The Songwriter's Guitar

MIN4362.01
Course System Home Terms Spring 2025 The Songwriter's Guitar

Course Description

Summary

Self-taught guitar playing often begins with the recognition of simple patterns, evolving into complexity. These patterns, while helping us gain familiarity, can eventually become a constrictive box, requiring new material to refresh the old. How do we make a song more effective through focusing on guitar, how can we make a song find its destination? This course develops each student’s guitar practice in tandem with songwriting, while challenging players to hear all notes, chords, rhythms, and breaks as viable. Each student will write one “long song“ that pushes their playing outside their comfort zone and into a more dynamic relationship with their instrument. An emphasis will be put on listening skills, with a soft focus on music theory as well.

Prerequisites

Some previous experience with guitar, and an instrument are required. Audition required - contact ogoodarzi@bennington.edu to set up an audition. Auditions will be held on Thursday, November 21, beginning at 4:00pm.

Please contact the faculty member : nbrooke@bennington.edu

Instructor

  • Nicholas Brooke

Day and Time

Academic Term

Spring 2025

Area of Study

Credits

2

Course Level

4000

Maximum Enrollment

12