GUITAR BAND
After-school group guitar lessons + online learning.
GUITAR BAND
After-school group guitar lessons + online learning.
schools are getting ready to rock! Guitar Band is HERE!
Guitar Band is an after-school group guitar program that takes place on or near your school's campus. Guitar Band mixes excellent teaching, ensemble playing, technique, rhythm training, song writing, low cost, and a whole lot of fun to give your child the best experience possible for learning guitar.
Throughout each year of the 4-year Guitar Band program students will be immersed in all sorts of music styles--jazz, latin, rock, gospel, country, and folk--all while getting to learn with other students of the same age.
Here's some major benefits from learning to play guitar in Guitar Band:
Improved fine motor skills
Increased vocabulary
Enhanced auditory and music awareness
Greater graphic comprehension
Improved cooperative learning, and
Preparation for playing in a band or ensemble
"We think Guitar Band is great! The kids spur one another on to learn more, there’s positive reinforcement, plus it’s really convenient! And you prepare kids for joining band--it ties into the music program."
-Gayla and Neil P., 2nd Grade Parents
Instructor & Contact: Jairus Withrow, teaching guitar lessons since 2005. Original member of the touring band Bus Seven. hello@myguitarband.com
Curriculum: Guitar Band Curriculum and tablature of popular songs. "One On One" online lesson material.
Student Progress: By the end of the first year students will be able to read tab and rhythm notation, play 6 string chords, pull-offs, slide, mute, tune, and play in time with an ensemble. By the end of the second year students will be able to play (and jam with) the blues scale, power chords, picking patterns using all six strings, hammer ons, alternate picking, palm muting and harmonics. After the third year, students will be able to play the major scale, advanced picking riffs, off-beat strumming, trills, solos, and barre chords. They'll know how to efficiently use a tuner, improvise, and have many original written songs.
Classes Offered: 40 minute class for elementary students (incoming 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades). Classes are held at Sunnyvale Elementary & Intermediate Schools and Dallas Christian Elementary. Here are the specifics:
Monday @ Sunnyvale Intermediate (3rd-5th grades) from 3:20-4:00
Tuesday @ Dallas Christian School Elementary (2nd-4th grades) from 3:00-3:40
Wednesday @ Sunnyvale Elementary School (1st-2nd grades ) 3:20-4:00
Class Size and Availability: Class size for Year 1 Guitar Band groups will be limited to 10 students and will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. Beginner students who want to join later in the semester as "walk-ins" will not be permitted.
Equipment: Students must have and bring to every lesson...
A guitar (Acoustic or Classical Only. No Electrics. Appropriately sized. Click here for sizing help)
Song Binder (provided by instructor)
Guitar Case or Bag to protect guitar and hold accessories. (Both Guitar and accessories are available for purchase in the Online Store on the Guitar & Accessories page).
Attendance/Reschedules: There are no rescheduled or separate classes given for students who miss the regular weekly class. For a student who needs to officially withdraw from a class and for other cancellation info, click here to review the policies.
Cost: The Fall semester is $299 for 12 lessons** (40 min. each. Cost is adjusted if more lessons are given. See note below), supplies, prizes, and song binder,—a great value when compared to 12 private lessons at $600 (40 min. lessons & supplies). Integrated with the Guitar Band curriculum is the One On One online program (video lessons & streamable practice tracks) for $29.99/semester, which is optional but highly recommended for a student to reach their full potential. The payment is due in full by the first lesson and can be paid anytime on the Make Payment page.
**NOTE: the overall cost will be adjusted depending on which day your child’s Guitar Band falls on (Mon, Tues, Wed, or Thurs). Because of holidays, early releases, and other school-wide functions, there will be between 12 and 16 lessons given per semester, all dependent on your child’s particular Guitar Band day.
Registration: To sign up for Guitar Band you must fill out the online registration form and pay the $50 non-refundable deposit on the Payment & Subscribe page (deposit is a portion of the total fee). So sign up now and reserve your spot! Start by filling out the online registration form at the link below.