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WVJH

  West Valley Jr. High

Guitar

“Always striving for our best!”

 Welcome to the Guitar!

CLASS MATERIALS

• Your own guitar (either acoustic or electric, no amps in class).
• Guitar case
• Name tag on the case with your name and contact information
• Book Contemporary Class Guitar by Will Schmid (published by Hal Leonard)
• Guitar picks of medium strength (5 or 6 picks should last you the entire trimester)
• Electric tuner (small ones are very inexpensive)
• Extra guitar strings (medium strength is fine, preferably not nylon).

GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

Goals

• Improve playing posture, hand position, finger technique
• Develop rhythmic skills with subdivisions
• Improve note reading skills, including ledger lines above and below the staff
• Create half and whole step patterns on all strings
• Learn new chords and strumming patterns
• Extend Bass Line Picking technique
• Extend Finger Picking technique
• Use alternate fingers up the neck of the guitar
• Learn common chord progressions for rock, country, classical and ballad styles
• Learn to improvise and write your own ideas over rock chord changes

 Expectations

ATTITUDE

The attitude of a guitar student should be one that expresses satisfaction of accomplishment, willingness to participate in group concept, support for others, and a desire to do everything correctly. These attitudes are exhibited by the following rehearsal etiquette skills and responsibilities:

Etiquette Skills:

• In your assigned seat with instruments, materials and pencil before class begins
• Correct posture always
• Be the first one to stop and the first one who is ready to play
• When the director stops the group or is working with an individual it is a no-talking situation.
• Attention to the front of the room
• No gum, no food, no drinks, no cell phones

Responsibilities

• Come to class prepared
• Play in tune/in time
• Learn what is assigned
• Follow rehearsal etiquette
• Listen – don’t talk
• Lead by example
• Be respectful to self and peers

MY JOB: Help you become independent musicians.

_______________________________

GRADING POLICY

In the effort to become the best musician possible guitar students are expected to work to improve at each rehearsal, practice daily at home and ask for help when they need it.

Band grades are based on a point system. Points are given in the following areas:

• Daily Grade (40% of total grade): Each Student keeps track of their daily points on a calendar that is graded weekly. Students can earn 5 points a day (25 points a week) for following the classroom rules. The back side of the calendar lists how points can be lost during class. For example, playing your guitar after being told to stop is -2 points. NO EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN!!! Once your points are gone they are gone.
• Home Practice Record (10% of total grade): A minimum of 120 minutes per week (2 hours) recorded by student, signed weekly by parent or guardian and turned in every two weeks. - OR- Taking private lessons (must be approved by teacher).
• Classroom Assessment/Worksheets (10% of total grade): Each week, students will be given worksheets that cover the music concepts that we learn. These worksheets will cover how to read standard notation, music terms and rhythmic concepts.
• Playing and Written Tests (30% of total grade): Each Friday, we will have playing or written test that cover the music concepts that we learn that week. These tests will be taken in groups of three to five students at a time. Through testing students will demonstrate correct posture/playing position, correct note reading, correct rhythm reading and be able to perform the required songs. Students will exhibit few errors in order to pass. Students who would like to re-take a playing test and try to score higher can do so. Re-take tests must be done before or after school and be pre-scheduled with Ms. Banahene.
• Final Exam (10% of total grade)

In order to receive an “A” in guitar, please be aware of the following:

ATTENDANCE

1. Attendance is one easiest ways for you to lose points in guitar class. If you are not in class you miss the making of music and all of the hard work in which we have put into the experience. When working hard on learning a new instrument, if you are absent, you have missed the information.

2. If you have an excused absence, you may make up any homework or assignments. However, it is your responsibility to find out what music and information was gone over while you were gone so that you can learn it on your own. If you have any problems or need some help, you can make a conference with Ms. Banahene.

3. For any unexcused absences, NO assignments will be made up.

HOMEWORK

1. All assignments will be turned in on time. Late work will only be accepted if the student has an excused absence.

2. For each excused absence, two days (2) will be granted for make-up work.

3. Students are responsible for finding out what they have missed in class. If a student would like help in figuring what assignments to do and when, they must speak with me during break or make an appointment to discuss.

4. If an unexcused absence happens on the day of a playing proficiency, quiz, etc., a student can not make this assignment up. For excused absences, students can make up the assignments at a time agreed upon by the teacher.

WVJHS BUILDING-WIDE LATE/MISSING WORK/POLICY

1. Late work will be accepted (from all students) for a maximum of 50% credit.

2. There will be a Drop Dead date for turning in all missing work from the first half of each trimester 1 week before mid-terms and another Drop Dead date for turning in all missing work from the second half of each trimester 1 week before the end of the trimester.

3. This policy does not alter or affect schoolwork made up in a timely manner following excused absences as per district and state policy.

PRACTICING

Because the skills that we will be developing in Guitar 2 are tougher than the skills in Guitar 1, practicing your guitar at home is not optional. If you want to keep up with the rest of the class, you will need to do 15 minutes a night (minimum) on your own to work on your individual weaknesses. Please do not go home and play the same songs over and over that you already know how to play! Work on the new things (chords, strumming techniques, new notes, etc.) and you will have a lot more fun playing in class with everyone else. If you need help making up a practice routine, please come and see Ms. Banahene

OTHER

Points Lost If:

Having gum, candy, food, or any other beverage other than water during rehearsal.

Missing folder/music/materials/pencil not brought to class.

Cause problems for a sub or student director

Excessive talking or disruptive behavior

Take ownership in guitar class! It is easy to earn all the points possible for an “A”. It is amazing that some students are willing to settle for less. The success of each student depends on personal success and your willingness to learn and accomplish great things.

PLAGIARISM

1. Student will receive a “0” on the project, activity, or assessment

2. Student cannot make up or compensate for the failing grade

3. Penalty is administered to both students involved with cheating/plagiarism

4. Parent WILL be notified by teacher via phone, e-mail, or letter.

“Success depends on the second letter”