Burlington High School
Guitar Performance I
Mr. Colin Galitz
Course Overview
Guitar 1 students will learn the fundamentals of guitar playing including
rhythm and note reading on all six strings. Students will learn proper performance
techniques in a predominantly folk style. Students will also learn various
strumming patterns on open chords. Students will also learn basic music theory,
and also be asked to accompany others. Students will also be introduced to other
styles of music and guitar performance.
Students must provide their own acoustic guitars. Electric guitars will not be
permitted. Electric guitars may be used on the CD project (more explanation
later…).
Materials
 Acoustic Guitar
 Guitar Book
 Flash Drive ***optional***
 Music Composition Paper
 Audacity Music Editing Software ***optional**** (free/ open source
download)
**This music editing software works with any operating system**
Required Text
Guitar Method Book 1 2nd Edition by Will Schmid and Greg Koch.
****OR******
Guitar Method Complete Edition by Will Schmid and Greg Koch (recommended
for those who will go on to Guitar Performance II).
Prerequisites
NONE! We will learn the basics of note reading. We will be reading very little
tablature. Musical notes are the same for all instruments and music. Tablature is
exclusively for guitar.
Music Theory
For those of you who are non-musicians or do not read music, or are new
to the guitar, we will be doing a music note “crash course” at the beginning of the
semester. Here are some helpful sites:
http://www.8notes.com/theory/ (for staffs, clefs, and note names)
www.emusictheory.com (for note names and guitar frets)
http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/ (this explains more chords with
tablature)
http://heartwoodguitar.com/resources/ (explains more about guitar technique)
CD/Composition Project
During the course of the semester you will be using manuscript paper
(staff paper) to compose a song at least one minute in length. This project will
count as a final guitar test grade. Each of your guitar tests will be recorded and
saved. This is for the purpose of tracking one’s progress from the beginning
stages to the end of the semester.
The CD project will be a culmination of everything that you have learned in
the class. The composition must use all six strings, at least four different chords,
and be at least a minute in length.
When the CD solo is recorded I will load the file on your flash drive. You
may chose to add tasteful effects to your solo with a music editing program. This
is entirely optional. However, extra credit will be given to those who chose to do
this. This is the link to Audacity music editor http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. This
is a free, open source program that works with any operating system.
If you do not want to compose a song you may use a song outside of the
book. Here are some sites for guitar music:
www.musicnotes.com/guitartab/
http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazz_guitar_sheet_music.html
http://www.heartwoodguitar.com/chords
http://www.free-scores.com/free-sheetmusic.php?CATEGORIE=999&ordrepar=clicks
Classroom Procedures and Etiquette
I have designed the class in a way that allows for plenty of individual
practice. I will work through the assigned guitar test with the class. I will then give
individual time to practice. This time may be used to practice for the weekly guitar
test, compose/practice CD solo, or get ahead on the next guitar test. Those who
disturb class will be asked to pack their guitar away for the class period. If this
occurs two percentage points of your participation grade will be deducted.
If you participate in class and use the practice time wisely there should be
no homework. Music writing and editing software will be provided to the student
on school computers.
Grading Scale
Quarter I
Participation 20%
Guitar Tests 50%
Theory Exam/CD project check-ins 30%
Quarter 2
Participation 20%
Guitar Tests 40%
CD Project 20%
Final Exam 20%
Extra Help
Music can be a difficult concept. If you find that you are having trouble
reading music or playing the guitar I WANT TO HELP YOU. I am available in my
office Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays after this class and after school. If
these times are inconvenient for you I would be happy to set an appointment
outside of class. Here is my email address: c.galitz@basd.k12.wi.us. Put Guitar I
in the subject line so it makes it through the spam filter.
Schedule
Week 1 Sept 4th-7th Music Theory
Week 2 Sept 10th-14th Music Theory
Week 3 Sept 17th Music Theory Review
****September 18th Music Theory Quiz****
Weeks 3-4 Sept 19th- 28th 1st and 2nd string notes
*****September 28th Guitar Test pages 6-10*****
Week 5 Oct 1st- 5th 3rd string notes
*****October 5th Guitar Test pages 11-14********
Week 6 Oct 8th-12th 4th string notes/ intro to chords
*****October 12th Guitar Test pages 15-18*******
Week 7 Oct 15th-19th more chords and melodies
**** October 19th Guitar Test pages 19-21*******
Weeks 8-9 Oct 22-Nov 2 notes of the 5th and 6th string
****November 2nd Guitar Test pages 22-25******
Week 10 Nov 5th-9th introduction to the rest
****November 9th Guitar Test pages 28-29******
Week 11 Nov 12th-16th alternate picking
****November 16th Guitar Test pages 30-31*****
Week 12 Nov 19th-20th work on CD project in class. Introduction to Sibelius 7 and
Audacity music software.
****Nov 21st –23rd NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Holiday****
Week 13 Nov 26th-30th strumming patterns
****November 30th Guitar Test pages 33-34******
Week 14 Dec 3rd- 7th changing basic guitar shapes with chord pairs
****December 7th Guitar Test pages 35-36*******
Week 15 Dec 10th- 14th “base/chord” strumming pattern
****December 14th Guitar Test pages 37-38 exercises 87-90 only*****
Week 16 Dec 17th-21st accompanying basics
****December 21st Guitar Test pages 38-39 exercise 91*********
*******Dec 24th-Jan 1st NO SCHOOL Winter Break***********
Weeks 17-18 Jan 2nd –11th new notes/ chord pairs/accompanying
******January 11th Guitar Test pages 40-43*************
Week 19 Jan 14th-18th “Grand Finale”/ record remaining CD project
compositions/solos/ review for final exam