Welcome to Guitar 1!!!! This class is intended for the beginner, those students with little or none experience playing the guitar. We now have 18 high quality Wenger Corporation Guitar Cabinets and soon will have 18 guitars to fill them. Currently we have 15. This class will show you the basics of guitar playing. When you leave, you will have a good start to becoming an accomplished guitar player. Good Luck, be patient (this is a lifetime skill you are developing) and......PRACTICE!!!!

COURSE OUTLINE:

Unit 1          Care and Tuning, Parts and String Names

Unit 2          Playing position and Warm-ups           

Unit 3          Scale and Chord Chart

Unit 4          First Chords and Songs

Unit 5          Tablature

Unit 6          Movable Chord Forms

Unit 7          Student Teach a Song Unit

Unit 1          Care and Tuning

                Treat the guitars as if they were your own. Be careful not to bang them into chairs etc. When class is finished return them to their cases and put them back into the cabinet they came out of. The guitars have specific "homes".

                Tuning may be the most important first skill you learn on the guitar. No one wants to hear an out of tune guitar. We will learn the various ways to tune. You can then decide which one fits you.

                Learning the parts of the guitar will help you quickly understand directions from me and aid in your understanding of proper playing position and chord formations.

                Learning the String names quickly is a must. We refer to them every day. They are from lowest to highest in pitch  "E A D G B E " in standard tuning.

Unit 2          Playing Position and Warm-ups

                While sitting in a chair with your back not on th back of the chair, the guitar should rest on your lap, parellel to your body. The most important thing is getting comfortable and not tensed.

                Warm ups are extremely important. They are the "stretch before the run" . You will learn several different finger exercises to be used at the beginning of your practice period. Warm up patterns are also good for developing speed, dexterity and endurance. A 5-10 minute warm up period is usually recommended for a beginning guitarist.

Unit 3          Scale and Chord Chart

                Scales are the ABC's of music. You should become as familiar with them as you would with  your mathematical times tables. The basic routine of playing a scale is to play it ascending and descending, then play the three major chords of the scale key. After a few times, you will get it and incorporate them into your practice schedule. Keep your Scale and Chord handy

you'll need it!!

Unit 4          First Songs and Chords