Guitar Instruction

Guitar instruction involves a range of subjects, from musical interpretation to instrumental techniques and ensemble playing. The teacher has to develop a program that covers these areas according to the student level. It is progressive work that takes time to lead the student to master the instrument and have a broad knowledge about music. Musical interpretation includes studying different styles. The student would interpret different works and different styles, such as classical, romantic, renaissance, jazz, baroque, folk, flamenco, country, etc. This would be done using the appropriate forms of expression.

A second subject would be musical notation. The student would learn different types of notation: the standard notation (including the treble clef, the bass clef, performance notations, etc.), the tablature (how to understand several types of tabs), sight reading, and use of recordings to analyze phrasing and rhythm, among others. A third subject would be analysis of musical work, including the analysis of sheet music, of style, motif, theme, harmonies, progressions, structure, voices, and so on. In addition, instrumental techniques are essential and a great part of learning guitar.

In forth, we have arranging and transcribing. Also, it is a great experience to do accompaniments in different styles to give the student a broader sense on guitar playing. In this area, it is always good to have experience in ensemble playing (duos, trios), especially if it will involve other instruments. This practice will improve active listening of the student’s own playing as well as of other players and instruments, and also will improve skills for playing in groups, or synchronization.

Musical theory is also very important. When on this subject, the student will learn about harmony, progression, rhythm, cadence, patterns, chords, scales, arpeggios, and string tuning, among others. Another essential subject is working with musical instruments, which include working on performance, playing by ear, arrangements for instrumental group, voicing, playing on stage, improvisation, and so on.

Guitar instruction is a broad field and, therefore, different emphasis can be chosen according to the student’s and the teacher’s preferences and strengths. When it comes to the teacher, it involves an analysis of both musical and instrumental techniques. The progression on repertoire has to be done carefully in order to allow a deep focus on interpretation, instrumental control, stability, speed, ease, all a natural consequence of a concentrated practice. Instrumental memory should also be worked. The student has to be able to retain information on the strings’ tension, variations, finger movement, resulting sounds and tones, etc. Furthermore, the student should not forget that the sheet music is just a detailed guide of ideas the composer had.

There are several methodologies that a teacher can work with. Some of them are the Kadály Method (which uses solfege and rhythm solemnization – verbalization), Orff Schulwek, Suzuki Method, Dalcroze Method (which is based on solfege, improvisation, and eurhythmics – expression of physical movement and musical rhythms), Gordon Music Learning Theory, Conversational Solfege, and Carabo-Cone Method (indicated in early childhood to reinforce concepts). Each of these methodologies has its strengths and weaknesses, and a teacher should choose the one that makes he or she feel more comfortable.