Bett began teaching private guitar in 1978 at Burt's Village Music Store in Cameron Village. When the store moved to Cary (Shoppes of Kildare) ten years later, Bett moved her private studio to her home. She taught group lessons for the City of Raleigh's Parks and Recreation Department, the YWCA and the Community Schools until 1983. In 1979 she began teaching group classes at NCSU and continued through the spring semester of 2007. Group lessons are still offered at the home studio which is conveniently located near the NCSU campus with ample parking and an environment conducive to learning. Read more about the classes as well as private lessons below.

GROUP GUITAR

                  NEXT CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF JANUARY 15TH AND 16TH 2008

These classes are primarily for rhythm and accompaniment music of different styles ranging from folk, country and pop working with rhythms and finger patterns. Theory is introduced as necessary. Guitars are provided for folks who do not own one. These are available to take home to practice, but the class must be paid for first. Beginner and Intermediate classes are open to the public to people 17 years of age or older.
Classes meet for one hour and fifteen minutes each week for 11 weeks beginning Tuesday/Wednesday August 28th and 29th. Cost of the class is $150 and includes all materials.
Two beginner classes are offered....choose which one that best suits your schedule.
BEGINNER CLASSES:
    Tuesdays at 6 PM beginning January 15th
    Wednesdays at 6 PM beginning January 16th
   
  
INTERMEDIATE class
    Wednesdays at 7:30 PM beginning January 16th
Classes will not meet March 4th & 5th.

Please email bett@bettpadgett.com to get more information and to reserve a spot!--- or phone (919)787-6378. Directions will be sent to everyone prior to the beginning of class.

Not only will students learn how to play the guitar, but will learn about the history (stories) of the of the music and composers as well as necessary theory is taught as needed. Reading notes is NOT taught, but reading music is! Classes are great fun, and move along quickly, so it’s important for students to develop good practice habits and not get discouraged if not enough time is devoted to learning. Also, it's necessary to bring a good sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself! Below are the objectives of the beginner and intermediate classes:

OBJECTIVES OF BEGINNING CLASS 

1.  How to get comfortable with a guitar.
2.  How to use the guitar as an accompaniment instrument by learning chords and song together.
3.  Learn several strumming and picking styles.
4.  Learn rhythmic theory in order to learn strumming and picking techniques.
5.  Learn scale and chord formations and how to apply to the guitar.
6.  Learn how to read sheet music (different from 'note-reading') and look at what can be downloaded from the Internet and how to interpret it.
7. Learn to transpose and why.
8. Tips on how to practice, care for, and purchase a guitar. Also a look at guitar paraphernalia: tuners, capos, picks, humidifiers, strings, etc.
9.  To accompany yourself on guitar in music of your choice using techniques that you learn in class
10. An appreciation of music of the past and its evolution into our present culture. 

I feel that learning through the method I teach will guide you to play by ear and be willing to improvise.  You will learn techniques through many styles of music: folk, country, pop...past and present. (No heavy metal or rap!). It is not necessary to sing, but singing and playing is the real challenge! It is advisable to bring a tape recorder and tape the sessions if possible. AND ALWAYS A PENCIL OR PEN!!!!

OBJECTIVES OF INTERMEDIATE CLASS 

1.  Quick review of beginning techniques and theory.
2.  Learn the use of scales in songs (bass runs, walk downs, chord/bass. harmonized 3rds and harmonized 10ths)
3.  Learn more picking and strumming patterns and how to combine them within a song.
4.  Learn 'ornamentals' ... hammer-ons, pull-offs, slide and how to do efficiently. Learn dynamics to make guitar more dramatic. How to find natural introductions and endings to tunes.
We will take several songs and make them sound like what you hear. Over several weeks they will ‘grow’ by playing with many techniques and dynamics.
5.  Learn more complicated chord and rhythmic theory as they are used.
6.  Read very complex sheet music (maybe)  and more complex Internet ‘music’.
7. Understanding bar chords and how to find them quickly.
8. Learn how to substitute chords.
9. Learn why certain chords are used in a given key. Learn how to take a song with no chords given and figure out which chords to play. We will listen to CDs and figure out what keys they are in, consequently, what chords are used. Learn the ‘tell-tale’ sounds (identifiable licks) to help determine the keys, and listen to rhythms to choose appropriate methods to play the songs you want to play
10. We will discuss modes and discover that many of the tunes we enjoy and play are modal.
11. Learn how to read TABLATURE so that if you do not sing, you can play instrumental tunes. 12. A look at more complex Internet ‘music. 

If you can find 20-30 minutes a day to practice, this should be sufficient. It is not necessary to keep up. If you get behind, come to class anyway. Your fingers can catch up later!

NO ONE IS ASKED TO PLAY ALONE!!!!  

The REAL PLUS of group lessons is that guitars are provided for folks who do not own one. These are available to take home to practice, but the class must be paid for first.

 PRIVATE LESSONS

Teaching at home studio: (right off of Wade Avenue, near NCSU, Meredith College, Peace, downtown....convenient from ALL locations)  These are $75/month (4 or 5 30 minute lessons---how many ever there are of that particular time slot) or $20/30 minute session. 45 minute lessons are $100/month of one lesson per week or $30 for one 45 minute session. $35/hour session

From beginners to folks who have played for many years! Bett enjoys teaching all levels in many styles, primarily rhythm, finger style, open and alternate tunings. Folk, country and pop music, a little jazz, always trying to find new interesting arrangements for old songs. She mostly enjoys helping folks learn the kind of music they want to learn, and especially helping songwriters with their own music, guiding them through the process with theory and many rhythmic choices and styles. 

Students at the home studio MUST like dogs! If you're not comfortable around them, they can be put in another part of the house. Four Border Collies is a herd of herding dogs! They're great fun and love people, but we understand that not everyone is a 'dog person'! Speak up! Email bett@bettpadgett.com to set up a schedule!

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For questions or comments regarding Bett Padgett's CD's, music or performances, send email to bett@bettpadgett.com.  For comments or problems with this site, please email bett@bettpadgett.com.