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...
by Glen McCarthy | Feb 25, 2013 | Classroom, Education, Tips + Tricks
BEGINNERS OF ALL AGES NEED TO IMPROVISE BEFORE READING FOR PITCH ACCURACY, FINGER POSITIONS AND EAR TRAINING. Before you have your students read notes or tab give them aural activities for learning left hand notes. Depending on the age of the learner the diatonic...
by Glen McCarthy | Feb 25, 2013 | Classroom, Education, News, Tips + Tricks
Bill Purse – Tip 2 Tip 2 – Steel strings exert a great deal of pressure on an acoustic guitar neck, whereas nylon strings exert less pressure. You should never place steel strings on an acoustic guitar made to utilize nylon strings.
