Guitar I
MUS-40032
Do you want to play guitar, but don’t know where to begin? This is a great introductory course for those without musical training or the ability to read music, but who would like to learn guitar while having fun with it. In this easy, step-by-step approach—designed for adult beginners but appropriate for students of all ages—you will acquire a basic, solid technique that will provide the foundation for your future progress. This course will help you acquire beginner-level guitar playing techniques in a supportive and enjoyable classroom environment.
What You Will Learn:
- Basic skills and techniques for playing the guitar.
- How to read music.
- History of guitar.
- Various styles and approaches to playing.
Quarters Offered: Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall
Prerequisite: None; no musical training required.
Course Materials: Acoustic guitar (preferably nylon string), and course textbook.
Next Course: Guitar II
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
Textbooks:
Classic Guitar Technique: Volume 1 3rd
by Aaron Shearer; Thomas Kikta
ISBN / ASIN: 9781470633769
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 4/1/2025
- Early Enrollment Discount: $290 ($315 if enrolled after 3/3/2025)
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/25/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 4/1/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 4/8/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 4/15/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 4/22/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 4/29/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 5/6/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| 5/13/2025 | Tue | 5:15 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
Instructor:
Robert Wetzel, M.M.
A concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger, and teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years
Robert Wetzel teaches Guitar I and Guitar II. Robert is a concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger. He has been teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years. He studied with Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero and Angel Romero. A frequent performer in solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts, he is a founding member of the award-winning Odeum Guitar Duo.
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 4/12/2025
- 1st no meeting date: 5/24/2025
- Early Enrollment Discount: $290 ($315 if enrolled after 3/3/2025)
- Early enrollment advised
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 4/12/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 4/19/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 4/26/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 5/3/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 5/10/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 5/17/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 5/31/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 311, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
Instructor:
Robert Wetzel, M.M.
A concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger, and teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years
Robert Wetzel teaches Guitar I and Guitar II. Robert is a concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger. He has been teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years. He studied with Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero and Angel Romero. A frequent performer in solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts, he is a founding member of the award-winning Odeum Guitar Duo.
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
Classic Guitar Technique: Volume 1 3rd
by Aaron Shearer; Thomas Kikta
ISBN / ASIN: 9781470633769
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/19/2025
- 1st no meeting date: 8/30/2025
- Early enrollment advised
- No visitors permitted
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/12/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/19/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 7/26/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 8/2/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 8/9/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 8/16/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 8/23/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
| 9/6/2025 | Sat | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 303, UCSD Division of Extended Studies University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Drive, San Diego |
Instructor:
Robert Wetzel, M.M.
A concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger, and teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years
Robert Wetzel teaches Guitar I and Guitar II. Robert is a concert guitarist, recording artist and musical arranger. He has been teaching the guitar to aspiring students of all ages for over 25 years. He studied with Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero and Angel Romero. A frequent performer in solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts, he is a founding member of the award-winning Odeum Guitar Duo.
