Applied music - guitar

Course Details

Course Number: AMUS 1381-1383  Fall 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: TBA

Days & Times:

To be scheduled --

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Bruce Canafax   
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Course Objectives

Beginning students

The beginning guitar student entering college with no training in classic guitar is at an extreme disadvantage. The student is at an even more serious disadvantage if they lack music reading skills on the guitar. In order for this student to succeed at the college level, the student must quickly begin the process of correct posture as well as develop the skill to read music on the guitar.

Learning the Classic Guitar 1, 2 and 3 by Aaron Shearer offers this student a firm foundation in proper posture and musical awareness. Without this foundation, the student is destined to fail in subsequent semesters.

It is imperative that this student exhibit diligence in studying the proper technique practices and a rapid absorption of the materials at hand. The student must successfully complete the 1st and 2nd volume of Shearer's books by the end of this 1st semester so that he or she will be adequately prepared to continue study at the next level.

After the requirements of these volumes have been fully met, only then can the student meet the challenge of studying guitar at the college level. Mastery of the material in these 2 volumes is crucial if the student is to have success mastering the etudes and repertoire that are expected in subsequent terms.

By the end of this initial semester, the student will have demonstrated proficiency in the material in the Shearer books. The student will also have memorized at least 8 pieces for performance.

Upon successful completion of the material studied this semester, the student may begin the course of study outlined for each year beginning with the freshman requirements.

Freshman Year

Students should at the end of the 1st semester should have at least 8 of these pieces memorized and have a working knowledge of all the etudes required. Working knowledge means being able to read the music with no difficulty with regards to fingering and musical expression.

 

Students should at the end of the 2nd semester should have at least 8 of these pieces memorized and have a working knowledge of all the etudes required from this term as well as the previous one. All pieces from the previous semester and this must be learned well enough that the student could perform them even if they are not memorized (performed with music in other words).

By the end of this 2nd semester, students should have all the Segovia scales memorized and able to play them at 80-100 bpm using i and m fingers.

The 1st 40 arpeggio studies by Guiliani should be played at a rate of 50-80 bpm.

 

Sophomore Year

Students should at the end of the 1st semester should have at least 8 of these pieces memorized and have a working knowledge of all the etudes required.

Students should at the end of the 2nd semester should have at least 8 of these pieces memorized and have a working knowledge of all the etudes required from this term as well as the previous one.

The student should also retain a working knowledge of music from the freshman year especially the etudes.

By the end of this 2nd semester, students should be proficient with the alternative fingerings for the Segovia scales and able to play them at 80 -100 bpm. Using i and m fingers, the student should be approaching 120 bpm.

The 2nd 40 arpeggio studies by Guiliani should be played at a rate of 50-80 bpm.


Course Expectations

 

Required Texts 

Learning the Classical Guitar Book 1 and 2 by Aaron Shearer, published by Mel Bay

The Library of Guitar Classics Vol. 1 published by Amsco

A Concise History of Classical Guitar by Graham Wade published by Mel Bay

 

Additional texts for future repertoire sources – These should be the first additions to your collection.

 

The Library of Guitar Classics Vol. 2 published by Amsco

Pumping Nylon by Scott Tenant

20 Studies by Fernando Sor edited by Andres Segovia

25 Melodic and Progressive Studies by Mateo Carcassi

25 Etudes Esquisses for Guitar by Gerald Garcia

Collected Works for Solo Guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos

Graded Repertoire for Guitar Vol. 1 and 2 by StanleyYates

Modern Times Vol. 1-5 distributed by Mel Bay Co.

 

Freshman Music for Study

Technique

Segovia scales, diatonic major and melodic minor using only i and m

Guiliani 120 right hand arpeggios 1-20

Studies

Studies 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 by Fernando Sor

Studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 by Mateo Carcassi

Studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 by Leo Brouwer

Repertoire

Lagrima, Adelita by Fransico Tarrega

Pavan 1-6 by Luis Milan

Preludes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 by Manuel Ponce

Mazurka, Marieta by Fransico Tarrega

Prelude in d minor by J.S. Bach

Guardame las Vacas  by Luis Narvaez

 

Sophomore Music for Study

Technique

Segovia scales, diatonic major and melodic minor using alternative fingers i a, m a, i m a m (with rhythmic variety) Chromatic, whole tone and diminished scales.

Guiliani 120 right hand arpeggios 41-80

 

Studies

Studies 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 by Fernando Sor

Studies 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 ,21 by Mateo Carcassi

Studies 1, 6, 8 ,11 by Heitor Villa-Lobos

 

Repertoire

Capricho Arabe by Fransico Tarrega

Minuet Op. 22 by Fernando Sor

Preludes by Manuel Ponce

Canarios by Gaspar Sanz

Fantasia by Alonzo Mudarra

Melancholy Galliard John Dowland

Prelude 1, 3, 4 by Villa-Lobos

Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Fransico Tarrega

Bouree from the 1st Lute suite by J.S. Bach

Queen Elizabeth's Galliard by John Dowland

Preludes any (4 not previously learned) by Manuel Ponce

Morceaux Caracteristics (2 movements) by Mauro Guiliani

 

A guitar major should be practicing a minimum of 2 to 3 hours daily in order to progress through the material that is expected of them. 5 to 6 hours a day is not uncommon among truly serious guitar students.


Grading Standards

Everyone begins with an "A". Progress through all the requirements of the semester must be observed to maintain your grade. There are no excuses good enough for not coming to lesson or class well prepared. Being unprepared consistently will have serious results on your final grade irregardless of how well you perform in your jury.

  • A's are reserved for only those students that achieve the highest quality in their performances, are always well prepared for their lessons/masterclasses and maintain good attendance.
  • B's will be given to those students who exhibit substantial progress through the semester but did not attain the high quality of performance and preparedness achieved by an "A" student.
  • C's and below are reserved for those students who attain minimal progress, mediocre performances and poor lesson/masterclass preparation. I might add that a student earning a C or lower might reconsider their role as a professional musician. Mediocrity in this business should not be an option. Only those students who exhibit their talents through hard work and diligence will achieve the highest level of success.
  • Attendance and lesson/ masterclass requirements will be a factor in the final grade.

           


Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance is mandatory since we only meet 13 or 14 times per semester. If two absences occur, your grade for the semester will be lowered by one letter grade from the final grade earned. For each absence after that, your grade will be lowered one more letter grade.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.