Beginning Guitar Ages 7-12 (Flexible) #2

Students will need to own a guitar that is comfortable for young hands to hold.  An adult will need to tune the guitar daily for students, I will give easy instructions to adults on how to tune the needed string(s).  

Students will learn how to play simple melodies each week focusing on reading notes from the treble clef staff.  Students will need to purchase two books to help the learn how to read the music.  Students will learn basic traditional music symbols and notation via slide presentations and the theory book, occasional activity sheets will be provided.  Learners will be given assignments they will need to submit to the teacher that demonstrates they have understood the musical concept or symbols presented each week.  

Students will identify and review the names of strings and frets, name and identify parts of the guitar, and review songs we have learned during each presentation.  The teacher will submit video demonstrations of appropriate technic and how to play songs.  Students will need to submit videos of themselves playing the guitar so I can gauge student understanding and growth on a weekly basis.  Students may be asked to share the video with their classmates.  I encourage students to weekly ask questions and submit videos to help with their musical growth.

Lesson 1:  Teacher and student introductions, show all guitars, FOR PARENTS (guardian) a brief tutorial on how to tune the guitar.  Students will go over different parts of the guitar and be taught how to identify notes on the staff and the notes E and F and learn songs that use these notes. 

Lesson 2: Students will review the music taught from the previous week.  This week two new songs using E and F will be introduced (additional music can be requested if students are learning music rather quickly).  Students receive a slide presentation on rhythm and practice clapping rhythms, then apply the rhythms to the guitar.  Students will begin using their theory book to accompany the lesson book.  Students will need to submit a video of their performance to receive feedback on their progress. Students should also submit images of their theory pages to be checked and/or corrected.

Lesson 3:  This week students will learn the G note its placement on the guitar in first position and the music staff.  Students will be given 2 new songs using the G note.  Students will need to use their theory book and compose music using the theory book.  Students will need to submit a video of their performance to receive feedback on their progress.  Students should submit images of their theory pages to be checked and/or corrected. 

Lesson 4:  Review basic music symbols and notes.  Students will begin learning notes on the 2nd string and reviewing previously learned songs.  Students will also begin playing the Em chord.  Students will need to submit a video of their performance.  Students should submit images of their theory pages to be checked and/or corrected.

No previous experience is needed,  though beginning with the Level 1 class will make this class much easier.