Are you new to Guitars in the Classroom?
We offer free teacher training in Music Integration, Year Round!
We offer free teacher training in Music Integration, Year Round!
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER TEACHER TRAINING COURSES IS NOW CLOSED.
PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN IN AUGUST TO ENROLL IN FALL COURSES!
PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN IN AUGUST TO ENROLL IN FALL COURSES!
PARENTS looking to enroll STUDENTS in GITC Summer Strummers Clubs
Please enroll children at the Level Up San Diego Website HERE.
Please enroll children at the Level Up San Diego Website HERE.
WHAT'S A GITC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE?
If you are a teacher, specialist, support staff or school staff member who wants to integrate music
with academic and SEL learning in your work with students, GITC welcomes you to learn to chant, sing,
strum write songs, and lead music for learning in one of our free PD courses!
Classes meet after school or on weekends. Enrollment is free!
Learn ukulele in our Total Beginners course, then add Guitar once you know your ukulele basics.
If you are a teacher, specialist, support staff or school staff member who wants to integrate music
with academic and SEL learning in your work with students, GITC welcomes you to learn to chant, sing,
strum write songs, and lead music for learning in one of our free PD courses!
Classes meet after school or on weekends. Enrollment is free!
Learn ukulele in our Total Beginners course, then add Guitar once you know your ukulele basics.
WHAT'S AN AMAISE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE?
Are you serving students with exceptionalities or special needs? Students with IEPs or 504 plans?
Please check out our AMAISE-ing courses training teachers and paras in Adaptive Music!
AMAISE stands for Adaptive Music for Achievement in Inclusion & Special Education.
Learn to facilitate music making so every student finds a way to successfully participate!
You may enroll in 1 regular course along with 1 AMAISE course this summer.
Are you serving students with exceptionalities or special needs? Students with IEPs or 504 plans?
Please check out our AMAISE-ing courses training teachers and paras in Adaptive Music!
AMAISE stands for Adaptive Music for Achievement in Inclusion & Special Education.
Learn to facilitate music making so every student finds a way to successfully participate!
You may enroll in 1 regular course along with 1 AMAISE course this summer.
ALL GITC BEGINNERS IN NEED OF A UKULELE, PLEASE READ:
Due to a reduction in available instruments as a result of the pandemic, we regret that we are not able to supply a free ukulele to all new GITC beginners at this time. Almost all available instruments are being sent by our ukulele sponsors to music stores in need of ukes to sell in order to keep their doors open. We will provide you with a wonderful discounted purchase option as well as a scholarship application for teachers in need when you register for your class.
Due to a reduction in available instruments as a result of the pandemic, we regret that we are not able to supply a free ukulele to all new GITC beginners at this time. Almost all available instruments are being sent by our ukulele sponsors to music stores in need of ukes to sell in order to keep their doors open. We will provide you with a wonderful discounted purchase option as well as a scholarship application for teachers in need when you register for your class.
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COURSES WITH UKULELES
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TEACHING THROUGH THE POWER OF SONG WITH UKULELES? Please watch this video and read the descriptions below to find out the best course for you. Then you'll be ready to register! |
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TOTAL BEGINNER : UKULELE
Course Prerequisite - None
This class is for teachers and specialists with little to no musical experience. Learn music basics for singing, strumming rhythms, accompanying songs on ukulele and leading hands-on singing, songwriting and strumming with your students. We go slowly to help you develop essential musical awareness and skills, and you'll get to sing, strum and play easy songs for learning with two or three chords in our special Open Tuning on ukulele.
BEGINNER REFRESH: UKULELE
Course Prerequisite: Total Beginner or Beginner
This course is for those of you who already took a Beginner level GITC course with ukulele and feel you want more time working with foundational strumming, coordination and singing/playing at the same time before joining the Experienced Beginner course. Whether you took a course a few years ago and are just returning,
or you simply want practice and review, please choose this course!
EXPERIENCED BEGINNER: UKULELE
Course Prerequisite: Total Beginner or Beginner
To enroll in Experienced Beginner, be able to tune the ukulele, play at least 3 chords in Open C Tuning, strum simple rhythm patterns, and be ready to try your hand at leading children to strum and sing. If you can play an easy 3 chord song on your own, this course will help you get faster with your changes, teach you a few more chords, and help you become more confident in your song leadership. It also prepares you to be able to add playing the guitar to your musical skills if you like and qualifies you to take Strum Into Standard for Uke next time!
STRUM INTO STANDARD: UKULELE
Course Prerequisite: Experienced Beginner
Strum Into Standard is exciting! By retuning the 1st G string, you will learn a new way to play your familiar chords after Experienced Beginner. You will play the chord forms you learned earlier in a fuller form, and also begin to play in a new key! You’ll learn how to invent your own strumming patterns, too. This course will open your ears to composing songs music-first and lyrics-first while exploring musical dynamics to express a fuller range of emotions and melodic possibilities.
Course Prerequisite: Experienced Beginner
Strum Into Standard is exciting! By retuning the 1st G string, you will learn a new way to play your familiar chords after Experienced Beginner. You will play the chord forms you learned earlier in a fuller form, and also begin to play in a new key! You’ll learn how to invent your own strumming patterns, too. This course will open your ears to composing songs music-first and lyrics-first while exploring musical dynamics to express a fuller range of emotions and melodic possibilities.
COURSES WITH GUITAR
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TEACHING THROUGH THE POWER OF SONG WITH GUITAR?
Please watch the video and read the descriptions below to find the best course for you.
Then you'll be ready to register!
Please watch the video and read the descriptions below to find the best course for you.
Then you'll be ready to register!
JUST ADD GUITAR - I
Course Prerequisite: Experienced Beginner
Double your fun by applying all you’ve learned on uke to playing guitar in your classroom and in your life! The larger instrument gives you more strings and lovely bass notes to work with, plus more volume for song-leading groups of students and a bigger instrument to hug. Your students who already play a little guitar will love having one to share at school each day. This beginning guitar course teaches you to transfer what you already learned how to do on a ukulele to the 6-string acoustic guitar. We make it easy in Open G tuning. If you have already mastered C, F and G7 on ukulele, you are ready to Just Add Guitar!
Already play guitar in standard tuning? Our Open G SmartStart Guitar method supports children to learn to play the instrument quickly to accompany songs without pain or struggle. After learning in Open G, anyone can successfully transition to Standard Tuning.
STRUM INTO STANDARD: GUITAR
Course Prerequisite: Just Add Guitar I or II
Strum Into Standard is exciting! By retuning strings 6, 5 and 1, you will learn a new way to play chords with more choices and musical voicings. You will play the chord forms you learned before as a starting point, adding fingers to make a more harmonically diverse sound. You will also begin to be able play song in new keys! This course will open your ears to composing songs music-first and lyrics-first while exploring musical dynamics to express a fuller range of emotions and melodic possibilities.
JUST ADD GUITAR - II
Course Prerequisite: Just Add Guitar - I
This course is a continuation of JUST ADD GUITAR in Open G Tuning. Most teachers prefer to play in Open G for several months before transitioning to the more complex chords of Standard Tuning. You will get more practice with G, C and D7 chords, integrate Em, G7, and more strumming patterns. Gaining comfort and confidence on guitar in Open G, and learning to raise and lower your singing key using a capo will make it easy to Transition Into Standard next time around!
Course Prerequisite: Experienced Beginner
Double your fun by applying all you’ve learned on uke to playing guitar in your classroom and in your life! The larger instrument gives you more strings and lovely bass notes to work with, plus more volume for song-leading groups of students and a bigger instrument to hug. Your students who already play a little guitar will love having one to share at school each day. This beginning guitar course teaches you to transfer what you already learned how to do on a ukulele to the 6-string acoustic guitar. We make it easy in Open G tuning. If you have already mastered C, F and G7 on ukulele, you are ready to Just Add Guitar!
Already play guitar in standard tuning? Our Open G SmartStart Guitar method supports children to learn to play the instrument quickly to accompany songs without pain or struggle. After learning in Open G, anyone can successfully transition to Standard Tuning.
STRUM INTO STANDARD: GUITAR
Course Prerequisite: Just Add Guitar I or II
Strum Into Standard is exciting! By retuning strings 6, 5 and 1, you will learn a new way to play chords with more choices and musical voicings. You will play the chord forms you learned before as a starting point, adding fingers to make a more harmonically diverse sound. You will also begin to be able play song in new keys! This course will open your ears to composing songs music-first and lyrics-first while exploring musical dynamics to express a fuller range of emotions and melodic possibilities.
JUST ADD GUITAR - II
Course Prerequisite: Just Add Guitar - I
This course is a continuation of JUST ADD GUITAR in Open G Tuning. Most teachers prefer to play in Open G for several months before transitioning to the more complex chords of Standard Tuning. You will get more practice with G, C and D7 chords, integrate Em, G7, and more strumming patterns. Gaining comfort and confidence on guitar in Open G, and learning to raise and lower your singing key using a capo will make it easy to Transition Into Standard next time around!
READY TO SIGN UP FOR A COURSE WITH GUITAR?
PLEASE REGISTER HERE STARTING MAY 10
COURSES WITH UKULELE, GUITAR OR BOTH!
EXPERIENCED STRUMMER:
Course Prerequisite: Strum into Standard or
the Ability to Play Simply in Standard Tuning
Experienced Strummer is for teachers who are already comfortable playing ukulele or guitar in at least one key in Standard Tuning. You will learn the Nashville Chord System that lets you go back and forth between guitar and ukulele using chord numbers instead of letter names. We accomplish this with a new way to name chords so they work interchangeably. You will acquire 3 new chords in Standard Tuning on one or both instruments, and have fun playing different musical styles with rhythmic strums. You’ll compose original music and acquire more song leadership, musical arranging and songwriting skills. Your confidence teaching and leading songs (singing solo) in your classroom will achieve new heights as you explore more nuanced and strategic ways to lead music for learning.
GITC SONGS FOR HOPE, HELP, HEALING, RESILIENCE, AND RESISTANCE!
Course Prerequisite: Any Beginner Level Course
or the ability to play at least C, F, G7 and Am on ukulele or G, C, F and D7 on guitar.
Open or Standard Tuning are both acceptable.
Songs can carry us through any moment, moving us through feelings and challenges personal, social and planetary, with inspirational messages, motivating rhythms and uplifting melodies. When we sing these songs in classrooms, we give students hope, encouragement and a vision of their own potential and powerful resilience. This class will teach you to sing, play, teach and lead 12 or more songs that will empower you as a song leader for learning to do just that. You’ll also receive songwriting tips for creating new verses on your own or with students to boost their literacy and expressive language skills.
Course Prerequisite: Strum into Standard or
the Ability to Play Simply in Standard Tuning
Experienced Strummer is for teachers who are already comfortable playing ukulele or guitar in at least one key in Standard Tuning. You will learn the Nashville Chord System that lets you go back and forth between guitar and ukulele using chord numbers instead of letter names. We accomplish this with a new way to name chords so they work interchangeably. You will acquire 3 new chords in Standard Tuning on one or both instruments, and have fun playing different musical styles with rhythmic strums. You’ll compose original music and acquire more song leadership, musical arranging and songwriting skills. Your confidence teaching and leading songs (singing solo) in your classroom will achieve new heights as you explore more nuanced and strategic ways to lead music for learning.
GITC SONGS FOR HOPE, HELP, HEALING, RESILIENCE, AND RESISTANCE!
Course Prerequisite: Any Beginner Level Course
or the ability to play at least C, F, G7 and Am on ukulele or G, C, F and D7 on guitar.
Open or Standard Tuning are both acceptable.
Songs can carry us through any moment, moving us through feelings and challenges personal, social and planetary, with inspirational messages, motivating rhythms and uplifting melodies. When we sing these songs in classrooms, we give students hope, encouragement and a vision of their own potential and powerful resilience. This class will teach you to sing, play, teach and lead 12 or more songs that will empower you as a song leader for learning to do just that. You’ll also receive songwriting tips for creating new verses on your own or with students to boost their literacy and expressive language skills.
READY TO SIGN UP FOR A COURSE WITH GUITAR OR UKULELE?
PLEASE REGISTER HERE STARTING MAY 10!
PLEASE REGISTER HERE STARTING MAY 10!
COURSES FOR ADAPTIVE MUSIC
WANT TO LEAD MUSIC INCLUSIVELY FOR ALL LEARNERS?
You are welcome to sign up for an AMAISE course
AMAISE: Adaptive Music for Achievement in Inclusion and Special Education.
Train with GITC to make musical participation possible for every student!
You are welcome to sign up for an AMAISE course
AMAISE: Adaptive Music for Achievement in Inclusion and Special Education.
Train with GITC to make musical participation possible for every student!
AMAISE BEGINNER (AMAISE I)
Course Prerequisite: None
Learn the basics of adapting music making so all students including those with different kinds and levels of support needs can fully participate! AMAISE empowers you to help your students feel the joy and receive the benefits of learning through the power of music and songs! Music opens new pathways to learning for students for students developing emerging language and motor skills. This course may include training in percussion, ukulele or guitar, Beamz, Jamstik or AirJamz! We focus on Songwriting for SEL (Social Emotional Learning), essential speaking and listening skills, kinesthetic activities, differentiating instruction for medical needs including use of special adaptations for ukulele, guitar, rhythm instruments and more!
Course Prerequisite: None
Learn the basics of adapting music making so all students including those with different kinds and levels of support needs can fully participate! AMAISE empowers you to help your students feel the joy and receive the benefits of learning through the power of music and songs! Music opens new pathways to learning for students for students developing emerging language and motor skills. This course may include training in percussion, ukulele or guitar, Beamz, Jamstik or AirJamz! We focus on Songwriting for SEL (Social Emotional Learning), essential speaking and listening skills, kinesthetic activities, differentiating instruction for medical needs including use of special adaptations for ukulele, guitar, rhythm instruments and more!
AMAISE-ing CLASSROOM COACHING (AMAISE II)
Course Prerequisite: AMAISE Beginner
This workshop-style course is open to any GITC teacher or staff participant who has completed foundational training in AMAISE either online, in person or at an AMAISE Conference. Teachers and support staff in this course must already be implementing music for inclusion or intervention and/or building classroom community with SEL skills. Each week, individuals will be asked to share a particular challenge, opportunity, musical strategy, experiment or success. We will learn together and help one another create specialized interventions and leadership strategies for our students and our classrooms as a whole.
Course Prerequisite: AMAISE Beginner
This workshop-style course is open to any GITC teacher or staff participant who has completed foundational training in AMAISE either online, in person or at an AMAISE Conference. Teachers and support staff in this course must already be implementing music for inclusion or intervention and/or building classroom community with SEL skills. Each week, individuals will be asked to share a particular challenge, opportunity, musical strategy, experiment or success. We will learn together and help one another create specialized interventions and leadership strategies for our students and our classrooms as a whole.
CEUs
CEUs are available through UCSD Extension. Your instructor will fill you in.
CEUs are available through UCSD Extension. Your instructor will fill you in.
ABOUT GITC COURSES:
Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom (GITC) programs encompass much more than an instrumental approach to beginning guitar and ukulele.
GITC "SmartStart" Open Tuning approach is available through the book SmartStart Guitar, for sale to the general public from Hal Leonard Publishing. The book Smartstart Ukulele is available from Korg/Soundtree.
However, only certificated GITC faculty members teach music integration that includes employing music making and song-based learning to enrich and deepen literacy and math learning, social-emotional growth, cross-curricular connections, and more. If you are looking for an official GITC program, it will be listed on this website or it will be known to us. It must be taught by one of our trained and certified faculty members. Anyone else saying that they are teaching Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom may be using some version of our instrumental approach to teach music in some way. They are not providing endorsed or official GITC training.
If you want to check on someone's standing with our organization or alert us to possible copycat programs, we ask that you please REACH OUT HERE. Thanks so much for the help keeping our charitable work safe and ensuring the quality of GITC instruction!
Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom (GITC) programs encompass much more than an instrumental approach to beginning guitar and ukulele.
GITC "SmartStart" Open Tuning approach is available through the book SmartStart Guitar, for sale to the general public from Hal Leonard Publishing. The book Smartstart Ukulele is available from Korg/Soundtree.
However, only certificated GITC faculty members teach music integration that includes employing music making and song-based learning to enrich and deepen literacy and math learning, social-emotional growth, cross-curricular connections, and more. If you are looking for an official GITC program, it will be listed on this website or it will be known to us. It must be taught by one of our trained and certified faculty members. Anyone else saying that they are teaching Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom may be using some version of our instrumental approach to teach music in some way. They are not providing endorsed or official GITC training.
If you want to check on someone's standing with our organization or alert us to possible copycat programs, we ask that you please REACH OUT HERE. Thanks so much for the help keeping our charitable work safe and ensuring the quality of GITC instruction!