INTRODUCTION TO RESONATOR GUITAR

The intent of this course is to teach fundamental music theory as it relates to the Resonator fretboard and how to utilize scales “vertically and horizontally” up and down the fretboard to play the songs you like to play.

Hardware

• Squareneck Resonator or guitar with modified nut riser and D’Adarrio J42 Strings
• Metal slide
• Finger and Thumb picks

Contact instructor with questions: 208.859.3526 or alan.anderson.boise@gmail.com
Round neck Resonators will not work with this class unless modified with a nut riser.

Class Materials:

The Parking Lot Pickers Song Book – Dobro
by Dix Bruce and Stacy Phillips | Jan 8, 2016
Suggested but optional.

Introduction to Resonator Guitar Workbook — provided by instructor

Instructor(s) Alan Anderson
Meets: September 9 – October 14, 2019 (Mon)
Location: Hillside Junior High
Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

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Course Syllabus

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Workshop Presentation

Week 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Introduction
• Introduction to the Resonator Guitar
• GBDGBD Tuning
• The Bar, Finger Picks and Pick Blocking
• Rolls (Appendix)
• The Chromatic Scale

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Week 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• The G Chromatic Scale
• Scale Formulas
• Deriving the G Major Scale
• Deriving Scales
• The Chromatic Scale laid out on the Resonator

ACTIVITIES
Backing Track For Twinkle Twinkle Exercises — 60BPM

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Week 3

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Learn the scales and scale shapes of the G Major scale on the 6th string
• 6th Unitar/Single String Scale
• 12 Fret Scales – below the fret
• 12 Fret Scales – above the fret

ACTIVITIES
Twinkle Twinkle Backing Track For Exercises – 100BPM
Amazing Grace 60BPM – Backing Track
Amazing Grace 80BPM – Backing Track

Amazing Grace Arrangements

• Amazing Grace 6th Single String
• Amazing Grace Lower Octave Open
• Amazing Grace Upper Octave Open
• Amazing Grace 12Fret Lower Octave – Below
• Amazing Grace 12Fret Upper Octave Below
• Amazing Grace 12Fret Lower Octave – Above
• Amazing Grace 12Fret Upper Octave – Above

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Week 4

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• 5th Unitar/Single String Scale
• 5th String Scales
• 4th Unitar/Single String Scale
• 4th String Scales

ACTIVITIES
Twinkle Twinkle Backing Track For Exercises — 120BPM

Amazing Grace Arrangements

Amazing Grace 60BPM – Backing Track
Amazing Grace 80BPM – Backing Track

• Amazing Grace 5th String Single String
• Amazing Grace 5th String Shape
• Amazing Grace 4th String Single String
• Amazing Grace 4th String Shape

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Week 5

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• 3rd Unitar/Single String Scale
• 3rd String Scales
• 2nd String Scales
• 1st Unitar/Single String Scale
• 1st String Scales

ACTIVITIES
Backing Track For Exercises — 130BPM

Amazing Grace Arrangements

• Amazing Grace 3rd String Single String
• Amazing Grace 3rd String 12Fret Upper Octave Below
• Amazing Grace 3rd String Upper Octave Above
• Amazing Grace 2nd String Single String
• Amazing Grace 1st String Single String

Scales

• Folded Scales G Major
• Minor Pentatonic Scales and Folded Scales
• G Minor Blues Scales
• Dobro Scales — 2 Octaves

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Week 6

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• • • Improvisation
      4th String Shape Twinkle Improvisation
    • Chords
    • Loose Ends

ACTIVITIES

Amazing Grace Arrangements

• • • • Amazing Grace Improvisation

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Disclaimer:

Excluded Content:
Slants
Derivative scales
– Pentatonic scales
– Derived modes
Advanced Improvisation Techniques
Advanced Rhythm techniques
Dyads
Harmonic Scales