GUITAR  CLASSES 1 & 2                                                                            

Guitar is one of the most versatile musical instruments in the world – almost any musical style or genre can be performed on this instrument. Playing guitar is a personal endeavor that the student is about to begin. As with any skill, students are going to develop at different rates. This is taken into account in the grading process.

Varying skill sets can be developed through study of the instrument:

·        Performance skills in many styles

·        Literacy in music notation, both on the staff and in tablature

·        Analysis of music to better understand how it is constructed, and

·        Appreciation of music as an influence in culture

Students in guitar class will:

• Develop skills related to performance technique
• Develop music literacy in note and rhythmic reading
• Develop an appreciation for music in culture through listening and analysis various guitar styles

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Based on National Music Content Standards:

• Standards #1-2 Students will learn to read, and play with correct left hand positioning for first position. Note reading will include staff and tablature notation.

            Strumming, flat picking, and classical styles will be included.

            Ensemble performance in class will take place at least once a quarter

• Standard #3 Students will learn to improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments

            12-Bar Blues, Chord Progressions, Finger-style and Bass-strum

• Standard #5 Students will learn to read and notate music.

            Music notation, chord frames, moveable chords and scale patterns

• Standards #6-7 Students will listen to, analyze, describe and evaluate music.

            Listening days, Listening evaluations

• Standards #8-9 Students will understand music in relation to other disciplines, and in relation to history and culture.  Different genres and styles of music (folk, rock, classical, blues, jazz, flamenco), current events and the history of guitar

Generally, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

• Recognize and interpret the various melodic an chordal notation systems such as staff notation, chord grids and symbols, and tablature
• Utilize different right hand styles in playing and accompanying a song, including:
• Finger picking, and strumming
• Flat picking and strumming
• Assume correct posture to perform the various styles of guitar literature, and various styles of guitars.
• Play with traditionally correct left hand finger positions
• Play, with acceptable quality, pieces of beginning and intermediate difficulty
• Accompany a melodic line either sung or played on the guitar
• Play, with acceptable quality, various scales and chords using correct finger positions
• Sight read, with minimum error, an accompaniment and a melody of beginning rhythms and melodic difficulty
• Respond to directions in rehearsals and performance
• Perform with acceptable quality as a soloist or in an ensemble
• Tune the guitar with an acceptable degree of accuracy to a given or fixed pitch
• Recognize and begin to perform the various types of guitar literature
• Demonstrate the ability the ability to restring a guitar as necessary

TOPICS, GUITAR 1

First nine weeks: first position fingering and technique on strings 1-3, basic chords will include C, G7, D7, and Am.

Second nine weeks: first position fingering and technique on string 4-6, adding discussions of key signatures and beginning to practice and perform major scales

Third nine weeks: Add more advanced and related chords such as D, Dm, A7

Fourth nine weeks: Barre chords, major scales, key signatures, ensemble work and composition

GUITAR 2

Students will need to provide

• Pencil
• 1” binder for music papers and note taking
• English Composition book
• One listening selection of their choice per nine weeks
• Guitar with case, every even day (please bring them to the storage area so they can be secured before first block (second period).Guitars may NOT be left overnight, we can not guarantee security.

Upon payment of the required fee, students will be provided with:

• Textbook – "GUITAR 101", by Vigil & Graham . These are school textbooks and will require replacement if they are damaged beyond reasonable use.
• Handouts to help with the learning process
• Manuscript/tablature paper
• Replacement strings, and footrest and  tuners for classroom use

GRADING POLICY

Class Participation – Daily Assessment = 50%

• Conduct – causing no unnecessary disturbances, playing only when directed to do so
• Attention – following instructions, and listening (talking is NOT a guitar skill)
• Attitude – keeping an open mind in regards to music presented
• Posture – sitting up, holding the guitar properly for correct intonation and learning
• Care of the instrument – this includes remembering to bring it to school on class days. (No “loaner” instruments are available so students will have an alternative writing assignment if they can not play. If this behavior becomes habitual, the student's parent will be informed.)
• Preparation – Notebooks are required. Written warm-ups will be part of the daily routine and will be graded.
• Full participation in class and performances, both during school and out of school

Written Warm-ups and Listening Assignments = 10%

Performance Evaluation – Periodic Assessment = 40%

            Tests will be written and performance based. Student performance will be evaluated using the following criteria:

·        Rhythm – students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of pulse and an understanding of simple rhythmic values and patterns.

·        Notation – students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the symbol system used in guitar literature:

o       Staff Notation

o       Tablature

o       Chord Diagrams

                  All assesments, both performance based and written, will have an alternative if needed, and must be completed within one week of the students return to class.

STUDENT FEES

County Regulation FCPS 5922 states that guitar students be charged $28/year for fees. This money can be paid by check made out to Hayfield Secondary School – guitar, or cash. Fees are due by October 1, 2009. If there is a financial difficulty, please call or email Mr. Burke

Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch must notify Mr.Burke. Fees for these students are slightly different and accommodations can be made to help with the cost of guitars and other requirements for this class.