Proficient Level Guitar Lessons

LEVEL III

Proficient Level Guitar lessons

Course Scope:
This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully completed the skills outlined in the Guitar Level II 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 develop skills playing in multiple playing positions
  2. To demonstrate the ability to perform advanced rhythms
  3. To perform melodic lines and scales in the keys of E and Eb including relative minor keys
  4. To demonstrate advanced skills using moveable chord forms
  5. To demonstrate advanced right-hand techniques
  6. To recognize and interpret ornamentation such as slides, slurs, hammers, pull-offs and trills
  7. To recognize and interpret general articulations such as staccato, legato, accent marks and dynamics
  8. To perform “swing” eighth notes in the tradition jazz swing style
  9. To perform intermediate-level solo guitar literature with two contrapuntal voices
  10. To perform in a variety of ensemble settings
  11. To evaluate career opportunities related to music and guitar

CONTINUING SKILLS, THEMES, TOPICS AND CONCEPTS

GUITAR LEVEL III

The student will:

  • play in Second Position in keys of D and A
  • play in Seventh Position in the keys of D, A, G & Bm
  • play in the Fifth Position in the key of Bb
  • play an extended range to high E
  • play sixteenth notes
  • play dotted eighth note, sixteenth note rhythms
  • play all notes on each string to the twelfth fret
  • play “swing” eighth notes in the jazz style
  • play in duple, triple and complex meters such as 9/8 and 12/8
  • recognize and interpret general articulations such as staccato, legato, accent marks & dynamics
  • play major, natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales in every key
  • recognize and perform melodies in keys of Bb & Eb including relative minor keys
  • recognize and interpret ornamentation such as slides, slurs, hammers, pull-offs, trills, etc.
  • play two notes simultaneously using intervals of thirds, sixths and octaves
  • perform intermediate arpeggiated studies using p-i-m-a
  • extend skills using moveable bar chords
  • play augmented and diminished chords in every key using moveable shapes
  • play major sixth, minor sixth, ninths, thirteenths and suspended chords using moveable shapes
  • perform beginning-level solo guitar literature with two contrapuntal voices
  • play intermediate-level syncopated strums
  • demonstrate intermediate 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 😉

Level III Texts

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

(orlando guitar lessons for semi-professional musicians and serious students)