Guitar Class
This semester long class is designed to give basic skills for the beginning guitarist. Main curriculum points are highlighted below, along with what should be accomplished each quarter.
-
Chord Charts: students will learn how to read chord charts and learn about 8-10 basic chords
-
Strumming Techniques: a few different patterns enabling them to accompany sung melodies
-
Music Notation: reading the symbols for notes and rests on the treble staff is necessary in order to read the music we play.
-
External parts of the instrument: diagram provided to show basic parts of the guitar (head, tuning pegs, frets, bridge, etc.)
-
Posture: how to hold the guitar in classical and folk positions
-
Open String Notes: what notes they are, how they correspond to their notated notes on the staff
-
Hand Positions: placement of left hand thumb on the back of the neck and fingers to curve around (one finger per fret on the fret board); right hand to relax over the body of the guitar to strum over the sound hole with right hand thumb and/or fingers and picks
-
Basic Acoustics: how the guitar produces its sound
Semester Overview:
-
String 1 (E): Notes E, F & G (how they are notated on the staff, how to play them)
-
Chords: a minor and e minor
-
String 2: (B): Notes B, C, & D
-
Songs with notes on Strings 1 and 2, “Common” Time Signature
-
-
Chords: G, D, A7 & C
-
Basic Chord Progressions
-
Add F3 and A notes on String 1
-
String 3 (G): G & A notes; G scale and arpeggios
-
2-part songs
-
Chords: D7, A & E
-
String 4 (D): Notes D, E & F (plus F#)
-
¾ Time Signature
-
Chords E7, B7, d minor
-
Songs with various chords
-
Performance Project: Pick a school-appropriate song to learn the chord progressions to & perform for the class
-
Composition Project: 12-measure song written by students following notation rules
Grading
-
There will be various worksheets and small performance assignments 10-20 points each.
-
Projects and final performances will be worth 70-100 points each as independent work time will be given in class.
-
Participation will count 25 points each week—this includes staying focused in class and showing each other respect.