The curricula begins with foundation skills including single note playing, basic strum patterns, open position chords, reading rhythmic notation and tablature. Tablature is used as a means to initially teach 2 of the 3 components of reading which are reading measured music, and rhythms. The transition to reading standard notation is a natural progression and actually occurs more easily when tablature is taught first. Another important reason for teaching tablature is that it allows students to play music that would otherwise be too advanced to read including ensemble parts and solo pieces outside of the open position. As the course progresses more advanced chord forms, strums, rhythms, and standard notation are introduced. Music theory is approached through the cycle of 4ths in the form of a chord clock that illustrates the concept of diatonic harmony and chord progressions. Guitar-istic techniques such as hammer ons and pull off are presented as well. The accompaniment sequence is tought beginning with strum patterns and concludes with alternating bass which sets the stage for finger picking patterns and classical guitar technique in Guitar Fundamentals – Intermediate Course. Finally the course concludes with level appropriate approach to improvisation with begins with the pentatonic scale applied to the blues progress, and then utilizes chord target tones, rhythmic motives, and call and response techniques to bring structure to students soloing. The supplied skill videos and audio tracks make it painless for teachers to present these skills in class, as well as fun for students practice improvisation on their own. Beginning Guitar Complete was written to take advantage of the power of blended learning and the Online Learning Site as a tool to deliver customized instruction to students of different levels. In classroom guitar this is a critical need as guitar classes attract “beginners” in a wide range of levels. Consonus addresses that disparity by providing a layered learning component of skill lessons that can be assigned to those students who are too advanced for the basic course material. This alternate lesson material is only available in the online portions of the course and truly makes Consonus Blended Learning Courseware unique in the field. Here’s the table of contents for the course: