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.