Beginning Guitar

Designed for complete beginners, this class covers essential guitar skills including chords, strumming patterns, tuning, and basic techniques—all in a fun and encouraging environment.

Guitar:  Preferably an acoustic or classical guitar, but an electric guitar will work, as well.  If the student only has an electric they will not be able to plug into an amplifier during group lessons and will be very quiet during class. Guitar needs to have relatively new strings and be able to hold a tune.  Questions about guitar and string quality can be directed to the instructor or S.M. Hanson / Midwest music stores.  The Stiefel does have 5 guitars that can be checked out during the workshop if you do not own your own.  They are first come first serve and a waiver must be signed making the student responsible for any damage. 

Flat Picks:  3 to 4 medium gauge flat picks

Music:  All music, including accompaniment tracks, will be available to students online. If the student does not have internet access, please inquire about having physical copies made for the student.

Contact Matt Gerry with questions: mattgerry@gmail.com

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In 8 weeks students will learn-

1. How to properly hold their guitar
2. Proper fretting technique
3. Various right hand picking techniques including - rest stroke, free stroke, and using a pick
4. How notes are laid out across the fretboard
5. Basic rhythms including whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and sixteenth notes
6. How to read both standard notation and tablature
7. Be able to perform both with a group and individually
8. Bass guitar root playing
9. Play at least 3 musical pieces in front of any audience