Lesson Goals

Below are outlines of musical goals that Ditmas Park Guitar students aim to achieve.

Goals may vary according to level/ needs, and lessons can be tailored to best fit each individual student.

Young Beginner (ages 6 through 11)

  • Play melody parts to 5 traditional songs.

  • Learn and strum 6 different three-string chords (Emin, G, G7, C, Amin, D7)

  • Understanding of and ability to perform rhythmic values: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes).

  • Ability to read and play 8 notes on the first 3 strings, in 1st position.

  • Play a classical music melody ( e.g. "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven, "Surprise Symphony" by Hayden, etc.).

  • Understanding of solfege syllables ( do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti).

  • Play the C major scale, ascending and descending.

  • Recognizing and performing dynamic markings in music (piano [soft] to forte [loud]).

Young Intermediate (ages 8 through 13)

  • Read and play all 17 notes in first position.

  • Read and play notated triad chords.

  • Play 3 types of A minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic).

  • Learn and strum 7 full open chords ( E, Amin, C, G7, A7, Emin, G).

  • Recognizing and playing accidental markings (sharp, flat, & natural signs) in music notation.

  • Understanding of and ability to perform rhythmic values: eighth notes, dotted quarter notes).

  • Reading music in different key signatures (G major / E minor, D major / B minor).

  • Play a complete song from the pop, rock, or folk genre (e.g. "Let it Be", "Wish You Were Here", "Brown Eyed Girl")

  • Play a classical music melody ("Minuet in G", "Fur Elise", etc.)

  • Begin to improvise using Major and Minor pentatonic scales.

Intermediate to Advanced

  • Major and Minor Diatonic Scales in all 12 keys.

  • Learn chord forms and arpeggios in all positions: Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th, Diminished, Augmented.

  • Play melody, chords, and improvise on a jazz standard (e.g. "Autumn Leaves", "Summertime", "Night & Day").

  • Memorize a classical piece using fingerpicking technique (e.g. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Romanza", "Lagrima"). 

  • Learn a jazz guitar solo by ear (transcription).

  • Understanding of and ability to perform rhythmic values: sixteenths, triplets, dotted eighths, syncopated rhythms).

  • Reading music in all 12 key signatures, Major and Minor.

  • Fretboard memorization.

  • Advanced Ear Training.