For the past three years I have tried a series of ways to meet the needs of students who have a wide range of abilities. My conclusion is that there has not been enough focus on learning the instrument. While it is fine that guitarists may be capable of playing a favorite song, it is vital to be able to know what chords/scales are being played. This knowledge will open doors for you and enable you to play more of those songs that you love with more confidence than ever before.
So, my plan is to make the club more instructive. To do this I will need information from you about your current ability level (See questionnaire linked below). When we do meet, I will divide the class into two groups --- beginners and non-beginners. While I meet with one group, the other group will be free to swap ideas among themselves or practice what they have been taught. I will allot approximately 15 minutes of instruction for both groups.
Notes to axe-men and axe-women:
- · Email me if you want to be included in the guitar club mailing list (mrickey@eastnoble.net).
- · I will send out a weekly email to those students on my mailing list on Monday or Tuesday which will indicate the status of the meeting(s) for the week. We will usually meet on Fridays during Academic Lab. If I find people are interested, we can meet after school if my schedule permits.
- · It is your responsibility to stop by Room 204 to sign the sheet to let me know which meeting(s) you are planning on attending. Please do not wait until the day of the meeting to sign up.
- · Because of space limitations, I will accept no more than seven guitarists per meeting.
- · Acoustic and electric guitarists are welcome. (When we meet during academic lab, it is not necessary to bring an amp.)
- · Always check in with your Academic Lab teacher before you head to our meeting place (which has yet to be determined).
- · Sign in when you arrive to the guitar club meeting place.
- · Bring a pencil.
- · Have your guitar tuned. (We will go over this as a group.)
- · Be prepared to learn and to share your knowledge with everyone in the group.
Guitar Club Questionnaire - Please print off, fill out, and hand in to Mr. Rickey (Room 204).