Guitar Theory and Composition

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments, adaptable to a wide range of styles and filling a variety of roles. A few composers have recognized this flexibility and have created large guitar orchestra or chamber works with not only different types of guitars, but also with a variety of players, and bringing rock, jazz and folk techniques into art music. This seminar/workshop will examine a range of art music works for guitars by learning to play existing ensemble works and by writing new music for the class ensemble that expands or challenges these works. Compositions may involve improvisation, prepared guitar, or new playing techniques. Through composition, you will develop a working music theory for the instrument. While the class will help develop reading skills on the instrument, some degree of reading standard notation and/or tablature is required.