DoSo Guitar Method

In mid March, we had the pleasure of hosting David Mills for a workshop on his DoSo Guitar method and program.  I was able to attend the workshop, and am happy to report on the experience and take-away knowledge about this up and coming music education method.

The Instrument

The DoSo Guitar method uses a Loog Guitar, a three-stringed instrument sized for the younger, smaller people.  The concept is a product of a masters thesis out of NYU, and a very successful Kickstarter campaign helped to launch the development and production of the guitars.

The resonance of the smaller body is thinner than a standard guitar, but more substantial than a ukulele.  The nylon strings are tuned GBE (the first three of a standard 6-string guitar), making the transition to guitar a smoother process.  The neck is strong, but thin enough for a small hand to comfortably fit around to reach each string and is marked with a rainbow of fret markers, making it easy for students to connect spacial, visual, and audible cues.  A stock head tuner can be used for easy tuning in a classroom setting.  For around $150 (less for education pricing), the Loog Guitar offers good and sustainable music education instrument.

The Program
David Mills, a guitar player with a varied and diverse musical background, developed the DoSo Guitar program out of New Haven, Connecticut where he teaches at The Neighborhood Music School.  The DoSo program is housed in local Boys and Girls clubs, where participants ages 7-12 learn to play, sing, and perform popular music from around the world.  Mills and his trained teachers lead the after school programs and prepare the students for performances.

The methodology construction is excellent.  All the materials I have seen are well put together, and easy to follow.  Each song is presented rhythmically (Mills' eighth note counting method is "doo-ah"), harmonically (easy to follow along three-string TAB), melodically (visual representations using the colored fret markers along with song lyrics) and formally (verse-chorus, etc).  The repertoire is a mix of well-known song from all eras of American pop music, as well as many from other places in the world.

Focus is placed on the fundamentals of music, which provides an excellent sustainable and sequential music education model.  Students feel comfortable improvising, using solfege, the circle of 5ths, diatonic harmonies, and the ability to sing against a drone.  Individual and ensemble settings allow for a varied experience, and students often create original songs.  The entire method was built keeping the National Standards for Music Education in mind.

In a sea of "monkey-see monkey-do" rock band mimic programs disguised as music education methods, the DoSo Program offers a quality, sustainable, and sequential method for students to learn guitar.

DoSo in Nashville 
A Nashville based DoSo Program is currently in the works, in conjunction with NAZA (Nashville After Zone Alliance).  The team is researching potential sites to house the program, which should be piloted this fall.  The W.O. Smith Music school will be the site for teacher training.  We are happy to welcome new quality music instruction programs to our great city, and to keep our students learning music.

W.O. Smith choir sings the National Anthem at Belmont

On Thursday, January 23, members of the Voices chorus from W.O. Smith performed the Star Spangled Banner, arranged by W.O. Smith volunteer teacher Bernie Walker.

With hundreds of community members in the stands for Community Day, the choir sang the National Anthem prior to the Belmont vs Morehead State game under the direction of Mrs. Janet Weaver.  Ms. Lynn was out for the week, but prepared the choir excellently for the performance in rehearsals.

The performance was impressive by all accounts and has even inspired at least two other organizations to request the chorus for future performances of the National Anthem.  Well done and congratulations to these musicians on a very proud performance!

Photo credit: Andrea Hallgren/Belmont University

W.O. Smith student Courtnie Taylor enjoying the game for Community Day!

Music as a Language: Victor Wooten

We sure do like the Wooten family here at W.O. Smith.  Check out this TEDx talk from bass player Victor, filmed last May in Gabriola Island.  He brings a great message and good advice to everyone, especially music teachers and students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zvjW9arAZ0