Modern Band Lesson 2

Introduction to Guitar, Bass, and Piano

GUITAR

In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of using the fret-hand fingers as tone producers by striking an already vibrating string, known as “hammering.” The introduced exercise, “Hammer Ons,” utilizes only the first four frets of the 1st string, developing students’ finger strength and dexterity by combining some fingers in execution while others operate independently. Finger-to-fret distances are also reinforced through muscle memory. In addition, 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 the mechanical fingering pattern that creates a major scale. Emphasis is on finger names corresponding with fret numbers to achieve a repeatable pattern that produces the sound of a major scale, even when applied to different starting frets. Students are walked through the pattern ascending and descending.

Reading: Notes on the Fourth String

Download sheet music:

Piano

In this lesson, students will learn to identify the correct piano keys and correct letters to play a G major scale, as well as the corresponding fingerings for right hand and left hand. Students will review finger number assignments, review black key concepts of naming with sharps, as well as improve their crossing technique through the process of the lesson as they learn to play the scale ascending and descending. At the end of the lesson, students are challenged by attempting to execute the scale with both hands synchronously.

Intro to Piano: Learning the Notes and Keys