Beginning Guitar  

(Meets during semester 2, blocks 3 or 5 - Now qualifies for Global Scholars!)

More info about Guitar classes at L-S?  Check out our Semester Music Elective info video!

*Guitar classes now qualify for the Global Scholars program - we learn about songs, styles and cultures from all over the world.

Taught by Mr. Bunting
Semester course - 2 credits
No prerequisite

Guitar is a semester elective that meets 5x per 2 weeks with 3 frees. The focus is learning to play the acoustic guitar. Music will be taught through a combination of written music, by ear, and through chord symbols. The course will be largely self-paced: all levels of experience are welcome, beginners as well as those with experience.

Beginning students who have never played guitar before are welcome!  Any level of experience welcome.  Just sign up!  We provide a guitar for each student to use and practice with for the semester.

Includes units on the UKULELE and ELECTRIC GUITAR!

Intermediate Guitar 

Intermediate and advanced guitar students are also welcome to sign up for "Intermediate Guitar", and will have flexibility to move at their own pace.  Topics to explore will include barre chords, alternate picking, playing in a variety of musical styles, and songs chosen by the student.

Here are some ear training exercises for practice.

Chords:

Major vs. minor triads

7th chords: Major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th

Intervals:

Minor vs. major 2nds

Minor vs. Major 3rds

Minor 2nds, Major 2nds, minor 3rds, Major 3rds

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY & COMPOSITION  

(Meets during semester 1, block 4)

More info about Music Technology class at L-S?  Check out our Semester Music Elective info video!

Taught by Mr. Bunting
Semester course - 2 credits
No prerequisite

Course Description:
Through this course, students will learn how to create beats on the computer. Students will learn how to use synthesizers, MIDI piano and guitar controllers, and microphones to crate music and to improve music listening skills. Students will also watch film clips from Harry Potter and other Hollywood movies to discuss film scoring, and produce their own music for videos from L-S film classes utilizing Garageband or Logic loops or their own musical material. Other software may include Noteflight, Finale, Keynote, and other online music tools. This course is designed for both beginners and advanced students as students can apply their prior and newly acquired musical skills to the projects. (This class meets the Arts Requirement OR the Computer Technology Requirement (for graduating classes 2024 & 2025) and may NOT be repeated).

No prior experience necessary!  Come explore how to make beats on the computer using MIDI controllers like the:

M-Audio Oxygen 25  

and the Roli Seaboard block  

with Mr. Bunting!

Note:
This Music Technology course replaces the course formerly titled "Multimedia Music".
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact L-S Choral Director, Mr. Bunting!

Songwriting  

(Meets during semester 1, block 1)

More info about Songwriting 1 & 2 classes at L-S?  Check out our Semester Music Elective info video!

Songwriting will meet during block 1, semester 1.  The course will be taught by Mr. Grandprey, who has performed well known and original songs in numerous groups across the U.S., Canada, & Europe.

Welcome to Songwriting at L-S!
This elective meets during block 1, first semester, and meets the L-S Arts
Requirement. It meets 5 times out of the 2 week cycle, with 3 free blocks per
cycle.

Songwriting is a class for those who play music, sing music, and/or are interested
in music. Prior musical experience is helpful but not necessary. For projects and
skill-building, students move at their own pace. We cover a basic introduction to
playing the guitar and the piano as part of this class. We listen to songs, talk
about songs, and learn to write songs. Projects can mostly be done in groups.
We incorporate a wide variety of popular music from a variety of styles and
decades.

Guitarists, Singers, Rappers, Bass players, Drummers, Makers-of-Beats, and other instrumentalists are welcome!

Sample Songwriting Projects

Ringtones (getting to know Digital Audio Workstations)
New spin on 50's chord progressions (familiar chord progressions in new styles)
Protest Song (expressing your views on matters important to you)
 

Songwriting II

This elective meets during block 1,  first semester, and meets the L-S Arts
Requirement. It meets 5 times out of the 2 week cycle, with 3 free blocks per
cycle.  Contact Mr. Grandprey for info for how to register for this class.
Prerequisite: Songwriting

This elective meets concurrently with Songwriting.
Students will utilize and extend knowledge and skills from Songwriting and outside
experience. The curriculum is project-based, and allows students flexibility in
studying songs and songwriters, and picking and adapting projects.

NEW COURSE:

Piano           

(Meets for 1 semester, self-paced group piano lessons)

This is a NEW semester-long FATA class for anyone interested in learning how to play the piano!  It will be taught in a group lesson format, with students learning at their own pace.  It will include skill building on reading music, learning by ear, playing pop/rock/R&B songs, and other areas.  Beginners are welcome as are students with some experience on piano!