Hi Guys
I've been teaching guitar at local instrument shops in Washington for the past 10 years. Several months ago due the terrible economic situation In America I was laid off work and I've been teaching on a much smaller scale since then. Today I was at a local "middle school" trying to promote myself as a guitar teacher, after going to many schools with no luck, today I got to talk to the art director of this school and I was told I could bring my guitar to their class this coming Monday and play for them (for few minutes) & have my flyers passed around. If the kids like what they hear they may want to take lessons with me. I'm trying to see what I can play to sound interesting to these kids, I assume they are 10 to 14 age wise, I appreciate if you could give me some suggestions on what to play. I also play the classical guitar, so I'm trying to see weather I should take the electric or the classical or both of them to their class .
Thanks
Amir Razmara
Maybe something from Eric Clapton's unplugged could be very captivating
agree with the clapton stuff, also, i would play some BB king blues on the electric, something classy but with attitude.
The classical maybe a bit of a risk for dis-interest. Use the electric and play some or just parts of these songs, great hits youths should enjoy and probably know:
Peace of Mind - Boston
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
Cliffs of Dover - Eric Johnson
Canon Rock - JerryC
I'm Alright - Neil Zaza
Beast and the Harlot - Avenged Sevenfold
Jessica - Allman Brothers Band
Layla - Eric Clapton
F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X. - Fall of Troy
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
Message in a Bottle - Police
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
The NEW Canon Rock - MattRach
Thunderstruck - ACDC
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
Dammit - Blink 182
Scotty Doesn't Know - Lustra
Icky Thump - The Whtie Stripes
Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
The Trooper - Iron Maiden
Reptilia - The Strokes
Walla Walla - The Offspring
Smooth - Santana
Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
YYZ - Rush
Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles
Last Resort - Papa Roach
Siberian Sleigh Ride - Trans Siberian Orchestra
Knights of Cydonia - Muse
My Sharona - The Knack
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Kids Aren't Alright - Offspring
Light my Fire - The Doors
Paranoid - Black Sabbath
Snow - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
Eruption - Van Halen
ps. don't treat a youth like a kid! Your'll be surprised what this generation is into.
Pixies - Where's my mind?
Hi Amir, I think you should try to make as broad a performance as possible. Covering several genres. Both to the students as well as to the head of the class.
Acoustic guitar. It's more musical as a lonesone instrument.
I think songs like Greensleeves, The Boxer (if you sing), some Jazz, Working class hero (kids would know that from Greenday), a reggea piece, a classical piece. Compressed into the few minutes you've got. Good luck!
Try this one... hard not to have a smile on your face after listening to it.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/staccato-lesson/
Cheers!
Gary
Agree you should have a few songs, but mostly get to know the audience, get to know their interests and talk to them as well. If a keen kid knows how to play already offer to jam with him/her could be risky but a good way to get a laugh and a lot of feedback/interaction. If no ones keen 95% the chance for not embarrassing themselves, if you know the songs they know and enjoy play one or two of them. You dont really need a plan, could wing it. Just whatever you do make it a lot of fun and enjoy! Singing is optional, but be sure about that one if you do.
First- talk to them! Lead them to tell you what they like to listen and - do they have a favorite band or singer ? The rest is up to you
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