1. CARE OF THE GUITAR, PLAYING POSITION

2. CHECK FOR BINDERS, TABS, NOTEBOOK PAPER

3. REVIEW FROM FRIDAY What is a guitar? How many strings does it typically have? Name the three types of guitars. Name the characteristic of each type of guitar.

4. REVIEW FROM FRIDAY How can you tell the difference between an regular acoustic guitar and a classical guitar? Review the parts of the guitar. Get out a piece of paper and prepare to take a few notes.

5. CARE OF THE GUITAR Keep your guitar in its case when you’re not playing it. We do not have cases for our class guitars, but our take home guitars have cases and you need to use them. Do NOT prop your guitar against a wall or leave it on a chair. Irreparable damage can be caused by it simply falling to the ground. Ideally, you would keep your guitar on a guitar stand. In our classroom, you may rest the guitar GENTLY on the ground. Please be hyper- sensitive to protect our instruments. We must be good stewards of our resources. If I see you mistreating a guitar, you will lose it for the day.

6. CARE OF THE GUITAR Watch the relative humidity and temperature. Guitars should be stored at a temperature around 70 degrees. Avoid storing your guitar near sources of hot, dry air (such as forced hot air heating ducts), or cold, damp areas (garages, basements, closets with outside walls). DO NOT LEAVE YOUR GUITAR IN A CAR EVER!!! Especially in the trunk. Temperatures inside car trunks are extreme. It’s the quickest way to destroy a guitar. Even in the passenger compartment your guitar can be subjected to extreme temperatures. Please allow your instrument to warm up slowly before opening your case in a warm room after being transported in a cold vehicle. Abrupt changes in temperature can cause (ie: cold guitar to warm room) can cause finish crazing. Guitar humidifiers that fit inside the soundhole or extend into the body can be very effective but must be used with great care to avoid water damage. Check with a qualified guitar repair person before using them.

7. HOW TO GET GUITARS OUT FOR CLASS Find a partner. Send 1 partner down to the guitar door. First Bell Helpers – Summer and Michael Fifth Bell Helpers – David and Travi B

8. PLAYING POSITION Two positions: Folk/jazz Classical

9. FOLK/JAZZ POSITION Waist of guitar is resting on right leg. Neck is to the left and tilted slightly upward. Your left arm should NOT be resting on your leg. Feet should be flat on the floor (or right foot can be elevated). Right arm rests on top of guitar just beyond elbow. Right hand placed over the back of the soundhole (towards the bridge). PRACTICE: Have one partner read the instructions and check partner for accuracy and compliance, have the other partner find the position. Switch!

10. CLASSICAL POSITION Left foot is elevated and guitar rests on left leg (the body also rests on the inside of the right leg). The neck of the guitar should be at a 45 degree angle towards the left. Right arm rests on the top of the guitar just beyond the elbow. Right hand should be placed over the back of the soundhole (towards the bridge). PRACTICE: Have one partner read the instructions and check partner for accuracy and compliance, have the other partner find the position. Switch!

11. LEFT HAND POSITION Thumb touches back of guitar neck. Thumb should be vertical (almost perpendicular to the neck). Palm of the left hand should NOT touch the neck. Left wrist may bend slightly. When pressing a string, use the tip of the finger –keeping a nice curve to the knuckle- - and press firmly but not too firm (YOU HAVE TO CUT YOUR NAILS OR THIS WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE AND YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PLAY). Position finger just behind (and touching) the fret wire. PRACTICE: touch the smallest string with left hand finger and gradually apply pressure. Pluck the string as you do this (go straight down with the thumb when stroking the string). When a clear sound occurs, that’s the right amount of pressure.

12. FOUR FINGER EXERCISE ON THE E STRING – NO PICK Index finger = 1 Middle finger = 2 Ring finger = 3 Pinky finger = 4 Practice trading back and forth.

13. HOLDING A PICK Make the flag: Bend index finger. Place pick on the end of the index finger with pointed part away. Place thumb over the pick. It should look like a flag.

14. FOUR FINGER EXERCISE ON THE E STRING – WITH PICK Index finger = 1 Middle finger = 2 Ring finger = 3 Pinky finger = 4 Practice trading back and forth.

15. HOW TO PUT GUITARS AWAY Send 1 partner down to the guitar door with guitar. First Bell Helpers – Summer and Michael Fifth Bell Helpers – David and Travi B