In this week’s expert tip Mike Christiansen explains how to come up with great lyrics for the blues. Learn to write melodies and rhythmic phrasing that will have you singing the blues like you came straight from the delta. Post your own blues lyrics in the comments below!
Tablature Vs. Standard Notation
In classroom guitar it’s important to understand the benefits of tablature and how to use it in your guitar curriculum as a tool to transition to standard notation. Some of the great benefits of tablature include learning rhythmic values, get comfortable with notes in a given position, play songs in an alternate tuning and more. Read the Rest…
Major Pentatonics Classroom Guitar
In this blog post Mike talks about Major Pentatonics for Classroom Guitar. This is a great sounding scale that is easy to play and works well over nearly any major chord progression. This scale is extremely popular and used all the time even by the pros. Another great scale is the Minor Pentatonic Scale, which is Read the Rest…
Classroom Guitar: Sequence Every Skill
Every skill taught in classroom guitar has an associated sequence that it should be taught with. By using the correct sequence there’s a natural progression that allows more advanced skills to build on prior skills in the sequence. Whether it’s chords, reading, accompaniment patterns, or any other skill, understanding sequencing will save both teachers and Read the Rest…
The Muted Strum
Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. In the world of guitar accompaniment techniques good time and rhythmic feel can make you sound like a pro when playing even the simplest strumming patterns. One of the easiest ways to develop that feel is by adding muted strums to your playing. It’s the percussive pop Read the Rest…
Skills Development – Fingerstyle Connecting Runs
Fingerstyle connecting runs are the glue that turns simple fingerpicked chord patterns into professional sounding accompaniment. With a few simple rules you’ll be able to incorporate this technique into your own playing. Watch this free video lesson to learn how and download the pdf below.
Skill Development – Bass Run Fills
Using bass run fills to connect common chord progressions is a great way to add interest to your own playing, or when you’re accompanying your class. Watch this free video lesson from Mike Christiansen and Consonus to learn how. Be sure to download the included PDF.
Guitar Pedagogy for the Non-Guitarist Music Educator
Many music educators, without having a guitar performance background, become their school’s guitar instructor by default. If this is you rest assured that it’s possible to teach a high quality guitar curriculum while, at the same time, developing your own playing and pedagogy skills. In this webinar presented by guitar pedagogy authority Mike Christiansen and Read the Rest…
Class Assessment: What Do They Think?
I recently observed a middle school guitar class using one of the best forms of assessment possible, and to top it off, it also implemented one of the best student attention getters possible. The teacher had the classroom equipped with microphones mounted high on the wall above the guitar class. They were plugged into a Read the Rest…
Building a District Guitar Program
Classroom guitar is emerging as the top strategy to increase equitable music participation in school districts around the country. The guitar’s popularity, relative affordability, functionality as solo, ensemble and harmonic instrument, its role in many cultures, and quick learning curve are winning many advocates among district music coordinators. However, building a successful guitar program won’t Read the Rest…
