GSL I: Guitar as a Second Language

Description: GSL I: Guitar as a Second Language is designed to help participants “speak guitar” more fluently and develop “clinically effective” guitar skills. It gives participants an in-depth understanding of how the guitar is designed so that they can use it intuitively to make the music they want. It is based on the idea that most music therapists understand the piano’s visual and linear layout, and are therefore able to comfortably improvise and find the notes and chords they need on the piano. In order to have the same freedom to improvise and express themselves on the guitar, they will come to understand the guitar’s spatial, shape-based layout and the way chords and notes are aligned. They will not only learn chords and fingering techniques, but will learn the “why” behind them so they can adapt them for use in different clinical settings.

The course is designed in chapters, with a 1- or 2-question quiz following each chapter and a 10-question post-test at the end of the course.

The chapters are arranged on the following topics:

1. Getting oriented (3 minutes)
2. Chord chart (2 minutes)
3. Notes on the fingerboard (7 minutes)
4. Bass lines (12 minutes)
5. Bar chords I (22 minutes)
6. Bar chords II (36 minutes)
7. Moveable open chords (19 minutes)
8. Blues review (12 minutes)
9. Blues with power chords (14 minutes)
10. Blues solos made easy (20 minutes)
11. Blues variations (19 minutes)

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify organizational characteristics of the guitar and how they can be utilized in individualized musical experiences.
2. Participants will demonstrate altered bass lines and moveable open chords within the context of a song accompaniment.
3. Participants will identify the theory behind how bar chords are formed, and demonstrate how to use them in altered ways to create drones and harmonic dissonance.
4. Participants will demonstrate how to play blues styles in both open chords and power chords, play melodic solos in blues form, and play two variations to the standard blues form to enable variety and provide more tailored options for use in sessions.

Prerequisites:

No participant will be turned away; however, participants will be able to make the most of this course if they can already do the following on the guitar:

1. Comfortably play these open chords from memory: A, A7, Am, Am7, B7, C, C7, D, D7, Dm, Dm7, E, E7, Em, Em7, F, G, G7.
2. Accompany themselves singing various songs using basic chords (above) and one or more basic strum patterns.
3. Have a basic knowledge of music theory, including I-IV-V chord progressions and rhythm patterns in three-four and four-four time signatures.
4. Have some clinical experience (either observation, practicum, internship, or professional) to be able to relate to concepts and examples presented in the course.

Instructor Qualifications:

Jamie Bartschi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music therapy, and has played the guitar in performance and clinical settings for 23 years. She also has 28 years experience teaching guitar and violin.

Video Course Format:

The course is comprised of eleven chapters, each lasting 2-36 minutes (see Chapter headings above). An access time of six months is provided to enable participants to complete one chapter or less per week for maximum absorption of information. Each chapter is presented face-to-face with the instructor and includes examples, play-along segments, and a downloadable PDF handout with illustrations and explanations. A one- or two-question quiz follows each chapter to help solidify key concepts. Answering the quiz questions correctly enables the participant to move on to the next chapter. Participants are encouraged to rewind and replay each chapter to facilitate effective practice and mastery of each concept. At the end of the course, a post-test is given to assure understanding of concepts. A 90% score is required to pass the post-test, which qualifies the participant to receive a certificate for 10 CMTE credits earned. Certificates will be available to save or print immediately upon finishing the course.

Number of CMTE credits: 10

Price: $150