ricdoug
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I've taken several courses on Coursera using the Chrome browser on my Android Samsung Galaxy S II phone. They have video lectures, assignments and projects. Here's some excerpts from this course:
https://www.coursera.org/#course/guitar
Introduction to Guitar
Thaddeus Hogarth
Grasp the essentials needed to begin playing acoustic or electric guitar. You'll learn an easy approach to get you playing quickly, through a combination of exploring the instrument, performance technique, and basic music theory.
Next Session:
Apr 22nd 2013 (6 weeks long)
Workload: 6-8 hours/week
About the Course
For students who have long thought about picking up the acoustic or electric guitar, this course will provide an easy-access foundation that will get you playing. When first learning guitar, it is important to have the material presented in stages, in an enjoyable way that allows you to grasp the basics of the instrument and music. The course begins simply with the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, tuning, and technique—whether finger-style or pick. It then explores the basics of music theory with such topics as scales, triads, power chords, and fingering and shapes.
At the end of this course, students will understand the structure, parts, and accessories of the instrument, in addition to an understanding of its basic maintenance. Electric guitar players will learn the operation of their instrument along with basic options for amplification, effect pedals, and sounds. Students will also learn to develop correct technique and apply theory concepts to their playing. They will have the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue most intermediate guitar courses.
Course Syllabus
Lesson 1: Acoustic or Electric Guitar?
Parts Options, Accessories, Quick Start to Playing
Lesson 2: The Basics—All You Need to Know to Start
String Names, Tuning, Pick Technique, Finger-Style, Strumming
Lesson 3: Twelve Tones = Twelve Frets
Frets, Notes on the Staff, Notes on the Fretboard, Notes on the Staff, Rhythm, Time Signature
Lesson 4: Scales—The What's and Why's
Position Playing, Chromatic Scale, Major Scales, Half Steps, Whole Steps, Keys, Sharps Flats
Lesson 5: Easy Chords—Triads/Power Chords
Basic Harmony, Power Chords, Easy Fingerings for Major and Minor Chords, Songs
Lesson 6: The Pentatonic Scale—The Guitarists Best Friend
Fingerings, Soloing, Electric Guitar Effects and Amplification, Acoustic Amplificiation
Recommended Background
No musical experience or ability to read music is required.
Suggested Readings
The Quest for Good Guitar Tone by Thaddeus Hogarth
Course Format
The course consists of video demonstrations, with integrated quizzes that allow you to reinforce your knowledge of the material before moving on. You will also have assignments that ask you to submit basic recorded examples of your playing for peer review.
FAQ
•What kind of guitar should I have for the course?
Students should have either an electric or acoustic guitar.
•What do I need in order to record my assignments?
During the course, you will be asked to submit recorded examples of your playing. In order to do this, you will need your computer's built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity, that will allow you to record yourself playing and save the recording in MP3 format.
https://www.coursera.org/#course/guitar
Introduction to Guitar
Thaddeus Hogarth
Grasp the essentials needed to begin playing acoustic or electric guitar. You'll learn an easy approach to get you playing quickly, through a combination of exploring the instrument, performance technique, and basic music theory.
Next Session:
Apr 22nd 2013 (6 weeks long)
Workload: 6-8 hours/week
About the Course
For students who have long thought about picking up the acoustic or electric guitar, this course will provide an easy-access foundation that will get you playing. When first learning guitar, it is important to have the material presented in stages, in an enjoyable way that allows you to grasp the basics of the instrument and music. The course begins simply with the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, tuning, and technique—whether finger-style or pick. It then explores the basics of music theory with such topics as scales, triads, power chords, and fingering and shapes.
At the end of this course, students will understand the structure, parts, and accessories of the instrument, in addition to an understanding of its basic maintenance. Electric guitar players will learn the operation of their instrument along with basic options for amplification, effect pedals, and sounds. Students will also learn to develop correct technique and apply theory concepts to their playing. They will have the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue most intermediate guitar courses.
Course Syllabus
Lesson 1: Acoustic or Electric Guitar?
Parts Options, Accessories, Quick Start to Playing
Lesson 2: The Basics—All You Need to Know to Start
String Names, Tuning, Pick Technique, Finger-Style, Strumming
Lesson 3: Twelve Tones = Twelve Frets
Frets, Notes on the Staff, Notes on the Fretboard, Notes on the Staff, Rhythm, Time Signature
Lesson 4: Scales—The What's and Why's
Position Playing, Chromatic Scale, Major Scales, Half Steps, Whole Steps, Keys, Sharps Flats
Lesson 5: Easy Chords—Triads/Power Chords
Basic Harmony, Power Chords, Easy Fingerings for Major and Minor Chords, Songs
Lesson 6: The Pentatonic Scale—The Guitarists Best Friend
Fingerings, Soloing, Electric Guitar Effects and Amplification, Acoustic Amplificiation
Recommended Background
No musical experience or ability to read music is required.
Suggested Readings
The Quest for Good Guitar Tone by Thaddeus Hogarth
Course Format
The course consists of video demonstrations, with integrated quizzes that allow you to reinforce your knowledge of the material before moving on. You will also have assignments that ask you to submit basic recorded examples of your playing for peer review.
FAQ
•What kind of guitar should I have for the course?
Students should have either an electric or acoustic guitar.
•What do I need in order to record my assignments?
During the course, you will be asked to submit recorded examples of your playing. In order to do this, you will need your computer's built-in microphone or an external microphone plugged directly into your computer (via built-in ports or an external audio interface), in addition to basic audio recording software, such as Audacity, that will allow you to record yourself playing and save the recording in MP3 format.
