Yellowknife (Mar 10/06) - City musicians missed a chance to pick the brains of a veteran touring act this week.

Toronto ska band Random Order ran a thinly-attended workshop on the music industry before their sold-out show at the Elks Hall.

They covered topics such as promotion, demo recording and how to apply to music festivals.

Lynn Phillips, who started Random Order in 1989, said musicians should start close to home.

"As far as promotion goes, you can't do it without your friends," she said.

The workshop also included a jam session, in which members of the band went over technique, song writing and improvisation.

The band's core members, singer/guitarist Phillips and trombone player John Jowett, both work as music instructors when they aren't touring.

Phillips teaches guitar through Toronto community programs.

She said this allows her to teach kids who normally can't afford a private instructor.

Jowett teaches music through the Muki Baum Association, which offers training for people with mental disabilities.

"Music is non-verbal, so it's great for kids who have trouble with words," he said.

The only attendees at the workshop were the five members of that night's opening act, the Leslie Bader Band, and trumpet player Mike Hilchey.

"He (Jowett) said to improvise first, then you have no fear to just step up to an instrument and play," Hilchey said.

Phillips said she was a bit disappointed in the turnout and was hoping to see a few younger musicians, as the event was for all ages.

"I guess we need to hit up drop-in centres or something," she said.

Tracey Bryant, the executive director of Folk on the Rocks, said workshops like this one are part of the organization's mandate to provide "professional development opportunities for Northern artists."

She said she hopes more people come out for future workshops.