Imagine talking to a principal, superintendent or curriculum director about a prospective new elective course for the general student. Without naming the course, you describe some typical outcomes:
- gain a lifelong interest and participation in music
- learn to read music, sing and accompany him/herself
- play solos and ensembles; learn and apply music theory
- improvise and compose his/her own music
- listen and perform music in many styles
- work with electronic instruments, MlDI, computers
- develop self discipline and a motivation to learn
Many will be amazed to learn about a music course offering such a comprehensive approach. If this list sounds as good to you as it will to the students and administration, here are some practical suggestions for starting a guitar class, or enhancing an existing program.
Personal Concerns About Teaching Guitar
How does a non-guitar playing teacher teach a guitar class? The answer to that question is simple-one step at a time. Taking a guitar class or some private lessons is helpful but not essential in order to get a class started. Getting a guitar and beginning to learn on your own with method books, cassettes and even video aids can be an important first step. Students will respect the fact that you are learning along with them. After all, you will be teaching what you already know- music is the subject and guitar is simply the medium.
Who will register for a guitar class? You will find a mixture of students from the general student body, most of whom are not in the existing performance program. Many guitar programs attract a higher number of boys than girls, something we can rarely find in other elective music classes. Some students with a strong interest in rock won't fit the typical "music student" profile, and that is what many administrators are seeking. If you can get past the differences in dress or hair styles, you will find these students very interested in learning to play, writing their own songs, forming their own groups, and learning music theory. In fact, some of these students may stay in school primarily because of their new musical experience.
Guitar class will not pull students away from traditional performance programs. Experience has shown the opposite to be true. Students from the general student body who elect a guitar or keyboard class often join a performing ensemble. Since the vast majority of the student population does not participate in school music, guitar class is a good vehicle for reaching large new populations.
Setting Up A Class
A typical high school guitar class is offered for one semester, although there are districts that offer a full- year class. A class that meets every day has continuity of practice and experience that is important for most students. Classes can vary in size from twelve to twenty-five students. Many students provide their own guitars, which may be acoustic or electric There is often a sense of ownership in the idea of becoming a guitar player when a student has his/her own instrument. Allowing different types of guitars in your class is not a problem; on the contrary, it gives students the feeling that you are a contemporary music teacher. Students with solid-body electric guitars should be allowed to bring small amplifiers to class, as long as they don't play any louder than the acoustic guitars. Happy that you permit this option, they will not abuse the privilege.
Most schools provide guitars for students who can't afford their own, and these are normally acoustic instruments. Another option finds students renting guitars for the semester through a music store. Above all, it is important that all instruments are of sufficient quality so that technical advancement is possible. A cheap instrument is hard to play and therefore is not a bargain. Music can be purchased by the student in the same fashion as a consumable workbook, or it may be provided by the school district. More than one book is often needed to offer a comprehensive curriculum, and a class library of supplementary books, cassettes, and videos is very helpful.
Will Schmid is Professor of Music, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and President, North Central Division, MENC. He is the author of numerous books, cassettes and videos for guitar, strings,winds, choral and general music.
A beginning guitar class should be a foundation for playing and singing in a wide variety of styles; therefore, it is necessary to include a mixture of techniques and skills. Students should learn both the instrumental side of guitar playing (melodies, solos, ensembles) and the accompanying side (chords, singing and playing). Right-hand techniques should include playing with a flat pick (used in rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, popular, folk, blues) and finger-style (used in classical, folk, jazz, blues, popular, Latin American, etc.). Left-hand techniques should begin with easy open-position chords and melodies in first position; then as students progress they should learn to play movable (bar) chords, solos, and play in positions up the neck.
Improvisation can be included even at beginning levels by setting up "no-fault" structures such as pentatonic scales over simple chord backgrounds. A good example to use after students know the notes on strings 1 and 2 is the following chord sequence in 4/4 time: G /// G /// Em /// Em ///. Half of the class can play the chords while the other half simultaneously improvises melodies using the notes E and G on string 1 and B and D on string 2. A cardinal rule for working with improvisation and composition is to do everything you can to make students feel safe-never put them on the spot until they are ready.They will tell you when they are ready to take a solo. Many excellent book/tape packages for learning improvisation provide backgrounds on tape, giving students a chance to try out their ideas in private-at home or in a practice room. Improvisation is a good doorway to composition because it teaches students how melodies and chords work together.
Class time can include both large-group activities, small ensembles and private practice. Here is an example of a typical 50 minute period:
- tuning (either to the note E or by using electronic tuners)
- play/sing two or three pieces that you already know
- introduce a new lesson on some new technique; work together
- individual practice/small ensemble (students set goals/contracts; teacher gives
- individual help and checks progress)
- end with large-group activity (playing ensembles, singing)
Notice that the period begins and ends with the whole class playing/singing together. Playing familiar material and sounding good is particularly important at the end of the period-you will find that it sends then out of the room feeling better about their progress and about the class.
Accommodating players at different ability levels is easier to accomplish on the guitar than with any other instrument. For example, if beginning players are learning open-position chords, more advanced players can simultaneously be playing these chords in positions up the neck. Ensembles with parts of varying ability make it possible for the class to play together. While beginners are working on first-position melodies,better players can play these same melodies in more advanced positions up the neck. Improvisation naturally allows students to play solos at their ability level. The guitar can also be adapted for use with special populations by substituting partial chords for full chords, simplifying melodies, or using open tunings.
Motivation is normally not a problem in a guitar class, but there are a number of new ways to enhance regular guitar offerings. Students can easily learn to play the electric bass tuned to the same notes (an octave lower) as guitar strings 3, 4, 5 and 6. Students begin by playing chord roots for ensemble pieces or songs and gradually fill in bass runs and other techniques. Another powerful new option is a MIDI guitar, sound module and computer for building multitrack sequenced recordings. Other powerful motivators include a drum set/drum machine, a multichannel cassette recorder, or creating a small recording studio in a practice room.
Guitar is clearly one of the comprehensive options for high school general music-a class for all reasons. By providing a self motivating musical outlet for students not currently enrolled in music, guitar classes are a flexible and contemporary medium through which you can share your wealth of musical expertise.