Song accompaniment on the guitar
In this course you will quickly learn to accompany simple songs.
The following skills are taught and deepened:
SINGING: You will enjoy singing and learn to use your voice well. Now you also learn to accompany and coordinate singing with the guitar.
FINGERINGS AND FINGERING CHANGES: Which fingerings are important and how exactly do you practice changing fingerings?
DIFFERENT PATTERNS OF ACCOMPANIMENT: You will learn to accompany songs with plucking or strumming patterns. Which accompaniment pattern do you use for a song and why? What are alternatives? You may learn accompaniment patterns with percussive elements (“string slapping”) and accompaniment patterns with alternating basses and bass runs.
HOW DO YOU ACCOMPANY A SONG IN TRIPLE AND QUADRUPLE TIME? For this we will look at different accompaniment patterns.
THE SONG IS TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW FOR YOU TO SING. How can I make the song higher or lower (transpose = change the key)? What is the use of a capo in this context? How do you use a capo? How do you find the opening note of a song?
The aim is for us to enjoy the songs we have worked on, to sing along with the guitar and to answer any unanswered questions about the song introduction, so that everyone has their own song repertoire by the end of the course!
The lessons are meant to be “application-oriented”!
Target group:
- Beginners who like to sing and accompany themselves.
- Especially suitable for teachers at kindergarten/primary and secondary level.
- Previous experience is not necessary!
Form of instruction: individual and group lessons – individual wishes will be taken into account if possible.
Bring along: A nylon string acoustic guitar, footstool, notebook, tuner and capo.
Teaching materials will be provided by me.
Over the years I have completely changed my teaching concept for song accompaniment on the guitar. Due to the many school visits I have made over many years, I am always confronted with the same problems with the students at the University of Teacher Education Northwestern Switzerland: difficulties learning school songs as quickly as possible, avoiding difficult fingerings if necessary, introducing the songs to the class. I would like to teach the instrument in an application-oriented way, so that the course participants can use the guitar in class with more confidence. Of course, the course is open to all beginners who would like to sing along with the guitar. Already on the first day of the course you will learn chords and be able to accompany a simple song. You will be led to the goal of accompanying and singing songs as quickly as possible.
