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