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CCOG for MUS 125 Spring 2024

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Course Number:
MUS 125
Course Title:
Guitar Clinic and Workshop
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Focus on guitar technique as applied to classical, acoustic and electric guitar playing. Topics include warm-ups, development of finger dexterity, fretting hand strength/ endurance, efficiency and accuracy, and good tone production. Overview of important guitarists and teaching methods. Also includes fretboard theory and live performance Prerequisites: MUS 191. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Course will include performance by student soloists and ensembles.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Express able musicianship through guitar performance using proper technique

Use understanding of the body and hand anatomy to properly warm-up preventing common injuries that occur from over strenuous guitar playing

Effectively teach beginning and other styles of guitar using good guitar technique

Produce good tone and clear musical phrasing through application of proper guitar technique

Course Activities and Design

 The foundation of this workshop is based on traditional classical guitar technique, primarily on the Abel Carlevaro technique of classical guitar playing. However, the concepts and exercises covered can be applied to all styles of music and guitar types. Exercises should first be demonstrated by the instructor and then performed by the entire class.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Apply proper guitar technique through performance of solo and ensemble repertoire

Participate in, and contribute to, class discussions about important guitar players and pedagogues

Quantitative examination covering guitar nomenclature and basics of good guitar technique

Participate in group exercises intended to develop good guitar technique

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes

Sitting position
Right hand (plucking) technique
Plectrum (picking) technique
Left hand technique
The Carlevaro method
Unlocking the mystery of the fretboard

Concepts

Guitar notation
Tone production
Voice balance
Velocity and accuracy
Harmonics
Important guitarists

Skills

Sight-reading
Execution of major and minor scales
Execution of slurs