Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Tucker Room #: Guitar Room Year: 2023-2024

Course Name and Code: Guitar Ensemble

This year the student will need their own acoustic guitar at home to do the homework
assignments or come-in before or after school. Class guitars are provided for in-class use only.

Textbook Used: All provided by ELCA. Guitar Method 1, Guitar Pro software, Chord Charts

Special Materials: ELCA will provide the following materials, which will stay in the classroom:
• Guitars
• Strings
• Picks
• Tuners
• Capos
• Footstools

Course Description: Intermediate Guitar will focus on new techniques for the Electric Guitar.
We will also still be expanding on knowledge of the acoustic guitar as well. We will continue to
learn contemporary Christian songs like we did in the Beginning Guitar class on acoustic
guitars.

Students in guitar class will:

• Develop skills related to performance technique
• Develop music literacy in note and rhythmic reading
• Develop an appreciation for music in culture through listening and analysis of musical
styles

Course Outline and Content: Based on National Music Content Standards:

• Standards #1-2 Students will learn to read, and play with correct left hand positioning
for first position. Note reading will include staff and tablature notation.
Strumming and flat picking styles will be included.
• Standard #3 Students will learn to improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments
12-Bar Blues and Chord Progressions
• Standard #5 Students will learn to read and notate music.
Music notation, chord frames, and scale patterns
• Standards #6-7 Students will listen to, analyze, describe and evaluate music.
Listening days, Listening evaluations
• Standards #8-9 Students will understand music in relation to other disciplines, and in
relation to history and culture. Different genres and styles of music (folk, rock, classical,
blues, jazz)
Generally, the student will demonstrate the ability to:
• Set the guitar amp correctly for different styles of music
• Recognize and interpret the various melodic and chordal notation systems such as staff
notation, chord grids and symbols, and tablature
• Use correct posture to perform
• Play with correct left hand finger positions
• Play various scales and chords using correct finger positions
• Tune the guitar by ear
• Demonstrate the ability to restring a guitar as necessary
First nine weeks: Learning easy solos for the electric guitar
Second nine weeks: Adding discussions of key signatures and beginning to practice and perform
major scales and minor scales.

Third nine weeks: Keys of A major and E major, Playing songs in these two keys

Fourth nine weeks: Learning scales and patterns. Power chords

Classroom Rules and Discipline Procedures: Refer to the student handbook

Cell phones and electronic devices will be collected prior to any test administration and will
remain under teacher supervision during the entire testing period. Any student saw with a cell
phone or electronic device in his/her possession during the testing period will receive an
automatic zero on the assessment. There will be no exceptions.

Make-up Policy: The student can make-up the Tests or Quizzes upon returning to school

Grading System:
Class Participation – 40%
20 points each day for a total 100 points each week
• Playing in class everyday
• Conduct – causing no unnecessary disturbances, playing only when directed to do so
• Attention – following instructions, and listening
• Attitude – keeping an open mind in regards to music presented
• Unexcused absences receive a 0 for the day

Performances – 40%
Any performances that are scheduled throughout the school year such as playing test in class to
concerts. 1 spring concert.
Performance Evaluation and Tests – 20%
Tests will be written or performance based. Student will be evaluated on the following
criteria:
• Rhythm – students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of pulse and an
understanding of simple rhythmic values and patterns.
• Notation – students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the
symbol system used in guitar literature:
o Staff Notation
o Chord Diagrams
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Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy
Course Syllabus