RMHS Beginning Guitar Concepts

Transcription

1 RMHS Beginning Guitar Concepts Welcome to the Red Mountain High School Beginning Guitar Concepts class for the academic year. See what I did there? I m changing the name in this room. Sure, it s still called Beginning Guitar on your schedule and in the course catalog. But for us, here, it s Guitar Concepts. It is the first step in the Guitar Program here at Red Mountain, a program you can spend your entire high school career in, if you so choose, just like band, choir, orchestra, etc. I ll tell you why I m changing the name, but first I want to say something to those of you who are truly beginners with guitar or even with music: You are in the right place. I ve got you covered. Now, for the rest of you, the reason I am changing the name is to try and remove the stigma from word Beginning. Many of you have held a guitar before. Many of you know many first position chord grips. Some of you have even taking Beginning Guitar in junior high. I totally understand your thinking: Hey, I m no beginner. I m advanced! I m not here to tell you you re wrong. I can tell you, however, that in the RMHS Guitar Program, unless you are proficient in sight reading classical guitar solo and ensemble repertoire in all positions, you wouldn t have very much fun yet in MU 31 Advanced Guitar. I can t wait to get you all there. But to reach the next levels of guitar here you must be able to read music at a high level. Here s the good news: I will show you how and you will actually have fun doing it. I just need all of you experienced guitar people to do me a solid favor: Trust me, and be patient. Class topics include: Terminology Relating to: parts of the guitar, technique, theory Music theory Basic notation, tablature, time signatures, key signature, accidentals Playing technique Posture, hand placement, strumming, picking, fingerstyle Musical literacy Reading notes on all strings, starting from open position

2 Chords Scales Tuning Reading rhythm Whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes; dotted rhythms and ties Strumming patterns Understanding chord diagrams, power chords, 5th & 6th string roots Barre chords (major, minor) Major, minor, pentatonic, blues from 5th & 6th string roots Playing in groups (duets, quartets, large ensemble) Performing for an audience Class materials: 1.) Acoustic six string guitar and a case for it this is a requirement. Nylon string guitars are strongly suggested over steel string guitars. Almost any music store will sell or rent guitars. Do not purchase an instrument at a department store or any store that doesn t specialize in music; you will not be happy with the quality of these instruments. There is a locked guitar storage room attached to the classroom for students to store guitars during school hours. In case of loss or damage, it will be likely be necessary to have a record of make, model, and serial number. The school provides no insurance for personal instruments. Be sure to check with your homeowner s policy to determine the coverage on your instrument. Take photographs to document condition in the unlikely event of a claim. 2.) Method book. We will be using Essential Elements for Guitar as the basic text for this course. It is available for checkout at the Bookstore or for purchase ($10) from numerous retailers online and in the area (call to check before if visiting a local music supplier). If you have used this book before do not worry, I will be supplementing with lots of other material and can challenge you if you need it. 3.) You will of course need other typical materials such as paper, pens, pencils, and a folder for handouts.

3 Optional materials: An electronic tuner for acoustic guitar. Make sure it has a microphone built in or Class Rules: a pickup attachment. Rules benefit both students and teacher. The class will run smoothly, and I can do my best as your instructor. Together we are more productive in reaching our goals. 1. Stay positive! (Believe in your own potential, and believe in and respect others) a. Stay humble, stay hungry! One lifetime is not nearly enough to learn let alone master all this wonderful instrument, and music as a whole, has to offer. For some reason this competitive thing happens to guitar players more than players of other instruments: Often times young guitarists who know relatively little develop overinflated egos. Knowing how to play the first eight bars of Stairway to Heaven or the intro to Metallica s One is awesome! However, it does not mean you re a guitar prodigy. There is so much to learn. Look it up: the musicians who created the songs mentioned above have a deep respect for all kinds of music, from classical to jazz to blues and more. So should you. Keep an open mind to new things. You have a great opportunity to be exposed to different types of music that you might one day be glad you found. I have devoted a good portion of my life to the guitar and still see myself as in the beginning phase of my journey. Stay humble, stay hungry! 2. Actively participate 3. Be ready to work. (We will allot 3 4 minutes at the beginning and end of class to unpack and pack up. See Class procedures) 4. Respect class materials. No one will touch your guitar without your permission. The same goes for other students and school owned property. We take this rule very seriously 5. Follow directions 6. No food or drink other than water, please

4 That s all there is to it! We of course also abide by all school wide rules and procedures, which can be found in the student handbook. Please assume accountability and ownership for your decisions. Discipline: Disciplinary actions range from a short teacher/student conversation to parent and administrative involvement. Measures will increase in severity after repeat offenses. Most issues can be resolved before they get to crisis situation. Communication is the key. Daily class procedures: 1. Unpack guitar, texts and handouts 2. Tuning with teacher help at first, then on your own. Having your guitar in tune whenever you play is critical for developing aural skills 3. Daily warm ups. These will consist of scales, exercises, etc. 4. Instruction review and introduction of new concepts 5. Individual and group practice, Instructor checks for individual understanding 6. Final 3 to 4 minutes: pack up materials Grading: Class Participation (30%) If students abide by class expectations, they will receive three points daily for class participation (one point for each expectation). Class expectations are: 1. Be on time with all class materials ready when the teacher is ready to begin 2. Be respectful to all persons and property 3. Actively participate in all class rehearsals, exercises, discussions, and otherwise follow directions

5 Assignments, quizzes, tests (25%) The category includes written assignments, quizzes and tests, including a Final Exam, relating to music theory and guitar fundamentals. Playing tests (25%) Playing tests usually will occur on a weekly or bi weekly basis and give opportunities for the student and teacher to assess mastery of weekly lessons, techniques, musical pieces, etc. Concert Performance (20%) There will be a concert near the end of the semester to perform the ensemble music we'll be working on. Performance is required in order to earn this 20% of the grade. Extra Credit There will be extra credit opportunities as the semester progresses. Opportunities include: attending a relevant guitar concert and completing a short written report, studying a piece on your own and performing for the class, doing a mini biography on a guitar composer and presenting it to the class. Tutoring availability Mr. Harris will be available for tutoring and extra help during Lion Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I m pretty much available most lunch hours and after school. Don t be afraid to ask for help! Contact: Brennan Harris beharris@mpsaz.org (480)