1. Key Signature
In Ode to Joy there are 2 sharps in the key signature. This means that All F's and C's are sharped. To find a sharp note, take the natural note and move it to the body of the guitar 1 fret. For example F is on the E string 1st fret, to make that note a F# take the F and move it 1 fret to the body of the guitar. F# is on the 2nd fret of the E string.
F# is on the E string 2nd fret
C# is on the B string 2nd fret.
2. Alternate your fingers
Always alternate your fingers, Practice with rest strokes and free strokes.
Legend
Natural Notes in the 1st position of the guitar
Marking Rubric
A = Changes are smooth
All Notes are clear and correct (Maybe a small buzz)
Correct right and left hand fingering (Right and left hand fingerings played correctly)
Excellent right hand technique (Rest strokes with thumb, free strokes with fingers)
B = Changes are a bit slow and sloppy (A small delay or break between chords)
A couple of wrong notes (1 – 2) (missed a sharp note)
Some mistakes in fingerings (Sometimes not holding the Left hand fingers down for the bar creating a choppy sound #45 or not using fingerings indicated on the piece)
Bit sloppy right hand technique (resting a finger on guitar or not alternating fingers with the right hand)
C+ = Changes are slow (time between the chords)
Some wrong notes (3-5)
Mistakes in fingerings (Not using the proper fingerings with the left and right hand).
Sloppy right hand technique (resting hand or fingers on the guitar)
C = Very sloppy and slow changes (Time between the chords, very slow and broken up)
Many wrong notes (5 – 10)
Many mistakes with fingerings (Using a wide variety of right hand fingers to play the piece.)(Using 1 finger in the left hand to play the piece)
Very sloppy right hand technique (resting hand and fingers on the guitar) (not alternating right hand fingers)
C- = Very slow and broken up changes (Piece rhythm very uneven)
Wrong notes everywhere (10 + student does not know piece)
Mistakes everywhere with left hand fingerings
Extremely sloppy right hand technique (resting hand and fingers on the guitar)
Sound needs improvement
D = Song hardly recognizable