Prerequisites: None but a good attitude and a willingness to work hard.

Objectives:

- Understand the fundamentals of guitar performance technique and

musicianship

- To discover the joy of playing a musical instrument!

- Accurately tune the guitar

- Be able to read and play all notes in first position

- Learn and perform solo and ensemble music for the guitar

- Learn how to play common chords

- Use tablature as an aid to identify and play chords in the first position

- Learn how to musically interpret, express and improvise music

- Learn the principles of producing a good tone.

- Learn the fundamentals of music theory

Requirements and Policies:

Homework- You are expected to keep up with all exercises and pieces throughout the semester. You will keep a folder/notebook of all the handouts, music, exercises, and other notes you receive or write yourself.

Your practice time outside of class should be at minimum, 30 minutes a day.

(You can’t cram practice, once a day is far better than all day Sunday!)

Attendance- Regular attendance is essential for success. Most of our class time will be focused on using your guitar to achieve musical benchmarks; any missed class-time will put you behind the rest of the class.

Tardiness and Absences- Be on time or early. We have little time and lot to cover. Even if you occasionally have time to practice between classes, you will still get something out of each class.

Evaluations- Playing tests will be given after each unit is completed or after an allotted amount of time has been given for practice of any particular exercise.

Grading- Attendance is of primary importance, class participation, effort, and attitude count for the rest. If you give honest effort you will improve performances will be excellent, and your grade will be good. There will also be a guitar performer report, a few written quizzes and one written exam covering music vocabulary and theory. You will learn to use smart-music to assist you in you practice. The winter and spring concerts serve as your final exams for this “performing art class”, no exceptions!

Grading:

35%   attendance/ class participation

25%   folder /notebook, guitarist report, quizzes, written exam,

25%   Concerts

15%   individual playing evaluations on performance, smart-music work

Texts- TBA

Needed Guitar- A 6-string acoustic guitar, nylon or steel string. Nylon string guitars have less tension, so they are easier to play (and less expensive to purchase).

Electric guitars will not be used in this class as there are few power outlets in the music room and no amps provided. I will introduce them to the class at some point during the course but we will not be using them as part of our everyday instruction.

Supplies- Get a new set of strings put on your guitar at the start of the semester. (Or I can help with this). They should last you one semester. Light gauge strings are recommended because they are easier to play. If you break one you can buy new sets from me ($6 a set).or you can go to Reno for single string replacements for $1-2 each

An electronic tuner/ metronome is also handy to have and will help classes start sooner and help you learn tempos!

I recommend Absolute Music for your equipment needs; they have served me well and visit the school twice a month.

Guitar Storage- NONE! You may leave your instrument in the designated area only during the class-day. It may not remain here overnight and I and YHS bare no responsibility for stolen or damaged instruments. Leave them here at your own risk!

IMPORTANT DATES you MUST attend:

Winter Concert: December 2009

Spring Concert: May 2010

(Exact dates will be announced shortly after school begins in September.)