Course Syllabus

MUSC 4556 Private Guitar IV

Course Description

This course provides students with individual guitar instruction. Private instruction is required of music majors each semester during college. Music majors receive 12 50-minute lessons each week of the semester. The course is repeatable for credit. This course develops and improves a student's technical, interpretive, improvisational, pedagogical, and sight reading skills as well as developing a student's understanding of the history and repertory of the specific instrument/voice. The course promotes synthesis of various types of musical knowledge. A jury is required at the end of the semester. Students must successfully pass the jury at the end of their second semester of 3000 level private instruction in order to register for 4000 level private instruction. An additional fee is required.

Justification

As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Snow College is required to provide competent private instruction for music majors in all vocal and instrumental specialties. Private instruction is required of music majors in four-year music degree programs and must appear on student transcripts. This course offers an excellent opportunity for all Snow College students to develop musicianship and performance skills. Courses of this type are taught at all NASM accredited institutions in Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to maintain consistent practice habits, and keep track of practice hours using a practice journal or log sheet
2. Students will be able to demonstrate the established technical skills necessary to perform advanced repertoire that challenges their assessed starting level
3. Students will perform music from memory for public performance/jury(where appropriate).
4. Students will demonstrate mastery of selected musical literature (appropriate to skill level) from a wide variety of stylistic periods, including appropriate style and expressive artistry.
5. Students will demonstrate fluent improvisatory ability in multiple styles and genres.

Course Content

Course topics and skill building areas may include• Practice journal development • Continuing work on body posture including hand, finger and foot positions as well as adjustments for standing or seated performance• Advanced technique study including complex harmonies, strumming patterns, finger picking, etc.• Confidence with improvisation in multiple genres• Continuing development of tone strength and quality within all ranges of the instrument • Development of dynamic ranges appropriate to all types of literature • Study of major, minor, modal and blues based scales and arpeggios • Study of modern electric and digital technology that allows for manipulation of guitar tone• Study of solo repertoire appropriate for senior college students and/or the individual level of the student • Development of performance technique, including memorization techniques, stage deportment and anxiety management