MUSC 168

MUSC 168: Clinical Musicianship II: Guitar

Prerequisites: Music therapy major or permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (1)

This laboratory class is the second course in a 4-semester sequence designed to develop professional requirements for functional musicianship. The content will introduce and emphasize guitar skills and techniques as well as the development of functional guitar playing for use in a clinical music therapy setting. Students will have multiple opportunities to learn about playing guitar in a safe and effective manner, clinical repertoire for clients across the developmental continuum, and the use of the guitar in a clinical setting. This course is repeatable in order to support the varied timelines of each student’s vocal development.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Functional use of the guitar including: strumming patterns, using a pick and finger picking, position of the instrument, volume, applications of guitar for a variety of client populations in a variety of musical styles appropriate to a clinical setting, and for use in the accompaniment of clients.
Functional use of music technology including: garage band, midi, sound equipment such as amplifiers, microphones, p.a. systems, computer applications, and assistive technology for clients as appropriate.
Expansion of clinical repertoire to include songs that are developmentally appropriate across the age-span, and that support clinical goals and objectives.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This laboratory course may include the following instructional strategies: learning and performing music, student development of materials, student presentations, cooperative/group learning, oral and musical communication activities, and role-playing/simulation.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The following professional competencies as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association will be addressed in this course.

Introduced and Emphasized:

Ability to transpose simple compositions
Accompany oneself for a basic repertoire of traditional, folk, and popular songs with and without printed music
Basic foundations of the use of guitar in a music therapy context
Ability to accompany oneself while singing using basic chord progressions in several major and minor keys with varied accompaniment patterns
Sight-read simple compositions and song accompaniments
Harmonize and transpose simple compositions in several keys
Tune stringed instruments using standard tunings
Improvise on guitar for use in a variety of clinical settings
Develop original melodies, simple accompaniments, and short pieces extemporaneously in a variety of moods and styles
Ability to harmonize while singing or playing with another pitch-based instrument vocally and with an accompaniment instrument

Assessment Measures

Mid-term and final playing exam, weekly performance exams.

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

April, 2019