Wisconsin Guitar Academy | Guitar Lessons

What is Geometric Training?

ANSWER: A way to get better results in a shorter time while keeping guitar lessons NEW and EXCITING.

The key is to teach guitar in a three dimensional way, approaching it from many different angles as opposed to the traditional linear approach found in books, which read like guitar "instruction manuals". The traditional linear teaching style of focusing on one topic at a time in a sequential way may work well for math and physics... but music is an art...there isn't a standardized step A and step B.

With the traditional linear approach a students progress quickly at first (when things are easy), but then inevitably hit a wall. They then begin to progress slowly and eventually give up because they are not having fun or feel they're not learning.

With Geometric Teaching a student learns a little in many different areas continuously. So although they are learning a lot about guitar, they're not overwhelmed in any one area and thus make constant progress. Students learn much easier, faster, and better this way! There's no pressure to MASTER an area before moving onto the next. It also makes students very well-rounded players.

I apply this approach in my group classes by constantly covering new topics. Topics include: live performance, lead guitar, music theory, learning songs, ear training, reading tablature, chords/strumming, creativity training, open tunings, using a capo, traditional music notation, barre chords, slide guitar, playing in time, modes, two hand tapping, alternate tunings, groove and rhythm training, writing/recording, finger picking, classical guitar, music analysis, riffs, playing with an ensemble, and more!

Tom Hess explains the Geometric Approach in even greater detail: