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Pop Guitar (Acoustic) Improvisation Course
(in conjunction with P.B.E.Syllabus™)
Mode of coaching: one-on-one (individual)
Lesson duration: 45minutes
Lessons frequency: 1 lesson per week
Prerequisite: Zero music background
Students with reasonable music background can enroll directly to P.B.E.S™ Level 2. Click here ► for self assessment to determine Level
Click here ► for course charges
Click here ► to Download brochure
In any random group of people, there is usually one person who can play the guitar. The acoustic guitar is a great versatile instrument; it is portable and requires no additional accessories. Ideal for group singing, and yet intimate enough to play for just one person. Enroll in our Pop Guitar course to learn various improvisation techniques from strumming to plucking, and play your favorite pop songs!
The duration for the Pop Guitar (Acoustic) Improvisation course (P.B.E.S™ Level 1 to 4) is subject to the individual's learning pace and preferences. An acoustic guitar is provided (only for use during lessons within PBE premises) during the course. Students with reasonable music background can expect a shorter course duration. Upon completion of the Pop Guitar (Acoustic) Improvisation Course (P.B.E.S™ Level 1 to 4), students may continue their progress with the optional P.B.E.S™ advanced understudy program. Lessons can also be fully customized upon request (without following the P.B.E.Syllabus™)
Syllabus content for P.B.E.S™ LEVEL 1
Objective:
The Pop Guitar P.B.E.S™ Level 1 is suitable for complete beginners who want to start learning the guitar the fun and expressive way, without compromising proper techniques and necessary music fundamentals. You will learn to form easy primary chords and playing your choice of pop songs using basic plucking and strumming patterns.
Subject 1:1 | Guitar Fretboard
Subject 1:2 | Methods of tunning
Subject 1:3 | Posture and position for holding the guitar
Subject 1:4 | Playing techniques for single strings
Subject 1:5 | Reading guitar symbols (tablatures)
Subject 1:6 | Primary chords for Pop music
Subject 1:7 | Basic rhythm foundation
Subject 1:8 | Open-Position chords
Subject 1:9 | Basic plucking
Subject 1:10 | Basic strumming
Subject 1:11 | Easy play and sing co-ordination
Subject 1:12 | Proper fingering techniques
Syllabus content for P.B.E.S™ LEVEL 2
Objective:
The intermediate level explores the different major and minor triads (open-position chords and barre chords) around the fret board using the CAGED system. Students will learn the various methods of improvising your own choice of pop songs using strumming, plucking and finger picking patterns in 8th beat pop ballad and up-tempo rhythms.
Subject 2:1 | Play and sing co-ordination II
Subject 2:2 | Playing with modes
Subject 2:3 | Plucking patterns I
Subject 2:4 | Strumming patterns I
Subject 2:5 | Barre chords
Subject 2:6 | Open-Position scales
Subject 2:7 | Rhythmic skills I
Subject 2:8 | Fingering exercises
Subject 2:9 | 'Moving' chords
Subject 2:10 | Major and minor 7th chords
Subject 2:11 | Dominant 7th chords
Subject 2:12 | Key modulations
Subject 2:13 | Pentatonic scale
Subject 2:14 | Caged method
Syllabus content for P.B.E.S™ LEVEL 3
Objective:
Play your choice of pop songs comfortably, while demonstrating advanced arpeggio patterns and more difficult plucking and strumming techniques. Level 3 covers complex chords including sus4, dim7th and aug7th chords as well as pull-offs, string bending and strum choke applications in 16th beat rhythms.
Subject 3:1 | Alternating bass for chords
Subject 3:2 | Rhythmic skills II
Subject 3:3 | Plucking patterns II
Subject 3:4 | Strumming patterns II
Subject 3:5 | Suspended chords
Subject 3:6 | Dim7 and Aug7 chords
Subject 3:7 | Arpeggio patterns
Subject 3:8 | 'Voicing'
Subject 3:9 | Hammer-on
Subject 3:10 | Pull-off
Subject 3:11 | Bending of string
Subject 3:12 | Strum and choke techniques
Syllabus content for P.B.E.S™ LEVEL 4
Objective:
As an advanced student, you will discover how to solo over chord progressions, and how to improvise in different pop genres using modes and scales The Pop Guitar PBES™ Level 4 also covers in-depth ear training, song composition and basic song transcribing techniques. You will also explore the blues scale and the various riffs used in modern music.
Subject 4:1 | Soloing over chord tones
Subject 4:2 | Rhythmic skills II
Subject 4:3 | Playing with syncopation
Subject 4:4 | Advanced Plucking patterns
Subject 4:5 | Advanced Strumming patterns
Subject 4:6 | Advanced arpeggio patterns
Subject 4:7 | Application of blues scales
Subject 4:8 | 12-bar blues progression
Subject 4:9 | Improvisation
Subject 4:10 | Aural training
P.B.E.S™ ADVANCED (Optional):
The P.B.E.S™ advanced is a long term 1-to-1 fully tailored, private study program under an assigned advanced instructor. Students who have completed the Guitar Improvisation Course (P.B.E.S Level 1 to 4) can apply for this program. You will develop your dexterity and speed, as well as other improvisation techniques such as re-harmonization and latin soloing style. The P.B.E.S™ advanced program explores other different styles such as flamenco, gypsy, rumba and other Spanish favours. You will also develop the ability to improvise on the acoustic guitar, and a good ear for picking up music by ear.
