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Guitar Lessons and Jam Sessions

Course Description
Instruction provided by local professional guitar instructors skilled at offering a unique approach to
learning to play songs on the guitar, techniques that will help you teach yourself to play better*
and how to “jam” with other musicians and with your favorite recordings.

*It is important to understand that the best instruction in the world is only as good as the amount of
time the student devotes to practicing their instrument.

Private Lessons
The first lesson will focus student’s skill level and all proceeding lessons will be customized to
advance the student’s musical abilities.

Group Lessons
Students with the same skill levels will have the option of group lessons – this applies to beginning
and intermediate students only.

Prerequisites
No prior lessons are required. Bring a guitar (acoustic or electric). Each student will learn one to
three songs during the course studies and a performance of the song (s) at the completion of the
course will be required.

Required Material
A working guitar of at least modest quality, with relatively new strings.
Portable hand recorder (optional).

Instructional Methods
Hands on demonstrations, recordings, videos and printed lesson plans are all designed for the
student to begin playing the guitar immediately. The level of playing and the teaching techniques
will depend on the skill level of the student (beginning, intermediate or advanced ). 

Course Details
Private and Group lesson available (up to five students)
11 lessons / 1 per week / 60 minutes per session

Weekly Course Outline
*Note – all classes are designed for the student to begin playing the guitar immediately and
advance according to their skill level. This will be determined on the first lesson and a customized
course designed for each student.

Week 1: Introduction to the guitar and determine students skill level
Week 2: Basic music theory – melody, chords and rhythm
Week 3: Tuning the Guitar – Basic Chords in the open positions
Week 4: Basic Strumming patterns – The “Boxes” system
Week 5: Introduction to Power Chords and the Blues / Rock Scales
Week 6: Song Forms and Structure – Blues, Rock, Country and Jazz
Week 7: PICK A SONG to learn and play – breakdown all parts
Week 8: EAR TRAINING - How to “JAM”– to a drum track, recording or with your friends and how to
asdisfadfteach yourself a song by listening to recordings.
Week 9: Practice on parts to your “SONG” for final performance
Week 10: Performance techniques – how to find your “sound”, including a few guitar tricks.
Week 11: Review all lessons – Choose musical direction for the next 11 week session.

Basic Grading System
A written quiz of all lesson topics and a performance of the song chosen by the student.

 

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