Guitar subjects
BASICS
This is about checking your basics and handling efficient gap management. Even experienced guitarists often have wrong habits – now you learn how to correct them. Technical aspects like maintenance and care of instruments and accessories are also part of the basics.
MUSIC THEORY
Since guitarists in a band have to take over solo, harmony and rhythm functions, a thorough understanding of theoretical contexts is inevitable and of great advantage for you as a professional. If you are familiar in this area, you have the right tools for composition and improvisation.
The special feature of Music Theory in the Professional Program: Theory is not treated in isolation, but is always seamlessly linked to practice.
READING
The “reading” of music, the reading of notes, is avoided by many guitarists. Do you feel the same way? It can be nice if you know the right approach. This subject therefore deals with melody and chord notation, rhythm patterns and phrasing signs. Profound reading skills will broaden your musical horizon, increase versatility and make your life as a professional guitarist easier.
IMPROVISATION
There are improvisational elements in almost all styles. For this reason, spontaneous soloing is one of the greatest challenges for every guitarist. The Professional Program Guitar presents melodic approaches as well as strategies and concepts for practicing to build musical tension and expand your expressive possibilities.
But not only the soloing, but also the skillful rhythm work with different chord patterns is an important tool for improvisation you need to be prepared for different jobs later on.
STYLES
The demands on a professional guitarist are higher than ever nowadays. First of all, we will concentrate on Rock Guitar Playing. Because this is often underestimated. Hardly any other musical genre has produced so many subgenres as rock music. In the Professional Program, you will learn how to master them all.
Modern guitarists are no longer just experienced rockers, but also play blues, funk, soul, jazz, country and Latin. In order to be able to master these, the lessons focus on jazz styles and playing techniques: from playing in different line-ups (trio to big band) to the interpretation of standards and jazz soloing. Rhythms as well as solos are done. The result is a high degree of versatility from which you can draw and with whose help you can develop your own personal sound.
TECHNIQUE
Let’s start with the right posture. This is followed by techniques for stroke hand and fretting hand and finally speed techniques such as tapping and sweeping. As you can see, everything you need to develop fluency, dynamics and precise timing on the six strings is covered here. The key is that you develop a technical repertoire that allows you to have the right technique for every style and playing situation.
LIVE PLAYING
Playing on stage is still the greatest attraction for most guitarists. In order for you to show your best in the most diverse formations, we are working on performance, live sound and rehearsal methodology. Topics such as equipment and effects are also taken into account so you can always get the most out of a performance for yourself and your band colleagues.
EDUCATION
Giving lessons is an additional income for many professionals. With the appropriate knowledge of modern teaching and learning techniques, that are taught in this subject, contemporary guitar lessons can be made more interesting and efficient. Here, you will learn methods for creating the best possible lessons for you and your students, which will lead to success with lots of motivation and fun.
BUSINESS
If you want to be successful as a guitarist, you have to understand the connections in the music business. We teach you the necessary know-how. Legal and financial aspects are discussed in detail in case studies and make your individual career planning easier.
RECORDING
It is possible for anyone to record nowadays. It is no longer necessary to have a huge recording studio; a PC/laptop, microphone and interface are often enough. We will show you different recording techniques and miking, explain details of mixing and show you how to optimize your recording setup. Advice on questions about arranging and editing recordings completes this subject.