When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Guitar Performance Techniques

4 days left! Save on skills that make you shine with 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus. Save now

Guitar Performance Techniques

This course is part of How to Play Guitar Specialization

Instructor: Tim Miller

14,723 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

51 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

51 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop warm-up techniques to prepare for ensemble playing
Identify and play common chordal accompaniment
Demonstrate ensemble playing techniques while performing

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the How to Play Guitar Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Your favorite guitarist didn't become your favorite guitarist without the support of other musicians. The most important skill for a guitarist to learn is the exact same skill that was so important in kindergarten: playing well with others. Guitar Performance Techniques gives guitarists the essential and practical skills to play well with others in any ensemble situation. This course begins with daily warm-up techniques that help you prepare for rehearsals, jam sessions, and stage performances. From there, you'll explore chords, time accuracy, tone production, ear training, and the many aspects of jamming with other musicians. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to confidently interact with other musicians in a group setting and bring your A-game to any jam session you join.

Module details

Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience. Then, we begin by learning how to warm up for a rehearsal or performance. Warming up effectively is essential to play your best, and you'll find that it will enhance all of your skills in an ensemble setting. It will help you to play more relaxed, get a better tone, improve your time, intonation, articulation, and allow you to focus on listening.

What's included

7 videos10 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 18 minutes

Warming Up Your Mind and Visualizing1 minute
Warming Up Your Body2 minutes
Warming Up Your Picking Hand3 minutes
Warming Up Your Fretting Hand2 minutes
Synchronizing Your Picking and Fretting Hands4 minutes
Warming Up In Tempo: Minor Triad Arpeggios6 minutes
Warming Up In Tempo: Major, Augmented, and Diminished Arpeggios2 minutes

10 readingsTotal 95 minutes

Welcome!10 minutes
Connect with Your Classmates5 minutes
Course Resources10 minutes
Earn A Course Certificate10 minutes
Warming Up Your Mind and Visualization10 minutes
Warming Up Your Body10 minutes
Warming Up Your Picking and Fretting Hands10 minutes
Synchronization10 minutes
Triad Arpeggio Exercises10 minutes
Submitting Your Assignments10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Warming Up30 minutes
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Triad Arpeggio Warm-ups30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Triad Arpeggio Warm-ups10 minutes

This lesson focuses on the skills needed to develop “good ears.” Musicians who develop “good ears” are able to adapt to any musical situation, even when they do not know the song, key, or form. We will go over exercises to improve our ears and we will practice learning melodies and identifying chords by ear.

What's included

2 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 7 minutes

Transcribing Phrases By Ear3 minutes
Transcribing Chords by Ear3 minutes

6 readingsTotal 55 minutes

Singing What You Play and Playing What You Sing10 minutes
Playing By Ear Exercises10 minutes
Transcribing Phrases By Ear10 minutes
Transcribing Chords by Ear10 minutes
Recognizing Chord Types10 minutes
Sign-up for the full experience!5 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Developing Your Ears30 minutes
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Transcribe a solo/melody30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Transcribe a solo/melody10 minutes

This lesson will focus on key elements to develop your unique and personal sound on the guitar. We will discuss how the pick can be used to adjust four essential elements of your guitar sound: timbre, dynamics, note duration, and intonation. These four essential elements, when practiced with focus, will take you on the path to having a great touch and unique approach to sound and tone.

What's included

5 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 14 minutes

Timbre4 minutes
Dynamics2 minutes
Note Duration2 minutes
Playing in Tune2 minutes
Vibrato4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Pick and Tone10 minutes
Dynamics Activity10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Tone Production Essentials30 minutes
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Composing with Timbre Changes30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Composing with Timbre Changes10 minutes

In this lesson, we'll prepare for a performance. Being prepared for a rehearsal or gig can help to create a relaxed atmosphere and better overall performance experience. We will discuss developing a performance checklist as well the importance of knowing your gear. Finally, we'll highlight the importance of listening and blending on stage.