[HANASHIR:14835] Re: guitar class and song leading

[NeilNFW <NeilNFW...>]

Scott,

I am going through this process myself.  Here's what I have done:

1.  Our congregation runs a high-school program for 8-12 graders on Tuesday 
nights.  The program is elective-based, so the students can choose their 
coursework.  I teach two classes each week.  One is called "Rock 'n' Ruach" a 
spirited song-session type atmosphere, which gives me a chance to expose the 
students to newer music and older favorites.  The second is "Beginning 
Songleading" 
which requires only a basic musical knowledge.

2.  In Beginning Songleading, I teach guitar chords and easy songleading 
techniques.  After the first quarter, I identify those students that I feel 
have 
the talent and ability, as well as a higher guitar proficiency and invite them 
to a three-person maximum Advanced songleading tutorial.

3.  This is the first summer that I have offered private lessons to some of 
these students for about 45 minutes each week.  I have also sent one to Camp 
Kutz and will hopefully get her to Hava Nashira next year.

My philosophy:  If I can interest students into learning more about leading 
Jewish music, and if I can develop one great songleader a year, then I'm doing 
my job.

Neil Weinstein
Bellevue, WA