Second Floor - Shop - for teachers

Guitar Ensemble School

www.derek-hasted.co.uk

Teachers' Notes

I seem to have spent my life buying books of music, and being disappointed when I get them home. I've tried to ensure that my published material doesn't do the same for you when you buy it!

My published editions contain music grouped together by

• Number of Parts
• Ability
• Encompassing Theme

If you are a teacher looking to equip yourself with a range of Ensemble pieces, then you would be right to ask the didactic purpose of each edition. There are themes which bind each edition together, though the prime mover, as you'll have guessed from the rest of my site, is to produce music that is robust and joyful as soon as the parts are put together.

• Fingerstyles
  For raising a smile from an audience at a Concert. Something to amuse the listener. Simple keys.
   
• Tiny Trios Books 1 and 2
  For players just starting with Ensemble who want well-known tunes that fit together easily. A rich sound for little effort! Great as warm-up pieces for any ability, and ideal for learning alternative notes up the neck too.
   
• Ragtime, Glad Rags
  For foot-tapping styles to encourage participation and fluency. Some up-the-neck work, and more complex keys.
   
• Seaside Rock
  For something more upbeat and modern, to encourage rhythmic precision.
   
• Springtide
  For musical expression - best suited to a Trio, not an Ensemble. Benefits from confident phrasing and interpretation.
   
• Five to Seven
  Something for the rhythmically secure to show off with - requires a good ear and a good sense of counting. Impressive at Concerts.
   
• Diff'rent Dances Books 1 to 5
  For contrasting rhythms and a varied program. Mix and match. Ideal Concert material! Short enough to learn quickly, musically rich enough to encourage the players to excel. In the hands of a Teacher who wants to develop their more promising players, there is much that can be done in suggesting alternative positions for many lines.
   
• South Of The Border
  Ideal for the larger ensemble with players of mixed abilities. Line 5 is perfect for Contrabass guitar (or electric bass if you have a treble clef reader) too.

Don't forget my Christmas Music - ideal for those December School Concerts!

Return to Shop