Guitar
Class Description
Guitar is a performance-based techniques class offering introductory experience in, and opportunity for development and improvement of fundamental skills in guitar. Topics covered include:
Basic guitar playing
Technique
Tuning the guitar (by eye and ear)
Instrument care and basic maintenance
Learning note names on the guitar fretboard
Reading standard music notation and guitar tablature
Reading melodies, chords, and scales
Identifying different music forms, structures, and styles
Basic strumming and picking patterns/techniques
Performing a mixture of different song styles (including traditional, pop, rock, folk, and blues) as a soloist, with a partner, and as a group
Students in the class should have desire and patience to learn a new instrument. Students who already play the guitar should prepare to explore what they know from a different angle. This means that some knowledge covered in class may appear to be remedial or information they may not want to learn. If a student does not expect, desire, or have patience for a very beginning level course, they should immediately seek another elective course.
Materials
Acoustic Guitar – Each student must have an acoustic guitar for the class. Mr. Sherrodd will issue a school-owned acoustic guitar for use if a student does not have one. It will be the responsibility for a student to understand importance of properly taking care of the guitar. Particular knowledge must be obtained for storing and tuning the instrument.
Method Book - Hal Leonard Guitar Method Complete Edition (Contains books 1, 2, and 3) written by Will Schmid and Greg Koch. This book can be purchased on Amazon for as low as $15.29 (Plastic Comb). Click for link.
Other supplemental music and materials will be used and provided on google classroom as well.
Chromebook- Students should be able to access music or items studied on their chromebook through Google Classroom.
Left Hand Fingers (Fingerboard Fingers) - Fingernails must be kept short on the left hand in order to produce good tone on the guitar. Students will be assessed accordingly if fingernails are not kept short.
Guitar Pick - Students are asked to purchase a pick of Medium gauge of their choosing suitable for an acoustic guitar.
Phone Tuner App or Clip on Guitar Tuner - Fender Tune has an excellent App for tuning by eye or ear. Search amazon “Clip on Guitar Tuner” for choices there. These tuners are relatively affordable.