Guitar Chords — Strumming

The objective of this lesson is to critically listen to a piece of music, analyze the chord progression, input it into Noteflight, and practice the chords in the song to record into Noteflight.

Know Your Place!

Practice and record note reading and note placement on the guitar.

Compose a 12 Bar Blues

Using the C Blues Scale, create your own 12 Bar Blues Melody.

Diatonic Triads and Common Chord Progression in the Major Mode

Students notate the diatonic triads in a Major key of their choice, and then, referencing content on Common Chord Progression, students compose a brief chord progression in that key.

Quarter Note and Rest Rhythm Practice

Students will improve their counting of quarter note rests and quarter note rhythms.

Students will sight read quarter note rhythms and rests as groups or as individuals to help develop better counting and sight reading skills.

Lesson can be used as a warm-up for any class, students can clap, count, or perform the rhythms on open strings, concert Bflat or percussion instruments one line at a time.
Students can be challenged to perform lines as solos or small groups for prizes.

For extra fun have students play along to a youtube beat (search “rock beat 110 bp) and select one for your ensemble to play along with. This works especially well with beginning band and string players and keeps them playing as a group when they maybe cannot read music notation yet.

The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 4

Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.

The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 3

Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.

The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 2

Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.

The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 1

Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.

Creating a lead sheet and chord chart – Exercise 4

Students will gain an understanding of the purpose of a lead sheet and chord charts for use in contemporary music by completing exercises in Noteflight.

This activity is an excellent opportunity for students with little academic training, but good ears (ex. a guitarist who learns pop songs by ear) to work with students that have had good academic training on their instrument, including reading music, but little opportunity to learn contemporary styles and are not accustomed to learning by ear (ex. band and string students)