What is a digital recital?
December is a pretty crazy time of year for parents, students, and teachers. I decided early in the semester that I wanted to try my first ever Christmas recital. Students work really hard on Christmas music and I wanted to give them a place to showcase their hard work and see the hard work of other dedicated students. So, during the student's last lesson of the semester I recorded them playing the Christmas song of their choice.
The students are classified by the category of their performance (singing and playing, fingerstyle, piano, etc) and each student is listed alphabetically under each category. If you feel inclined to leave a general comment or a comment for a specific student there is a comment box at the bottom of the page and I will pass along any comments or words of encouragement written here. Consider it digital applause.
So, pull up a chair and enjoy our first annual Christmas recital here at stickandstrum. I hope you enjoy.
-shane
The students are classified by the category of their performance (singing and playing, fingerstyle, piano, etc) and each student is listed alphabetically under each category. If you feel inclined to leave a general comment or a comment for a specific student there is a comment box at the bottom of the page and I will pass along any comments or words of encouragement written here. Consider it digital applause.
So, pull up a chair and enjoy our first annual Christmas recital here at stickandstrum. I hope you enjoy.
-shane
Playing and Singing
Singing while playing is an entirely different task them simply playing the guitar. While most guitarists will try it at some point, only two of my students had the talent and courage to sing and play for our Christmas recital and they did a great job! I look forward to seeing what they can do for our Beatles recital this spring!
Strumming Chords with melodic accompaniment
An often overlooked area of guitar playing is strumming chords with fluid rhythm. These two students nail it and they've only been at it for a couple of years! Listen as they play the chords to these familiar Christmas songs and I add a single note guitar melody over the top.
Finger Style Arrangements
Finger Style is a forgotten art form within the guitar playing community. Whether it be classical guitar, the singer-songwriters of the 60s and 70s and today, or something else entirely (Andy McKee anyone?) there is a realm of possibilities within our fingertips. Only a couple of the students below had any prior experience with fingerstyle guitar. For most students this was a completely new experience from anything that they had attempted on guitar and I am really impressed with how far they came in only a few short weeks.
Basic Melody
This is where it all starts. Before students get to chords or fingerstyle technique everyone starts with the basic melody.
Piano Students
Most of these students are beginners, having been with me for a year at the longest and three out of four starting with me this semester. I am so proud of the hard work that they put in and the great results achieved with so little time on the instrument! Practice and hard work pays off!
Thanks for watching! Check out pics and videos from our Spring Recital 2011 and stay tuned for our Beatles recital this spring!