Guitar Beginners
Course Overview
“Music es un Voyage” - connect to the music within you!
Bring your guitar to this fun and inclusive learning environment for both acoustic and electric guitars.
Receive support and structure to build the foundations of music with the guitar, in an ensemble learning environment suitable for all players, from complete beginners to intermediate.
Students will progress towards preparing and performing a repertoire of songs as an ensemble, specially arranged by Luis with individual parts for both beginner and advanced players.
Music choices are based on popular choices from the group, andl reflect the mix of ages and interests, from jazz to contemporary rock.
The beginners and continuers groups run for 1.5 hours each, but cross over in the middle:
Beginner players start at 9am
- In the first hour with Luis, you are introduced to the basic positions and posture, learning the notes, chords and rhythms. The course content and teaching are easy to follow and accommodates complete beginners to those with a basic knowledge of the guitar.
- From 10-10:30am, the class becomes an immersive, ensemble musical experience, applying the basic techniques you have learned through preparing and performing as an ensemble with the continuers group.
Continuing players join the group at 10am
- For a half-hour session as a full ensemble, before the beginners finish at 10:30am. [Continuers are those students who already know the key positions, chords and basic tablature reading (level 2 beginners to intermediate)].
Please note: Luis will contact you on signing up to this class, to find out your previous level of experience, if any, and ensure you are placed in the right group. As well as your experience level, the dynamics of the group who sign up in each term may also affect whether you are better placed within the beginner or continuer groups, so a little flexibility with your start time may be required.
Course Breakdown
Week 1: Rhythm concepts. Right hand techniques. Tablature reading
Week 2: The 5-note scale. Left hand techniques. Improvisation concepts
Week 3: The 5 main major chords. The 3 chord songs repertoire practice.
Week 4: Minor chords and the “4 Magic chord progression” repertoire.
Week 5: Repertoire song 1. Student's choice. We’re going to start preparing one of the songs of the course. Full arrangement: Melody, chords, rhythm.
Week 6: Song 2 introduction (students choice). Applying all the concepts learned in this second new song: Melody, rhythm, chords.
Week 7: Bar chords introduction. Repertoire song 1 and 2 practice.
Week 8: Repertoire songs 1 and 2 practice.
Week 9: Warm-up, rehearsal and little performance with video recording.
Want to know what a class looks like? Check it out here
Term Dates
Term 2 runs from Saturday 27 May to Saturday 22 June
Term 3 runs from Saturday 20 July to Saturday 14 September
Term 4 runs from Saturday 19 October to Saturday 14 December
Materials List
- An acoustic guitar with new strings and a guitar pick.
- A folder and music stand if you have one.
Testimonials
"The guitar classes were great. Luis is a very talented teacher, patient and encouraging the students to improve.I would love to continue with his classes."
"Have already booked for a term 3. I so enjoy the Saturday classes with Luis. This is at least my fourth year. Really great."
"A vibrant place with lots of activities, classes and courses being conducted for all ages. I've been attending the Guitar beginners' class with Luis Reys as our tutor for the past two terms and loving it. It's made our Saturday mornings so much more enjoyable."
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About the tutor
Luis Reys
Hello, I am Luis! I have been teaching Guitar Ensembles at North Sydney Community Centre since 2020.I completed a master's degree in Music Composition at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in 2017. For 8 years I taught guitar at the Berklee Music College partner in South America (Conservatorium Souza Lima, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, one of the most renowned music schools in Latin America). I was the artistic and pedagogical coordinator of the Vocational Program of arts for the Sao Paulo Council.In 2019 I released my first solo album, 'The Enjoyner', inspired by my video project 'Music es un Voyage' which since 2017 has taken me to meet and collaborate with more than 150 musicians in 27 countries around 5 continents, including meeting the singer of the Soccer World Cup Main Theme in Qatar 2022. These videos can be found on the 'Music es un Voyage' Youtube channel and on my website: www.luisreys.com. See you at class!
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