Centennial Middle School

Transcription

1 Centennial Middle School Guitar Handbook Mr. Ian Grzyb and Mr. Grieg Schrock

2 Note from the Directors: Hello and welcome to the exploratory guitar program at Centennial Middle School. This class is a semester-long look at the guitar and associated musical styles. Emphasis will be placed on learning to play the guitar with proper technique and learning the basics of reading musical notation. The goal is to foster a program that is hard working, dedicated to improvement and that is fun. Please feel free to contact your teacher with any questions or concerns regarding the program. Also, please regularly check our staff websites for more information. Best wishes for a great school year, Ian Grzyb Grieg Schrock Band/Guitar Director Orchestra/Guitar Director (480) (480) IGrzyb@kyrene.com GSchrock@kyrene.com Program Description: The guitar classes at CMS are designed for students with little to no guitar or musical experience. Students will learn about basic technique and musical skills and will develop various techniques to help them in playing the instrument. Examples of topics covered in class are identification of guitar parts, basic pitch and rhythm reading, strumming, chord identification, improvisation, and ensemble playing. The purpose of these classes is to give students a wealth of information that they may use in continuing to learn music on their own outside of the classroom. Course Objectives: Students in the CMS guitar class will be able to do the following: Identify parts of the guitar, and guitar accessories. Demonstrate proper care and maintenance for their instrument. Develop an understanding of proper technique and posture. Identify notes on all 6 strings. Demonstrate and perform chords in first position. Strum using a pick or fingers.

3 Course Objectives Cont. Read musical notation in various forms (standard notation, tablature, chord diagrams, etc). Demonstrate an understanding of basic music theory skills (rhythm, melody). Use a tuner to tune their guitar. Demonstrate basic principles of musicality (dynamics, phrasing, etc). Develop good performance skills. Further an appreciation for music through listening and research. Play solo and ensemble music in a variety of styles (rock/pop, blues, jazz, classical) Classroom Rules: Students are expected to follow school and classroom rules at all times. Failure to follow rules will result in in warnings, followed by referrals to the buddy room, focus room, or to the administration for continued rule-breaking. Specific expectations will be outlined in class throughout the first week. If students break rules or policies, the following discipline policy will be administered: 1 st Offense Verbal Warning 2 nd Offense Name on board 3 rd Offense Buddy Room referral 4 th + Offense Focus Room referral/call home to parents Serious Offense/repeated offenses Administrator Referral Classroom Procedures: Students in the guitar class will follow the classroom procedures to ensure safety and proper care of equipment. Procedures are as follows: 1. Students will wash hands before and after class. 5 students use each guitar throughout the day, and this will allow use to maintain the guitars and to prevent the spread of illness. 2. Students will be seated and ready to warm up together by the time the timer goes off 3 minutes after the bell rings. 3. Students will go up to grab guitars in groups of 7 students. This will allow us to carefully move instruments.

4 4. Students will assess pre-existing damage to their guitar at the beginning of the semester. Any additional intentional damage found to be the fault of any student at the end of the semester will be the responsibility of that student. 5. Students will report any damage to the teacher immediately. 6. Students will submit all assignments in a timely manner. Grading Policy: The guitar program at CMS makes use of the following grading scale: A B C D 0-59 F Grade Weights: Assessment 90% Playing tests Written tests Performances Practice 10% Musictheory.net assignments In-class performance/practice Quizzes Donations: We need to begin replacing some guitars for the exploratory guitar program. Therefore, if you find that you are able to donate a tax credit to the guitar program, please let Mr. Grzyb or Mr. Schrock know. A donation of dollars can help us acquire up to 3 new guitars. With 17 guitars having broken bodies, this could be a tremendous help. You can also make a tax credit donation on the Kyrene or Centennial websites. In addition, we need to maintain strings for 35 guitars. With no budget, we are asking willing parents to donate a 7 dollar pack of nylon string, ball end strings. Good brands include Ernie Ball or D Addario. Finally, we are looking for a parent who is willing to purchase and cut some 4x4 wooden posts down to 4x4x4 inch cubes so we can make footrests. If you think you would be willing to donate up to 35 of these footrests, please talk to Mr. Grzyb or Mr. Schrock.

5 Centennial Middle School Guitar Statements of understanding/consent Students and Parents/Guardians: Please read and initial each box indicating that you have read and understand the policies. Please contact us using the information on page 2 if you have questions. Statement I have read the classroom procedures and I/my student will abide by them. We realize that breaking the procedures/rules will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the rules section. I have read and understand the grading policy. I have read this handbook and understand the procedures and expectations for the guitar program. Student Initials Parent Initials Please sign below stating you have received and read the handbook. Parent Signature: Date: Student Signature: Date: