Kids Guitar Practice Tips
This page contains some strategies designed to help children to practice the guitar effectively after the first rush of enthusiasm has worn off
After the first rush of enthusiasm has worn off!
Kids Guitar Lesson 3; Lesson Plan
Step 1: Make sure guitar is in tune
Tuning is importantStep 2: Check on progress from the last lesson
The first part of the lesson should be taken up with making sure a child is familiar with the material presented during the first two sessions and again you should expect to spend some time ensuring that the basic shapes and principles covered in your last session are bubbling along nicely. If you have not already done so it would be a good idea to take a look at the video (which strangely enough works with the sound muted) on out page which provides an overview of how to teach guitar to kids
The lesson presented on this page uses one of the chord shapes that a child has already encountered (G) along with a new shape (A). This lesson provides a great opportunity to introduce the "full" G shape during the latter part of the session depending on progress.
Step 3: Introduce the A chord shape
Of the eight chord shapes that kids should learn first the chord of A is one of five that do not really require a "reduced" (one finger) version. This is because when forming the shape all of the fingers are grouped closely together and there is no need for a child to stretch their fingers over the width of the neck.
Step 4: Playing the A chord with and without a "1-2-3-4" count in
Ask the child to form the chord shape and strum it once after a count of 1-2-3-4. It can then be fun to get them to scratch their head with the left hand and form the shape again and strum the chord in their own time (without the 1-2-3-4 count in). This obliges them to commit the shape to memory and you should be prepared to spend a little time on this section of the lesson until a reasonably convincing A chord is being sounded
Step 6: Introduce the "full" G shape if desired
At this point ask the child to move between the new chord (A) and the one finger version of the G chord used in lessons 1 and 2. An option here is to introduce the "full" G shape which uses all six strings. If you decide to use the full G shape at this point it may be an effective strategy to spend a little more time with the G to Em progression and backing track used in lesson 1. ask your student/s to move between the full versions of each chord in time to the backing track or a metronome
Step 7: Play G Chord in response to "1-2-3-4" count in
As before encourage your learner/s to strum the new chord shape (once) in response to a count in
The graphic above shows on of our giant letter sized guitar chord "mini posters" that come with the kids guitar materials that kids can colour themselves between lessons. Its a great way of keeping them involved with the guitar even when they are not physically playing it.
Step 8: Ask your student to move between the shapes in their own time
When they can manage to move between the new A shape and whichever version (full or one-finger) of the G chord you decide to use then it is time to move onto changing between the chords in their own time.Step 9: Playing both chords in response to count in
Before moving on to work with a backing track (Id love to sell you some but the reality is that if you have the time and technology you could probably make your own) spend a little time ensuring that the learner/s can play each chord in response to a "1-2-3-4" count in
Step 10: Work with The A to G Rock Backing Track
The A to G Rock backing track features bass and drums going around a progression made up of two bars of A followed by two bars of G. A child should be asked to make a single downward strum of each chord as it changes. If the child is able to change between the chords confidently you can end the lesson by increasing the complexity of the right hand strumming patterns if you like? Remember to count "1-2-3-4" into the changes until the child starts to "feel' the progression
The next lesson is an interesting one as it will introduce the final three new chords (Am Dm and E) from the eight chords that any beginner should learn first.
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The Kids Guitar Teaching Package
More than forty sheets to download and use in your guitar teaching today. This material is designed to run alongside the "Backing Tracks and Handouts Package . All of the material that you need in order to teach kids to play guitar. Chord Charts, One finger (reduced) chord diagrams. An opportunity to start any young would be guitar player off the right way!
The Backing Tracks and Handouts Package
20 Backing Tracks and 46 Handouts. An invaluable aid designed to help you to teach both rhythm and lead guitar to younger and older students alike Great for helping to develop a good dense of timing
The Guitar Teacher's Toolkit
100 printable sheets dealing with Open Chords-Bar Chords-Scales- Modes- Blank Fretboard and Chord Grids Teaching Diary and Business Card Designs
Plus 100 Giant (letter sized) Chord Grids
laminate them in order to help you to teach group guitar lessons, distribute them to your students or just stick on your teaching studio wall? The "Coolest Wallpaper on the planet?"
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The Bass Guitar Teacher's Toolkit
Over 60 Handouts for anyone who already teaches (or who wishes to teach) bass guitar covering Scales, Chords, Fingering Exercises etc
Over 300 Sheets and 20 Backing tracks to Download and use TODAY!
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