Learning Guitar--Step By Step for Children and Their Parents

By Peter Joseph Zisa EdD

     Whether you want to learn to play, or you have children you would like to teach to play, this book is the answer to your search. Written by a concert guitarist who has taught university and private classes  for many years. Recognized as a master teacher of music--and of the teaching of the joys and techniques of making the music through the guitar.

     Scientific research indicates playing the guitar benefits a child's emotional

and cognitive development. It confirms that playing an instrument helps verbal

memory, second-language pronunciation, the ability to read and write, as well as their cognitive thinking skills. Children with music training enjoy better academic performance. Some of the research suggests playing an instrument impacts intelligence including better scores on IQ tests. Of course, it depends on the intensity and duration of the practice time.

     Other benefits of music training, supported by scientific research, are the

development of memory skills, greater ability to concentrate, improved motor skills, as well as improved calculating and pattern-recognition skills. Additionally, playing the guitar helps children develop goal-oriented self-help behavioral skills; such as breaking down large intimidating tasks into small achievable goals. Developing a step by step approach to problem solving leads to success; which, in turn, helps children acquire an appetite for self-discipline, which in turn results in achievement

• Language: English
• Publisher: Total Health Publications
• Release date: Sep 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393187578

Peter Joseph Zisa EdD

Dr. Peter Joseph Zisa is an award-winning concert guitarist, composer, writer, and educator. Zisa is a skilled performer of many styles of music, from blues, jazz, rock, folk, and country to gospel, Latin, Spanish flamenco, and classical. His forty years of college and university teaching experience includes twenty years teaching music therapy students in completing their guitar proficiency. While not a licensed music therapist, Zisa has twenty years of experience of using music to help adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at care facilities, providing comfort to hospice patients and their families, as well providing specialized music activities for autistic and attention-deficit children

Book preview

Table of Contents

What Playing the Guitar Can Do for You and Your Children!

Selecting a Guitar

Parts of the Guitar

Tuning Your Guitar

Tuning Guitar to the Piano

Guitar Maintenance

Step 1 Acquiring the Know-How

Left hand exercises

Step 2  Rhythm: The Dance of Time

Step 3  Plucking the Strings Arpeggio

Step 4  Rhythm: The Dance of Time, Quadruple Meter

Step 5  Introducing Four Notes in First Position 1

Step 6 Strategies for Coordinating Three-Finger Chord Changes

Step 7  Two Chords - Two Songs

Step 8  Reading Notes and Playing Songs in Position 1

Step 9  Playing a Three-finger arpeggio pattern with Chords

Step 10  Filling in the Gaps, the Open Strings

Step 11  Two New Chords: G and D

Step 12  Major & Minor Chords Explained and Played

Step 13  Arpeggio: Adding the Thumb

Step 14  Two New Notes: G and A

Step 15  The Shape of the Sixth in the Chords Am7, Dm, and E7

Step 16  Circle of Fifths & Playing With Heart and Soul

Step 17 I - II7 - V7 Vamp

Step 18  Accidentals & Scaling the Fingerboard

Step 19  osition 2 and the Key of D major

Step 20  Jazz Vamp: Dominant-Seventh Led Circle of Fifth

Step 21  Scaling the Key of A

Step 22  It’s all about the Bass!

Notation of Open Bass Strings

Step 23  Arpeggio Accompaniment: Matching Bass Notes with Chords

Step 24  Juggling Two Parts

What’s Next - The Exciting Steps Ahead

About the Author

What Playing the Guitar Can Do for You and Your Children!

Peer-review scientific research indicates playing the guitar benefits a child’s emotional

and cognitive development . The breath of research confirms playing an instrument helps verbal memory, second-language pronunciation, the ability to read and write, as well as their cognitive thinking skills (Forgeard, Winner, Norton, & Schlaug, 2008; Barrett, Ashley, Strait, & Kraus, 2013). Statistically children with music training enjoy better academic performance (Collins, 2014). Some of the research suggests playing an instrument impacts intelligence; e.g., those with music training do better on I.Q. tests (Green & Bavelier, 2008). This correlation, however, appears to be directly related with the intensity and duration of practice (Miendlarzewska & Trost, 2014). Other benefits of music training, supported by scientific research, are the development of memory skills, greater ability to concentrate, improved motor skills, as well as improved calculating and pattern-recognition skills (Miendlarzewska & Trost, 2014).

Additionally, playing the guitar helps children develop goal-oriented self-help behavioral skills; such as breaking down large intimidating tasks into small achievable goals. Developing a step by step approach to problem solving leads to success; which, in turn, helps children acquire an appetite for self-discipline, which in turn results in achievement.

A life-long bonding experience – parent & child.

LEARNING TO PLAY THE guitar can be a bonding experience between parent and child, like playing catch or a board game. If approached as a connective personal exchange, music making together can be playful activity leading to an exchange of creative ideas. Like shooting hoops on a basketball court, playing can also be a solitary activity; if privacy is a desire, allow them to work on their own. However, always show an interest in their music activities and encourage their efforts.

Because it is difficult for many children to problem-solve alone, they can become

discouraged and frustrated when success is not immediately realized. It is often helpful for them to have someone within ear-shot to hear them, empathize, encourage them, and – when difficulties arise - intervene and help guide them. For parents, who may feel uncertain of how to help, this book provides simple steps to help them move from small victories to mastery.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND overcoming difficulties is one of the greatest and most important learning experience in life; it is also a real confidence builder.

Playing together...is meaningful fun.

Creating and playing music together is socially dynamic and very enjoyable. If you

CHOOSE TO JOIN AND walk beside your child as they learn to play the guitar, it could very well be one of your most cherished memories together. This books incorporates opportunities to play duets together. Exploring the meaning and expressed feelings or meaning of a piece of music, can help children develop greater understanding and empathy toward others. Playing music together teaches team work and individuality. And, as the beat goes on, music making is a skill that keeps on giving throughout one’s life.

Learning guitar is for the young at heart; it is never too late...

I HAVE HEARD SOME SAY, I am too old to play the guitar; learning guitar is for the young. If these are your thoughts, you were only half right. Learning to play the guitar is for the young at heart. A recent survey revealed 85% adults, who did not receive music training, said they wished they had the opportunity to learn to play an instrument when they were young. I have adult learners in their 70s and 80s who greatly enjoy playing guitar. So the good news is: it is never too late! Not only that, it is good for you!

Research shows learning guitar, like learning a language, is good for your brain, body, and sense of well-being. Learning to play guitar promotes brain-cell growth, benefits memory, positively impacts our motor skills, relieves stress, serves as an outlet for our creative impulses, and is a fun and creative bonding social activity. Why not start the guitar for you, and your children!

The thesis of this book is children need help gaining the physical skill and conceptual

understanding of music making. Who better invested than you: their caretakers, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles? If you are one of the 85% adults who did not music training experience, you may feel ill-equipped to help them. Do not be discouraged; this book is an answer to this dilemma. This book is a carefully paced step-by-step approach to learning the

guitar. It is specifically written to empower you, as well as to guide and help shape your child learning experience. Most of the written text is directed at helping you learn how to help your child and yourself succeed. This method also comes with links to practice recordings to further assist you in the process.

The goal of this book is to make the learning experience enjoyable for you and your

children in 24 carefully paced learning steps. I have taken care to vary the musical styles represented in the book, to provide opportunities to learn to improvise, to play alone and with each other! Each step begins with stated goals; each step ends with a Playtime Checklist. The checklist details what to focus on, how to break things down into small achievable goals, and how long to invest in each playtime activity. The timeframe of the daily playtime averages about 30 minutes a day.

This book does not replace the need of securing a qualified and experienced teacher.

It is preferable you find a teacher who has extensive classical training and is open-minded to the philosophy and learning approach presented in this book. A thoughtful music teacher considers the needs of the student over any prescribed lesson plan. Such a teacher may favor changing the order of the steps, skipping and returning to material as needed, even introducing added material. Having said that, this book reflects over 40 years of personal experience as a music teacher of children and adults.

If you visit my website as read about the accomplishments of some of my students you

will notice each choose their own path. Some won state, national, and international competitions. Some became notable performers in various styles of music, others became music teachers, and still others, choose other occupational endeavors. Nearly all have continued playing the guitar because it brings them happiness. The common thread among the great majority of my students is the love and joy they experience as music makers; for them, music continues to be a powerfully positive force in their lives. If you have questions, please contact me via e-mail: [e-mail] .

Thank you & best wishes!

P.J.ZISA

Selecting a Guitar

The first thing you will notice if you visit a music store to purchase a guitar is how many

different types of instruments of guitars there are. While these instruments have much in

common, there are many differences in appearance and construction among guitars. In the 15th

century