Guitar QuickStart™
by Mary Jo Disler
ISBN 0-9642229-0-6
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48325-2132
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The first page of the Syllabus presents the course specifics: texts, objectives and grading.
• Texts: The principal text is Guitar QuickStart by Mary Jo Disler, ISBN 0-9642229-0-6, Lyra House Music Publications. Additional music reading material is provided by Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Book 1, by Will Schmid, which accommodates both classic and steel-string guitars at a beginning level. [After some experimentation with other books, this one has been selected for the quantity of familiar music, an important element for beginners’ perception of success.] A coursespecific to classic guitar might use a different supplementary text.
• Tests: Tests are important. This teacher’s experience over many years indicates that students respond best and make the most progress through material that sets testing goals. Without testing, classes tend to become “sloppy” and unfocused, despite a carefully formulated syllabus. This course includes both written tests and performance of specified material. Indeed, the final performance test is one of the highlights of the class. In preparing for it, students capsulize their accomplishments for the entire semester. Those who prepare conscientiously are delighted by their own self-discovery of their progress. The performance tests are described in detail in the Syllabus. Sample written tests are being considered for publication by Lyra House.
• Transparencies: Overhead transparencies play a major role in the style of classroom presentation. After a number of years of chalkboard and lecture oriented teaching, the adoption of overheads dramatically enhanced the ability to cover more material and concepts with improved clarity. Transparencies are not included in this packet, but are being considered for publication by Lyra House.
• Structure: The first half of the course presents basic fretboard theory and music reading, and the second half presents chords and chart-reading. The rationale for this order is that students who are new to music reading will have the benefit of the full term to start internalizing the concepts.
Experimentation with both formats (chords first as compared with reading notation first) has proven the benefits of the “reading first” approach: Students with no prior music training may struggle with the reading process, but learn chords more quickly and easily later in the semester when they are oriented to the guitar. Reading also provides theoretical background that can be applied to understanding chords. –And the full sound of the chords comes as a welcome relief to the single-note reading of the first few weeks. It injects a breath of fresh air and inspiration at precisely the midsemester time when the course needs a new slant.