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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
MUSID014A
Course Title (CB02)
Classical Guitar I
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course will provide students with beginning instruction for playing the classical, nylon-stringed guitar, assuming there is no prior musical experience. It introduces basic note reading on the first four frets of the instrument, left and right-hand techniques, including free strokes, rest strokes, arpeggio technique, left-hand development of strength and independence. Chords, chord progression, and basic strumming techniques will also be introduced.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
FD - Guitar Class Applied Performance

Course Justification

This course is transferable to the CSU and UC systems. It belongs on the °®¶¹´«Ã½ College Music AA Degree. This course is the first in a sequence and offers basic guitar instruction and music literacy. It also serves as preparation for students choosing guitar as their major instrument and is foundational for those planning degrees in music therapy or education.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
Yes
Foothill Course ID
MUS F014A

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
1.5
Maximum Credit Units
1.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours1.02.0
Laboratory Hours2.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
12.0
Laboratory
24.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
24.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

In-class practice of material

Assignments

  1. Reading from textbook and other material as required
  2. Application of learned material through written and applied exercises
  3. Daily individual practice of assigned music
  4. Concert attendance

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Midterm and final examinations: performance exams to assess accuracy of rhythmic execution, notes and fingering, as well as proper posture and playing techniques; written exams to assess understanding of musical concepts, symbols, and terminology
  2. Participation in, and preparation for, in-class exercises; ongoing assessment for acceptable development of technique and note-reading skills
  3. Written critique of live performance of classical guitar demonstrating understanding of relevant course material

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Acoustic, nylon-stringed guitar, either owned or rented
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
*Duncan, Charles. "A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar." Book 1, 2nd ed.Hal Leonard Corporation. 2010
Gunod, Nathaniel. "Classical Guitar for Beginners." Alfred Music Publishing, 1996
Shearer, Aaron. "Learning the Classic Guitar, Part 2" Mel Bay Publications, 1990

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Shearer, Aaron. "Learning the Classic Guitar, Part 1" Mel Bay, 1990
Video and recorded materials, °®¶¹´«Ã½ College Library and Music Department.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate basic techniques
  • Demonstrate music fundamentals as they relate to the guitar
  • Identify important aspects of the historical evolution of the guitar

CSLOs

  • Identify notes and rhythms, and play in the first position of all six strings at a beginning level.

  • Use right and left hand techniques to demonstrate their comprehension of rest strokes, free strokes, single line melodies, and chords.

Outline

  1. Demonstrate basic techniques
    1. Right hand techniques
      1. Rest stroke
      2. Free stroke
    2. Left hand techniques
      1. Single notes
      2. Chords
  2. Demonstrate music fundamentals as they relate to the guitar
    1. Pitch
      1. Basic concept of pitch and instrument tuning
      2. Identify and play notes within first position on all six strings
    2. Rhythm
      1. Identify basic time signatures
      2. Perform basic rhythmic values, both on the instrument as well as vocalizing or clapping
  3. Identify important aspects of the historical evolution of the guitar
    1. Important aspects in the diffusion and evolution of the guitar
      1. First plucked lute instrument, called the barbad, was created in ancient Persia around the year 3,000 B.C.E. Later became the oud, which was diffused throughout Europe and Asia in various forms
        1. China: pipa
        2. India: sarod
        3. Japan: biwa
        4. Domra and balalaika (3 string lute resembling oud) enters what would become Russia in the 13th century
        5. Indonesia: evolved into the gambus.
      2. The guitar in the West
        1. Spain: Moorish invasion in 822 brought the oud. Frets were later added to the instrument, to form the lute. This was evolved into the guitarra in Spain, and it is this instrument that made its way to the New World
        2. Americas and beyond: European conquests beginning in 16th century C.E diffused early guitar to the New World and beyond where it evolved into local variants. The guitar has become the most popular instrument in the modern world
    2. Identify important composers and performers for lute and guitar in various style periods in Western music history, such as Lili Afshar, JS Bach, Ferdinando Carulli, John Dowland, Roland Dyens, Mauro Giuliani, Sharon Isbn, Ida Presti, Pepe Romero, Andres Segovia, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tarrega, Sylvius Leopold Weiss, John Williams.
    3. Identification of classical techniques used by contemporary classical, flamenco, jazz and rock guitarists

Lab Topics

  1. Students will practice right hand techniques -- rest strokes and free strokes
  2. Students will practice left hand techniques -- articulation of single notes and chords
  3. Students will practice rhythm and pitch recognition through in-class exercises
  4. Students will practice assigned repertoire in both solo and group formats.
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