About

Our guitar class is designed for those who don't know how to read music, don't know how to play guitar, or a combination of the two. Like all of our Performing Arts and non elective classes, we have a set of State Standards that we follow that focuses on: Performance, Connecting, Response, and Creating. We don't just focus on the playing of the guitar, we're also introducing the student to the Music Industry and how to look at the world from a creative view point.

This is not "just a fun or easy" class. Every skills-based class is work, takes time, and takes patience. There is an expectation that the student puts the effort into the class and tries their best. Not every student is expected to be a rockstar, or naturally talented, or pick it up right away. But if your student likes music, has the patience, and works hard: they'll have skills and a hobby for life.

This is a year-long class, with each semester focusing on a particular skill every beginning guitarist should know. Since it's a beginning class, there is a mix of 9-12 graders, College Prep-AP students, and a wide variety of students. This class isn't designed for students who have a solid understanding of guitar. Band or Choir might be a better choice for those students.

We also introduce your student to the wide array of careers one can find in the Music Industry or connected to it. It's not expected that students become part of the industry, but we want them to know that it's much more than just the performance side that we hear everyday. For those wanting into the industry, we show them what's expected to get into the industry and what it's like to make sure that it's the right fit for them.

Fall Semester

Fall Semester is all about introducing the student to the instrument, and focusing on reading music and doing classical/finger style playing. This will set up the student for the Spring Semester and we'll be continuing those skills into Fall Semester as well. By the end of the semester, students should be able to play finger style guitar by following music on a page.

Spring Semester

Spring Semester is about furthering the student's skills into chords, song writing, and the next level of skills. We use Rock music as a tool to help teach skills these skills, with a touch of jazz, R&B, and Blues. By the end of the semester, students will be able to play chords on the guitar on their own without relying on a video or tutorial.