Advancing Guitar Class (6th–12th Grade)
Class Overview
This course is designed for students who have completed the Beginning Guitar class or who already have some prior guitar experience. Students will build on foundational skills while developing stronger technique, learning new chords, exploring scales, and beginning lead guitar techniques.
Each session will include technique exercises, music theory, and playing songs together as a group. The goal is to help students grow in confidence, improve their musical ability, and enjoy making music with others.
Curriculum Highlights
Technique Development
Students will continue refining essential guitar skills such as accurate finger placement, clean chord transitions, and controlled strumming and picking techniques. Emphasis will be placed on improving tone, timing, and consistency.
Expanded Chords and Progressions
Students will learn additional chord shapes including barre chords, power chords, and common chord variations used in modern music. They will practice applying these chords in real musical progressions.
Scales and Lead Guitar Basics
Students will begin learning common scales used in modern music and how they apply to simple lead guitar playing. Basic lead techniques such as single-note melodies, simple solos, and improvisation will be introduced.
Rhythm and Strumming Patterns
Students will expand their rhythmic skills through a variety of strumming and picking patterns, helping them develop better groove and timing when playing with others.
Music Reading and Tablature
Students will continue developing their ability to read tablature and basic music notation so they can learn songs more independently.
Song Repertoire and Ensemble Playing
Throughout the course, students will learn a variety of age-appropriate songs, including praise & worship music and other familiar styles. Playing together as a group will help develop listening skills and musical teamwork.
Materials Required
Acoustic or electric guitar (appropriate size for the student)
Guitar picks
Tuner (electronic tuner or tuning app)
Notebook and pencil for notes
Three-ring binder with sheet protectors