Tips for Elementary Music Specialists View Articles by Mr. Midgley Guitar for the Elementary Music Teacher	by Herbert M. Midgley Music Lecturer/Music Technology and Guitar SFA School of Music hmidgley@sfasu.edu

The guitar is a great instrument for the elementary music teacher to use in their classroom. When I taught elementary music, I used the guitar almost every day in the classroom. Here are five reasons that the guitar is a great instrument for elementary music teachers:

• It is transportable, even more portable than a keyboard.
• You can see your students over the guitar.
• You can play near your students.
• The guitar blends well with all voices.
• The guitar is an easy instrument to learn how to play.

There are three one finger EZ Chords that you can play many songs with (EZ C, EZ G and EZ G7). Check out the Basic Guitar Chords to learn these EZ Chords. Then use the Guitar Songs in the Key of C to play three favorite songs. If you have a guitar, try these songs out in your classroom!

After you have develop some skills with the EZ Chords, then use the Basic Guitar Chords to learn some other open position chords. You can then use the Guitar Songs in the Key of G and Guitar Songs in the Key of D to learn the three songs in these keys.

If you want to learn how to play notes on the guitar use the Guide to Basic Guitar Methods to learn where the notes are on the guitar and music staff. Use the Notes: Page One and Notes: Page Two to learn the natural notes with on the guitar with these string studies.

A Guide to Learning Some Basic Guitar Skills:

A Guide to Basic Guitar Methods
Notes: Page One
Notes: Page Two
Basic Guitar Chords
Guitar Songs in the Key of C
Guitar Songs in the Key of G
More Guitar Songs in the Key of G
Guitar Songs in the Key of D

Guitar Quartets:

Aura Lee	Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Amazing Grace	Froggy Went A-Courtin'
Chance for Guitars	Michael, Row the Boat Ashore

Guitar Links:

• About: Guitar
• Guitar.com
• Guitar Man: Acoustic Guitar Tips
• Harmony Central - Guitar Resource