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Four keys to learning to play the guitar:
- Mechanics
- Knowledge of the Fretboard
- Ear Training
- Play
With even a rudimentary command of these skills the guitarist begins to "learn how to learn." Styles and genres become choices rather than prisons. A world of music opens up.
Guitar instruction is offered to anyone, at any level, interested in pick-style guitar. The primary focus of the approach used is HOW to play, rather than WHAT to play. Work is done in four areas:
- The MECHANICS of the right and left hand.
- KNOWLEDGE of the FRETBOARD. A command of scale and chord structures frees us from dependence on chord books, tablature and the memorization of shapes and "licks" without context.
- EAR TRAINING. Once we know how to produce a sound (mechanics) and where on the fingerboard a sound can be produced (fretboard knowledge), how do we choose which sound to produce.
- PLAY. Putting skills and techniques to work in musical situations is essential.
Without creativity and play, skill is merely dry information. And so,
at every stage and every level, play is important. This can be accomplished with a) music created in the moment, designed to utilize a particular skill;
b)
the development of repertoire, for more refined applications; and c) guided group lessons where we can play together, putting our command of these skills to the test in a musical context.
For Guitar Craft students there is a large and growing body of
repertoire available. For individual students, there is a world of
music; songs and classical compositions. And for everyone, nothing is
more effective than writing and performing our own music.
The practice, then, is divided into four areas:
- BEGINNERS. Beginners work with the fundamental principles and mechanics of the guitar. The pace and specifics are left open, in part to be determined by the prior experience, circumstances and aspirations of the student.
- EXPERIENCED. Guidance is offered with the focus on increased understanding and refinement of skills, supplementary techniques, ear training, the development of efficient practice habits, performance skills and the introduction of repertoire. For those working in the
Guitar Craft standard tuning, this includes work with other players on the body of Guitar Craft repertoire.
- CIRCLES. Within particular geographic regions, Circles sometimes form to work together more extensively.
At all levels and throughout this process, emphasis is on "how we
are" as we undertake the tasks and skills necessary. The understanding is
that we are, ourselves, the real instrument and the guitar is the particular
tool we have chosen for the task. The development of an effortless technique is
crucial. Much of my understanding of the ergonomics of the guitar has come from
my work with the Alexander Technique, which
has been part of Guitar Craft since its inception. From
time to time we invite an Alexander teacher to take part in the Circle meetings,
and conduct classes and courses.
email curtgolden@guitarcraft.com
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