2
Forward
This book is intended for the beginning student with no previous guitar experience. The goal is that the
student acquires basic proficiency in three distinct areas: popular, classical and ensemble playing.
Popular Style
Students will learn all the basic chords as well as a variety of extended chords, including bar chords.
Chords are always learned in the context of playing popular songs, from a variety of genres, so that there
is immediate and relevant application. Playing with the recordings of these songs is not only fun, but it
also teaches the students how to listen to and play to a beat. Additionally, students will learn all songs by
reading song charts, which contain the chords, strumming rhythms, form and other details of the song.
Thus, beginning with Lesson 1, students will begin to develop music-reading proficiency.
The class final for the rock portion of this book is to learn and perform the iconic song, Stairway to
Heaven. It’s makes for an excellent final since it includes a variety of chords and strumming patterns,
some with demanding and aggressive rhythms, as well as a variety of fingerstyle patterns. Beginning in
Lesson 13, students will learn this song section by section as it correlates to the objective of each lesson.
Please note that learning the whole song my not be practical in your classroom setting. However, it is
suggested that students learn at least the introduction (rehearsal letters A and B on page 106).
Guitar Ensemble
There are significant reasons and benefits to including ensemble music in a guitar curriculum. First of
all, performing music with other students is a magical experience. Secondly, it brings immediate
application to the music-reading process. Thirdly, students learn the practical skill of preparing music
for a performance. This means not only learning their own part (the notes and rhythms and technical
preparation), but also in the in the context of the whole, students learn how to perform their part so that
within the ensemble, there is balance (volume), blend (tone) and continuity in phrasing, dynamics,
tempo fluctuations and other expressive devices. Lastly, for my program, learning these skills prepares
students for the following years in my program when they will perform in my guitar ensemble.
Ensemble-playing skill begins in chapter 3, when students begin learning to read music in the context of
playing duets with the teacher. Like learning chords in the context learning popular songs, learning to
read music in the context of playing duets not only gives students a relevant and enjoyable application to
acquiring reading skills, but it also teaches students to how to listen, the most important skill in music.
Classical Guitar
By the second semester, students will have become proficient enough in music reading skills to begin
learning classical guitar. Classical guitar technique is presented methodically, beginning with simple
arpeggios and ending with three-part studies. All repertoire is taken from standard classical guitar
literature.
While developing technical skill is obviously an important objective here, the goal is more than that. As
important as technique, it is only the physical component of music-making. But music is more than
fingers playing notes. What makes music meaningful to both the audience and the player is how those
notes are played – the expression and emotion within those notes. The function of technique is to give us
the physical tools to articulate what we hear in our inner ear. When students are able express what they
both understand and feel inside the music, the music becomes far more meaningful and personal to
them, and subsequently, to their audience.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that teachers utilize the eBook found on TheGuitarClassroom.com.
