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Guitar Ensemble Syllabus PDF
Guitar Ensemble Syllabus PDF
Sightreading
This class focuses upon music drills which train the main three elements of
sightreading: eyes, ears, and hands. It is conducted as a workshop designed to
develop the various skills and techniques that are required of the professional
guitarist. A wide variety of materials are used to establish a comprehensive daily
practice routine.
Required Textbooks
Szymczak, Tom Reading Contemporary Guitar Rhythms, Berklee Press, Boston**
Leavitt, William Melodic Rhythms for Guitar, Berklee Press
**THIS BOOK IS NOW OUT OF PRINT AND ONLY FOUND ON
AMAZON.COM
Pre-Class Set-up
Students should arrive to class with their guitars in tune @ 440hz=A. It is
important to be mentally and physically warmed up and ready to audiate, visualize
and perform well.
Absence
Attendance at all classes is required. Each unexcused absence will result in the
loss of one letter grade for the final grade. Excused absences are for medical
reasons and unforeseen EMERGENCIES.
Class Decorum
Unless they also perform on an orchestral or band instrument, most guitarists are
not accustomed to rehearsal and performance in large instrumental ensembles.
Given the substantial number of students in the class, it is important that guitars be
in tune prior to class and that the tuning is checked again during the mid-class
break. Late arrival is not acceptable. Students should learn to stifle any impulses
to tune, fiddle, and jam when they are not performing with the class.
Curriculum
First Semester
3. Fingerboard harmony
Recognition of notes across the fingerboard starting with the
open strings and adding one (1) fret per week
Second Semester
3. Final Exam
The goal of this reading is to be able to scan the part quickly to be prepared to
read it, to be able to hear the music before it is played, and to be able to perform
an accurate and musical first reading. Sometimes that which is written may be too
challenging to perform well without practice and for this students must develop the
skill of simplifying the part so that the essential music concept is still present but
the difficulty has been reduced to a level which can be played accurately on first
reading.