November 4, 2025: Tuesday Upbeat
Teachers: Happy Tuesday!
Guitar: An Introduction to the Guitar by Mr. Denny
Mr. Denny took me up on my question about how we might apply my piano version to another instrument. He chose guitar. Here are his ideas!
When introducing the guitar, spend time exploring, discovering, and improvising.
Strum each string individually going up and going down with your right thumb. Try it with your index finger.
Strum all the strings with all your fingers all at the same time. Does it feel different going up than going down?
Choose a string and locate the middle of it (above the fret with two dots). What happens if you strum the string while lightly touching the point at the middle?
Place a capo at various locations along the neck of the guitar and strum all the strings again. How does that affect the sound?
Play a chromatic scale - one fret at a time - up from bottom to top, and down from top to bottom. Without skipping any! (Can you count them?)
Count the number of dots along the neck of the guitar. Is there a pattern? What’s different about the one with two dots?
How does the guitar work? Talk about the neck, body, headstock, and the bridge.
Play the highest note on your guitar (hold the first string down on the fret closest to the body of the guitar). Play the lowest note on the guitar (open sixth string). Can you play those two at the same time without strumming any other strings?
What's it like to play sitting? What's it like to play standing? What's it like to play on your knees? What's it like to play criss cross applesauce?
Use your ear. Can you tell higher pitches from lower pitches?
What's a slide? Can you slide across a whole string, going up and going down?
Can you strum an individual string with the index finger of your left hand? (think “pull off” to the open string). Can you do it with your tallest finger? Can you do it with your ring finger or even your pinky?
Invent a song using only the first string. Sing along, and maybe even play some open chords to harmonize with the student!
Learn some simple songs. Once you learn them try playing them on other strings too!
Do it all again. And again...
Own the guitar. Command the guitar. Get comfortable at the guitar. Learn notes a little later.
Thank you, Mr. Denny!
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Have a magical Tuesday, a musical week, and enjoy happy, healthy and tension-free teaching and learning with your students.
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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