|
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | I'm strongly considering starting a free "Beginning Guitar for Children" class, right after the first of the year. Basic tuning, chords, fretboard, strumming stuff, to help kids who get a guitar for Christmas learn enough so that they will pick up their guitars more than once. I plan to put a notice up on Craigslist to start a class of up to 10 kids. Here's my question:
What ages? I figure I would go through something like 5th or 6th grade, but what should be the starting age?
I've never taught before, but it seems like a good community service. Any other advice?
Jas |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | By the way, Popcritic, my daughter (16) now wants to learn guitar. She and the wife saw August Rush the other day. Allie came home, cut her nails and learned a few chords off the internet. They both loved the movie (which starred Kaki's hands). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Jas - 6th grade or maybe a little older is probably a good upper limit. Nicky is in 5th grade. I think if you go too young, then you may have problems keeping them all on the same page.
Maybe 3rd or 4th through 8th?
That's a great community service! That may not be a bad idea to do through the church.
Good luck - it should be fun! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Ummm...Jas...am I too old? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by BegginJIM:
Ummm...Jas...am I too old? Ditto :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Forget guitar - can you teach me to sing?? :eek: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'd go from 3rd grade to 8th grade. From my experience, it's too frustrating for the teacher when they're younger and the kids don't care, and 9th graders can find other sources. Though you can teach them if you want, in terms of guitar students they're just like everyone else, some even more dedicated.
Where will you be teaching? I recommend the local Parish or church. Less problems (in fact none in my experience) with insurance and logistics. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Thanks for the input. I plan to try it with absolute beginners and give them enough to play for enjoyment. If some want to progress further, I'd refer them to a qualified teacher. Somebody with as much experience as Nicky, I'd want taking from a real teacher, so I wouldn't mess them up.
Teaching at the church is what I had in mind. The people I talked to there were excited about it. Then, as a graduation, the whole group could perform together at the church in front of a live audience. Or in two half-groups or whatever works best.
Jim, you're a little old, but since you're a beginner we'll let you in. It will give you a headstart for Bealapalooza. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Originally posted by Captain_Lovehandles:
I plan to try it with absolute beginners Somebody with as much experience as Nicky, I'd want taking from a real teacher, so I wouldn't mess them up.
Jim, you're a little old, but since you're a beginner we'll let you in. It will give you a headstart for Bealapalooza. Finally, a willing teacher! I will try to be a willing student. And, yes, I am an absolute beginner. Jas, you have a tough road to get me ready for Bealapalooza.
:D :D :D ;) :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Forget guitar - can you teach me to sing?? . ."
Anyone can sing (well, with the exception of that nice young gentleman in the aforeposted video covering NeilYoung . . and last I checked, Schroeder).
Especially if you already play guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15665
Location: SoCal | Not necessarily. I am a case in point..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "Anyone can sing (well, with the exception of that nice young gentleman in the aforeposted video covering NeilYoung . . and last I checked, Schroeder)."
Neil Young, Tom Petty, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon... It's not how you sing, it's what you sing, And Why!
Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a Lifetime.
You teach a young'un to Play, he will Never forget you.
He/She will be thanking you while the accept their first Grammy! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15665
Location: SoCal | Teach a man to fish and he'll drink beer for a lifetime...... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . after he finds a friend who owns a boat (and drinks beer) . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | I'm going to have a beer... maybe it'll help me sing better. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 423
Location: UK | I have the boat and the beer and the rod but if there is any living creature in that canal you certainly wouldnt want to put it in your mouth |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Lemme know what you think of THIS. I've had the ad up for a couple of days and have 8 kids signed up already.
And HERE is the craigslist listing. I need to edit it since I had 3 added today.
I may be coming to you folks for lesson advice. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | "Helpful: Ear plugs for family members."
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Cap'n, very cool of you to step up and try something like this! Let us know how it goes! Wish I was close enough to attend.. as a student ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Assuming they are true beginners, I always start with something like "All the snakes in france ..." on the d and g strings. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Good for you Jas. I know that your skill and patience will provide the young ones with a great start.
Best of luck my friend. Keep us posted as to how you fair. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Jas, that's a really great thing you're doing. Best of luck and do let us know how it goes. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Let me know when you're starting up the beginners Harmonica class... I'm in!
Good luck Jas... it's going to be great! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Harmonica would be too advanced for you clowns. But stay tuned for news on my kazoo class. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | two words Jas, "Death - Metal" |
|
| |
Teaching Guitar to Children
