Modern Band Lesson 1

Introduction to Guitar, Bass, and Piano

GUITAR

In this lesson, students are introduced to a 1st string technical exercise to improve and develop fret-hand finger dexterity and independence. The exercise, “The Crawl,” utilizes a finger pattern using all four fingers within four frets where some fingers are operating independently while others remain fixed. The pattern moves sequentially up twelve frets of the 1st string and then reverses. Rhythmic concepts are reinforced through technical mastery as the pattern is first introduced in quarter notes, then in eighth notes.

Introduction to Reading Music

Note Values

Chromatic Scale on the First String

BASS

In this lesson, students are introduced to a 4th string technical exercise to improve and develop fret-hand finger dexterity and independence. The exercise, “The Crawl,” utilizes a finger pattern using all four fingers within four frets where fingers are operating independently. The pattern moves sequentially up twelve frets of the 4th string, and then reverses. Rhythmic concepts are reinforced through technical mastery as the pattern is first introduced in quarter notes, then in eighth notes.

Reading: Notes on the Fourth String

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Piano

In this lesson, students are introduced to the black keys on the piano in terms of being able to name the key in relation to the two white key names on either side. Important terms covered and defined are: sharps, flats, ½ step, and enharmonic notes. The lesson concludes with a few “quiz” examples and their corresponding explanations for students.

Intro to Piano: Learning the Notes and Keys