You have a classroom full of kids, but they don’t always have the same abilities. Some of the kids are just starting out and others might even play better than you. What to do? First, don’t panic! Bring it back to the fundamentals of music.
Orchestration
Orchestra classes have chairs. You don’t have to teach music to the middle. Develop arrangements and use pieces that challenge your students according to their abilities. Consider bass lines, chords, and lead lines – not just for rock and folk, but for classical as well.
Higher Frets
Advanced students can play (in higher positions) the same exercises that the beginners are playing in 1st position. This will challenge your advanced students to learn the notes outside of the first 3 – 5 frets. Important: Make sure the class is in tune!
Barre Chords
Advanced students can play barre chords while beginners play open chords. Again, this will allow your advanced students to explore the fret board and your class will enjoy new voicings.
Pick Out the Notes with Arpeggios
While beginners are strumming open chords advanced students can play arpeggio patterns. If you really want to make things interesting, have the advanced students try out new rhythms and really connect with their finger-picking.
Resources
These two books are written so that the level 2 book exercises can be played simultaneously with the same numbered exercises in the level 1 book.
• You’re in the Band Unplugged: Book 1
• You’re in the Band Unplugged: Book 2
Also great to check out. GuitarCurriculum.com is all about arrangements for guitar ensembles with different levels of competency in each piece.
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