Guitar Basics Intro

Overview

This is Lesson 1 of 5 in the unit "Guitar Chords Unleashed" for Year 6 students in New Zealand. This 45-minute lesson introduces students to the guitar, focusing on:

Identifying parts of the guitar
Correct posture and how to hold the guitar
Basic strumming techniques

This foundation lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, nurturing students’ engagement and skills in music through practical and interactive learning.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: The Arts — Music

Level: Year 6 (Levels 3-4 of The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

Strands:

Participating and contributing: Students will participate actively in music making, demonstrating knowledge and skills of their instrument.
Developing practical knowledge: Students explore and develop technical skills related to musical instruments.

Key Competencies:

Managing self: Students will take responsibility for managing their practice and posture.
Relating to others: Students collaborate and listen respectfully to peers during group activities.
Thinking: Students reflect on the sound and technique involved in playing the guitar.
Using language, symbols, and texts: Recognise and use appropriate musical terminology (e.g., "strum," "frets," "strings").

Achievement Objectives relevant to this lesson:

Perform music: Demonstrate technical skills on an instrument through correct posture and playing technique.
Music knowledge and skills: Identify instrument parts and demonstrate control over sound production methods.
Understand music in context: Use appropriate vocabulary to describe musical experiences related to instrument handling.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify the main parts of the guitar (body, neck, strings, frets, tuning pegs).
Demonstrate correct posture and holding technique suitable for guitar playing.
Perform basic strumming patterns using the fingers or a pick confidently.
Use music vocabulary related to the guitar.
Show respect and care for the instrument.

Resources Needed

One guitar per 2 students (or as available, with sharing)
Guitar chord charts (large visual aids showing guitar parts)
Guitar picks
Whiteboard or chart paper for illustrations
Audio examples of basic strumming sounds
Seating arranged to allow guitar playing posture

Lesson Plan Breakdown (45 minutes)

1. Engagement & Introduction (5 minutes)

Welcome students and introduce the unit "Guitar Chords Unleashed".
Share the lesson focus: learning the guitar basics.
Show a guitar and ask students if they know any parts or have held one before.

Teaching Tip: Use an engaging story or quick video snippet demonstrating guitar playing to spark curiosity.

2. Exploring the Guitar Parts (10 minutes)

Use a large diagram/real guitar to point out and name parts: body, neck, strings, frets, tuning pegs.
Pass the guitar around for students to physically identify the parts.
Use simple, clear vocabulary and encourage students to repeat the terms.

Learning Support: For students who need it, provide labelled diagrams to keep as reference.

3. Posture and Holding the Guitar (10 minutes)

Demonstrate correct way to sit and hold the guitar: sitting upright, guitar resting on the right or left leg (depending on handedness), left hand free to move on the neck, right hand positioned for strumming.
Practice holding the guitar individually or in pairs under teacher guidance.
Give personalised feedback, focusing on comfort and correct positioning to avoid strain.

Classroom Management Note: Monitor and assist students to avoid slouching or awkward grips.

4. Basic Strumming Techniques (15 minutes)

Demonstrate simple strumming patterns (down strum on all strings) using a pick or fingers.
Let students first practise strumming open strings on their own guitar or a practice guitar.
In pairs, students take turns strumming while the other watches and gently offers peer feedback.
Introduce the concept of steady rhythm and counting beats aloud (e.g., "1, 2, 3, 4").

Extension: Use a drum or clap rhythm to help reinforce steady timing.

5. Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Recap key learning points: parts of the guitar, posture, basic strum.
Invite students to share one thing they learned or liked about the lesson.
Briefly inform students about next lesson focus: learning first chords.
Distribute a one-page handout featuring guitar parts and posture tips to take home.

Assessment and Feedback

Formative assessment through observation and questioning:

Observe students naming guitar parts correctly.
Check students’ ability to hold the guitar correctly.
Listen to students’ strumming for rhythm and technique.
Use questioning during activities to prompt thinking (“Why is posture important?”).

Student self-assessment and peer feedback:

At the end of the strumming activity, students share what felt easy or tricky.
Encouragement for students to set a personal goal for next lesson (e.g., “I want to strum more smoothly”).

Differentiation

Support: Provide students who need it with visual aids and extra guidance on posture. Use peer support pairing.
Extension: Challenge confident students to try strumming patterns with two beats (down, pause, down).
Use culturally responsive practices by encouraging sharing of music experiences from different cultures, linking to global and Aotearoa New Zealand contexts.

Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson)

Did all students get hands-on experience with the guitar?
How effectively did students use music vocabulary?
Were students able to maintain correct posture independently?
What adjustments are needed for the next lesson’s introduction to chords?

This lesson plan blends hands-on learning, clear terminology, and New Zealand curriculum values (inclusion, key competencies, cultural context) to create an engaging foundation for Year 6 students starting their guitar journey.

Note: This plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh emphasis on practical knowledge, key competencies, and student-centred learning through music participation and understanding.

Teaching Instructions