Post by creamburmese on Jan 16, 2015 16:56:11 GMT
HI guys - I'm looking for some advice here. I am part of our "core group" of organizers for our local acoustic guitar playing group. It has been decided by those who decide these things that we should expand our offerings from the monthly (or sometimes more often) jams to encourage more people (especially beginners) to actually join us. We have nearly 1000 members signed up, but only about 1/3 of them actually come to any of our jams, and there are probably only 50 "regulars." (which is probably a good thing anyway because we rarely have a venue that will accommodate more than 25). Anyway to summarize a long and meandering meeting I ended up on a subcommittee to teach beginner finger style. This is NOT by the way because I am good at it - I like to think it's either because I have only recently learned myself so I vividly remember learning the basics, OR because I have an educational background, but I have a feeling it's because I'm the only one who was stupid enough to express an interest.
Anyway, here's my idea - I thought I would teach people a basic pattern (like the Mark Hansen 'out then in' pattern) then use it in the Elizabeth Coton classic "Freight Train." I note in my handy dandy guitar log that I learned it originally in May 2013 - not so very long after I first picked up a guitar- so it's definitely OK for beginners. I spent a couple of happy hours thinking about how to teach it over the last couple of days and I think the following sequence might work - looking for opinions though as to whether this is a reasonable order. I'm assuming that the people who come will be familiar with these 4 basic chords...
1. Learn the basic pattern (on the middle 4 strings using p i m. (P5M2 tog, P4 I3 P5 M2 P4). (P = thumb,I =index, M= middle, A- ring) - I will probably tab this out because not many people read notation)
2. Practice varying the pattern to the 6th string (P6M2 tog, P4 I3 P6 M2 P4)
3. Practice varying the pattern to the 1st string (P5A2 tog, P4 I3 P6 A2 P4)
4. Run through the chord sequence for freight train (C x2, Gx4, Cx2, Ex2, Amx2, Cx1 Gx1, Cx1) (I'd have this written down)
5. Work through the chord sequence with the picking patterns until people are comfortable keeping it going, at least slowly.
6. Pick out the melody line on the first 2 strings
7. Add the melody line to the basic chord strums
8. Add the melody to the picking pattern one picking pattern at a time.
Questions
- is this a reasonable sequence? If not, what would be better?
- is it too much to do in an hour given that it is expected audience will not be absolute beginners, but people who have been playing long enough to switch between these basic chords?if it is too much for some, they could always stop at '5' or '7' - either of those options is more interesting than just strumming the chords.
? other suggestions?
Thanks so much for your anticipated suggestions!
Julie
Anyway, here's my idea - I thought I would teach people a basic pattern (like the Mark Hansen 'out then in' pattern) then use it in the Elizabeth Coton classic "Freight Train." I note in my handy dandy guitar log that I learned it originally in May 2013 - not so very long after I first picked up a guitar- so it's definitely OK for beginners. I spent a couple of happy hours thinking about how to teach it over the last couple of days and I think the following sequence might work - looking for opinions though as to whether this is a reasonable order. I'm assuming that the people who come will be familiar with these 4 basic chords...
1. Learn the basic pattern (on the middle 4 strings using p i m. (P5M2 tog, P4 I3 P5 M2 P4). (P = thumb,I =index, M= middle, A- ring) - I will probably tab this out because not many people read notation)
2. Practice varying the pattern to the 6th string (P6M2 tog, P4 I3 P6 M2 P4)
3. Practice varying the pattern to the 1st string (P5A2 tog, P4 I3 P6 A2 P4)
4. Run through the chord sequence for freight train (C x2, Gx4, Cx2, Ex2, Amx2, Cx1 Gx1, Cx1) (I'd have this written down)
5. Work through the chord sequence with the picking patterns until people are comfortable keeping it going, at least slowly.
6. Pick out the melody line on the first 2 strings
7. Add the melody line to the basic chord strums
8. Add the melody to the picking pattern one picking pattern at a time.
Questions
- is this a reasonable sequence? If not, what would be better?
- is it too much to do in an hour given that it is expected audience will not be absolute beginners, but people who have been playing long enough to switch between these basic chords?if it is too much for some, they could always stop at '5' or '7' - either of those options is more interesting than just strumming the chords.
? other suggestions?
Thanks so much for your anticipated suggestions!
Julie