Both my husband and I can play an instrument, piano and flute respectively. We place a high value on learning to play, but due to space and budget restrictions have not been able to carry through on this. Nathanael and Maggie have a strong desire to learn to play, primarily because they are the only older children ones in our Bible study group who don’t play. When we gather on Wednesday nights we have a cello, a harp, a violin, a flute (not me!), a piano, and sometimes a hammered dulcimer. Needless to say, the positive peer pressure is getting stronger each week!
After college I purchased a guitar with the intent of teaching myself to play. That didn’t last past my first week of teaching school, and the guitar has been sitting here ever since. Occasionally Nathanael gets it out and picks at it, trying to remember what others have showed him. He is highly motivated, and I was thrilled when the Crew was given the opportunity to review Jean Welles’ Worship Guitar DVD class.
We received volume one of the set designed for ages 10 to adult. The DVD contains seven introductory lessons on tuning the guitar, fingering chords, reading chord charts, and playing simple worship songs. By the second lesson, students are beginning to play simple songs with two chord changes. In addition, the DVD contains practice sessions for each lesson, with the tempo slowed down. Inside the DVD case is a small booklet with the songs and introductory information. The lesson book is full size and contains all the lessons, songs, and instructional material that she covers on the DVD.
I had been cautioned that without a live teacher, children would struggle with the fingering. My son is struggling a little, but Jean does a great job making sure the camera zooms in on her fingers, as well as providing tips on how to finger the strings, not just where to put your fingers. She provides encouragement and speaks at a level that my 10 year old can understand. Along with the instruction, she gently reminds viewers of the reason for playing: to glorify God.
Learning to play an instrument is an essential part of education, but not just for the accomplishment of playing. The process is also important. Academics have always come easy for my son. Learning an instrument isn’t easy, however and mistakes are hard to miss. My perfectionist son finds it frustrating, but he is motivated enough that he isn’t going to give up. (And we won’t let him!) While I hope to be able to give him a live teacher in the near future, Worship Guitar is providing a great start in his music education.
