What is the Brooklyn Guitar Method?

Developed over 10 years in the public school system, the Brooklyn Guitar Method focuses on culturally responsive repertoire that develops students’ ears and gives them foundational skills before they ultimately learn chords. This is done through rote learning, single string melodies/tablature, standard tablature, engaging warm-ups, games, and activities. It is designed to guide a teacher through the journey of teaching a guitar class, whether it be an existing class or a new program being built, since teaching a guitar class requires a different approach from teaching privately. It is also designed with the idea that all music teachers have different comfort levels with guitar and guitar instruction. Maybe you are starting a guitar or Modern Band program in your school, but you may not be entirely confident in your own playing. That is okay! With this method, you will find that you can learn along with your students and find joy in the process. If you are a seasoned guitar player, this method will provide you with a new approach to teaching the instrument. No matter your level, you will be provided with a great amount of material, including lessons, concepts, repertoire, sequences, backing tracks, exclusive play-along videos, and so much more.

What will students learn?

During the first chapter, students learn fun single-string repertoire while developing important skills, like playing on the tips of their fingers, playing in the “sweet spot” of the fret, and mastering string/fret identification. Single string tablature notation is stripped down to the essentials. Numbers represent frets and are written on one single line, representing a guitar string. This first unit allows the teacher and students to focus on important concepts. How do you identify the six strings? Which string is the “first” string and which is the “last”? What is a fret? What is a fret wire? How do you count and identify the frets? How do you use your finger to play a fret? Where is the best place to play inside the fret, known as the “sweet spot”? Should I play in the middle of the fret or closer to one side? How do I play a single string melody while staying in one position? How do I make sure that I am playing with the backing track? How do I produce a good tone without buzzing? When should I start using a pick and how do I use one? These are just some of the questions students will explore during this unit. You will find that when students begin learning chords, the work done in this unit will have truly paid off, both in technique, strength, and understanding of the guitar.

Here is a backing track, including the melody, of an original, single string piece from chapter one.

Chapter two introduces standard tablature. Standard tablature, a system of guitar notation that uses a six-line staff to represent the six guitar strings, helps students improve their technique and understanding of the guitar both horizontally and vertically. In this chapter, I break down some pedagogical techniques for teaching tablature before introducing repertoire. This truly prepares guitar students for the necessary skills required to interpret chord diagrams and play chords and the songs they love, beginning in chapter three.

Students spend the remainder of the year mastering chords and musical concepts through popular and current music, which they often get to choose. Chord playing is a big aspect of the method, which includes many useful graphics to help all different types of learners. I also provide learning targets and lesson ideas for each song in this chapter, original backing tracks in the style of each song, and a moving, play-along video.

Standard sheet music notation is not introduced until Volume Two, when students have developed basic skills and a musical ear, at which point learning notation is natural! Aside from popular music, the method includes lots of original pieces that target specific skills and are accompanied by soulful backing tracks that students can’t get enough of!