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BEGINNING GUITAR Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
College Pre 2.5 credits
This course is for students who wish to begin the study of guitar. Students will learn to play open position major, minor, and dominant chord progressions, recognize note values and associated rhythms, read and play melodies in open finger position, have small group performances in the blues, classical and pop/rock styles and develop improvisational and compositional techniques utilizing the 12 bar blues structure. All of the above will be assessed through in-class performances and recitals. A limited number of school guitars will be available and assigned to students at the discretion of the teacher. This course meets the recommendations for an Arts class outlined in MassCore.
Unit | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
Intro Information and Foundational Skills | August/ September 9-10 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn the parts of the guitar, reading chord charts, Begin note reading, learn basic right hand strumming patterns, use first chords to learn easy songs | Intro to Guitar: parts, technique, fretboard/chord diagrams Open Position Chords: Em, Am, C, D, G Open Position C Major Scale Pattern Note Reading: Open Position of the 1st and 2nd Strings Basic Score Reading Basic Right Hand Rhythmic Patterns Song Packet: songs utilizing the above chords |
Notes Chords Repertoire Ear Training | October 9 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Expand note reading to the top three strings, learn additional songs and new chords. They will also begin working on ear training | the top three strings (G-E) Song Packet: continuation of the songs introduced in September New Chords: add the I, IV V chord progression in the new major keys of D, G and A Ear Training: rhythmic and melodic dictation; solfege patterns utilizing do, re, mi |
Notes Chords Repertoire Ear Training | November 7 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Begin playing as an Ensemble, learn all open position chords, And begin reading on the bottom three strings | Note Reading: add bass notes (open position of D, A and E strings) New Chords: all open position chords except F Guitar Ensemble Repertoire: more complicated music utilizing notes of all six strings in open position Basic Score Reading: continued Ear Training: more difficult rhythms and add "sol" |
Notes Chords Repertoire Ear Training | December 6 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn the mini -barre F Chord And continue working/performing as an Ensemble Ear Training through Rhythmic, melodic dictation | New Chords: add the F Chord mini barre and for some the full barre Guitar Ensemble Repertoire: continue and perform in-class recital Ear Training: continue |
Root/5th Bass Strums Finger-Picking Ear Training | January 9 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn chord bass notes root/fifths with strum patterns Begin Finger-picking patterns Continue developing Ear training skills | Root/Fifth Bass Strums: all open position chords Open position note review and placement on the guitar Finger-Picking Patterns: Root-3-2-1 - 5-3-2-1 R-3-2-3-1-3-2-3 Greensleeves ¾ Pattern: R-3-2-1-2-3 Ear Training: continued |
Song Writing Finger-picking Ear Training | February 6 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Begin composing using chords, rhythms and adding melody Continue with Ear Training and more complex Fingerpicking Patterns | Song Writing Project: composing rhythms-melody and chord progression Accidentals Finger-Picking Patterns: continued Ear Training: continued |
Song Writing Blues Improvisation Ear Training | March 8 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn the Historical context of The Blues Genre Learn Blues Scales and begin Experimenting with Improvisation Continue with Ear Training | Recital and Recording of Original Composition Begin the Blues: open position A Pentatonic Scale; Licks associated with this scale Historical background/influences Ear Training: continued |
Blues Improvisation !2-Bar Shuffle Rhythm Ear Training | April 6 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn some basic licks (small phrases) for improvisation and the Shuffle Rhythm Continue with Ear Training And understanding the Historical background | Blues Unit: continued 5th Position A Pentatonic Scale; Licks associated with this scale Licks/Improvisation: rhythmic/melodic, student composed 12-Bar Blues Shuffle Rhythm in A Historical background/influences: continued Ear Training: continued |
Blues Form Bass Lines Improvisation 12-Bar Shuffle Rhythm Alternatives Original Blues Composition Ear Training | May 10 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Learn bass Lines for a 12 bar blues progression Learn alternative shuffle rhythms Begin an Original Composition in the Blues Style Pick a song of their choice for performance | Blues Unit: continued Blues Form: bass lines Improvisation Development: continued Right Hand Rhythmic Comping: alternatives to the shuffle Original Blues Composition: melody and improv Song Choice Project: introduce |
Original Blues Composition Song Choice | June 4-6 Classes | Beginning Guitar Students will: Perform their original Blues Composition and give a recital of their song choice | Original Blues Composition: melody and improv continued Song Choice: recital |