Popular Guitar and Voice Basics I

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
MUSC 1186
Descriptive
Popular Guitar and Voice Basics I
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.50
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
20
Contact Hours
2hrs per week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning Activities

The instructor will present concepts, demonstrate techniques and patterns, model skills, and lead the class in rehearsal of repertoire. Practice exercises and pieces will be rehearsed and/or performed by the whole class, small groups and individuals.

Course Description
In this course, students will develop their ability to sing and play the guitar simultaneously. Emphasis will be on using healthy playing and vocal technique, developing musicianship skills, and building a collection of repertoire.
Course Content

Applied musicianship:

  • singing melody by ear while accompanying self on guitar
  • playing repertoire from beginning to end without stopping
  • demonstrating duple and triple meters clearly in repertoire
  • creating introductions and clear endings in assigned repertoire
  • sight singing a vocal melody from a lead sheet
  • performing repertoire by memory: a minimum of ten assigned songs: lyrics, melody, harmony
  • understanding and playing basic chord progressions
  • transposing the following progressions to a variety of keys as determined by the instructor: I - ii (or II) - V7, I - IV - V7, I - vi - ii - V7
    • recognizing the above-listed progressions within songs
    • transposing songs to appropriate keys
    • modulating within songs
  • introduction to improvisation 

Guitar-related:

  • producing a clear tone 
  • understanding the importance of hand position
  • playing notes up to the 5th fret
  • playing open-position guitar chords
  • strumming patterns with root-note emphasis
  • fingerpicking patterns (basic)
  • using plectrum
  • tuning guitar by interval
  • changing guitar strings independently

Other:

  • acquiring healthy vocal technique and posture while playing guitar
  • recognizing effect of self on others in a social setting: body language, proximity, eye contact, and other aspects of non-verbal communication
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to demonstrate satisfactory skill and musicianship in voice and guitar, as outlined in Course Content.

Means of Assessment
Weekly practical evaluation                40%
Individual performance assignment (submitted by video) 15%
Participation & engagement in class  10%
Individual midterm exam 15%
Individual final exam 20%
Total 100%
Textbook Materials

A six-string acoustic guitar is required for the course.

Course handouts and songsheets will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisites

Acceptance into Foundations for Music Therapy Studies program

MUSC 1204 or MUSC 1215 

Individual assessment: The student must meet the minimum thresholds for participation in MUSC 1186 by demonstrating their incoming knowledge of open guitar chords and current singing ability.  This assessment is operationalized by the Music Department.  

 

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Which Prerequisite