Advanced Level

LEVEL IV

Course Scope:

This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully completed the skills outlined in the Level 3 Guitar syllabus. This course includes further development of the skills necessary to become independent as a guitarist. This course emphasizes the development of style, articulation, dynamics, rhythmic ability and skills inherent to performance. Students will receive guidance and direction in solving problems related to playing the guitar on an advanced level and will learn many of the different styles, skills and techniques required to become a successful guitarist. Areas of concentration include: correct posture, note reading, aural skills, flat picking, rhythmic patterns, chord study, finger picking styles, musical forms, improvisation and performing experiences. A progression of technical proficiency is expected.

Course Goals:

  1. To perform melodic lines in the keys up to and including four sharps and four flats including relative minor keys
  2. To demonstrate skills in playing in duple, triple and complex meters
  3. To perform dorian and mixolydian scales in every key using moveable shapes
  4. To perform advanced-level chords
  5. To demonstrate further advanced right-hand technique
  6. To improvise a solo over basic 12-bar blues and ii-V7-I chord progressions
  7. To develop skills playing with alternate tunings such as drop D tuning (sixth string tuned down to low D)
  8. To perform intermediate-level solo guitar literature with three voices
  9. To perform in a variety of ensembles and styles
  10. To evaluate career opportunities related to music and guitar

CONTINUING SKILLS, THEMES, TOPICS AND CONCEPTS

GUITAR LEVEL IV

The student will:

  • play an extended range to high G (first string, fifteenth fret)
  • play with drop D tuning (sixth string tune down to low D)
  • play dorian and mixolydian scales in every key using moveable shapes
  • improvise over basic 12-bar blues and ii-V7-I chord progressions
  • perform complex rhythms and syncopations
  • perform in complex duple and triple meters
  • play in the keys up to four sharps and four flats
  • perform intermediate-level solo guitar literature with three voices
  • perform advanced-level chords
  • perform advanced accompaniment techniques
  • perform in a variety of ensembles and styles
  • play selected studies of Carcassi, Carulli and Sor
  • create a chord melody arrangement from a given melody and chord symbols
  • demonstrate advanced facilities in both flat picking and finger picking techniques

For students continuing on to college for degrees in music, here is a link to The  Audition Requirements at Berklee College of Music! Rest assured that other colleges and Universities will have similar or additional requirements 😉

 

(Please do NOT purchase any texts until after the first lesson!)

advanced Guitar Lessons for college bound students & professional musicians.