Intro to Guitar - Making Music From the Start
Guitar instruction for beginners. Effective approach to play songs quickly. Chord voicing's to apply to popular songs and gain understanding of best practice exercises for best results. Learn to have fun while getting started on guitar.
Christopher Smith
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(7)
What's included
3 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Getting familiar with chord voicing's, transitioning from chord to chord. Practicing with a metronome, starting off slow and getting up to speed. Basic understanding of chord diagrams and chord charts. Listening to chosen songs to hear movement of chords. Playing along with recorded version of song(s) or appropriate tempo.Assessment
Informal assessment is what I will give to students.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Lesson 1: How to tune a guitar. 4 basic chords to apply to a simple/well-known pop song for at-home exercises. The first song will be "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker. Demonstrate chords, transitioning, show chord diagrams and chord progression of chosen song. Chord transitioning. Metronome use for practice. Lesson 2: Review lesson 1, address questions/challenges. Add 2 new chord and 2nd song to practice. The 2nd song will be "Take Me Home Country Roads" by John Denver. Lesson 3: Review lesson 2 and both songs that have been learned, address questions/challenges. Style of class will be taught with mix of demonstration, slides/diagrams and open interaction with the teacher and students. Beginning of sessions will start out with questions/review for initial engagement and then into small bits of lecturing, demonstration and slides/diagrams. Afterwards, I'd like to hear from students on their questions/challenges for what we're trying to achieve, so I can assist with anything before the session ends and at-home practicing begins. Students will need a 6-string guitar. Students don't need prior knowledge or experience, just an interest in having fun with music/playing an instrument.
Learning Goals
Independence for playing 2 basic popular songs and other basic chords. Tuning a guitar. Gain knowledge of basic chord voicing's. Applying chords to 2 popular songs. Reading/referencing basic chord diagrams and a chord progressions/charts. Transitioning of chords with a metronome or to actual recorded song is the goal to achieve basic, at-home music-making/playing of songs.
Other Details
Supply List
- A 6 string guitar starter kit (includes guitar, capo, strings, pick, strap, gig bag, cleaning cloth) An economic option I found here: https://bestchoiceproducts.com/products/41in-full-size-beginner-acoustic-cutaway-guitar-set-w-case-capo-tuner?variant=21117991878734&gclid=CjwKCAiA57D_BRAZEiwAZcfCxdFX-08-iaegKAqS2ejpUmyqG_hHaTVamoJi3Yod84gAqY1XmrCCVRoCjQcQAvD_BwE - Access for listening to music. This can be music streaming services, youtube, etc. - Smartphone or computer that can download/use a online tuner and metronome.
3 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined December, 2020
5.0
7reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Guitar classes for beginner and intermediate players. My goal is to get students familiar with basic knowledge and methods of learning guitar to ultimately unlock their potential for individual discovery of musicianship and playing.
I've played guitar for over 20 years, the last 10 years as a professional, working musician. I've also had the opportunity to travel the world for 4 years doing music outreach, working with thousands of kids from the United States, Canada, Europe, UK and Japan.
I believe the basics of guitar can be something very approachable for beginners and young people to learn and the basics can be achieved in a short time to spark an interest in wanting to learn more about playing. My knowledge and experience allows me to have a firm grip on what a young student needs to become more independent on their instrument and will learn to make music quickly and have fun!
Aside from playing music, I love being outside on my paddleboard, running, biking, skiing or being with friends/family.Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
30 min
Completed by 13 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
1-3 learners per class
