Getting Started on Guitar - Introduction (One-Time Starter Class: Ages 6-9)

'Getting Started on Guitar - Introduction' is a one-time starter class for beginners. Students will learn about the different parts of a guitar, how to sit and hold the guitar properly and where to place the fingers for a good sound. They will find out how to tune the guitar. They will also learn their first two chords and use these to strum in time as they play their first song. This starter lesson can be followed up, if the student wishes, by enrolling on the five week 'Getting Started on Guitar' class which is taught individually.

Each student will need a guitar with six strings. Please send a message to let us know in advance of the lesson whether the student is left or right-handed, as the guitar is normally strung differently for left-handed players - we can advise about this. 

Before the lesson starts the guitar should be tuned with adult help if necessary. The easiest way to do this is to download a free app called 'GuitarTuna' from Apple App Store or Google Play. When you open the app on a phone, tablet or similar device you will see a picture of a guitar.  Click the button marked 'auto', then play each string in turn. The app will tell you whether the sound is too high or too low in pitch. Turn the tuning peg for that string to make the sound higher or lower. Try this out at least a day before the lesson, and check the tuning again half an hour before the lesson. Please ask if you need further advice with this. We will go into more detail about tuning during the lesson.

The group size for this introduction class will be 3-6 students. The class will be taught live by online video using Zoom. For good safeguarding practice, an adult with parental responsibility for the student will need to be present at a distance in the room but not on camera. Video and audio will need to be enabled throughout the class. Students must be appropriately dressed. No recording (video, audio, photo or screenshots) of the class are permitted other than authorized recording by Outschool.

I will be interacting with each student as I teach. I will show them what to do, then listen as they play to check that they have understood. At times I will share my screen to show a picture or words to make clear what is being taught. After teaching the song, I will show the students how to play along to a practice video. 

After the lesson I will send some notes as a summary of what has been learned. I will also send the practice video so that the student can play along to this each day. Students should practise for 10-15 minutes every day to make good progress.