Tutorial: 2 hours/week
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.
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 including 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 - V;
- recognizing the above-listed progressions within songs;
- transposing songs to appropriate keys;
- modulating within songs;
- introduction to improvisation.
Guitar-related:
- producing a clear tone;
- developing good posture and hand position;
- playing notes up to the 5th fret;
- playing open-position guitar chords;
- strumming patterns with root-note emphasis;
- fingerpicking patterns (basic);
- using a plectrum;
- tuning guitar by interval;
- changing guitar strings.
Other:
- acquiring healthy vocal technique and posture while playing guitar;
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- sing and accompany on guitar assigned songs by memory and with confidence;
- modify music (transpose, improvise, modulate, simplify), as would be typical in music therapy settings;
- learn new songs accurately and quickly;
- recognize the effect of one's self on others in a social setting: body language, proximity, eye contact, and other aspects of non-verbal communication while playing guitar and singing.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student's graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor's Course Outline. Students will receive a letter grade in this course.
The following is a sample grades breakdown:
| Weekly progress (beginning week 3)* | 40% |
| Individual performance assignment (submitted by video) | 15% |
| Individual midterm exam | 15% |
| Individual final exam | 25% |
| Participation & engagement in class | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
* Frequent, short evaluations are designed to give feedback on newly learned material and skills, and will include demonstrations of tasks as outlined in the Course Content.
A six-string acoustic guitar (nylon or steel string) is required for the course.
Course handouts and songsheets will be provided by the instructor.
Acceptance into Foundation for Music Therapy Studies (FMTS) program
Individual assessment: The student must meet the minimum thresholds for participation in MUSC 2386 by demonstrating their guitar playing and singing ability. This assessment is operationalized by the Music Department.
None