Perhaps no other instrument in the last five decades has been able to capture the imagination of popular culture and music in the way the guitar has. It's ability to encompass and animate almost every style of popular musical expression from the lilting romantic ballad, to the dark, angst-driven metal riff, makes the guitar a vital component in almost all forms of contemporary music.

Intrinsic to the guitar's versatility, is the fact that it is able to combine the three musical pillars of melody, harmony and rhythm, with ease and to great effect. And with the growing synergies between newer guitar designs and emerging technologies, guitar players have been able to use the instrument, to shape the voice of their generation in remarkably fresh ways. From Jimi Hendrix's incendiary celebration of freedom at Woodstock, to Yngwie Malmsteen's warp-speed re-imagination of classical influences in a rock idiom, or Kurt Cobain's tortured rock evocation of postmodern despair, the guitar today has become integral to breaking new musical ground. Perhaps NSM can help you take the first steps towards writing the next chapter of that unfolding story.

Course Overview

Introduction
Get introduced to the most popular contemporary instrument starting off with its roots, origin and its various types. Also understand and appreciate various parts of the instrument. Understand the importance of a good posture and its advantages on your playing ability. Learn proper positioning of both the hands and fingers.

How to pick the right guitar | Understanding the various parts or a guitar and their uses | Posture | Left Hand Position | Right Hand Position | Guitar Care | Using a Tuner & Metronome | Notes on the fretboard

Reading
Learn the significance of music notation and how to read and understand the same.

Understanding guitar notations / tablature | Reading chord charts | Reading standard music notations

Music Theory
Your knowledge of music theory and the core fundamentals will open doors to a world that was previously closed to you. Used correctly, music theory will help you not only understand your music, but will allow you to communicate your musical ideas, and to explore music in ways you have never experienced before. Music theory allows you to be literate, and to expand your musical horizon, and to give you a vocabulary and method for doing so.

Introduction to Notes, Chords & Scales | How to create a scale | How to form Chords (Chord Theory) | Chord Families

Main Course Content for Level 1 and Level 2

Level 1

Technique - How to shift between chords | Strumming techniques & patterns | Alternate Picking | Understanding Rhythm | Playing with a metronome | How to tune your guitar | Finger Picking | Finger Dexterity and independence Exercises | Pentatonic Scale

Practical Application - Introduction to popular musical styles like Rock, Blues, Funk, Metal, Rock n Roll & Pop | Learning Songs | Playing along with backing tracks | Improvisation |

Level 2

Technique - How to play with Hammer ons, Pull offs, Slides, Bends | Understanding Palm Muting | Power Chords | Harmonics and its applications (Open Harmonics, Pinch Harmonics & Harp Harmonics) | Advanced picking patterns | Legato Playing (Playing without Picking) | Advanced Finger Exercises | Scales & Modes | String Skipping | Playing by ear | Arpeggios & Sweep Picking |

Practical Application - In depth study and breakdown of guitar styles of other bands (Aerosmith, Guns n Roses,Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, etc) and guitar players (Joe Satriani, Van Halen, Jimmy Hendrix)| Playing in a band and joining the in-house student band | How to perform live | How to interact with the audience | Stage Craft

Technology
Understanding guitar processors, pedals and use them effectively | Understanding Guitar Amplifiers | How to pick the right gear | Guitar Recording Techniques | Practicing and recording with a click track

Performance
You will get an opportunity to form a band with other students and perform live on stage. Here you will learn various aspects of band dynamics and what it takes to work with fellow musicians and perform as one unit on stage. Learn to set up the processor, amplifier and the guitar on stage. Deliver a stand out performance. Remember, you can only get better!