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Starting A Classroom Guitar Program

Starting A Classroom Guitar Program | The Vault at Music & Arts

Looking to Start a Classroom Guitar Program? This article will show you how a guitar program can bring value to your students and your school!

So You Want to Start a Classroom Guitar Program

Are you considering bringing more musical education to your school? Are you looking for the most practical, cost-effective, fun and inclusive way to teach your students to play music? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits for students, teachers and administrators of adding a guitar class into your school’s program offerings, so you can successfully pitch the idea and get it up and running in no time.

Why Guitar?

With so many instruments out there, you may be wondering what makes the guitar stand out from the rest. Or maybe you’re already sold on the idea, but need some help convincing decision-makers at your school. While there are dozens of excellent reasons to introduce a guitar program into your school curriculum, here are a few of the most compelling:

Cost

Compared to starting a band or orchestra, the costs of a guitar class are exceptionally low. For the same price your school would pay for a single tuba ($3000 or more), you can buy guitars for at least 25 students. And when everyone’s playing the same instrument, a single instructor can teach a whole class without the help of assistants or other teachers.

Versatility

The recorder is a great first instrument for children, but the skill cap is quite low and the style and repertoire options are limited. With the guitar, you can start off easy and there’s virtually no limit to how technical a player can become. And from pop to blues, folk, rock, flamenco and more, there are tunes every student will enjoy playing.

Accessibility

Whether it’s because it’s cool or simply less intimidating than picking up an oboe or violin, students love the guitar. Finding recruits for a guitar lab is a lot easier than finding players for the school band, and you’ll be exposing students to the art who may never have been attracted to musical education before.

History

A guitar class is an excellent way to open the door to music history. This centuries-old instrument crosses culture and time barriers and is an easy way to start conversations about music in a historical context.

Teamwork

Many students will form groups to practice and discuss guitar assignments, leading to increased engagement, group work and, sometimes, after-school bands.

Follow the Money

Even with its relatively inexpensive price tag, a guitar lab’s money still needs to come from somewhere. Luckily, a number of grant programs and crowdfunding options are already in place to make fundraising a little easier for your school.

DonorsChoose.org and GoGetFunding.com

These and other crowdfunding sites are great platforms for selling your guitar program idea and connecting you to funding from donors all over America and the world.

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and VH1 Save the Music

Both of these foundations’ mandates include providing musical instruments to school music programs that lack the funding resources to purchase their own.

Fender Music Foundation

This grant organization provides money and instruments to school music classrooms, community-based organizations and music therapy programs in a bid to keep music education alive.

GRAMMY Foundation

From monetary grants to camps and other educational programs, the GRAMMY Foundation is another valuable resource for schools looking to start or maintain their musical education offerings.

The Right Tools for the Job

Equipment

While starting and maintaining a guitar class is a less demanding undertaking than a band or orchestra, there are still a number of items you’ll need to make sure your class runs as smoothly as possible. The necessities include:

1) A full-size, nylon-string guitar for every student (nylon strings are gentler on beginners’ fingers, easier to repair and break less often than steel strings)

Beginners and young learners alike will appreciate the level of quality found in the Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar. Learn More.

2) A chair for every student

3) A music stand for every student

4) A guitar case for every student

5) Electronic tuners

4) A year’s worth of replacement strings (some music dealers will sell you strings in bulk):

5) Select tools:

6) Plastic bridges for classical guitars

7) Replacement machine head sets

The ProLine 3+3 Tuning Machine Set, Open Gear Plank are standard size and designed to work with most classical guitars. Learn More.

8) A guitar book or sheet music for each student

9) A large assortment of picks

10) Storage lockers or instrument racks

11) Manuscript paper

NOTE: Keep in mind that you can have the students purchase the items below – it will still be cheaper than renting a band or orchestra instrument for the school year! To boot, Music & Arts will help you with Educator Pricing through one of our Ed Reps. Visit our Capabilities page or call 888-731-5396 for more information.

On top of these essentials, there are a few bonus items that can make life easier for both yourself and your students, including:

12) A strap for each student

13) A capo for each student

14) An electric drill with a Turbo Tuner bit or an automatic winder for replacing strings

15) An electric drum machine or metronome

16) A CD player or mp3 player

17) A scratch guard for each guitar to keep them in better shape for longer

18) Individual guitar stands for each student to minimize damage to instruments

19) A riser so you can be seen demonstrating proper technique

20) A foot stool for every student

The FretRest by Proline Deluxe Guitar Footstool is great for when you’re playing guitar seated. Learn More.

Skills

Whether you’re an accomplished music teacher or are just picking up an instrument for the first time, there are a number of musical and other skills the teacher of any guitar class should have before the beginning of the semester.

 

Musically, you should be able to:

1) Play the 18 notes in first position with correct fingerings

2) Demonstrate good left and right hand technique, with and without a pick

3) Model good posture and hand positions

 

Technically, you should know how to:

1) Tune a guitar

2) Change a guitar string

3) Perform minor repairs, such as straightening a neck, replacing a nut or saddle and replacing machine heads

 

You will also need to:

1) Possess strong classroom management and organizational skills

2) Be able to write and follow weekly lesson plans

3) Keep a class handbook with student expectations and consequences for not meeting them

4) Always prepare material to stay a few lessons ahead

5) Structure every lesson in the same way, with a beginning, middle and end that includes a warm-up, a review, a new lesson and a closing activity

 

Starting Suggestions

If you’ve never taught a guitar class before, you may be wondering where to start. And, while your students will be keen to begin playing right away, there is some housekeeping that needs to be done first to set your class up for a successful semester. In addition to all your standard classroom procedures, like seating plans and policies for absenteeism, bathroom breaks and electronic devices, you should also implement some specific guidelines for the guitar class:

 

1) Go over classroom procedures, being sure to answer the following questions:

2) Have each student complete a Guitar Usage Agreement form that answers the questions:

3) Do pre-testing to determine what knowledge and skills students already have to better gauge their progress.

4) Describe what material the semester will cover and how the grades will be determined.

 

The More, the Merrier

While many early exercises are written for solo guitar, never underestimate the power of ensemble playing. Introducing your students to making music with their peers can teach many skills, both musical and social, that solo playing cannot. Some crucial skills that can be developed and strengthened through group practice and performance include:

Working Together

Every teacher knows the importance of helping students develop teamwork skills. Peer cooperation is a necessary life skill and can increase engagement and help form friendship bonds.

Healthy Competition

Ensemble playing can also increase motivation through competition for major parts and can even lead to school or district-wide ensemble contests.

Performing

Many beginning guitarists will not yet be confident enough with their skills for solo performances, but group performances can be a great intermediate step. Talent shows, competitions and other events can be invaluable tools for building confidence.

Inclusive Engagement

In group compositions, there are usually lead and supportive lines. No matter each student’s skill level, there are roles for everyone.

Following the Leader

Both patience and attentiveness are necessary skills when following a group’s conductor. Whether or not a student continues with their musical practice after leaving guitar lab, knowing how to follow directions will come in handy to that student in the future.

Keeping Time

Each member of an ensemble is responsible for counting out the beat of their own part, and playing among others with different rhythms and notes requires practice and engagement.

Musicality

From dynamic expression and balance to articulation and more, making music with a group is an ideal way to learn a number of important skills that anyone interested in continuing with music will need.

Low Risk, High Reward

A guitar lab is a practical and fun way to bring variety to your curriculum. From every perspective, introducing a guitar program at your school will be a rewarding experience for teachers and students alike. Exposing young people to the joys of music is always a noble purpose, and teaching students to be lifelong music-makers is something they’re bound to thank you for.

Visit the Capabilities Page to LEARN MORE about Starting a Guitar Program

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