The Associate of Arts in Performance (Guitar) program includes a combination of general and instrument-specific courses designed to produce skilled, knowledgeable, stylistically versatile contemporary performing guitarists. Courses are described below (see course catalog for specific course descriptions and other information). Combined with regular seminars, clinics, and small open counseling sessions with internationally-known guitarists, the AA-Guitar program provides the world's premier contemporary guitar educational experience.
GUITAR CORE
Single String Improvisation I
An introduction to the fundamentals of electric guitar playing including various picking styles and performance techniques. The development of an organized approach to the neck is stressed through the application of major and minor diatonic and pentatonic scales and triad arpeggios in a variety of keys and patterns. Improvisation in major and minor tonalities is introduced, including aspects of melodic construction and rhythmic phrasing.
Single String Improvisation II
Begins with an exploration of “blues tonality”, including the mastery and usage of blues, Dorian, and Mixolydian scales over dominant seventh harmonies. Diatonic seventh arpeggios and their applications are covered along with alternate major and minor-tonality scales, culminating in the development of diatonic key-center improvisation.
Single String Improvisation III
Chromatic variations on key-center improvisation are introduced, including modal interchange and secondary dominants. Symmetrical scales, including chromatic, diminished, and whole-tone, are introduced and applied. Other topics include analysis of and improvisation over non-root position chords and the development of the “chord/scale” concept of improvising.
Rhythm Guitar I
An introduction to harmony as it is applied to the guitar fingerboard. Students learn to organize the neck into patterns and develop the ability to construct chords on the spot. Major, minor, and dominant-seventh quality chords are taught in open and movable shapes and applied to everyday rhythms and chord progressions. Rhythm techniques concentrate on developing steady time and learning typical strumming patterns and other accompaniment textures.
Rhythm Guitar II
Development of chord construction skills based on the five major scale fingering patterns, including the theory and application of harmonized major scales. Introduces syncopated eighth-note rhythm figures using different harmonic textures from full chords to single-note accompaniment. Easy and moderate chord transposition is also covered.
Rhythm Guitar III
This course is designed around writing and performing rhythm guitar parts in a variety of styles. Concepts introduced include voice leading on the fingerboard and the use of sixteenth note and triplet syncopation. The ability to improvise and apply appropriate rhythm parts in context will be stressed through classroom performance. Moderate to difficult chord transposition is also covered.
Rhythm Section Workshop I
An introduction to ensemble performance. Concentration is placed on listening, dynamics, awareness of song form, and basic chart reading as well as practical performing techniques such as giving and following cues, instrument setup, sound, and stage presence. Students perform each week and develop fundamental technical approaches to a variety of popular styles while gaining live experience.
Rhythm Section Workshop II
Ensemble performance emphasizing the fundamental rhythm section textures of various popular styles and the skills necessary for playing them. Emphasis is also placed on handling variations in typical song form, improving chart reading skills, and taking a leadership role within the group.
Rhythm Section Workshop III
Ensemble Performance with an emphasis on popular song styles. Students play pre-composed melodies over charts including both key center harmonies and chromatic variations. A final project culminates in a concert performance.
Reading I
Develops the fundamentals of music reading centered around the middle of the neck. Includes counting and reading basic rhythmic figures and rests, sharp and flat key signatures and non-diatonic notes. Also includes fundamentals of chart reading and transposing to concert pitch (reading an octave higher than written).
Reading II
Class covers reading on the lower and upper part of the neck. Learn to read and count “cut time”, 3/4 meter and syncopated rhythmic figures. Continue chromatic studies in the fifth position, transposing to concert pitch and chart reading, with a stronger emphasis on ensemble reading performance.
Reading III
Learn to count and read in odd meters and changing meters. Class covers reading up and down string sets, melodies with a range outside a single position, position shifting, interpretation and developing sightreading techniques.
Guitar Studio Recording
Course provides individualized recording session experience in a professional project studio. Students complete a 2-3 song demo CD under the guidance of a guitar instructor-producer, creating and recording rhythm patterns, fills and solos over prerecorded rhythm tracks.
PERFORMANCE
Private Lessons
Weekly instrument lesson with an instructor who guides the student in developing technique, musicianship and style in support of core curricular goals. The instructor and student jointly determine a specific course of study depending on student needs, strengths and experience.
Live Playing Workshops
Students perform regularly throughout the program in their choice of styles and settings. Regularly scheduled* LPWs include:
Blues
Classic Rock
Country Rock
Modern Rock
Hard Rock
Metal
Classic R&B
Contemporary R&B
Freestyle Hip Hop
Funk
Fusion
Latin
Reggae
Traditional Jazz Ensemble
Student Choice(styles vary)
*LPW offerings vary by quarter; check current course schedule for availability.
MUSICIANSHIP
Harmony and Theory I
An introduction to Harmony and Theory as it applies to popular music. Includes the development of fundamental music notation skills, rhythms, major and minor scales, intervals, chords and diatonic harmony.
Harmony and Theory II
Begins with diatonic harmony and expands to include chromatic variations typical of popular music, including scale and chord alterations and harmonic analysis of non-diatonic major and minor progressions.
Harmony & Theory III
A study of advanced concepts in harmony including altered scales and chords, symmetrical scales and chromatic harmony. Students learn to analyze scale/chord relationships and understand non-diatonic progressions from the perspective of both the player and writer.
Ear Training I
An introduction to Ear Training as it applies to popular music. Covers the ability to recognize by ear major and minor scales, intervals, chord qualities, diatonic progressions, and rhythms in the context of examples drawn from contemporary popular music.
Ear Training II
Concentrates on the recognition and transcription of diatonic major and minor melody and harmony and rhythmic figures including sixteenth notes. Includes specific examples drawn from contemporary popular music.
Ear Training III
Recognition and transcription of non-diatonic melody and harmony, rhythmic figures based on triplets and compound time signatures. Concepts are related directly to their application in contemporary popular music.
ELECTIVES
Each quarter, AA (Guitar) students may choose from an enormous variety of elective courses covering all major contemporary styles, techniques, and musical interests as well as general courses in songwriting, technology, music business and more. Current guitar-specific electives are listed below; topics and scheduling are subject to change and some require prerequisites. Check the current course offering for up-to-date information about courses offered during a specific quarter:
Jazz Listening
Blues Listening
Acoustic Guitar
Classical Guitar
Instrument Maintenance and Repair
Playing Techniques for Guitar
Reading Bootcamp
Rumba Workout
Slide Guitar
Metal Guitar
Applied Metal Guitar
Guitar EFX
Guitar Heroes of the ‘60s and ‘70s
Acid Jazz/Funk Guitar Workshop I
Blues Guitar
Twang Guitar
Guitar Workout
Alternative Guitar Heroes
Jazz Workshop I
Jazz Workshop II
Classical Guitar Ensemble
Pop Guitar Ensemble
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Funk Guitar Ensemble
Shred Guitar
Applied Rock Improvisation
Applied Technique
Chord Melody I
Chord Melody II
Eclectic Electric Guitar
Country Guitar
Jazz Guitar I
Jazz Guitar II
Basic Professional Studio Skills
Fusion Masters
Guitar Heroes of the ‘80s
Melodic Soloing
Recording Guitar
Advanced Electric Guitar Styles
Acid Jazz/Funk Guitar Workshop II
Rock Rhythm Guitar
Rock Lead Guitar
Afro-Cuban Guitar
Brazilian Guitar
Funk Guitar
Advanced Groove Concepts