Instructor:
Dennis Davis
Office: 112 Foster Building
Phone: (859) 622-5007
FAX 859-622-1333
Email:dennis.davis@eku.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
- Aspiring professional guitarists need preparation and training in guitar technique, pedagogy, literature, performance practice, theory, and history.
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors. All other students are encouraged to take or repeat Mus 107 (Guitar Class). Students interested in learing more about becoming a guitar major or minor need to contact Dennis Davis.
- Students will learn musicianship.
- Students will learn proper guitar technique.
- Students will learn how to present historically informed and creatively expressive performances of literature for the guitar from every major style period..
- Students will learn guitar history and pedagogy.
- Students will present assignments in lesson and masterclass as required.
- Students will take an aural and written mid-term and final. Guitar specific research papers are due by mid-term.
- Students will perform as required during the semester and those performances will be assessed by both the student and the instructor.
- Students will participate in several recital performances each semester. Students are required to perform in convocation each semester (the number of times depends upon the student/major). Other performances will also be required. A recording session will occur the week before or after each recital.
- Video and Audio recordings will assist the assessment process.
- Instruments: All students should own a quality classical guitar (eventually spending $2,500-$5,000 as opposed to $200 or less) and a versatile electric suited for jazz (humbucking pickups in neck and bridge position- preferably splitable).
- Accessories: footstool, small music stand, concert attire, metronome, music dictionary, nail care kit (diamond file, buffing board, 600 grit or equivalent sand paper, replacement nails or ping pong ball, and superglue with metal needle in the cap), cables, recording device (or similar device - tape deck, minidisc, etc...), volume pedal, amplifier, and picks.
- Texts: Specific literature and etude requirements depend upon the student/major. Other texts, such as Studying Music History, A Concise History of the Classical Guitar, Guitar Pedagogy, The Real Book, and others as specified by the instructor, are required.
- Scores, books, and other materials: It is the studentÕs responsibility to quickly (by their next lesson) purchase or copy music as requested by the instructor. Materials may be purchased from local stores, guitar supply houses (Guitar Solo Publications), the music office, or occasionally from the teacher when available. Guitar majors should set aside $100-$150 per year for music. Note - music and materials should be purchased promptly. Visit the required repertoire site for more information.
-
Articles, journals, and books explaining various aspects of guitar technique, performance, history, and pedagogy, .
-
A key to the Aebersold practice room. The key has a two hour limit and may not be kept over night. Using this key is a privilege not a right, and misconduct will result in loss of access.
-
Various items from my personal collection as necessary.
- Applied Lessons: Alternate lesson times will be arranged when the professor has a scheduling conflict. Unexcused student absences will not be rescheduled, and will be treated as a failing grade for that lesson. Warning: an unexcused absence reduces your semester grade by one letter. Only verifiable university or medical absences will be accepted.
- Recital Attendance: All guitar students, including those in class instruction, are required to attend all recitals that involve guitar. Missing any guitar related recital lowers the semester grade by one letter. Examples include, but are not limited to, faculty recitals, guest guitar recitals, and all ensemble recitals involving guitar. Apart from required recitals per the guitar program, the Department of Music has a recital attendance policy (see the student handbook at the Department website for the complete set of departmental guidelines). Support your fellow students by attending their recitals; they will reciprocate by attending yours - again, if a guitarist is performing, it is required.
- Lessons will be graded weekly, averaged, and combined with a midterm and final jury grade. The semester grade will also include other assignments such as masterclass, pedagogy, history, theory, and research papers. The first lesson of each semester is used to outline objectives, discuss priorities, and set goals. A lesson sheet is used to record weekly tasks. All grades are based on the degree of improvement, quality of preparation, amount of material covered, attendance, and how effectively semester goals were realized. The grade 'B' indicates progress; 'A' indicates exceptional work. Students receiving less than a B needs to reassess their goals and career choice.
- The semester grade will be lowered by one letter for each unexcused absence or three tardies. Failing the midterm or final exam will lower the semester grade by one letter. Missing a required concert will lower the semester grade by one letter. A guitar specific research paper is required every semester.
- The study of music demands, as do all the arts, not only natural ability and talents, but also more importantly dedication, sacrifice, self-discipline, inquisitiveness, and the unrelenting desire to achieve excellence. Success requires all of these attributes. Natural ability is not a substitute for any other component. In fact, natural ability often unfairly enjoys the credit earned by hard work and dedication. It is assumed that music students are here to get the most from the Department of Music, its faculty, and resources, and, that music students will work consistently towards advancement in all areas, including those required outside the field of music.
- Performance majors enjoy 4-6 hours daily, or, whatever amount of time necessary to achieve the weekly goals. Music Education, Theory/Composition, and Merchandizing practice less generally, but must take care of deficiencies by the end of their first semester. This usually involves improving technique, sight-reading, rhythm, interpretation, and other areas as defined by the instructor. Non-performance majors are expected to do the work necessary to become competent, expressive, multistyle guitarists.
- Goals for the semester are outlined and discussed with each student at the beginning of each semester. Generally these include technical exercises, etudes, studies, repertoire from several style periods, and required pedagogy and history readings. Visit the required repertoire site for more detailed repertoire information.
- Applied lessons are arranged each semester at a mutually convenient time.
- Masterclass meets every MWF at 1:25 pm. unless there is a Friday Convocation (attend the Friday convocation).
- Performance class meets every Tuesday from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.
- Ensemble meets every Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
- It is assumed that lesson assignments will be practiced and carefully considered. I am fairly adept at assessing whether or not assignments have been practiced. I can also tell the difference between a student nervously struggling to play something they have practiced and a student that is simply unprepared. If a student comes to lesson unprepared they will be sent to the practice room to work on their assignments. Unprepared lessons affect your semester grade.
Convocation, Jury, and Solo Concert Attire:
- Degree Recitals: Tuxedo or Coat and tie with dress pants, shoes, and socks. Some events may permit concert black. All attire decisions are made by the instructor. A performing musician is expected to own a tuxedo. It is the "uniform" of the industry. Tuxedo rental shops frequently sell used tuxedos at reasonable prices.
- Guitar ensemble: Concert black, tuxedo, or similar approved apparel depending on the situation.
- Jury (regular and Sophomore comprehensives): Dress shirt and tie with dress pants, shoes, and socks.
- Convocation: Same as jury.
- The Eastern Kentucky University Guitar Ensemble: All guitar majors and minors will participate in the EKU Guitar Ensemble for duration of their studies at EKU. The musical skills developed in ensemble playing are indispensable to the professional guitarist. Guitar Ensemble is the primary ensemble experience for all guitar students. The guitar ensemble presents a concert each semester and members are required to perform ensemble works in convocation twice each semester.
- EKU Jazz Band: All performance majors are expected to participate in jazz band at some point during their studies at EKU. If the student is not accepted into Jazz Band they will satisfy the jazz band component by playing in the Jazz combos. Auditions are held for all ensembles at the beginning of each semester.
- Chamber Music Ensemble: Students can explore various ensemble opportunities by performing chamber music.
- Solo Performances: All guitar students are required to perform in masterclass several times each semester. Students are also required to perform in convocation as part of their preparation for juries, solo concerts, and sophomore comprehensive exams.
- Comprehensive Examination: Students must pass a Sophomore Comprehensive Examination at the conclusion of the sophomore year to advance to upper level coursework. All students, except performance majors, can retake the exam if they fail.
- Juries: Students will perform a mid-term and final jury examination each semester. The final jury will be evaluated by the string faculty.
- Studio Recital: Students will perform in a guitar studio recital recital each semester.
- Additional Performances: Other performances will be required on a regular basis and include concerts at other universities, recording sessions, and other opportunities as required.
- All EKU guitar department recordings are the sole property of the EKU department of music.
Musicianship and Lesson Professionalism*
I. RESPONSIBILITY
A. Responsibility for Punctuality. You are prompt and reliable. Unforeseen circumstances (i.e. death in the family) may necessitate your absence, but you notify me.
B. Responsibility for essential equipment. You come to lessons prepared with your instrument, pencils, tuning fork, metronome, extra strings, and music cut and taped ready for use. You do not expect other people to take care of you. You take your music seriously and you act in a professional manner.
C. Responsibility for your playing. You can play your part. You have studied your music, fingered the part, practiced it, and have warmed up. Symphony musicians dare not come to a rehearsal unprepared to play their parts. How can you perform your part if you are struggling to read it?
D. Responsibility for contributing ideas. You have immediate responsibility for suggesting modes of practice and interpretative ideas. You have a leadership role. Regardless of your level, you should come to each lesson prepared to move things forward.
II. LISTENING
A. Listening for correct pitches, tuning, attacks, releases, rhythm, balance, color, phrasing, dynamics, in your playing. Singing while you play takes care of these issues naturally.
B. Listening to the piece outside of your lesson Ñ keep it in your head, conjuring up images of its sound, tapping rhythms, singing pitches, getting the piece in your bones. Sing, Sing, Sing. If the music is in your mind and in your ear, then you can get it into your fingers. The reverse never works.
C. Record yourself often to check for progress. The recording can be both rewarding and quite painful. It is an important tool for progress.
III. ATTITUDE
A. Accepting criticism is part of the process. Lessons focus on exposing problems and celebrating triumphs. Not doing what your are told to do is unprofessional and counterproductive to your goal of improving.
B. Treat everyone with respect regardless of what you think about them. Any public/private gathering involving guitar majors demands mutual respect. Do not play while others speak. Suppress the urge to make those witty, biting, and counterproductive comments. It is easy for joking to escalate into something much more serious. The guitar department exudes a collective vibe - and that vibe must be positive. Work diligently to remain positive. We are all part of the human condition and guitar is really insignificant by comparison.
Mus 132F (Freshman Guitar Lessons)
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors whom have successfully auditioned for the instructor. Non music majors are encouraged to enroll into Mus 107 (Guitar Class).
- Students with deficiencies will be accepted provisionally until their deficiencies are corrected.
- Students should own the required basic equipment and purchase materials as directed by the instructor.
- Students should select works from the required repertoire list to satisfy repertoire requirements for their classification.
- Performance majors need to enroll for 2 credit hours. Other majors should enroll for one credit.
- Mus 132F may be repeated for a total of 4 credits.
Mus 232F (Sophomore Guitar Lessons)
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors whom have successfully auditioned for the instructor. Non music majors are encouraged to enroll into Mus 107 (Guitar Class).
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mus 132F.
- Students should select works from the required repertoire list to satisfy repertoire requirements for their classification.
- Performance majors need to enroll for 2 credit hours. Other majors should enroll for one credit.
- Mus 232F may be repeated for a total of 4 credits.
- All Sophomores must pass Sophomore Comprehensives Exams before they can take any 300 level music courses. Refer to the Sophomore Comprehensives Exam application for additional requirements.
Mus 332F (Junior Guitar Lessons)
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors whom have successfully auditioned for the instructor. Non music majors are encouraged to enroll into Mus 107 (Guitar Class).
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mus 232F and a passing grade on the Sophomore Comprehensive Exam.
- Students should select works from the required repertoire list to satisfy repertoire requirements for their classification.
- Performance majors need to enroll for 4 credit hours. Other majors should enroll for two credits.
- Mus 332F may be repeated for a total of 8 credits.
- All Juniors will play a full recital (Mus 399) as part of their degree requirements.
Mus 432F (Senior Guitar Lessons)
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors whom have successfully auditioned for the instructor. Non music majors are encouraged to enroll into Mus 107 (Guitar Class).
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mus 332F.
- Students should select works from the required repertoire list to satisfy repertoire requirements for their classification.
- Performance majors need to enroll for 4 credit hours. Other majors should enroll for two credits.
- Mus 432F may be repeated for a total of 8 credits.
- All Performance majors will play a full recital (Mus 499) as part of their degree requirements.
Mus 855 (Graduate Guitar Lessons)
- Private lessons are restricted to music majors and minors whom have successfully auditioned for the instructor. Non music majors are encouraged to enroll into Mus 107 (Guitar Class).
- Graduate performance majors need to audition.
- Graduates with deficiencies will be accepted provisionally until their deficiencies are corrected.
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in music.
- Students should select works from the required repertoire list to satisfy repertoire requirements for their classification.
- Performance majors need to enroll for 2-4 credit hours. Other majors should enroll for two credits.
- Mus 855F may be repeated.
- All Performance majors will play a full recital (Mus 899) as part of their degree requirements.
- Transfer students need to successfully audition for the instructor.
- Transfer students with deficiencies may be accepted provisionally until their deficiencies are corrected. They may also be required to take remedial lessons.
- Transfer students need to take the music theory placement examination.
- All transfer students need to submit the scholarship wavier form.
- Transfer students will refer to their accepted classification for specific requirements.
* Adapted from writings by Professor Clare Callahan with permission.
|
© 2005 EKU
|
 Comments
to Department
of Music |
| EKU Home | President's Welcome | A to Z Index | Calendars | People |
Academic Apparatus
Course Rationale
Prerequisites
Learning Objectives
Student Assessment
Required Materials
Grading Policy
Attendance Policy
Reserve Material
Course Specifics
Credo
Practice Requirements
Lesson Assignments
Required Meeting Times
Lesson
Preparation
Attire
Ensemble Requirements
Performance Requirements
Musicianship/Professionalism
Mus 132F (Freshman)
Mus 232F (Sophomore)
Mus 332F (Junior)
Mus 432F (Senior)
Mus 855 (Graduate)
Other Links
EKU Guitar
Program
Mus
107 Guitar Class
EKU Department of Music
College of Arts and Sciences