THE new series of free Megajam Club activities start this week in York and anyone aged eight to 18 can join in.

Places are available on all the sessions and there is no requirement to be a member to participate.

"All you need to do is contact us to register," says Megajam co-ordinator Rob Parker, who can be contacted on 01904 415069 or via e-mail to rob@megajamclub.com

Workshops to improve musical skills are divided into sound production; vocals; bass guitar; drumming; guitar; keyboards; 'Improve The Groove'; and songwriting and arranging.

In the sound production session tomorrow from 10am to 4pm at the Cube Media studio on the York College campus, there will be the chance to explore mysteries of the recording studio.

The vocals workshop at York College runs from 10am to 12.30pm tomorrow. "Even if you've never sung before, soon you will be belting out a good tune!" says Rob. "Not only that but you will learn some of the essential skills for great singing."

The March 5 session at Cube Media focuses on technique and style for the bass guitar. Drumming and its duty to lay musical foundations will be on the workshop agenda on March 6. Guitar skills follow on March 12; keyboard styles from blues to jazz, synthesiser pop to rock and dance, on March 13, and all these sessions take place at Cube Media from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

The opportunity to play different styles, such as rock, funk, jazz, blues and pop comes in the Improve The Groove workshops at York College on March 8, either from 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm.

Song writing and arranging concludes the workshops in a session from 10am to 4pm on March 15. "Here you can find out how to get over those creative blocks and put together great songs," says Rob.

No experience is necessary for any of these free sessions but booking is essential because numbers are limited.

Updated: 09:22 Friday, February 28, 2003