Concert Info and Extra Credit Options

Parents and Friends of Guitar 1 Students,

Please join us for:

An Evening of Holiday Music

On Thursday, December 10, 2015

In the LPHS Little Theatre

A3 Students:  7:30pm

A4 Students: 6:30pm

Students will be demonstrating their ability to accompany songs on the guitar as well as playing a few instrumental pieces.  We will be inviting the audience to sing along to some of the Christmas Songs, so bring your holiday spirit and your voices!  The concert should last approximately 30 min.

This will be 20% of their grade for the class so please support them in their efforts and encourage them to practice and prepare!

Concert dress will be:  Black “Become One” T-shirts (provided), dark pants or jeans (no holes), Santa Hats (students must bring their own)

You may contact me at kgummow@alpinedistrict.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Extra Credit Options (for participation points)

1.  Show me their 3 ring binder with all papers and songs included. (10 pts)

2.  Concert Evaluation (1/2 page paper evaluating a concert involving a guitarist or multiple guitarists) (10 pts)

3. Swede Larson Classical Evaluation - watch the 3 videos I included on the blog and write a 1/2 page paper evaluating his technique and other things you noticed about his performance.

4. Come in for 15 min during lunch or before or after school on A-days for individualized help. (10 pts)

5. One month practice log (100 min per week of practice each week for 4 weeks - signed by parent and honestly done - I will be able to determine due to your progress) (20 points)

6. Perform in School Assembly with group (Dec 11th)  (20 pts  - this can be applied to other grades instead of participation if needed)

7. Write and perform original song (40-50 pts)

11/17-11/23 Christmas Songs - Notes!

We have been working on Christmas songs to get ready for our Music Program on December 10th

The songs we will be doing for the Program are:

I Won't Give Up  (Strum Pattern)

We are Gonna Be Friends (Travis Fingerpick)

Spanish Theme (Classical Position)

Up On the Housetop
Jingle Bells
Silver Bells
Frosty or Rudolf
Feliz Navidad
Angels We Have Heard High (Notes with Harmony and Accompaniment)
Silent Night

Here is a Video students can use to practice their parts to on Angels We Have Heard On High.

As you can see.... we have been learning 

Notes!

We have been learning notes as outlined in our Lesson Book

We have worked through pgs 64-75 and learned notes on the first 3 strings.

Guest Artist - Swede Larson

Swede Larson 

On Friday we were privileged to have Highland Native, Swede Larson, as a Guest Artist in our class. We were all impressed by his skills and talent  - especially after our taste of classical guitar in learning Spanish Theme.  He talked to us about his experiences learning guitar and practicing long hours even as a young child to achieve his goals.  He was fortunate enough throughout his life to study with masters of the classical guitar worldwide.  Some advice he gave was to learn songs in chunks because the attention span of humans is rather short and learning in chunks allows our brain to have pauses in between segments.  He also taught that by learning the basics of guitar position and technique correctly we can always rely on that to help us when other things fail us.  One thing that I loved learning are the reasons for not "planting" our fingers on the guitar while fingerpicking -  it deadens the vibration of the guitar, it causes your  right hand to tense up and not be able to maneuver as quickly, and I can't remember the third reason....

  Here are a few excerpts from his playing:

The next one is my personal favorite.....

Spanish Theme assessments/ Christmas Songs/ Guest Artist!!

Monday we passed off "Spanish Theme".   Each student played it twice - once for a fellow students and once for me.  The assessment score combined each score + a personal evaluation.

Each student was given a packet of Christmas Songs to learn.  So far we have worked on Silver Bells with a 3/4 alternating bass and Jingle Bells with both a strum pattern and Travis fingerpick.

The classes each earned a Pizza Party through good behavior!  Hurrah and thanks to Little Caesars for providing the Pizza!!

On Friday we have shortened classes because of the State Playoff Football Game.

Nevertheless, we have a treat in store!!  A guest artist, Brandon "Swede" Larsen, an accomplished classical guitarist will be coming in to perform for us and talk to us about his experience in Music.

Week of Nov 3-5 Fingerpicking, College Week, etc

This week we are continuing to practice and polish "Spanish Theme"  which students will pass off from memory next week (Nov 9)

Since this week is College Week, we were asked to talk about college experiences and advice.  I brought in one of my favorite things, a Bongo Board.  To master the Bongo Board it requires balance. So does college life and life in general for that matter.  We identified 5 areas that are important to balance:  Physical (exercise, eating right, adequate rest), Relationships (Family, Friends, Romance, Self/Integrity), Education/work, Spiritual/Emotional (Uplifting and inspiring thoughts, reading, music), and Service.  If we can learn to balance these things, our lives will be much happier and fulfilling.

Fingerpicking

We began learning to fingerpick with the basic Travis Fingerpick

P= thumb, i = index, m=middle finger

The numbers represent the strings on the guitar

We used this fingerpick to play "We Are Going to Be Friends" by Jack Johnson

Week of October 26 - 30 Spanish Theme

This week we introduced a new warm up based on the 1972 Song, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple.  On each string we played the following fret progression 0  3  5  0  3  6 5  0  3  5  3  0  to warm up our fingers

On Monday I introduced a favorite song of mine and taught the students how to hold their guitars in classical position

Classical Guitar Position

Then I introduced them to Spanish Theme and have been teaching techniques such as chunking, rest stroke, and adding dynamics to songs.

One of my students recorded me several years ago playing this song (just the left hand) so he could practice it at home.  He posted it on Youtube so I will include the link.  I regret that I was not playing in classical position to demonstrate, but hopefully the fingerings will be of help to my students:

Spanish Theme Link

On Tuesday we also learned an alternating bass technique to accompany songs.  This is in the book on pg 24.

We practiced it with "Monster Mash" (G Em C D )  and brushed up on the simplified chords in "Thriller" (Am D  E7  F  G) with a straight strum

We have Guest Artists coming on Friday

Guest Artist - Dyer Highway

On Wednesday, October 7  after reviewing some of our songs and patterns, we were privileged to hear from our Guest Artists,

Dyer Highway.  

They are a family band consisting of two sisters and a brother that have been playing country music since they were small.  They have played on numerous stages and with various famous people. This past summer they opened for Diamond Rio at the Sandy Amphitheater.  They have also recorded in Nashville and write most of their songs.

They gave a some great tips on Performing and overcoming fear and nervousness:

Think positive thoughts

Believe that people want you to succeed  - because they do!

Take deep breaths and relax

Don't be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake - just keep trying

Practice and prepare well before.

Week of October 20-22

Guitar Performances were held this week to end the quarter.  The students were brave and performed in front of each other.  It was fun to see the progress!

Two other songs we have covered a bit over the last week and a half were:

Viva La Vida by Coldplay   - using strum pattern 6  (down down up up down up)

You're Gonna Miss Me (the cups song from Pitch Perfect)- that helped us to do two chords in a measure with pattern 6)

We also warmed up with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"  which repeats the chord progression:

G  D  G  C

Perfomance Assignment/ Extra Credit Options

October 20th and 22nd, the week after fall break, Students will be performing for each other in class. 

Here are the guidelines:


1. Students may perform in groups of 4 or less or individually


2. Students may choose from the songs or exercises we have done in class or they may choose their own song (must be appropriate and approved by teacher in advance).  It must be at least 16 measures long.  It must be played with a 3/4 or a 4/4 strumming pattern. 


3. Students will be evaluated on correct position, chord formation, consistent rhythm, chord changing, and continuity.  Singing is not required but may earn up to 5 pts extra credit.


4.  Students will be allowed to sign up for their choice of dates starting 10/7

Here is the Grading Form I will be using:

Grading Rubric for Guitar 1

                                                                                                                           Student        Teacher

Posture (4pts)	*Sits tall in chair *Waist of guitar over right leg *Guitar neck angled upward *Guitar is stable and secure
Right Hand/Arm Position (2pts)	*Fingers/forearm do not touch front of guitar *Stability is created between the arm just below the        elbow &  the guitar centered in the chest
Left Hand Position (4pts)	*Shoulder and arm are relaxed *Thumb remains behind the neck of the guitar *Fingers hover over assigned frets *Maintains space between palm and neck
Chords (4pts)	*Never plays correct fingering and # of strings (1 pt) *Rarely plays correct fingering and # of strings (2 pts) *Usually plays correct fingering and # of strings (3 pts) *Always plays correct fingering and # of strings (4pts)
Rhythm (4 pts)	*No rhythms played accurately (1 pt) *Few rhythms played accurately (2 pts) *Most rhythms played accurately (3 pts) *All rhythms played accurately (4 pts)
Continuity (2 pts)	*Several  “false starts”  no steady pulse (1 point) *Steady pulse throughout  (2 pts)

Singing (up to 5 pts extra credit)

Other Extra Credit Options: (Due by October 22)

1. Show me your Organized 3 ring Binder containing ALL handouts, (music, worksheets, etc) – worth 10 pts

 

2. Attend a guitar performance and write a 1 page paper evaluating the technique (hand position, chord changes, rhythm, musicality etc)  - worth 15 pts

 

3. Write an original song - worth 25pts + 10 if you perform it for the class

 

4. Enter Reflections contest for MusicalComposition (Due October 23) - worth 50 pts  http://www.utahpta.org/entry-forms

The Theme for the

2015-16 Reflections program is:

LET YOUR IMAGINATION FLY

 

 

Week 9/29-10/1 3/4 Strum Patterns, Muted Strum Patterns, Two chords to a Measure

This week we continued to work on the 3/4 Strum Patterns from last week and we went over pages 16-18 in the book.  This taught us about the Primary Bass or Root of a chord.


We started a new song by Jack Johnson called "Talk of the Town" using a muted strum pattern on page 18 of the book.  It used a simple chord progression of   C  Am7  D7  G   with one addition of a Cm which is just like a Bm only you start it on the 3rd Fret.


In 4th period we also began learning a song involving two chords to a measure, "You're Gonna Miss Me".


On Page 20 we began learning about the Key or Tonality of song and how to determine the chords that are usually used in a song.


Students should be practicing all the songs that we have learned and perfecting their chord Transitions and strengthening their fingers and rhythm

Week 9/21-9/25 Jeopardy, Unit 1 Test, 3/4 strum patterns, Guest Artists!

A Jeopardy Game Review started out our week on Monday, followed by the Unit 1 Test.

Most students did well on the test, but some who have had no previous music experience struggled.  **If you were one of those students, please come see me and I will work with you on it and permit you to retake the test if you wish.  If I don't have time in class, I am available during lunch or right after school to help you until at least 2:30.  (Just Remember I am only in on A days).

On Wednesday we learned some the 3/4 patterns on the blue sheet I handed out earlier and received some new songs:

Pattern 2 - Amazing Grace  (down, down up, down) ( 1 2 & 3)

Pattern 3 - I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz  (down, down up, down up) (1 2 & 3 &)

Pattern 4 - Clementine (down, down, down up)

We also learned another chord for the song Clementine, a D7



Students were paired up and passed each other off on the 9 chords we have learned so far. Make sure you get passed off on these chords, you need to have them memorized in order to keep up with what we are learning.

Friday we handed back the tests and enjoyed some Awesome Guest Artists:  Isaac and Kimball from RED YETI, a rock band out of Provo.  They sang and talked about the sound recording process -  the "why and how"s of the process. Kimball gave a great example of using "harmonics" in a song and told briefly how to do that.  They also told their stories of what inspired them to go into music.

  

9/17 Music Theory and The New Guitar Books Came in at last!!

The Guitar Books we have had on order finally arrived!!  This year we will be studying out of Jerry Snyder's Guitar School Book.  It is the first time I have taught out of this course study and I will be supplementing with lots of other songs and materials as well.  We are grateful to the Lone Peak High School for covering the cost of the books.  Each student received one and may keep it if they wish or turn it in at the end of the term.

We finished up worksheets 2,3,4 and went over them in class.  The Unit 1 test will be over the information in these worksheet and cover basic music terminology such as the names of the lines and spaces on a staff, time signature, repeat signs, types of notes and how you draw them and the counting of each kind of note.  It also contained basic knowledge of how to read guitar tablature and what the lines and numbers mean.

We reviewed several of the songs we have learned up to this point - mainly our new pattern with Firework and The Worried Man Blues.

Tuesday, 9/15 Music Theory Worksheets, New chords, strum pattern, and song

Three worksheets were handed out today with music and guitar theory information that we are learning in class. The packet will be due on Monday, 9/21.  These will be study guides for the Unit 1 test that will be given at the end of the Unit.

We learned three new chords:

  

And a new strum pattern that is commonly used on both guitar and ukulele:

Down Down Up Up Down Up  (1  2  &  & 4 &)

The Song we handed out to practice this pattern to is "Firework" by Katy Parry.  It also works great with lots of songs from Jingle Bells and Somewhere over the Rainbow to most popular songs.

**Parent Teacher Conferences are tomorrow (9/16) from 3-7pm.  I will be there and am looking forward to discussing the success of your child in my class!

9/9 - 9/11 Quiz and Assessments

This week we reviewed our songs and spent time on individual assessments. Students chose one of the songs to play either individually or in a group in front of me so that I could evaluate them.  Since this is our first evaluation, they received full credit just for doing it and extra credit if they sang to the songs.  In the future I will be looking for progress in their playing ability.

I also handed out a short quiz (Quiz #2) to direct the students to the website and all of the materials available to help them learn and practice the guitar.

Additional Song using the chords they know:  Three Little Birds  (Video)

Intro: A A A A


Chorus:

A
Don't worry, about a thing

       D                              A 
Cause' every little thing, gonna be alright

       (A)
Singin' don't worry, about a thing

       D                              A
Cause' every little thing, gonna be alright


Verse:

A
Rise up this mornin'

               E
Smile with the rising sun

             D                 A
three little birds pirch by my doorstep

       (A)
Singin' sweet songs

           E
of melodys pure and true

       D                   A
sayin', this my message to you-oo-oo


Chorus:

        A
Singin' don't worry, about a thing

       D                                   A
Cause' every little thing, (is) gonna be alright

       (A)
Singin' don't worry, (don't worry) about a thing

       D                              A
Cause' every little thing, gonna be alright


(Verse)

(Chorus)

Bonus Song

Friday 9/4 Chord Charts, Strumming Patterns and Aspartame Sunshine

Today I handed out two more handouts -

1. A blank chord chart for each student to keep of log of the 6 chords we have learned so far.  We'll be adding to that in the future.

2. I also handed out a sheet of Strumming patterns.  We have covered some of the patterns in class and will be covering the rest over the next few weeks

Our Guest Artists this week was a Group called:  Aspartame Sunshine with LPHS graduate, Austi Stenson

They talked about songwriting skills and how they formed as a group and their experience breaking into the music industry.

Aspartame Sunshine

Link to their Music Video

Wednesday 9/2 Improving skills

Today we focused on improving the skills we have been learning!

The songs we have been learning have all been in the key of D.

I checked each student individually on their tuning and while a student lead the warm-exercises, I corrected technique.

We practiced each of the songs that I have previously given and they were assigned to choose one for the Assesment starting on Wednesday (9/9) that they may do individually or in groups of 5 or less.

In 4th period I introduced a new song by Imagine Dragons called "Demons"  and they learned one more chord, the Bm to do as well as a simple fingerpick for the advanced players and a muted strum for the chorus.  Beginners should focus on chord changes and simple strums.

Demons (Video)

Capo on 1st fret

B:  Straight Strum
A:  P I P I P I P I  (Base  1st)

             

       D
When the days are cold
                       D
And the cards all fold
                   Bm
And the saints we see
               G
Are all made of gold

                    D
When your dreams all fail
                  D
And the ones we hail
               Bm
Are the worst of all
                G
And the blood’s run stale

D                               A
   I want to hide the truth
                            Bm
I want to shelter you
                                       G
But with the beast inside
                                                  D
There’s nowhere we can hide
                                        A
  No matter what we breed
                                    Bm
We still are made of greed
                                    G
This is my kingdom come
                                       D
This is my kingdom come

[CHORUS]

                                      A
   When you feel my heat
                     Bm
Look into my eyes
                                         G
It’s where my demons hide
                                              D
It’s where my demons hide
                             A
  Don’t get too close
                 Bm
It’s dark inside
                                           G                                                                   
It’s where my demons hide
                                                D
It’s where my demons hide

      D
When the curtain’s call
                D
Is the last of all
                    Bm
When the lights fade out
             G
All the sinners crawl

                D
So they dug your grave
                  D
And the masquerade
                   Bm
Will come calling out
             G
At the mess you made

D                                  A
  Don’t want to let you down
                         Bm
But I am hell bound
                                      G
Though this is all for you
                                                D
Don’t want to hide the truth

                                       A
  No matter what we breed
                                  Bm
We still are made of greed
                                 G
This is my kingdom come
                                         D
This is my kingdom come

[CHORUS]

                                             A
  They say it's what you make
                        Bm
I say it's up to fate
                           G
It's woven in my soul
                                 D
I need to let you go

                                         A
  Your eyes, they shine so bright
                                   Bm
I want to save their light
                                   G
I can't escape this now
                                        D
Unless you show me how

[CHORUS]

Monday 8/31

Today we checked each student to make sure they had three main things:  Guitar, Capo Bar, and a 3-ring binder or folder to keep their handouts in.

I also handed back the Quizzes they took on Friday

We warmed up and continued to go over the songs from last week.

Practicing - charts

We have decided to experiment and not do the traditional Practice Charts - practicing (in my book) should be fun and not a chore!

Students will practice as much as they want to at home. (I recommend at least an hour per week). At the end of each week  they will mark the chart with a YES or a NO - to say if they practiced that week or not. We are going on the Honor Code - a parental signature is not required.

I will collect the charts at the beginning of each month and give them points accordingly.

Thursday, 8/27 (Quiz and Songs)

Today we started working on several songs using the following Chords: D, A7, G, A, E

He's Got the Whole World  (Video)

If You're Happy and You Know It

It Takes a Worried Man   (Video) (Another Video)

When the Saints

Amazing Grace  (Video)

Johnny B. Goode ( for the Back to the Future 30 year anniversary!) (Video)  (Video lesson to Intro)  (Chuck Berry Version)

We also began individual assessments - a starting point.

Quiz!

Today was our first quiz over the Parts of the Guitar.  If a student misses the quiz he may come and take it at lunch or after school.

Tuesday 8/25 (tuning and reading chord charts)

Today was our first day bringing guitars!  

We worked on tuning the guitar.  There are three ways we learned: to an electric tuner or app, to the guitar itself using the 5th fret method, and to the piano.


We also practiced doing the warm-up exercises together  - Walk the Board, Jumping Jack (described in the earlier lesson)

We learned to read a chord chart:

And learned how to play the chords:  D, A7, G

8/21 Finger Exercises and Parts of the Guitar

There are two really great exercises to start your fingers moving

1  Walking the board:

Start with the first string.  On your right hand alternate your index and middle finger and use a rest stroke (play the first string - rest it on the second string) On your left hand, start open, and then put your first finger right before the 1st fret bar (but not on it -  remember to make a rt angle with your nuckle above the string), then do the same with your second finger on the second fret, third finger on the 3rd fret, 4th finger on the fourth fret and then come back 3-2-1-0pen.  Repeat on each string.  With the base strings (4,5,6) on your right hand move to your thumb.

1. Jumping Jacks:

Right hand uses thumb and first finger almost in a snapping motion- like you are snapping your fingers.  Left hand jumps between first and second frets

1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6
2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1

Fingers hurting? Check these ideas out!


Parts of the Guitar - Quiz on Thursday (8/27)


rt with

We had two guest artists perform for us and with us:  Kaz Kano and Matt Gummow 

They talked to us about their love for the guitar and how it has helped them in their everyday lives. They played a Jack Johnson Song, an original composition, and Dirty Paws. During the last few minutes, they jammed with the class to sing "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.

8/19 Introduction - First day of Class

Welcome to the Beginning Guitar Class!

Teacher -Mrs. Kelly Gummow

I am a devoted mom who has come back to being a High School Teacher after 27 years of raising children and running a household.  I have taught private guitar lessons for 17 years in my home to beginning students and love working with students to share one of my passions. I began learning guitar at age 15 and found it a wonderful way to make the world a better place, deal with the stress of everyday life and bring people together through music.  My original teaching degree is in Spanish teaching and Speech.  I have a wonderful, supportive husband and five amazing children ranging in age 26-15.  This year I will get to experience grandparenthood for the very first time!

I believe there are things in life that are hard - math, chores, piano, etc but playing the guitar should be fun!  I hope you enjoy the class and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you to reach your goals!

Disclosure Document

Questionnaire

I am only at the school on A days and will be available at lunchtime or until at least 2:30 after school. If you need to reach me, please email me and if you prefer to talk on the phone, include your number and I will call you back.