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.

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• 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.