Folk and pop guitar 1A
- Course Code: ME616A
- Dates: 21/09/24 - 30/11/24
- Time: 10:30 - 12:00
- Taught: Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Tony Rowden
Course Code: ME616A
Duration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
You will be introduced to basic guitar technique and you will develop understanding of the instrument and its possibilities. You will learn about guitar notation and chord symbols, fretboard technique, strumming and picking patterns, negotiating chord changes, and playing in time.
What will we cover?
This course introduces the instrument and how to play accompaniment for folk and pop tunes. Each week a particular area of guitar technique and harmony will be explored through carefully chosen songs and exercises. Study of song form is also an essential part of your education.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Play essential folk chord shapes and read chord symbols
- Demonstrate finger-picking and strumming patterns
- Demonstrate you can keep time well
- Understand and play rudimentary scales
- Demonstrate essential accompaniment techniques
- Find the chords to simple songs and build new chord progressions.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is ideal for beginners, so no previous experience is necessary. You will need to have an instrument: any acoustic guitar is suitable.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In class the emphasis will be on playing and listening together with some work in pairs or small groups. You will be taught through tutor demonstration, playing together with the opportunity for some individual attention. Practice between classes is essential to your progress and the momentum of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All music materials and learning resources will be provided by the tutor, for class and in the google classroom. You must have your own acoustic guitar.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The course will continue as 1B and 1C to span the academic year.
Tony Rowden studied with the eminent Spanish guitarist Carlos Bonell initially at City Lit and then at The London College of Music. He has also attended classes given by Gary Ryan and John Mills. He has performed with Carlos Bonell and Clive Carroll as well as flautists, recorder players, Renaissance singers and a guitar trio. He has recently played in Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding, Lope de Vega's Peribanez and a musical version of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Tony premiered Memórias, the published works of Silvestre Fonseca's Fado arrangements, and had a piece, Serenata, written for him by Silvestre Fonseca. He has several arrangements published: Ennio Morricone's Once Upon A Time In The West and The Master and Margerita and the book Easy Ensembles. His playing is featured in the film Silent Shakespeare, with pieces composed by Laura Rossi (London to Brighton, Song for Marion), and an animated film with music composed by Miguel Mera. Tony has been teaching at City Lit for the past twenty years
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
