Play a piece of popular music on a portable device such as a CD player. Have the student tap his foot to the music.
Count with the student out loud while pretending to hold a drum stick in one hand. Count out the beats in numbers of four and accent the first beat such as: ONE, two, three, four, ONE, two, three, four, ONE, two, three, four.
Tap the imaginary stick with the student with each beat. Tap your toe with the student with the accented first beat of each set of four beats. Switch songs for a faster or slower rhythm until the student understands basic 4/4 rhythm, the most basic timing element of music.
Pick up a guitar, show the student the positions that represent the seven key signatures.
Play the sixth string (the thickest string) open. Show the student that this is the "E" position on the guitar and pluck the note. Place your index finger on the first fret of the sixth string, pluck the note to show the student how the "F" key signature sounds. Move your index finger to the third fret and pluck the note to show how the "G" note sounds. Move your finger to the fifth fret same string and play the "A."
Move your finger to the seventh fret, play the note, the "B" key signature. Move your finger to the eighth fret, the "C" note and play it. Move your finger to the 10th fret and play the note, the last last key signature, the "D" note.
Repeat the notes in random order and have the student memorize the positions and key signatures. Play another song on the CD player. Have the student move his finger up or down the guitar neck to match the key signature that the song is being played in.