Block Day Individual Performance Assessments

Welcome to the wacky, zany, loony, offbeat, unpredictable, at times frustrating world of acoustic guitar playing! This will be a fun and productive class for all. The level of achievement, as with all of your classes, will be determined by your commitment to learning (the guitar) and the amount of work you do toward that end. It is expected that everyone in this class will reach some fundamental levels of progress. These levels will be outlined according to "benchmarks" established by Mr. Cox.

GRADING POLICY Grading in Guitar Class will be determined by the following criteria: 1) satisfactory progress through specific goals from the text which are mutually agreed upon by you and Mr. Cox, including the use of proper classical technique and evidence of good preparation, 2) progress through songs/chords/scales which we will be learning throughout the year, 3) quizzes, projects and exams given throughout the year, 4) overall care of the room and participation during class along with effective and efficient use of class time, 5) extra credit/make-up work is possible in the form of: attending guitar concerts with Mr. Cox's prior approval as well as essays on musically relevant topics (e.g. guitars, guitar history, guitar players).

PARTICIPATION/PROGRESS POINTS will be earned each day. Everyone's daily participation and promptness in our class is a necessity in order for you to be successful and to make reasonable progress. Consequently, attendance will be taken every day and unexcused absences and/or tardies will have a negative impact on your participation/progress points; and therefore will negatively affect your grade. The expectation will be that when you are in guitar class, you will practice guitar. It will NOT be an opportunity to catch up on other school work.

“ BLOCK” DAY INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS Every Tuesday when we have extended block class, students will play for Mr. Cox, a song goal, agreed upon between student and teacher. It will be a 2-week rotation, half of the class playing for Mr. Cox one week, and the other half playing the following week. This will make up the majority of your guitar class grade. If you are absent on this day, and you are scheduled to perform your song, you must make sure to get the absence excused. If you do not, you will receive a “0” for that performance. You will have an opportunity to make up for the missed performance opportunity, however, if the absence remains unexcused, the best grade you can hope for is a “C”. And it will take an exemplary performance to earn that grade.

FOOD, ETC There will be absolutely no food, candy, gum or drinks or anything else of that nature allowed in room 503 that could make a mess. Water bottles with a re-sealable top are the only exception. We share this room with many other classes and must keep it clean and in good working order for all. So, please don't make or leave any messes. “Sneaking” food into room 503 (yes, it happens) will come under the heading of “overall care of the room” and your grade will be affected. “Check your lattes/pizza sticks, etc. at the door”.

“ GUITARS DOWN” CUE With a rather large number of guitars in the classroom it will be imperative that everyone stop playing when I ask for quiet. I will use the phrase "guitars down" as a cue for you to stop playing and listen. There will be ample time to play/practice. It is vital that everyone listen during these times since everything discussed in class, pertaining to guitar and music, could be included in our quizzes and exams; and is relevant regardless of whether it is in a quiz or not.

TEXT The workbook we will be using is called "The First Book for Guitar" by Frederick Noad, Book 1 for beginners and Book 2 or 3 for advanced students. These books will be available at the ASB office for $11.00. The other books in the Noad series (i.e. Anthology/Solo Guitar Playing) can be purchased at any Kennelly Keys Music Store if you’re interested and when and if you complete Books 1,2 and 3. Bellevue is the closest Kennelly Keys location. They moved out of Bel Square. Their new address is: 121 106th Ave NE. Call first to see if they have the book you need.

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR I will ask periodically for requests of songs that you would like for me to learn and perform and possibly show you how to play provided I have time and it is not beyond your (or my) current skill level. If you have aspirations of playing electric guitar as well as acoustic you have my full support. However, you will not have the opportunity in this class to work on that style. If you have any questions about it I will be happy to talk to you about it.

I'm looking forward to a fun and successful year of learning and playing guitar. My door is always open (except, of course, when I slam it shut trying to make the voices in my head go away!) so if you have questions, concerns, suggestions, anything on your mind, I welcome the opportunity to talk with you.

Mr. Cox – Guitar Teacher Guy