by Glen McCarthy | Mar 11, 2013 | Classroom, Education, News, Tips + Tricks
Bill Purse – Tip 4 Tip 4 – A small tool called a string winder is essential for changing strings on multiple guitars. A string winder is a small crank that you place on the tuning peg and allows you to rapidly raise or lower a guitar string’s pitch by...
by Glen McCarthy | Mar 11, 2013 | Classroom, Education, News, Tips + Tricks
For any number of reasons, over the years I have found myself in dire need of a bass player at the last minute. I know I run the risk of offending legitimate bass players everywhere, but with these few simple guidelines, a willing student with knowledge of chord...
by Glen McCarthy | Mar 5, 2013 | Classroom, Education, Tips + Tricks
What do performances look like? At Becker Middle School, I always did large ensemble performances. Combining my 6th grade classes, 7th grade classes, and 8th grade classes. This was an ensemble of 70-80 students playing at the same time. I would always have several...
by Glen McCarthy | Mar 5, 2013 | Classroom, Education, Tips + Tricks
Take time (days if necessary) to teach classroom procedures, instrument care, classroom expectations, and class goals. How will bathroom breaks be handled? What happens when a guitar string breaks? What are the consequences for not having music or method book? Which...
by Glen McCarthy | Mar 4, 2013 | Classroom, Education, News, Tips + Tricks, Uncategorized
Bill Purse – Tip 3 Tip 3 – When you buy strings for a beginning guitar class purchase very light gauge strings which will be easier on the students fingers. If your budget permits, you should change all the strings each semester. [social_button...
by Glen McCarthy | Mar 4, 2013 | Classroom, Education, Tips + Tricks
This weekend I read a very good article from Scott Seifried on the www.guitaredunet.org website about assessments. In his article, Scott has lots of great ideas about testing in guitar class including using rubrics, a graduated grading scale, and having students grade...
