Guitar 101 · WACHE

Course description

Guitar 101 is for absolute beginners. Students learn to care for an instrument, use good technique, understand basic music theory, hold a guitar and pick, form chords, strum, and play songs.

No prior knowledge is expected. The course is meant to take a student from first holding the guitar through forming full major chords and building confidence to make music.

Meet the teacher

Mr. Joel’s welcome emphasizes that music should be enjoyable and that the class is a place to learn, try things, and build a lasting interest in music.

Location

W184 · Hour 2 · 10:25–11:25 a.m.

Bring / prepare

• Bring a tuned guitar every Monday. On WACHE days, instruments go to the Choir Room upon arrival and are picked up before leaving.
• Bring any printed music or chord sheets being used.
• Bring standard WACHE supplies.

Student responsibilities

• Respect classmates and instruments.
• Have the guitar tuned before class begins.
• Practice at home for at least 20 minutes a day.

Week 1

Guitar anatomy, guitar types, how to hold the guitar and pick, and student music interests.

Week 2

String names E-A-D-G-B-E; E major and E minor; a simple song such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Week 3

Single notes, fretboard tracking, finger movement, letter names, and a pull-off.

Weeks 4–5

Open chord shapes, avoiding buzzing, strengthening fingers, and major versus minor chords.

Weeks 6–7

A new song and a simple down/down/down/up/down strum pattern.

Week 8

More open chords and preparation for barre chords.

Week 9

Basic barre-chord shapes, modes, and a new strum pattern.

Weeks 10–11

A group-play song, with students divided between bass line and melody.

Weeks 12–13

Notes on strings, barre-chord styles, and E- and A-shape variations.