LESSON PLAN: Switching Chords – C to Ami
Objective
Students will be able to hear and play both E major and E minor chords by moving 1 finger on and off of the fretboard.
Resources
Handout for the C Major Chord, Chord charts of songs using both C and A minor chords.
Procedures
- Have students play the C major chord
from the handout, making sure the fingers press down hard enough on the strings to make a sound while being careful not to mute other strings. The 6th string isn’t used in this chord and can be muted by placing the 3rd finger so that it touches string 6 or by hanging the thumb over the top of the fretboard so that it gently touches string 6.
- Move the 3rd finger from the 5th
string where it is in the C chord to the 3rd string on the 2nd fret. The 1st and 2nd fingers never leave the guitar. Now we’re playing an A minor chord.
- Practice switching between these two chords while counting steady time. Strum only on beat 1 then move the 3rd finger during beats 2, 3, and 4. (Figure A)
- Once the switch between chords feels easy try playing a standard rock and roll strum pattern. (FIgure B)
National Core Arts Standards (Music)
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work. Example: General Music MU:Cr2.1.6 b. Use standard and/or iconic notation and/or audio/ video recording to document personal simple rhythmic phrases, melodic phrases, and two-chord harmonic musical ideas. Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. Example: General Music MU:Pr4.2.5 a. Demonstrate understanding of the structure and the elements of music (such as rhythm, pitch, form, and harmony) in music selected for performance. (applies 1-5) Example: General Music MU:Pr.4.2.2 b. When analyzing selected music, read and perform rhythmic and melodic patterns using iconic or standard notation. (applies 1-4) Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Example: General Music MU:Pr6.1.2 a. Perform music for a specific purpose with expression and technical accuracy. (applies PK-7) Common Core Correlation: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.