Guitar Building Blocks 1
Absolute beginners will learn the essential building blocks of guitar playing. We’ll cover basic guitar terminology, foundational techniques, and play simple one-string melodies.
Peter S. - Guitar-Songwriting-Music Production
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(13)
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentMastery Evaluation
1-2 hours per week. Students are encouraged to ask questions and optionally submit a video demonstrating the material for evaluation.Assessment
Students are encouraged to ask questions and optionally submit a video demonstrating the material for evaluation.Class Experience
Beginner Level
*Coupons available after completion enroll into Guitar Building Blocks 2 This course is designed for absolute beginners who want to take their first steps into the world of guitar playing. "Guitar Building Blocks" will introduce students to the essential components of the guitar, core techniques, and the fundamental skills needed to start playing simple songs. By the end of this course, learners will know basic guitar terminology, how to tune the guitar, how to read guitar tabs, and how to play a simple riff. Throughout the course, we’ll cover the following essential topics: Guitar basics: strings, parts, and tuning. How to properly use a pick and pluck the strings. Fretting hand techniques to improve dexterity. Reading guitar tablature and understanding simple rhythms. Playing basic one-string melodies and transitioning into full chords. How is the class structured? The class is divided into four weekly modules, each focusing on a different building block of guitar playing. I take a practical, hands-on approach to teaching guitar. Each lesson focuses on teaching a single, manageable concept or technique, followed by clear demonstrations and real-world examples of how to use it. Video lessons are broken into easy-to-digest sections, making it simple for students to follow along at their own pace. To help learners build muscle memory, I’ve included exercises that can be practiced alongside the video. These are designed to be fun, simple, and achievable, ensuring that every student can experience success early on. Each lesson builds on the last, helping students progress smoothly without feeling overwhelmed. My teaching style is encouraging and interactive. I focus on simplifying complex ideas into easy steps and use engaging visuals and explanations to keep students motivated. You’ll also find real-world examples to help you apply what you’ve learned and start playing familiar tunes. The course is designed to create a welcoming, stress-free learning environment where progress feels steady and fun. While this is a self-paced class, I’m always available to answer questions via the Outschool classroom. Students are encouraged to reach out if they need extra help or want feedback on their progress.
Learning Goals
Foundations of the guitarReading rhythms
Syllabus
6 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Strings, Parts, Picks, And Plucks
In this lesson, you’ll get familiar with the basic parts of the guitar and how they work together to produce sound. We’ll cover the different strings, how to use picks, and the correct technique for plucking or strumming your guitar. By the end, you’ll be able to name the key parts of the guitar and start making sounds. Lesson 2:
Tuning
Tuning your guitar is one of the most important skills to master early on. This lesson teaches you how to tune your guitar using a tuner. You’ll learn why tuning is crucial for great sound, and you’ll practice making your strings match the correct pitch so that your playing always sounds its best. Lesson 3:
Fretting Hand Fitness
In this lesson, we’ll focus on technique and flexibility in your fingers. You’ll learn simple exercises to help you improve finger coordination and control, setting the foundation for smooth/clean playing down the road. Lesson 4:
Notation and Tabs
Reading music might seem tricky at first, but this lesson makes it easy! We’ll introduce you to guitar tabs (a simplified form of music notation for guitar) and basic rhythm notation. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to read simple tabs and start playing songs using this powerful skill. Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students may be encouraged to use a tuning app on computer, tablet, or phone if they don't own an electronic tuner.
Supply List
- An acoustic or electric guitar. - Guitar picks - Tuner (optional)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2022
5.0
13reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Purchase College
Peter's life has been shaped by his decision to learn the guitar and pursue music. He holds a bachelor's of music in classical guitar performance from SUNY Purchase and a master's degree in film scoring from Brooklyn College. He is well versed in rock, jazz, and pop styles. In addition to his prowess on guitar, Peter is an accomplished songwriter, composer, and producer. He is featured on rock albums as guitarist and vocalist and has performed in various groups along the East Coast of the United States
Peter is passionate about helping others reach their musical goals whether it’s learning their favorite songs on the guitar, producing their own original music, becoming a better improviser, or understanding music theory. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced players are all welcome. Music producers seeking to better understand Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live can also benefit from Peter’s expertise. He loves to share his knowledge from his own experiences and guide his students through their own unique musical journeys.
⭐ WHAT I TEACH ⭐
Guitar
Songwriting
Composition (specializing in music for film, tv, games)
Music Production (Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, GarageBand)
Music TheoryReviews
Self-Paced Course
$32
weekly or $125 for all content6 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
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Ages: 8-13
