Mr. Herbert M. Midgley

Tips for Elementary Music Specialists
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Guitar for the Elementary
Music Teacher


by Herbert M. Midgley
Music Lecturer/Music Technology and Guitar
SFA School of Music
[email protected]

 


The guitar is a great instrument for the elementary music teacher to use in their classroom. When I taught elementary music, I used the guitar almost every day in the classroom. Here are five reasons that the guitar is a great instrument for elementary music teachers:

  • It is transportable, even more portable than a keyboard.
  • You can see your students over the guitar.
  • You can play near your students.
  • The guitar blends well with all voices.
  • The guitar is an easy instrument to learn how to play.

There are three one finger EZ Chords that you can play many songs with (EZ C, EZ G and EZ G7). Check out the Basic Guitar Chords to learn these EZ Chords. Then use the Guitar Songs in the Key of C to play three favorite songs. If you have a guitar, try these songs out in your classroom!

After you have develop some skills with the EZ Chords, then use the Basic Guitar Chords to learn some other open position chords. You can then use the Guitar Songs in the Key of G and Guitar Songs in the Key of D to learn the three songs in these keys.

If you want to learn how to play notes on the guitar use the Guide to Basic Guitar Methods to learn where the notes are on the guitar and music staff. Use the Notes: Page One and Notes: Page Two to learn the natural notes with on the guitar with these string studies.

A Guide to Learning Some Basic Guitar Skills: PDF - Get Adobe Reader

Guitar Class

Guitar Quartets: PDF - Get Adobe Reader

Guitar Links:

 

The Texas School Music Project is a source for ideas and information concerning pedagogical practices in the music classroom or rehearsal hall.
The TSMP is a service provided to all music specialists by the faculty of the School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University.

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