Exploring Guitar Basics

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is designed for Year 7 students (7-3) as part of the UK Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for Music. It introduces students to the fundamentals of playing the guitar, focusing on rhythm, melody and basic chords. The lesson will integrate theory and practical playing, aiming to meet the curriculum objectives of developing instrumental skills, understanding basic musical notation, and fostering collaboration through group activities.

The lesson has been tailored for students new to the guitar, while maintaining engagement through interactive and hands-on activities. The instruction includes moments of "wow factor" to inspire students and build excitement about music.

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National Curriculum Alignment (Key Stage 3)

Curriculum Area Focus:

• Musical Skills and Performance: Develop the technique to play an instrument with accuracy, fluency, control and expression.
• Listening and Contextual Understanding: Appreciate and understand a wide range of music drawn from different traditions and styles.
• Creativity in Composition and Performance: Explore improvising and composing simple pieces.

This lesson develops foundational skills for playing a chordal instrument in alignment with broader goals of performance and musical understanding.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Recognise basic guitar parts and how to properly hold the instrument.
2. Learn to play a simple chord (E minor) and switch to a second chord (G major).
3. Understand how to strum in time with a consistent rhythm.
4. Collaborate with peers to perform a collective strumming exercise.

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Materials Needed

• 15 classroom acoustic guitars (shared in pairs).
• Tuners (1 for every 5 guitars, kept on tables).
• Printed chord diagrams for E minor and G major.
• Whiteboard and marker for explaining technique and strumming rhythm.
• A visual timer for activity management.
• Handouts: Basic anatomy of the guitar (labelled diagram).

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Lesson Structure

Starter (5 minutes)

1. Welcome and Introduction:
   • Begin with a question: "Who can name a famous guitarist or a song with a standout guitar part?" Discuss briefly to gauge prior knowledge. (Encourage a mix of genres - modern and classic).
   • Reveal a guitar and invite students to identify its parts (e.g., neck, frets, strings). Label these on the classroom whiteboard alongside diagrams handed out.
2. Provide quick tips on proper handling of the guitar – demonstrate how to hold it (sitting posture and hand placement).

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Main Activity (30 minutes)

Part 1: Chord Practice (10 minutes)

• Demonstration: Show students how to place their fingers for the E minor chord. Emphasise clarity of sound and proper finger pressure.
• Pair Work: In their pairs, students practise forming the E minor chord. Circulate the room and provide encouragement and targeted feedback.
• Progression: Introduce G major as the second chord. Emphasise switching cleanly between E minor and G major.
• Engagement with Class Challenge: Set a goal of switching between chords smoothly within 3 beats of counting.

Part 2: Simple Strumming Rhythms (8 minutes)

• Clap Along: Teach a 4-count rhythm ("Down-pause-down-up-down"). Have students clap along to memorise it.
• Demo and Practise: Transition the rhythm to the guitar, demonstrating while counting aloud.
• Students practise strumming the rhythm while holding the E minor chord. Encourage steady tempo rather than speed.

Part 3: Group Performance (12 minutes)

• Structure: Divide the class into 3 groups of 10. Each group will alternate between the two chords (E minor and G major) in a loop-based structure.
• Collaborative Playing: Build a group loop by layering students’ strumming rhythm. Control the transitions and builds, teaching musical listening and timing.
• "Wow Factor:" Once the class locks into their groove, add a pre-recorded drum beat from a portable speaker. This adds a professional sound to their student-led performance.

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Plenary (10 minutes)

1. Reflection: Discuss what went well during the group performance and what felt challenging. Ask: "What surprised you about guitar playing today?"

2. Connections to Real Music: Play a short burst from an iconic song with simple chords (e.g., "Wonderwall" or "Someone Like You"). Ask students to identify which chords they just learned are used in real songs.

3. Quick Quiz: Oral or show-of-hands quiz:

   • What chord uses all open strings? (Answer: E minor).
   • What is the purpose of frets? (Answer: Change pitch of notes).

4. Next Steps: Build anticipation by hinting at the next lesson: learning how to add a third chord and playing to a backing track!

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Assessment for Learning (AFL)

• Monitor students’ technique during chord practice and provide instant, focused feedback.
• Low-stakes group playing will allow for observation of timing and collaboration.
• Verbal Q&A at the plenary ensures students retain key takeaways and learn through peer feedback.

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Differentiation

1. Support for Lower Ability:

   • Provide simpler chord alternatives using just one finger.
   • Pair lower-ability students with patient peers and additional teacher support during practice sessions.

2. Challenge for Higher Ability:

   • Introduce an alternate strumming pattern or a third chord for extra practice.
   • Encourage quicker transitions between chords within the group activity.

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Homework (Optional)

Students are encouraged to practice the two chords at home (if possible) or try to replicate the strumming rhythm by tapping on a surface. They should also find a song that uses these chords to share in next week’s lesson.

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Notes for Teacher

1. Ensure instruments are tuned and ready before the lesson to save time.
2. Set clear behaviour expectations for guitar handling, given the value of instruments.
3. Celebrate and encourage progress, no matter how small, so students build confidence in performance.