anyone else teaching guitar in prisons?

Hey Crowanna ,
   Interesting challenge , to say the least . ( Thinking about it , I suppose the strings could be used for all sorts of mayhem ) . Anything from garrotting to using the wound strings to saw through the bars .......
   How about a piece of wood shaped like a guitar neck about the length of the first five or so frets with the frets and strings put on with marker . At least they would be able to practice fingering .
   Good luck and let us know about your progress .

                     Jerry

Hi Crowanna,

Sounds like you are into good music!!

If they only have 3 hours per week to learn how about giving them literature on music? reading music etc, the theory of it.
I would think 3 hours per week in one session would be quite difficult to teach people, 3 one hour session would be more like it.

and to learn chords they could draw a neck of a guitar wit hthe string to get use to the finger positions. I am sure they will do woodwork in there too so when they come out they can walk into ajob, so they can make a neck of a guitar with drawn in lines to practice on, then when they get frustrated they can use the neck as a baseball bat

ahhhh, no easy solution

Ken

what about a kazoo band sure cant saw through any bars with one of those

Lots of supportive remarks -- what a friendly welcome!

Completely agree with Ken about 3 x 1 hour but can't be done: education comes in 3-hour lumps, to allow the officers time to unlock and escort etc. Yes, I'll plan in some music theory and printing off stuff they can take back and read.

Jerry's / Ken's wooden fingerboard might work. I'll find out what classes they have in that department, and if the lads attend that or others then yes, maybe they could be supervised to practise a bit during the break -- good idea.

never tried kazoos but you've got me thinking, Russell, hooray.

it's going to be interesting when I feel settled enough to ask the chaps whether they'd be willing to learn some explicitly prison-based ditties. Stuff by Johnny Cash and other songwriters who know what it's like being inside has gone down well, e.g. Boy named Sue; haven't yet offered, or been asked for, more personal songs about grieving. Children's songs are popular in one prison where recordings can be made to send to families (Storybook Dads project), so your kids don't grow up not knowing what you sound like.

Thanks again.

It's a great thing. 

But as an aside, Johny Cash never did time in prison.  A bunch of misdemeanors, but that's it.

Give them loads of simple songs to learn.  In there spare time.  I mean the words.

Most people showing an interest in Music know Melodies. Can they access this?

Goodluck and Blessing to you for your good work.

Old Doll.