Teaching the Folk Guitar; a Step By Step Method for Group Instruction :was written in response to Middle and High School teachers who expressed interest in teaching basic guitar skills but had no idea where to begin. It was also written for the non-professional teacher whose desire is to offer instruction in a non-traditional "school" environment such as a summer camp, church, library or municipal recreation program.In addition, this book is for those who would like to begin a career as a guitar instructor or perhaps, supplement their income by teaching. The author, Phil Johnson, has packed 25 years of teaching experience into this course. Even if you have never taught anything before you will now be able to do so with confidence. Teaching the Folk Guitar will be your guide. It is the most complete and comprehensive method for teaching the basics of folk style guitar available. In the preface of the book, Phil Johnson states:"This course has been updated from materials I used when teaching guitar as a free lance musician. I began my music career as a guitar teacher and operated a small teaching studio / Folk music store in Virginia. Offering group lessons was a great way to recruit private students. I taught classes at three small colleges in the area through their Continuing Education program. I also helped form guitar clubs at the local Middle and High schools as well as teaching through the Recreation Department and the YMCA. The exposure gave me immediate status as a guitar professional and assured me a constant supply of private students. I was able to keep busy and earn a pretty good living. Best of all, teaching guitar enabled me to stay active as a professional musician (not to mention that I learned whole lot about music, business and life in general). " |
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One of the great joys of playing a musical instrument is interacting with other musicians. There are countless numbers of books, tapes, videos and computer programs that an aspiring guitarist can "hunker down" with in the privacy of his own universe but eventually he will want to play music with others so, why not learn that way?
Group instruction offers the advantage of social interaction; learning/teaching in concert with other like-minded souls. Why not learn folk guitar with and from other "folks"? That's what this method is all about, its a "folk thing". This method will focus on learning to play the guitar accompaniments to familiar |
folk songs by training the "ears" to hear the natural progression of well-known songs and melodies. Learning to play music "by ear" is easier if one knows what to listen for. All of the exercises in the this method follow recognizable chord progressions. The inclusion of specific "ear training" exercises will reinforce this concept. Many of the exercises are quite challenging and are designed to place the instructor and student in "real world" listening situations. When one considers the cost of both time and money spent in private lessons, teaching and learning in a group situation offers considerable advantages for both the student and the instructor. |
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The average tuition for an 8 week group class, 16 hours (2 hours per week) of instruction is $40. When the $20 materials (student manual) fee is added the total cost ($60) comes out to $3.75 per Show lesson, a true bargain. On the other hand, the average cost for 16 hours of private lessons plus materials would be closer to $150 - $200 This initial investment is highly appealing to college and high school students |
(the most popular age group for beginning guitar students) as well as their parents. A low cost introductory offering will give them the extra incentive needed to pursue the guitar. Group learning also offers positive social involvement. Interaction with other musicians is a prime motivating factor for learning the guitar. With others to lean on, look up to, or share similar interests, there is no reason for anyone to "go it" alone. Learning with others is, simply, more fun! |
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Instructing in a class situation offers an extremely effective way to teach guitar fundamentals, to get the basics out of the way before any serious study can commence. By the time your students finish this course they will have been exposed to much music theory, scales, chord construction, and the aesthetics of arranging. Additionally, all the physical ailments will have been considered and dealt with. They will have achieved a sense of accomplishment and will probably be ready for the increased challenge that you can offer at the intermediate stage. Most importantly, they will have already learned how to listen to and enjoy music, how to play with others, and will have set up a disciplined practice schedule
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Teaching one or two 8 week group sessions per year at a community college, a YMCA or through a
municipal recreation program for example will expose you and your teaching methods to an average of 30 new potential private students. Keep in mind, this is in addition to any other private student recruitment you do either through a music store, newspaper, word of mouth or other advertising. The cost of the advertising for the class is picked up by the sponsor organization and you will gain instant credibility in the eyes of the public when you are associated with a respected institution.
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If you live in a medium sized community and offer group lessons at this bargain basement entry fee, you will have no trouble filling up your private lesson schedule. The odds are in your favor that you will succeed. The students you will recruit from your groups will have already become comfortable with you and your teaching methods. They will have all their basics out of the way giving you more effective and efficient use of time.
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It is for these reasons they will eagerly commit to paying the premium rate for private lessons.
You will also find the one-on-one teaching experience more enjoyable with someone who is eager to learn and not just wasting your time continually dragging out basic material from week to week.
The learning materials may be purchased in quantity discounts from Euphoria Falls Publishing Co. These discounts will offer you the choice of earning additional income or you may want to pass the savings on to your class. |
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