Kecoughtan High School Guitar Program
The guitar program at Kecoughtan High School is directed by Michael Durig. As a professional musician with organizations as the U. S. Navy, Disney Corporation, and The Anheiser-Busch Company, he brings a high level of both knowledge and experience to the program.
Guitar 1 class is a comprehensive course where proper technique is always stressed with the intent that each student can successfully play any music that interest them now or in the future. Reading music is mandatory as it opens the written history of music to our students which then allows them to play music from any period in history. Music theory is studied and allows the student to understand musical process. Music history as it pertains to modern guitar is also covered where the people who were instrumental in developing the instrument's role in popular music are studied . At the end of the first year, students will have been introduced to scales, intervals (melodic and harmonic) and chords. Using these concepts our students will be able to play simple pieces to include duets, chord solos, and ensemble works and understand how they work, musically. We play traditional folk songs, classical music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, and of course ROCK AND ROLL. As we are on a block schedule each Friday is reserved for rock and blues where we work on movable barre chords commonly used in rock/blues styles. Each student is given a book of classic rock tunes which include, Smoke on the Water, Dream On, and Born to be Wild. These tunes reinforce the skills that are taught in class. The most important role for the student is to practice what we do in class at least 30 MINUTES A DAY or the more. This insures success for all students.
When you sign up for Guitar 1, let your guidance c0unselor know if you have any musical experience such as band or chorus. This will give us an opportunity to place you in a class that is suited to your skill level.
Guitar 2 classes continue the process of creating a functional guitarist by introducing more complex concepts such as triplets, sixteenth note rhythms and different major/minor scales and their acompanying chords. We start developing the ability to play in position which takes us up the neck to the high register of the guitar. By the end of the second year, students will have the ability to figure out most music they will be asked to play. As a result of the knowledge from Guitar 1, I am able to teach our students how to play the mandolin and electric bass as well. This gives the student background to perform in the guitar ensemble should they desire.
Guitar 3 classes will study the guitar as a solo instrument in addition to advanced technique to include movable scale and chord fingerings as well as jazz harmony. In this, they will be combining all of the concepts of the previous two years of study to complete their training. Classical technique (right hand finger-picking) will be studied so that multi-voiced pieces involving complex counterpoint may be played allowing for more interesting solo guitar work.
These classes have two concerts a year as a requirement of the courses.
Guitar Ensemble is where we prepare to perform a wide variety of literature with the intent of performing for different venues in the area. To play in the ensemble or enter Guitar 2 or 3, an audition that demonstrates the required skills is mandatory. A student who is already accomplished as a result of private study is welcome to join at their level. We use a variety of methods to include, Mel Bay Modern Guitar method, Samuel Applebaum duets for strings, as well as works of William Leavitt.
Contact information for Mr. Durig is as follows:
Guitar 1 class is a comprehensive course where proper technique is always stressed with the intent that each student can successfully play any music that interest them now or in the future. Reading music is mandatory as it opens the written history of music to our students which then allows them to play music from any period in history. Music theory is studied and allows the student to understand musical process. Music history as it pertains to modern guitar is also covered where the people who were instrumental in developing the instrument's role in popular music are studied . At the end of the first year, students will have been introduced to scales, intervals (melodic and harmonic) and chords. Using these concepts our students will be able to play simple pieces to include duets, chord solos, and ensemble works and understand how they work, musically. We play traditional folk songs, classical music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, and of course ROCK AND ROLL. As we are on a block schedule each Friday is reserved for rock and blues where we work on movable barre chords commonly used in rock/blues styles. Each student is given a book of classic rock tunes which include, Smoke on the Water, Dream On, and Born to be Wild. These tunes reinforce the skills that are taught in class. The most important role for the student is to practice what we do in class at least 30 MINUTES A DAY or the more. This insures success for all students.
When you sign up for Guitar 1, let your guidance c0unselor know if you have any musical experience such as band or chorus. This will give us an opportunity to place you in a class that is suited to your skill level.
Guitar 2 classes continue the process of creating a functional guitarist by introducing more complex concepts such as triplets, sixteenth note rhythms and different major/minor scales and their acompanying chords. We start developing the ability to play in position which takes us up the neck to the high register of the guitar. By the end of the second year, students will have the ability to figure out most music they will be asked to play. As a result of the knowledge from Guitar 1, I am able to teach our students how to play the mandolin and electric bass as well. This gives the student background to perform in the guitar ensemble should they desire.
Guitar 3 classes will study the guitar as a solo instrument in addition to advanced technique to include movable scale and chord fingerings as well as jazz harmony. In this, they will be combining all of the concepts of the previous two years of study to complete their training. Classical technique (right hand finger-picking) will be studied so that multi-voiced pieces involving complex counterpoint may be played allowing for more interesting solo guitar work.
These classes have two concerts a year as a requirement of the courses.
Guitar Ensemble is where we prepare to perform a wide variety of literature with the intent of performing for different venues in the area. To play in the ensemble or enter Guitar 2 or 3, an audition that demonstrates the required skills is mandatory. A student who is already accomplished as a result of private study is welcome to join at their level. We use a variety of methods to include, Mel Bay Modern Guitar method, Samuel Applebaum duets for strings, as well as works of William Leavitt.
Contact information for Mr. Durig is as follows:
- [email protected]
- 757-848-2212
