I. Course Objectives
A. Knowledge of guitar fundamentals
1. Nomenclature
2. Tuning
3. Seating Position
4. Left and Right hand principles
B. Development of accompaniment skills
1. Common chord voicings in the first position
2. Guitar strums developed through playing exercises, etudes, and songs
C. Development of reading skills
1. First position natural notes, melodies, and C scale
2. Chord symbols
II. Organization
A. Module One*
1. Nomenclature, tuning and seating position
2. Left hand principles
3. Chord diagrams
4. Open strings
5. Creating a good chordal sound
6. Chord changes
a. D A7
b. D G A7
c. G D7
7. Guide and Pivot fingers
Bass - Chord – Bass – Chord strum
9. Combining down and up strums
C. Module Two
1. Rudiments of music notation
2. Notation of open strings
3. Studies in string crossing
4. C and G chords
5. Melody reading
a. String 1
b. String 2
c. String 3
d. Strings 1, 2, and 3 combined
6. The partial bar with the F chord
Primary chords - I – IV – V
8. A minor and E chord forms
9. Counting and strumming dotted rhythms
10. D minor chord
11. Chord changes
a. C G7
b. C F G7
c. A minor and E
d. A minor D minor E7
D. Module Three
1. Primary chords in the key of e minor
2. Completion of the first position notes on all six strings
3. Primary chords in the key of D minor
4 C major scale
5. Melodic patterns
6. Strumming embellishments
7. One beat chord durations
8. Syncopation
9. Chord changes
a. E minor A minor B7
10. Cumulative statistical chord change possibilities
11. Guitar ensemble
12. Review thru playing supplemental music in text
III. Student Evaluation
1. A performance exam is presented at the end of the semester.
2. This is a three-part exam in which each student demonstrates scales from memory, melodic reading, and accompaniment skills.
1. One absence lowers the final grade by one letter.
2. More than one absence places a student in jeopardy of failing the course
3. Attending an extra class or classes may remove absences from a studentÕs record provided that all assignments are completed.
1. The final grade is calculated as follows:
Final exam - 1/3
Class preparation, participation, and performance - 2/3
1. The Honor Code applies to this course with students expected to be
absolutely honest in communicating to the professor on matters
concerning practice time and reasons for absences. Practicing with
other students is not a violation, and is actually encouraged.
* Each module represents approximately five weeks of this course.