Building An Award Winning Guitar Program

"It was 2005, and I was sitting in a large ballroom with over a thousand other music educators in the convention center for the Music Educators National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when we were told that music education was in crisis. Student enrollment in music classes like band, choir, and orchestra were dropping at an alarming rate nation-wide. Music educators were going to lose their jobs if they could not figure out ways to attract students into their classrooms. The message was clear: we needed to start considering all types of alternatives such as guitar, music technology, Mariachi, blue grass, rock band, song writing, music theory, hand bells-any type of music class that would attract students and save jobs"--

As guitar instruction increases in popularity in secondary schools, many band, choir, and orchestra teachers are asked to teach guitar. In one helpfully concise volume, Teaching Beginning Guitar Class: A Practical Guide provides all of the practical tools that are necessary to teach guitar in the classroom, especially for music instructors who are not guitar specialists. Formatted to follow the school year from summer planning to opening weeks of the fall semester to a week-to-week timeline for the full school year, Teaching Beginning Guitar Class encompasses all possible needs for a non-guitar playing music instructor navigating the world of guitar instruction in a classroom setting. In twelve expertly organized chapters, author and veteran guitar teacher Bill Swick gives hard and fast guides for instruction, providing reassurance alongside invaluable tips for novice guitar educators. This book addresses questions such as 'I Do Not Play Guitar, Why Do I have to Teach Guitar?'; 'What is the Classroom Lifespan of a Guitar?'; and 'New Students in January?' while also providing practical solutions including basic setup, how to select the correct method book, and equipment maintenance.

"Renowned luthier John S. Bogdanovich crafted the project shown inside for his own personal use. The design he presents is simple but elegant and is a composite of ideas borrowed from several different guitars admired for their tonal qualities and aesthetic details. In close-up photographs Bogdanovich invites you to stand by his side and follow the entire process from start to finish. He offers guidance through every step, and explains every decision, from the arrangement of his workbench and the selection of the wood, to tuning and setting up the instrument. Bogdanovich also provides a choice of alternative methods and materials -- to help you find your own style of working, and to enable you to add your personal touches to your project. By the time your instrument is finished, you'll have acquired a world of knowledge, from the difference between quartersawn and flat-sawn wood to the pros and cons of lacquer versus French polish. You'll have mastered dozens of skills, including bending and aminating wood and cutting and seating wire frets. Best of all, you'll have a beautiful instrument, designed to your own specifications, that will give pleasure to everyone who hears it." -- Book jacket.

(Music Sales America). This book has been specially created for any guitarist who wants to learn note reading, be they beginners or more advanced players who have neglected this part of their musicianship. It starts with the very basics of written music and progressively introduces notes on each string one at a time until all notes in the "open position" (first five frets) of the guitar have been mastered, and up to 8th note rhythm subdivisions have been learned and applied. Also covered are sharps, flats, key signatures, accidentals, repeats and more. Each step includes practical exercises, handy tips and tricks and a simple repertoire for students to put their reading skills into practice. Spiral open so it lays flat no matter what page you're on.

The Art Of Lutherie offers a glimpse into the mind and craft of luthier Tom Bills, whom many consider to be one of the most talented luthiers today. In this beautifully written and enjoyable read, Tom elegantly and clearly shares his best- kept secrets and methods of custom guitar making - those which make his guitars favorites among top collectors and players. Tom's unique approach to The Art Of Lutherie will empower and inspire you to create more than just a guitar, but a truly unique work of art. The information that is generously shared within this insightful and timeless work is both practical and applicable. It contains the same hard-won wisdom that only comes from years of experience and experimentation that Tom uses in creating his inspiring instruments. Over the years, he has producedinstruments considered to be some of the bestsounding guitars ever made. Learning the steps of how to build a guitar is important, but understanding whymaster luthiers take those steps and make those decisions can empower you to make your own educated choices. This will allow you to create unique guitars, and the world needs your art, your guitars - your important contribution. The Art Of Lutherie, a truly unique and inspiring guide, can prepare you to reach new heights when designing and creating unique guitars. It is not often I heap such lavish praise on people; however, Tom is in this case more than deserving: I know of no other luthier whose work I respect more. Tom knows his craft inside and out; he pours his soul into every guitar he makes; heuses cutting-edge science to guide his work, and it shows...as head of Artist Relations and Product Development at Mel Bay, it gives me great pleasure topublish Tom's work, which will no doubt take the art of lutherie to a new level. I hope you'll spend some time soaking in this book - it will certainly augmentyour musicality - Collin Bay. Includes access to online video

A complete reference for the design and construction of the steel-string folk guitar and the classical guitar.

(Guitar Educational). From the former editor of Guitar One magazine, here is a daily dose of vitamins to keep your chops fine tuned! Musical styles include rock, blues, jazz, metal, country, and funk. Techniques taught include alternate picking, arpeggios, sweep picking, string skipping, legato, string bending, and rhythm guitar. These exercises will increase speed, and improve dexterity and pick- and fret-hand accuracy. The accompanying CD includes all 365 workout licks plus play-along grooves in every style at eight different metronome settings.

(Book). Every guitarist dreams of owning a handmade instrument, but for most, the cost is likely to be prohibitive. The alternative building your own fine guitar is not as difficult as you might imagine, given some skill, patience, and the expert guidance of a master luthier. Every step of construction is fully covered, from choice, selection, and preparation of woods, to consideration of size, bracing, and tonal qualities. Each step of the building sequence is clearly photographed in color, with variations to the standard design shown to enable you to personalize your instrument as you make it. Briston, England-based Jonathan Kinkead has been building guitars for nearly 30 years. His craft is born out of experience and intuition rather than a strict following of technical detail. The resulting beauty of form and distinctive tone have earned him his reputation as one of the world's most respected independent luthiers.

This beautiful book is a comprehensive guide to the new Golden Age of handcrafted acoustic guitars! Illustrated with full-color photos of custom instruments throughout, this rich resource also contains profiles of top luthiers, advice on buying a custom instrument, and an extensive directory with complete contact information for hundreds of makers. Encompassing steel-string flattops, nylon-strings, resonators and Hawaiians, archtops and more, Custom Guitars presents the history and current state of the art of guitar making. Includes an intro by Alex de Grassi.