My Project Proposel

2/19/16 Sarah Hamby

Acoustic Sounds

~Learning the Acoustic Guitar~

Opportunities

    If you learn an instrument- you probably learn one from a teacher or private instructor, not YouTube. With the opportunity of our 20% time project, I plan to challenge myself to look closer.

    For everyone can do something when their fingers are placed- their hands moved by someone else. But what if you only had one picture to study and a few videos to learn from, how well would you do? That's the challenge given to me by learning by myself; you actually have to work and practice. It's all on you- if you want your dreams you actually have to pick up the paddle and row.

    The acoustic guitar can be a mellow, expressive instrument if played as such. It is a tool, an opportunity to bless people with music and open up a whole other world of promise to yourself.  

Audience

    While any stone has promise, it takes time to chisel out a beautiful worth. It is the same with anything worth wanting, and it will probably take years for anything I do on the guitar to affect others. But researching, studying and practicing the instrument will help me instantly. Who knows, maybe in time I’ll play for others.

Mentors

    In my life I have a friend or two who play the guitar, and another few who are trying to teach themselves like me. Though none of these people would exactly be mentors, they might just have a few tips.

Timeline: A list, a plan...

February 26	Create a long list of Videos, Documents, Blogs,     Vocabulary, and tips of how not only to play the guitar but how to practice, read chord charts, music and basically everything from A-Z. (Gather  Resources)
March 4	Begin working on two songs (This is Living & Oceans), alternating between them. Use chord charts and methods from last week to begin, studying the structure and balance of the two songs.
March 11	Continue working on the two selected songs. Begin studying all the notes on the guitar, (paired up with fingerings) all major/minor chords and scales.
March 18	Continue work on songs/ scales incorporating all methods/materials found in week one and picked up throughout practicing and further research.
March 25	Further work on being able to name every note and fingering while also working on the smoothness of the songs and vocals. Also begin more deeply study of strumming patterns and practice being able to naturally go from note to note in chosen songs.
April 1	Begin recording a full tape-through of both song(s) to work out any odd quirks and practice fluency. Also put focus in practicing scales and major/ minor chords.
April 8	Continue practice of songs and studies listed above.
April 15	Continue practice of songs and studies listed above while focusing on practice songs and exercises.
April 22	Create a practice plan for studying and working on the guitar for after 20% time. Also continue practice of songs and studies listed above.
April 29	Work out any final problems in songs, continue practice of basic exercises and work on fingerings.
May 7 (Final 20% Friday)	Finalize project by playing songs in front of friends/ family and check over practice plan and make any changes do to experimentation. Continue study of scales,  major/minor chords, basic exercises, and fingerings.

Product

    By the end of my time doing this project, (in the spring) i wish to be able to play two songs naturally and by memory. I also wish to have basic knowledge of all scales and fingerings.

Reality Check

    I will need an Acoustic guitar, pick(s), access to YouTube, Tuner app, and a Capo. I might stumble into a few problems though concerning time, as I will need to spend it wisely to get everything needed done.

Conclusion

    I’m really excited for this project because I’ve always loved how the acoustic guitar sounded but never thought I would be able to learn it. Now that the opportunity has presented itself to me, I think it will be not only a great learning experience but a great life experience. If I stick to my goals and plans I think that the music I will create will take me somewhere great, later on in my life.

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