Intermediate Guitar Level 1 continues the teaching progression established in Guitar Fundamentals Beginning Guitar Level 2. This course also provides an excellent entry point into a blended learning class model for students who have developed basic note reading skills and instrumental technique. The course contains 23 lessons designed to be taught over a semester.
Author Mike Christiansen’s teaching philosophy of providing a diverse set of musical skills will hold students interest while enabling them to play in the variety of musical styles presented in this course.
The curriculum expands on the skills and knowledge base of Guitar Fundamentals – Beginning Guitar with the addition of new chord vocabulary in the open position, as well as movable power chords and barre chords. More complex strum patterns are introduced incorporating duple and triple meters in 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, and 12/8 time. Student ability to read and play rhythms is enhanced with the introduction of syncopated rhythms, 1/8 note and 1/4 note triplets. Fret board knowledge expands to include upper position reading on treble strings.
The emphasis on improvisation continues with an exploration of new pentatonic scales and sequences.
Finger style skills are developed as students are introduced to finger picking patterns that they can apply to chord shapes on combinations of strings.
Repertoire includes numerous original solo and ensemble pieces in styles that include contemporary, classical, and jazz that are ideal for both practice and performance.
Supplemental materials: As with all CMI courses we’ve included alternate musical parts that enable a layered approach to differentiated learning. This enables students of diverse abilities and experience levels to enjoy an appropriately challenging learning experience in the same class.
Included in course:
- Guitar Fundamentals Intermediate Level 1 – Student Workbook
- 6-month subscription to the Consonus Online Learning Site with related online course content. Every exercise, solo, and ensemble piece is presented in its own review and/or practice video demonstrated by the author utilizing rhythmic audio backing to develop student timing and ensemble playing skills. Online content mirrors the Course Lesson Plans and Student Workbook. Non-lesson related videos cover topics such as stringing and care for the guitar.
- Instructor development and teaching aids:
- Full lesson plans
- Videos suitable for classroom demonstration and instruction
- Supplemental teacher training videos which will help you get your class started right and progressing with topics including: How to teach a blended learning course; Layered learning techniques for differentiated learning; Ensemble rehearsal techniques and more.
- Access to teacher community forums with useful discussions and advice on course related pedagogy ideas, repertoire, supplemental material and more.
- Optional teacher training workshops. Attend a CMI summer teacher training workshop taught by Mike Christiansen and CMI staff instructors. You’ll learn the same key concepts and techniques that Mike has developed and taught for over 30 years in his university guitar pedagogy courses.
