Mr. Troyanos Course / Syllabus and Curriculum Guide MHS Guitar Class 09-10 Welcome to the MHS Guitar Class Welcome to an exciting new year in the Mashpee High Guitar Program! This course is filled with opportunities for you to gain access to many different styles of guitar playing and hopefully you will find that it meets all of your expectations. In this packet you will find all the information you will need to have complete success in this course. Listed along side this introduction you will see a list of course requirements, a syllabus, grading policy and several other important and useful hints. I encourage you and your parents to go through this packet and please feel free to ask any questions you might run into along the way! My hope for you is that you will be able to master basic guitar playing and music reading skills as a result of this course. I set high expectations for every student but I can assure you that every goal in this syllabus is reachable. Although you will be following a guided curriculum, I encourage you to explore all aspects of music while taking this course and never feel limited. I will always encourage students to go above and beyond what is required and will do my best to facilitate a learning environment where all things are possible! So grab a seat and let s get started on a fantastic year of guitar class! Inside this packet you will find: PAGE 1: Classroom Expectations PAGE 2: Grading Policy PAGE 3: Course Guidelines PAGE 4: Tips for Success We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams Author O Shaughnessy About your teacher: Mr. Troyanos I grew up in Sandwich and went to Berklee College of Music, graduating in the late 1980 s. I have taught in public schools since 1990, in Falmouth, Sandwich and in Mashpee for the last 10 years. This is my first year at Mashpee High School. I played alto sax in high school but have played guitar since 12 th grade. I ve had my own jazz bands and play locally in the big band Stage Door Canteen He has played for President Clinton and his band recently opened for the Boston Pops. Contacting Mr. Troyanos Email at atroyanos@mashpee.k12.ma.us 508-539-3600 x Questions? Concerns? Always feel free to contact me about anything that may be of importance! I am always available and willing to be of any service to you! Mashpee Music and Technology finally meet. Please go to the following site and sign up for information, listening guides, homework and quizzes at http://www.quia.com/profiles/atroyanos This interaction will help to improve your playing and the communication we have in our band room. Please let me know if you do not have access to a computer.
Mashpee High School Guitar Program Page 1 What is Expected of the Students? CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: Although this is a relaxed classroom atmosphere there are certain expectations that must be met. Please read over these classroom expectations and don t be afraid to ask questions if you are ever unsure of anything. What you can expect from the Teacher?? I will always be available to you when you have questions or need additional help outside of class. Not everyone will be able to learn and perform at the same rate so I am happy to assist you in any way necessary but you MUST ask for help in order to receive it. It is important that no one gets left behind. NEVER be afraid to ask for help when it is needed! 1) Come Prepared: You will need a 1 3 ring binder, note paper and a pencil for every class! Also within the first 2 weeks of the start of class, 1 blank CD with your name on it. The purchase of the Guitar Method we will be using is optional. I will have copies to loan out. The binder will be checked twice a month for organization and completeness. 2) Care for your instrument: Students are responsible for bringing their own guitars. The guitar can be electric or acoustic, and should be in good working order. The student needs to be responsible for maintaining their instrument. Extra strings and picks should be in your guitar case. 3) Starting Class: You will be given time to get your guitar out, a music stand, and your method book. We will tune guitars for the first five minutes of class and then begin the lesson for the day. 4) Ending Class: You will be responsible for the condition of the room and must put all materials away before leaving. I excuse you from class, not the bell! 5) GRADING: You will be given specific assignments, deadlines and procedures for receiving grades in this course. NO assignments will be accepted after the deadline and students must show verification that their absences are excused for any missed work. 6) Phones: Cell Phones are not allowed. You will get one warning and then it will be confiscated. 7) RESPECT! This class is based on respect. You can always expect the utmost respect form me and I will always expect the same in return. Your opinions and ideas are valuable to me and I will consider them. In this class, you will be expected to respect the teacher and your peers when they are speaking or playing. If you have concerns with any aspects of the course feel free to meet with me outside of class. 8) HAVE FUN! This class will be a blast and you will gain a life long skill from it! Keep an open mind, work hard and you will be successful!
Mashpee High School Guitar Program Page 2 Grading Letter Grading System: 90%-100% = A 80%-89% = B 70%-79% = C 60%-69% = D 0%-59% = F Students are allowed to make up missed assignments when absences are excused. Students must see the teacher on the day they return from being absent to schedule maku up dates and ask about what they missed. Grading Scale for Guitar Class: Classroom/Homework 30% Students use materials to accomplish daily and weekly lesson objectives. Students play assigned materials during class time. Students demonstrate proper playing techniques during class time. Students must complete group and individual classroom assignments, including listening guides. Students will be given several written assessments material covered in class. These assessments will come in the form of: Listening Guides and responses Quizzes covering music theory and guitar facts Individual Performance Quizzes 30% Students will perform assigned repertoire alone to demonstrate proficiency on the instrument. Students will receive 1 week notice before a playing deadline and will be graded based on a rubric that will be provided and reviewed ahead of time. Group Performance Quizzes 30% Students will perform assigned repertoire in groups to demonstrate proficiency on the instrument. Students will receive 2 week notice before a playing deadline and will be graded based on a rubric that will be provided and reviewed ahead of time. Participation/Effort 10% Reassessments 1. Students will have opportunities to be reassessed on materials on which they feel they can improve upon. 2. Students will have an opportunity to re-learn and be reassessed during the week following an assessment and will need to arrange those makeup times with the teacher after school.
Mashpee High School Guitar Program Page 3 Course Material 1) Guitar Expressions, Vol. 1 from Warner Brothers Publications. Purchasing the book/cd is not required but recommended. Students may sign out copies the school has purchased. 2) 1 3 Ring Binder 3) 1 Blank CD with your name on them. 4) Pencil (Mechanical preferred) 5) Staff Paper (free online, do a google search) Put it in your binder. 6) Guitar (six strings in good working condition) 7) Picks, cables, extra strings Teacher will have handouts available to the students throughout the course. Course Timeline The Mashpee High School Guitar 1 course will cover these topics and hopefully more with time. 1) Guitar Care and basic maintenance. 2) Tuning and basic ear training. 3) Chords: a. Open position chords b. Root 6 barre chords c. Root 5 barre chords d. Extended chords 4) Note reading in first and second positions. 5) Major Scale shapes. 6) The ability to play in duo s, trio s and more in the following styles: a. Blues b. Rock c. Classical
Mashpee High School Guitar Program Page 4 How can I stay on track? 9 survival tips: 1. Ask Questions? Always ask for help and be honest about your progress. 2. Be Assertive! The key to moving ahead is selfmotivation and determination. Take charge of your own progress and assert yourself inside and out of the classroom. 3. Organize your Time: Map out how much time you will need on materials and don t waste time being confused. Ask for help right away! 4. Help each other Many of you have prior knowledge with guitar. Help each other and make connections. You may need some help in return one day! 5. PRACTICE! Free period? Lunch? After school? The only way to improve is to PRACTICE! 6. Listen (pt. 1) The key to learning is listening. Open communication between students and teachers are so important. 7. Try something new! If you haven t tried it before, now is your chance. Don t make judgements to quickly! Keep an open mind. 8. Listen (pt. 2) Listen to the music you are trying to play. Your ear will help your fingers. Imagine speaking a foreign language without ever hearing it. 9. HAVE FUN!! How fortunate we are to have the opportunity to take music classes in school! Many countries don t offer music in their schools. Soak up this time, let this class build your character and talents. Most of all. HAVE FUN!!!!!! Music can change the world because it can change people. Bono Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Plato