In most settings, it is rare to find an ensemble that

In most settings, it is rare to find an ensemble that

includes more than one guitar. A jazz band arrangement

is rarely written for more than one guitar, and the

same is true for most concert bands or Broadway

musicals. As a result, most high schools cannot

accommodate more guitarists than the number of

ensembles they have. If two or more guitars are

doubled up on one part, the musical results are less

than satisfying. Beginning guitarists don't have the

experience in coming up with ways to make multiple

guitars work in the same ensemble.

At the Cultural Arts Center we have a specialized

guitar course that is geared toward giving student

guitarists the tools they need to function in an

ensemble. Arrangements are custom crafted to the

students abilities, giving each a well-defined role

to fill that contributes to the overall sound.

Emphasis is placed on timing, tuning, and blending

their sound with those around them, and students learn

chords, scales, arpeggios, modes, technique, fingering

and improvisationall with the goal of producing a

well-rounded musician who will be able to come up with

musical parts in any situation they might encounter in

their professional lives or college auditions.