Modern Band Lesson 5

Introduction to Guitar, Bass, and Piano

GUITAR

In this lesson, students are walked through each notation line of “Dragon Tears,” which uses the first four strings of the guitar.  The notation for the song is included in a PDF file.  In addition to reviewing several of the note names already introduced, students are exposed to the concept of alternate fingerings for 1st string notes on the 2nd strings through mastery of the first line.  Rhythmic concepts of quarter notes and eighth notes are reinforced through accurate notation interpretation, and students conclude the piece with the exposure of a two-note chord.

Introduction to Reading Music

Note Values

Chromatic Scale on the First String

BASS

In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of using fret-hand fingers as tone producers by pulling them off of already vibrating strings. The introduced exercise, “Pull Offs,” utilizes the first four frets of the 1st string, and develops students’ finger strength and dexterity by combining some fingers in execution while others operate independently. Rhythmic concepts are reinforced through technical mastery as the pattern is introduced in quarter notes, then in eighth notes.

Reading: Notes on the Fourth String

Download sheet music:

Piano

In this lesson, students are guided through the notes and rhythms required to play “Muevete.”  Students will only need the white keys on the piano, but will be required to play left hand whole notes underneath a melodic right hand syncopated eighth note line; both hands are isolated in instruction to clarify specific tasks for each hand.  Pitch recognition skills are reviewed through identifying correct notes on the grand staff, and rhythmic concepts reinforced include whole notes, dotted quarter notes, eighth notes and ties.  Students will also improve their finger dexterity through the execution of a scale step-motion pattern to correctly play the part.

Intro to Piano: Learning the Notes and Keys