Objective
By the end of this lesson, the Seventh grade-level homeschool student will be able to demonstrate basic understanding and play a simple tune on the guitar.
Materials and Prep
- Guitar
- Guitar pick
- Guitar tuner
- Printed guitar chord chart
- Printed sheet music for a simple tune
No prior knowledge of guitar playing is required, but it would be helpful to have some basic knowledge of music theory.
Activities
Introduction to the guitar:
- Show the student the different parts of the guitar and explain their functions.
- Demonstrate how to hold the guitar correctly and how to position the hands on the fretboard.
- Explain the numbering of the strings and the names of the open strings.
Basic chords:
- Show the student a printed guitar chord chart and explain how to read it.
- Teach the student a few basic chords (e.g., C, G, and D) and demonstrate how to play them.
- Guide the student in practicing the chords until they become comfortable transitioning between them.
Playing a simple tune:
- Provide the student with printed sheet music for a simple tune (e.g., "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star").
- Explain how to read the sheet music, including the musical notation and rhythm.
- Guide the student in practicing the tune, starting with playing individual notes and gradually progressing to playing the complete melody.
Seventh Grade Talking Points
- "Music is a universal language that can express emotions and tell stories."
- "The guitar is a versatile instrument that can be used to play various genres of music, such as rock, pop, blues, and classical."
- "Learning to play the guitar requires practice, patience, and dedication."
- "Understanding how to read sheet music and guitar chord charts is essential for playing different songs."
- "Playing the guitar can provide a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment, and it can also be a form of self-expression."