 20,000 that crowded sidewalks from 10 a.m. until noon on both sides of South Washington from Lincoln north to nearly 11 Mile, watching a parade whose date over the years has crept earlier and earlier on the calendar until this year it predates Detroit’s big parade on Thanksgiving Day by five days.

There were plenty of traditional sights and sounds, like the award-winning Ferndale High School Marching band and the Shriners making rapid circles in their mini-roadsters. But right behind the Ferndale marchers, with their shining brass instruments and pressed uniforms, was a float of vastly different notes — those of teen musicians from the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music, located in a former bike shop on the same street as the parade.

There were seven electric guitarists strumming, one drummer pounding, and one generator electrifying on the platform draped with signs identifying the school whose aspiring rockers also have performed at Royal Oak’s Memphis Smoke nightclub and at the Detroit Zoo.

“We played ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and the other tune was ‘Greatest Time of Year.’ It’s a Christmas song that was done by Aly and AJ, a Disney act of a few years back,” said Gittinger, who pulled a wagon-load of the school’s brochures behind their float, hoping to interest some newcomers in his school.

As the rockers rolled past, others waited their turn — including two performers who leaned against telephone poles, seated a full 12 feet over the pavement on unicycles. Doug Oliver, 16, of Redford Township and Bryan Alexander, 19, of Dearborn Heights towered over mounted police of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, who as they rode by said, “How’d you get up there? That’s a lot harder than climbing on a horse.”

Contact BILL LAITNER: 586-826-7264 or blaitner@freepress.com

SANDUSKY, OH – The following is a message from Cedar Point:

Cedar Point is searching for talented entertainers and technicians to fill more than 100 positions in the park’s Live Entertainment Division for the 2010 summer season.

Representatives from the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will be holding open auditions and interviews in Royal Oak from 3-5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Detroit School of Rock & Pop Music, located at 1109 South Washington in Royal Oak.

Positions that are available include:

· Performers – singers, dancers, singers/dancers and singers/musicians;

· Musicians – electric guitars, bass guitars, keyboards and drummer/percussionists;

· Technicians – stage managers, sound and light technicians, stage crews, ushers, costume shop personnel and dressers;

· PEANUTS characters – costumed characters and escorts; and

· Karaoke hosts and DJs

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by May 2010 to audition.  Each audition piece should be limited to 16-32 bars.  Applicants should select music that is upbeat and illustrates their personality and ability to interact with audience members.  A CD player and piano will be available, but other instruments and amplifiers will not be provided.  Interested applicants should bring a one-page resume with references to the audition.  Reporting dates run from late April to early September.

Those who cannot audition in person can send audio and/or videotape with a resume to:  Cedar Point Live Entertainment, One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870-5259.

With thrilling rides, award-winning live entertainment, special attractions and resort accommodations, Cedar Point is one of the most popular amusement parks and vacation destinations in the country.  It has been named the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for 12 consecutive years.

For more information, please contact the Live Entertainment Division at 419.627.2388, by e-mail at liveshows@cedarpoint.com or online at cedarpoint.com.