I. Course Objectives
A. Naming notes in the upper positions
B. Chord forms in the upper positions
1. Bar chord principles
2. Chord recognition in upper positions
3. Major, minor, diminished, and augmented chord forms with 6th, 5th, and 4th string roots
4. Understanding harmonic relationships of chord forms
5. Adding 7ths to chord forms
6. Using chord forms to play diatonic chord scales
C. Use of diminished chords in minor keys
D. Understanding the circle of fourths
1. Modulations using the circle of fourths
2. Circle of fourths chord progressions
E. Development of intermediate guitar reading skills
1. Reading melodic patterns in common major keys
2. Reading chord symbols at an intermediate level
3. Guitar ensemble
F. Single line plectrum development
1. Single string pedal tones
2. Memorization of common major scales
3. Chromatic scale form
G. Basic chord substitution
H. Embellishing chords
II. Organization
A. Module One*
1. Bar chord principles
2. Pedal tones
3. Identifying upper position notes
4. E and C7 chord forms transposed to upper positions
5. Chromatic scale form
6. A chord form transposed to upper position
7. Using chord forms to play the primary chords in major keys
8. Bass Ð chord technique with alternate bass notes
9. G major scale; memorization and reading melodic patterns
10. A7 and E7 chord forms transposed to upper positions
11. E minor and A minor chord forms transposed to upper positions
12. Use of chord forms to play primary chords in minor keys
13. Adding 7ths to the E minor, A minor and A major chord forms
14. Half diminished chords
15. C major diatonic chord scale
B. Module Two
1. Transposition of diatonic chord scales
2. Reading chord symbols of diatonic chord scales
3. Diatonic shifting of chord forms
4. ii Ð V Ð I chord progressions
5. iii - vi - ii - V - I chord progressions
6. D major scale: memorization and reading melodic patterns
7. Alternate chord forms for diatonic chord scales
8. Alternate ii - V - I chord forms
9. Alternate iii - vi - ii - V - I chord forms
10. Half and full diminished chord functions
11. Reading b9 and b5 chord symbols
12. ii - V - I in minor keys
13. Circle of fourths applications
14. A major scale: memorization and reading melodic patterns
15. Dominant seventh chord substitution rule
C. Module Three
1. Embellishing chords
2. E major scale: memorization and reading melodic patterns
3. Summary of chord forms
4 Augmented chords
5. F major scale: memorization and reading melodic patterns
6. Application of chord symbol reading skills thru arrangements in text and
other supplemental pieces
7. Guitar ensemble
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:
a. Final exam Ð 1/3
b. Class preparation, participation, and performance Ð 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.