It would be sweet to get an occasional sound track of student efforts. Thereby further eroding your reputation as a hard butt.

My daughter shot this today, Evan...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLCo...ature=youtu.be

We reviewed the 2 chords they learned on Monday, practiced strumming, and were introduced to three more chords. No school on Friday or Monday, due to the Presidents' Day holiday... I told them: "More time for guitar practice!" ;)

It was apparent that there had been some practicing being done. Two new guitars purchased by parents... this means every kid now has a decent guitar to learn on. :up:

After class, one young man asked if there was any interest in "doing a concert for a fund-raising effort"... I suggested that it might be best to wait until we are able to learn and play some songs.

"When can we learn songs?"

"When you are able to switch from one chord to another. All the more reason to practice!"

I'm loving this. Let me know if you can use some strings - offer still stands.

Thank you, David - very gracious offer. We're good for now - just hoping to keep the initial enthusiasm going. If they practice enough, I may have to show them how to change strings at some point. :)

This is super cool Jim and the red X10 is looking so good. I can send strings too- or maybe some Andy Mckee tabs that I'll likely never get too :D

just let me know!

Hey, I play that same song ! Pretty impressive they have learned that much ! Way to go.

I am really amazed that you have these kids working to this level so quickly. Good job, and thanks for the reportage.

I went to a guy's house yesterday here in the park where we're staying - for "a jam." It turned out to a pedal steel player (who is good, but is very country), another guy on an acoustic with no pickup, and me. I played country music, and when I mentioned "rock 'n roll" it was like the scene from a movie where the guy walks into a bar and the crowd turns and goes silent.

I was invited to do another music "get together" today that turned out to be a performance: a good keyboard player/singer and me. Much more compatible (style-wise) than yesterday's get together. Folks in the park literally put this party together in a couple hours. I was able to sit at his left side and follow what he was doing on the keyboard, and I had a set list with OnSong that he could use for words and chords for my selections. Playing some older RnR and country, we did two hours, trading songs back and forth. He had a PA that handled the Event Center in the park just fine, and my Bose S1 worked fine with that... I ran my X10 into the Bose, but ran my mic to his mixer so the vocals would be coming from the same place.

Tony (the keyboard player) has drum rhythms set up on his keyboard and plays for a lot of the dances here at this park; essentially a one-man band. It was fun to make some music... and be done at 3:00 pm. ;)

That sounds like fun. Yesterday the Tree Bar Band had a mando visitor who was just incredible. Playing with others is a great learning opportunity.

Wow...that's awesome!

Todd in Chicago

Back to the guitar lessons at our daughter's school: the kids had a 4 day holiday for Presidents' Day, so their last lesson was one week ago. I suggested they use those 4 days off to get in some additional practice.

Today: apparently, the kids thought that they would retain what they learned last week... without practicing. I told them, "It will be very apparent if you don't practice."

Yep, they didn't practice. Essentially, it was like starting over again. I guess I was the only one who put in any practice time in the last week. ;)

One girl said, "We want to learn some songs."

To which I replied, "I was planning to get you started with a song today. But, without being able to play the chords, there is no way to play a song. Maybe we can do that on Monday if you put in some practice."

For my buddy Evan, I am not being "a hard butt"... frankly, this is about what I expected the second lesson to be like, but they had those first two lessons 3 days apart. They impressed me, showing that they can put in some practice time. It is a truism: if you don't use it, you lose it.

My daughter assured me that after any kind of a break, it is like "starting over" with their study habits.

Joan and I worked with a couple classes with their Gravity Cruisers today, as well. There were triumphs and despairs there, too. Next week is their big school competition with that project. The school's gifted teacher was working with us and said, "You are good at keeping these kids enthused." She wasn't there for the guitar class. :rolleyes:

Not surprised
 

That’s why I stoppped teaching piano. So many kids would show up to lessons without practicing. My wife is a second grade teacher and is very frustrated because she asks parents to practice reading with their kids and most don’t.

You might need to get creative and add a little “extrinsic motivation”. Maybe give them a practice journal that needs to be signed by their parents and offer a reward for practicing or even have weekly contests to see who can practice the most. Of course quality of practice matters greatly.

One Mother came in after school to pick up her son's homework (he was absent). I was just setting up for the guitar class (her son is in that). I asked her if he was feeling better... she shrugged her shoulders. I asked if he had been practicing guitar... "Not that I've heard."

Sad to say that there are some involved parents, but many that don't return our daughter's phone calls and have never been to a parent/teacher conference.

I suggested that they try to "practice together - you may be the next popular band!" I saw some thought about that. Not sure if any of them will do it, but mutual encouragement (and competition) could help. ;)

Our daughter still gives homework; I have been told that many teachers don't. It is a different environment. I did tell the kids very directly that if the only time they practice is during the lesson they won't develop the muscle memory needed. There were some wide eyes when I told them that I play (practice) almost everyday. One kid is in baseball, and his coach said he could come late to their practice, when he is done with guitar. Some are involved in other activities, a couple of them seem very shy... it would be great to see them develop some guitar skills.

But, I can't make them practice. We'll see what happens with Monday's class.

On the bright side, our son-in-law is progressing nicely. Of course, he is putting in the practice time. :)

Still a great thing you are doing Jim, I heard the same stories from my wife who was a teacher for 30 years, most parents are not involved.
I found out a couple days ago that my Grand Niece (10 years old) has decided to stop her guitar lessons. Don't make me happy, but what can you do. It seems to motivate her when she is around and hears me playing, certainly not an indication of my playing, remember she is 10 and easy to impress. Unfortunately she lives a thousand miles away. Keep plugging Jim....I bet you get thru to more kids than you will ever know.

Thanks, John. As long as the kids show up, I'll be there. I remember when I was that age: everyone wanted to play guitar. A few of us stayed with it. I had a well worn Mel Bay booklet... couldn't afford lessons. I told our daughter that some lessons may get them started, and those who are truly interested will continue to learn after we head back to Texas. We'll see how it plays out.

Teaching can be a heartbreaking activity. My conclusion after 30 years of such activity is that yes, there are students who will not be reached. On the other hand, teaching has the potential to change lives, to bring esteem and accomplishment to a student. That potential is what kept me going.

In looking at your video, I'd say that you may well have brought the joy of music to a student or two. Good expedition.

I guess I must have guilted some of them: there was evidence that some of them actually practiced. ;) One kid professed that he practiced "a little bit."

I said, "By 'a little bit,' do you mean you looked at the guitar as you walked by it? :D I told you I'd know if you did or didn't practice."

"I'll do better for next time - I promise!"

On the bright side, we worked on a two-chord song at the end of class... and by "worked on," I mean: I played and sang slowly while they tried to keep up with the changes.

"Four beats - feel the change!"

I am hopeful... but I am an optimistic kinda guy.

On another guitar related front: the replacement Bose S1 arrived today (a battery issue with the one I have). I put the old one in the box the new one came in, taped it up, took it to the UPS Store and they scanned the barcode Bose sent me... done. Easy. Kudos to Bose - they certainly understand customer service done right.

Another lessons update: we had a guitar class today, and then won't have another for 2 weeks due to parent/teacher conferences later this week and spring break next week.

It was apparent that some (most) of them have been putting in some practice time: they are getting the chords, but still slow to make the changes for a song. Today, they learned "Happy Birthday to You" and I gave them their assignment for over spring break: with the chords that they have learned, bring in a song they want to learn that uses those chords. I will learn the song and teach it to the class. Pretty easy assignment... they don't have to learn the song, just look around on the internet and find a song.

Two kids came into class with their guitars not tuned and the other kids were encouraging but let them know that they were wasting class time.

One kid today asked, "Do you know how to play an F#min7th?" He thought it must be a "really hard chord to play because the name is so long." :D We haven't gotten to bar chords, yet.

Still plugging away at it. Only a couple weeks more of lessons after their break before the Blonde and I head back to Texas.

The last shot, as you leave town, should be you and your better half, wearing white hats, riding Palominos, you sitting deep in the saddle, playing a guitar and singing a duet of water, cool fresh water. Muy Bueno!

Good on you, Capn Jim, for your teaching. I was impressed by the tiny video...seems as if they were making a joyful noise. They apparently all have the desire, which is a great start. Kids are harder to keep focused, but they also can learn faster. The challenge, alas, for every teacher.

I have wondered if most people can learn the guitar, if they like music enough to sing at home or in the car. The resources available today on Youtube make the learning within reach, for most of us...but I still wonder how do we help friends at least start down the path.

Most of us, especially mois, will never play lead with Eric Clapton, but I still receive joy every day from my playing. At least one of your kids will be playing years from now because you started him on that path.

That will hopefully happen.

Yeah, I hope some of them will stick with it. It is pretty apparent in watching them that a couple of them really do want to learn... and a couple of them are there because "playing guitar is cool." Until the next "fun" thing comes along. ;)

And, the one kid who thinks we should be writing songs, but has only made it to 3 classes. :)

An interesting collection of personalities.

It sounds like the kid who only made three classes may be off writing songs.

It will be a couple days before there is another lesson with the school kids. But today, was all about old friends getting together and making some music. Mark and I played in a duo in the mid-70s... helped put us both through college (second time around for both).

The four of us are the kind of friends where we can go a long time without seeing each other, then pick right back up again.

I introduced Mark to my Emerald X10...

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRKVZlN-f...s/s400/MJ1.jpg

Judging by the smile, I think he approved. While Mark plays guitar and bass, his main instrument is keyboard. We settled in to make some music...

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TPf_-gDYQ...s/s400/MJ2.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shLFqqtsQ...s/s400/MJ3.jpg

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOvWtOMKq...s/s400/MJ4.jpg

I got the Spire Studio out and recorded some of the play... we didn't set up mics, so I'll have to do some mixing when I get the time.

Gotta like a guy named Mark that plays keys... just sayin’

How could you not?

Mark and I are the same age. In high school and college, he was a wrestler. He has always been more physically fit than me, but back in the day, he was bulkier. These days, he is a runner and a bike rider, and definitely more svelte than my roundish, rogue(ish) shape.

Back in the 70s, we were getting some promo photos done. The lady in the studio said to Mark, "You are quite the hunk."

This was before I had heard that term, but I could tell it was something good. I said, "What about me? What am I, chopped liver?"

She looked at me for a moment and said, "You are a fox."

Fox sounded pretty good, but I don't think it was up to the level of hunk. I asked, "If I put on 30 pounds, would I be a hunk?"

She said, "No, you'd be a short, fat fox."

:D

What we looked like back then...

https://i.imgur.com/tKgSO5X.jpg

Did you ever have Bell Bottom Blues ? ;)

We all did back then. Could be worse... imagine us in skinny jeans!! :eek:

LOL..oh no! Yeah, I was right there with you, my wife still reminds me of some of the pants I wore. But I didn't have any CF guitars back then.