I teach Guitar to Primary School children.(all boys!) Generally, we read notation (Guitarist's Way, Progressive Guitar etc)and learn a few chords. I also give them lots of popular tunes to retain their interest. We also use the Music Medals ensemble books. Some of the children have learnt a few tab tunes e.g. Harry Potter, James Bond. Some children have expressed an interst in learning electric Guitar but I am not sure what I should be teaching them!. I have used a Rock Guitar book before to teach them some simple riffs and have taught from the Debut Rock School book from Trinity Guildhall.
Should I teach them chords as well as tab? I have witnessed electric guitar players at senior schools playing chords from tab i.e. they do not know what chords they are playing-they just read the numbers. How can they understand chord progressions etc?
I have also encountered many children who have learnt to play tab but only songs that they know. Consequently. they have no grasp of rhythm or pulse.
Most of the children that I have taught traditional guitar to have achieved a very good standard. If I had gone down the tab route from the becoming (as some teachers do) I would feel that I had short changed them.
Any help would be appreciated.
Full Version: Teaching Electric Guitar
Speaking as a Dad with a son who plays trumpet and electric guitar, I would say you should ensure that the student can read music and understand where the notes are before using tab.
Guitar tab has many advantages. It simplifies solos on the electric guitar.
I'm not sure about the chords. I learned chords from charts and have never used tab. I learned all my guitar from Frederick Noad books, Guilani, Sor etc.
Personally, I would stick to standard notation for technical exercises, chords, theory etc, then let them use tabs for their own stuff.
Sorry I can't be of more use, but whereas classical guitarists learn from lessons, most of the electric guitarists seem to teach themselves.
If you don't push the standard notation and theory, then they'll be missing out on understanding how it all works.
My son (13) taught himself to play on my old classical guitar then begged us for an electric. He now downloads tabs and seems perfectly happy with both notations.
He hasn't given up trumpet yet, though that may be because the lady who teaches him works at the school, plays in the same orchestra and since they're always short of trumpeters, she'd probably tear him limb from limb if he gave it up!!
Steve
Guitar tab has many advantages. It simplifies solos on the electric guitar.
I'm not sure about the chords. I learned chords from charts and have never used tab. I learned all my guitar from Frederick Noad books, Guilani, Sor etc.
Personally, I would stick to standard notation for technical exercises, chords, theory etc, then let them use tabs for their own stuff.
Sorry I can't be of more use, but whereas classical guitarists learn from lessons, most of the electric guitarists seem to teach themselves.
If you don't push the standard notation and theory, then they'll be missing out on understanding how it all works.
My son (13) taught himself to play on my old classical guitar then begged us for an electric. He now downloads tabs and seems perfectly happy with both notations.
He hasn't given up trumpet yet, though that may be because the lady who teaches him works at the school, plays in the same orchestra and since they're always short of trumpeters, she'd probably tear him limb from limb if he gave it up!!
Steve
QUOTE(stevensfo @ Feb 23 2007, 09:22 PM) 
Speaking as a Dad with a son who plays trumpet and electric guitar, I would say you should ensure that the student can read music and understand where the notes are before using tab.
Guitar tab has many advantages. It simplifies solos on the electric guitar.
I'm not sure about the chords. I learned chords from charts and have never used tab. I learned all my guitar from Frederick Noad books, Guilani, Sor etc.
Personally, I would stick to standard notation for technical exercises, chords, theory etc, then let them use tabs for their own stuff.
Sorry I can't be of more use, but whereas classical guitarists learn from lessons, most of the electric guitarists seem to teach themselves.
If you don't push the standard notation and theory, then they'll be missing out on understanding how it all works.
My son (13) taught himself to play on my old classical guitar then begged us for an electric. He now downloads tabs and seems perfectly happy with both notations.
He hasn't given up trumpet yet, though that may be because the lady who teaches him works at the school, plays in the same orchestra and since they're always short of trumpeters, she'd probably tear him limb from limb if he gave it up!!
Steve
Thanks, Steve. Yes, most of the electric guitarists that I have come across at senior schools have taught themselves. I really want to continue with notation for these children but to keep their interest I think some familier tunes in tab would be the order of the day. However, sometimes I would like them to find some tab tunes for themselves but this never seems to happen!
Hotair, I think there's very little a guitarist can't do if they're taught solid guitar technique and good notation to start with.
Reading tab etc is something they can learn to do with time.
I think learning chord structures is useful - not only for guitar but for any other musical pursuits they might undertake.
Good luck with it. It sounds to me like you're doing the right thing.
Reading tab etc is something they can learn to do with time.
I think learning chord structures is useful - not only for guitar but for any other musical pursuits they might undertake.
Good luck with it. It sounds to me like you're doing the right thing.
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