Right hand
- Develop a clear sound at two or more dynamic levels:
- plucking strings with free right-hand and arm movements, using downstrokes
- using the plectrum as appropriate
- strumming patterns using downstrokes
Ask learners to listen to a clear tone, either produced by the teacher or recorded. Encourage them to imitate and discuss what affects tone quality.
Relate the concept of tone quality to other instruments and voices.
Demonstrate how to vary the tone quality by changing the right-hand position, e.g playing forward of the sound hole or nearer to the bridge. Ask learners to copy and experiment.
Find descriptive ways to refer to different tone qualities, e.g. ‘melted chocolate sound’ or ‘eating cornflakes sound’ or ‘fluffy clouds’.
Emphasise that right-hand fluidity comes from the wrist action.
There is a tendency for some learners to keep the wrist rigid and move from the elbow. Liken the desired wrist action to that when painting a picture.
Ask learners to play appropriate single-string notes at a regular pulse while the teacher plays simple chord progressions.
Demonstrate to learners how to achieve a rest by stopping the string with either the left or right hand. Encourage them to experiment using open strings, and to comment on the musical effect created by a rest.
Teach learners some simple strumming patterns, using the thumb brush strum.
Simple strumming patterns can be used to play along with well-known songs.
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