Hi Merritt,

In the Absolute Basics department, changing two chords will probably be all they will be able to handle along with a simple two-chord song for the first lesson. Using the open D is a can of worms. It would be better to concentrate on the chords "everyone" uses.

Barre chords are difficult for anyone. I often cheat on them on steel string guitars by using my thumb over the top of the sixth and sometimes fifth string.

Working the I, IV and V7 chords is a good idea. Lots of three-chord songs would reinforce this concept.

Allow lots of time for re-inforcement of what they've learned. Review a lot.

In terms of music theory, it's best to apply it to a song immediately. By itself, music theory is totally confusing to non-musicians. It makes no sense unless you "do" it. What I do is have the students transposed I, IV and V7 into as many keys as they can using those chords which are acessible to them such as in the keys of E, A, D, G, C.

Start off by singing with strumming (nothing fancy) right off. If they can strum a quarter note in two-four or four-four time, that's all you can ask for at first. What I do is introduce the chords but print up any chord charts in numerals or (Nashville symbols). Only diff here is I,IV, V7 is standard music theory where Nashville is 1, 4, 57. I don't like using the arabic numbers for the chords because a 57 is confusing where a V7 isn't. The arabic numbers tell which bass notes to play such as V7/5 (a V7 chord with the fifth in the bass). The 7 is a kind of chord, not a position of the chord. For example, a V7b9b5 chord which used in jazz would be weird if written 57b9b5.

Using the capo is part of the process of transposition. You might write out a capo chart. The key of C could be written as 3A. Capo third fret and play in A. Or 8E. E can be 4C. A can be 5E. D can be 5A or 2C.

Care of the hands? OK. Why not?

It's better to start with if they learn to use electronic tuners and develop their ear that way. It may seem like "cheating" but eventually they will be able to hear the pitches. One of the best ways to develop tuning the guitar is to have them sing the pitches that they are tuning. E,A,D,G,B,E. It doesn't matter is they are in a different octave then the singer sings.

The most important thing you can do is play along with the students.

Also, if it's possible I would recommend that you teach different levels at the same time.

Frank Hamilton