Well, I start teaching guitar today

Subject: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Marion
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:44 PM

Hello all. No particular question, I just wanted to spread some of the enthusiasm around. I'm about to start giving private guitar lessons to a couple of adults who have Down's Syndrome. For one of them I will be teaching chords, and the other will work with an open chord tuning and metal slide. So I'm excited to see how it all evolves. Wish us luck!

Marion

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Clifton53
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:08 PM

Best of luck Marion, you're making the world a better place to live in.

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:35 PM

Welcome to the ranks Marion! You'll have a blast...and so will they.

Rick

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:00 PM

Marion, you've been given a wonderful gift - the opportunity to brighten lives. Congratulations! I have no doubt your love for them and the music will shine through.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:40 PM

Enjoy! Marion. And keep us posted on your progress.

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:00 PM

Marion, this is a truly good, decent, and generous thing you are doing. Though I also teach guitar, I haven't any students with Downs and the challenge would scare most instructors away. God bless you and your efforts.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Night Owl
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:09 PM

Congratulations Marion!!! Please keep us posted on your and your students' progress.

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: John Hardly
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:20 PM

Congratulations Marion!

With such an unusual undertaking I'm curious, are you familiar with Jessica Turner's SmartStart Guitar method? It sounded like a tremendous idea to me.

John

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Willie-O
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:03 AM

Good stuff Marion.

What is this SmartStart Guitar Method?

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Marion
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 12:12 AM

Thanks all! My housemate G. loves the hell out of his slide. Lesson one consisted of just playing with the slide, getting to know how it felt to hold and move the slide against the strings. Strumming rhythmically and placing the slide strategically will come soon - I can picture him playing 3 chord songs if I mark the 4th and 5th intervals on his guitar.

I haven't heard of the SmartStart method. Actually I haven't heard of any method particularly - I'm not a guitar teacher, just a dime-a-dozen strummer and picker of chords.

Love, Marion

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:24 AM

You know, sometimes I feel guilty taking money for lessons because all music should be a liberating and universal shared communion. It's as if I sell something which isn't mine to sell. I know it's irrational, but there it is. Nonetheless there are students who I quit teaching because no amount of money would bribe me to them. I have occasionally played for the benefit of the disadvantaged and they are always a most appreciative audience. Sharing what you do have is a good thing, however valued it may be.

Marion, you've given me food for thought. Thanks.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 19 Nov 00 - 08:08 PM

I never know whether to start a new thread or not for a different but related topic... I'll put the question here for now.

OK, I mentioned I'm hoping to teach one of my student to finger chords. What I'm trying to find is the best possible tuning/chord system. I want a tuning that will sound palatable when she is just playing around strumming the open strings, and I want a set of chords that will allow her to play 3-chord songs without being too demanding on the left hand.

Here's what I've come up with:

Open G tuning (DGDGBD)

G chord: strum all open strings, or preferably the top 5

C chord: fret an E (top string, second fret) and a C (second string, first fret) and strum the top 3 strings.

D chord (actually a power 7th chord, do they exist?): fret a C (second string, first fret) and an A (third string, second fret) and strum top 4 strings.

I am open to refinements on my plan, or suggestions of new approaches.

Standard tuning would probably provide the easiest way to to a group of three chords with none of this power 7th business, but standard tuning sounds so annoying when strummed open that I've pretty much ruled it out.

Marion

Subject: RE: Well, I start teaching guitar today
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 19 Nov 00 - 08:57 PM

Mazel Tov Marion!
This is really exciting!!!
I bet your students will keep you on your toes.

Little Neo