BEGINNING GUITAR SYLLABUS

Travis Lowe, Music Teacher

travis.lowe@warren.kyschools.us

Course Description:
This course is designed for the beginning guitar student. The class is taught in a
group setting with some individual responsibilities. No prior guitar experience is
required. This class requires outside study and practice.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

1. Identify parts of the guitar

2. Tune guitar properly using relative tuning
3. Read music including the following aspects:
a. Standard notation (including understanding the elements of music)
i. Rhythm
ii. Melody
iii. Harmony
iv. Form
v. Tempo
vi. Dynamics
b. Chord symbols/charts
c. Tablature
4. Perform music using proper guitar technique (fingering, posture, hand position,
etc.)
5. Perform standard guitar literature in a group setting as well as individually
6. Sight-read selected exercises/songs

Expectations of students:
1. Each student must have a guitar that is available to them for class and outside
practice. You will not be able to share a guitar with another student in the class.
2. Each student is expected to bring a guitar, book, paper, handouts that are given,
and a pencil each day. Points will be deducted if a student is not prepared.
3. Each student is expected to participate in class activities with proper attitude for
learning.
4. Each student is expected to make arrangements for daily practice outside of class.
5. Each student is expected to be responsible for transporting their guitar. The
students are allowed to take their guitar to the music room when the first bell
rings to go to their first class.
6. Each student is expected to keep track of any missed assignments/tests. If a
student is absent, they will have one week to make up any missed tests, quizzes,
or assignments. If absent, refer to assignment folders posted in the room for
missed assignments and materials.
 7. Each student is expected to be to class on time. A tardy is if the student in not in
the class when the bell rings. This class will follow WCHS student handbook on
tardies and absences.
8. Any form of cheating will not be tolerated. Any communication during test or
quizzes will be treated as cheating even if it is unrelated to the task at hand. If a
student is caught cheating, they will be given a 0 for that assignment.

Grading:
Each class will be worth 10 points. If necessary, points will be deducted based on
the students attendance, participation, and behavior. Unexcused absences will result in a
0 for the day. Every Friday there will be a playing test. Each student will either play
alone or with others songs or chords they had learned from that week. Students are
required to practice at home throughout the week.

Students will be evaluated using the following procedures:

a. Daily participation/preparedness b. Written activities
c. Playing test d. Written exams
e. Homework (practice)

*Points will be deducted upon directors discretion. Possible deductions could be, but
not limited to: Unexcused absence (5-10 pts), Excessive talking (2-5 pts), Gum, food, or
candy (2 pts), Off task (2-5 pts), Tardy (2 pts), No folder, music, paper, or pencil (2 pts.)

Required Materials:
1. Guitar
2. Folder with loose leaf paper and handouts provided
3. Youre in the Band Unplugged for acoustic Guitar, Book 1 (Book will need
to be purchased from royal music or online. Music needs to be bought no
later than Friday, August 10). This is for home practice I will have printouts
of my own book.

Concerts:
The guitar concert is required and is a part of the final grade. Work is not a
legitimate excuse for missing a concert. Listed below is the concert date.

:Fall Concert
-This will be a concert and will be required to all guitar students. This
event will be held to raise money for the school musical. More
information on the talent show will come closer to the date.

*There is a possibility of more concert dates throughout the year. If change occurs,
notice will be given at least three weeks in advanced.
I HAVE READ THE GUITAR SYLLABUS IN ITS ENTIRETY. I
UNDERSTAND IT AND AGREE TO FOLLOW THESE
EXPECTATIONS ALONG WITH THE EXPECTATIONS
EXPRESSED IN THE WCHS STUDENT HANDBOOK.

Please sign below to show that you have read the class syllabus and
understand its content. Please detach this from the syllabus and return
to Mr. Vincent no later than Friday, August 7.

Student Name ________________________________

(print)

Student Name _______________________________

(signature)

Date _________________________

Parent Signature _________________________________

Date _________________________