Goals
Below are outlines of musical goals that Ditmas Park Guitar students aim to achieve.
Goals may vary according to a student’s level/ needs.
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.
