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Setting Up A Guitar Room

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Read More about Setting Up A Guitar Room about Setting Up A Guitar Room
Setting Up A Guitar Room
Guitars: The school should own a classroom set of matched instruments. Most veteran guitar teachers recommend nylon string (classical) guitars for many reasons. Nylon String Guitars are much easier on beginner’s fingers. Can play all musical styles. Tend to break less frequently than steel string guitars. Can be easier to repair than steel string guitars. Storage: Lockers and/or Racks. Both personal and school owned instruments will need to be stored. Practical solutions include hanging the instruments on the wall, using a rack system, or using lockers.

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March 15, 2024
Read More about Burnout about Burnout
Burnout
Burnout can be especially hard during the holiday season with so many obligations – concerts, grading, personal, etc. If you wake up and find yourself asking, “Why did I want to be a teacher?”, try out a few of these strategies. 1. Have Fun Daily with Your Students Share jokes, brief stories, puzzles, brain teasers, etc. This keeps it interesting for you and for your students.

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March 15, 2024
Read More about Lafayette Guitar Festival about Lafayette Guitar Festival
Lafayette Guitar Festival
The Lafayette Guitar Festival got its start 3 years ago when I decided to form a rock band made up of students from my guitar classes. Tuesday Night Rock Band was formed and it is the most fun I have had in years! TNRB, as we call it, made appearances at basketball games and variety shows but wanted a night where they could play for friends and family. It was such an overwhelming success that I had to create a second rock band to accommodate all of the students who wanted to be a part of the group. It’s Guitar Class! Have Fun!!!

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March 15, 2024
Read More about It’s Guitar Class! Have Fun!!! about It’s Guitar Class! Have Fun!!!
It’s Guitar Class! Have Fun!!!
But why do I have to go? School is not fun!” That quote is from a first-grade child, asking his mom why he has to go every single day to this place that he was told was going to be a lot of fun, but has not lived up to the hype. If he could articulate further, he might say, “I am only six. I like to have fun, but school is not fun and from what I can tell, it’s going to get worse every year, not better.” This is not an April Fool’s Day anecdote; it’s all too […]

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February 18, 2024
Read More about Guitar Homework that Doesn’t Suck about Guitar Homework that Doesn’t Suck
Guitar Homework that Doesn’t Suck
Guitar homework? Isn’t that just called…practicing? Yes, practicing the stuff you cover in class will make up a significant percentage of your students’ homework. That being said, there are other, more creative homework assignments that can help strengthen their understanding and appreciation of guitar. (Put differently: guitar homework that doesn’t suck!) (Little) Wing It! Have your students listen to their favorite album or station and play along to the best of their ability. The more fun they’re having, the more likely they’ll be to practice on their own and continue with guitar. Have them play something they’ve taught themselves at […]

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February 5, 2024
Read More about Burke’s Warm Ups about Burke’s Warm Ups
Burke’s Warm Ups
Can you think of a sport or activity that does not benefit by a disciplined pre-activity warm-up? Take running for instance. I would like to just get out there and run, but I know if I take the time to stretch and warm-up I will have an easier and better run. On the ball field, wouldn’t you just like to play the game? However, the batter takes some practice swings; the shooter practices some free throws; the goalie blocks some shots; the forward dribbles and shoots. In guitar we get the same benefit. If we warm-up we will play everything […]

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February 3, 2024
Read More about Music Educator’s Guide to Twitter about Music Educator’s Guide to Twitter
Music Educator’s Guide to Twitter
Twitter remains one of the fastest, most effective ways of sharing information online. It’s a fantastic resource for music educators IF you know how to leverage its reach to the fullest. If you don’t, you can end up tweeting, flapping your wings, and not getting very far at all. To get started (or give you a push!), consider this short list of do’s and don’ts: DO: Nail the basics – Your Twitter “handle” is your username – The @ (mention) that precedes each user’s handle allows you to directly reference that user in a tweet, or help you search for

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February 2, 2024
Read More about Post-SNAMM Newsletter about Post-SNAMM Newsletter
Post-SNAMM Newsletter
August 23, 2019 Check out the latest GAMA news in our 2019 Summer NAMM Recap!

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August 23, 2019
Read More about Welcome New GAMA Members about Welcome New GAMA Members
Welcome New GAMA Members
GAMA is excited to welcome three new members in the first half of 2019! Guitar Crate sends strings to you every month, plus everything else you will need to jam out. No more trying to find a music store open at 8 PM after work. No more forgetting to get a new pair and playing on that rusty set one more time. Just let us worry about getting the goods to you. ​Think of it like a gym membership for your instrument. The best part is that we throw in extras every month. Think awesome surprise meets how did I […]

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May 7, 2019
Read More about GAMA Q&A with Andy Mooney about GAMA Q&A with Andy Mooney
GAMA Q&A with Andy Mooney
GAMA Q&A Andy Mooney, CEO, Fender Musical Instruments Corp. By Dan Ferrisi Few musical instrument companies have the universal brand recognition that Fender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC) has achieved, and a big part of the reason why is that the company has been responsive to not only instrument trends, but also societal trends. Recently, GAMA caught up with Andy Mooney, CEO of FMIC, to discuss the company’s progress since he was recruited in 2015, the bright future he envisages for electric guitars, FMIC’s investment in the Fender Play online learning program and digital platform overall, and how FMIC dealers have […]

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May 7, 2019
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