Guitar QuickStart teaching guide

The Midterm Performance Test is conducted with each student individually, and is best done in a separate room - practice room, or whatever may be available. Beginners would rather not be “on display” in front of the class! I assure them that accuracy is important, but not speed. Some may not yet be capable of playing a piece up to tempo.

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CLASS #9:

Playing the chord assignments in the Syllabus is fairly straightforward from this point to the end of the semester. A highlight is memorization of the “Folia,” p. 45 of Guitar QuickStart. It is a piece that was very popular in the Baroque era. In principle, it can be roughly compared to the blues in that it is a chord progression on which musicians improvised. In class it is used as a vehicle for teaching and playing rhythmic variety. The class works out 4 or 5 rhythmic variations written by students: Ask them to “write” several one-measure rhythm patterns in 3/4, the meter of the “Folia.”
Draw them on a board or transparency so all can use the patterns to play the chart. (As models, see “Special Strum Rhythms” on p.47 of Guitar QuickStart ) Keep a copy of the rhythms written by each class section (if you teach more than one) and play them in future classes. “The Folia” is one of the pieces students can perform at the conclusion of the course.

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CLASS #10:

“Converting Songs to Charts” is a very important concept that forms the foundation for the relationship of chords to the meter and measure layout of specific songs. This is the principle that will enable students to figure out virtually any published score involving guitar chords. Go through the mechanics of the process with several songs, whether there is time to play them all or not.

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CLASS #11:

Rhythm Exercises:
The class may be divided into two groups to play through the exercises in Guitar QuickStart, pp.50-51. One group can play the even-numbered exercises, and the other the odd-numbered exercises. Introduce the freestroke by playing “Homage to Pachelbel” ( Guitar QuickStart , p.45 #5 ) with p i m a (eighth-notes) in each measure. Students will usually recognize the music. Practice the freestroke on open strings, then apply to chords in this chart.

If time permits, teach a simple bass run for “Down in the Valley” (low A-B-C#, second to last measure).

Guitar QuickStart™ by Mary Jo Disler ISBN 0-9642229-0-6 All orders: Amazon.com Bookstores may order from • Baker & Taylor, or • Lyra House Music. Complete order and review copy information Flyer Order Form-Individuals Sample pages, extended info Lyra House Music Publications P.O. Box 252132 West Bloomfield MI 48325-2132 Mission Statement Email: Contact4guitar@aol.com Click on logo to download FREE Adobe Reader: S Last update: 3/22/08	:: Home :: Order info :: Syllabus :: Teaching Guide :: Book List :: Free extras :: Teacher's Corner :: Links :: Bach Page ::
		CLASS #8: The Midterm Performance Test is conducted with each student individually, and is best done in a separate room - practice room, or whatever may be available. Beginners would rather not be “on display” in front of the class! I assure them that accuracy is important, but not speed. Some may not yet be capable of playing a piece up to tempo. ======================== CLASS #9: Playing the chord assignments in the Syllabus is fairly straightforward from this point to the end of the semester. A highlight is memorization of the “Folia,” p. 45 of Guitar QuickStart. It is a piece that was very popular in the Baroque era. In principle, it can be roughly compared to the blues in that it is a chord progression on which musicians improvised. In class it is used as a vehicle for teaching and playing rhythmic variety. The class works out 4 or 5 rhythmic variations written by students: Ask them to “write” several one-measure rhythm patterns in 3/4, the meter of the “Folia.” Draw them on a board or transparency so all can use the patterns to play the chart. (As models, see “Special Strum Rhythms” on p.47 of Guitar QuickStart ) Keep a copy of the rhythms written by each class section (if you teach more than one) and play them in future classes. “The Folia” is one of the pieces students can perform at the conclusion of the course. ======================== CLASS #10: “Converting Songs to Charts” is a very important concept that forms the foundation for the relationship of chords to the meter and measure layout of specific songs. This is the principle that will enable students to figure out virtually any published score involving guitar chords. Go through the mechanics of the process with several songs, whether there is time to play them all or not. ======================== CLASS #11: Rhythm Exercises: The class may be divided into two groups to play through the exercises in Guitar QuickStart, pp.50-51. One group can play the even-numbered exercises, and the other the odd-numbered exercises. Introduce the freestroke by playing “Homage to Pachelbel” ( Guitar QuickStart , p.45 #5 ) with p i m a (eighth-notes) in each measure. Students will usually recognize the music. Practice the freestroke on open strings, then apply to chords in this chart. If time permits, teach a simple bass run for “Down in the Valley” (low A-B-C#, second to last measure).
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