Check out our new Ensemble Method Books for information on how to get started teaching with our curriculum.
Overview of 9 Levels
This overview is designed to provide an understanding of the overall musical and technical goals and the nine levels of advancement upon which the GuitarCurriculum.com sequence is based. It is essential to develop an understanding of these goals and the framework of 9 levels in order to most effectively use the repertoire, sight-reading and written exams supplied through GuitarCurriculum.com.
Abbreviated Level Summary
Level 1) Read open strings, PIM fixed fingers, Simple rote left hand elements
Level 2) Note reading on strings 1-3, 1st position
Level 3) IM alternation and String Crossing
Level 4) Note reading on all strings, 1st position, simple chords, A finger
Level 5) Combined and enhanced skills, 1st position, simple slurs
Level 6) Simple arpeggios
Level 7) Complex arpeggios, slurs & bars
Level 8) 2nd through 5th position reading, rest stroke
Level 9) All position reading, combined skills
*Download the Method Book for a thorough explanation of levels 1-4.
Searching by Levels
GuitarCurriculum.com has customized scores for classrooms with students at different levels of advancement. This is generally the case in an intermediate/advanced class, especially in an established program. The first step to searching by levels is arranging students into three appropriate parts that best suit the levels represented in the classroom. Auditioning and arranging students appropriately requires a thorough understanding of the curriculum sequence. Simply enter the 3 level numbers from the three sections in your classroom into the Music Search interface and GuitarCurriculum.com will return to you a score and appropriate parts for your current classroom. If you cannot find what you are looking for, Contact Us with a request.
Browse for Music
Look through the GuitarCurriculum.com Music Library of scores to obtain complete scores and parts. Click on the score title to download and print scores and parts for your students. Many scores have an audio link to preview the piece. Check back regularly as new pieces and new parts for existing pieces are always being added!
Sight Reading and Testing
Sight reading is available for all levels as are written and performance exams with corresponding worksheets. Visit the Sight Reading and Testing portion of this site.
Setting up the Classroom
GuitarCurriculum.com is an orchestral-style approach to teaching classroom classical guitar. Every class is ensemble based and it all begins with setting up the classroom.
Classroom Setup Diagram
Above is the setup for the guitar classroom. Specifically, this is the arrangement for a piece in three parts. This is how the classroom will look for most of the repertoire at all levels of the curriculum. The students are organized just like an orchestra or choir so that each student can see the conductor and vice versa. It is important that the teacher/conductor can see and hear every student in the class individually as he or she will be constantly evaluating each child’s progress while on the podium.
In this arrangement, parts can be moved around to different sections with ease. For the piece shown, part one is to the left of the conductor. However, part one might be to the right of the conductor in another.
It is also important to note that while the teacher/conductor has a designated podium or space, he or she will move around the classroom freely and often to help individuals or listen from different places
Teacher Training
Watch for notices of GuitarCurriculum.com teacher training sessions. For more information, to ask questions or make repertoire requests, please Contact Us.