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Consonus Music Institute

Professional Development & Curriculum for Classroom Guitar

Professional Development and Curriculum for Classroom Guitar
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Beginning Ukulele

February 14, 2013 by hobbitgp

The ukulele is experiencing an unprecedented growth in popularity with students of all ages. It’s the perfect introduction to fretted instruments for younger students, and a great way to attract older students to music participation.

CMI’s Ukulele Ensemble is the first course to present the Ukulele in an ensemble-based, blended learning class format. Like all Consonus instrumental courses, group music learning, solo repertoire, and multi-part arrangements of original and traditional songs are emphasized. This courseware is perfect for students from elementary school age to adult learners. A video based teacher training component, along with perfectly paced lesson plans, and online videos detailing every lesson topic, exercise, and performance piece insures great outcomes for beginning and experienced ukulele instructors.

The course consists of 22 lessons designed to be taught in a typical semester. Basic technical skills are introduced including single note playing, various strumming patterns in 3/4 and 4/4 time, and numerous open position chord forms. Reading skills progress from rhythmic tablature to standard notation.

Course repertoire includes duo, trio, and four part ensemble arrangements as well as numerous exercises, musical examples, solo pieces and lead sheets.



Included in course:

  • Ukulele Ensemble Beginner Level Student Workbook
  • 6-month subscription to the Consonus Online Learning Site with related online course content. Every exercise, solo, and ensemble piece is presented in its own review and/or practice video demonstrated by the author utilizing rhythmic audio backing to develop student timing and ensemble playing skills. Online content mirrors the Course Lesson Plans and Student Workbook. Non-lesson related videos cover topics such as stringing and ukulele care.
  • Instructor development and teaching aids:
    • Full lesson plans
    • Videos suitable for classroom demonstration and instruction
    • Supplemental teacher training videos which will help you get your class started right and progressing with topics including: How to teach a blended learning course;  Layered learning techniques for differentiated learning; Ensemble rehearsal techniques and more.
    • Access to teacher community forums with useful discussions and advice on course related pedagogy ideas, repertoire, supplemental material and more.
    • Optional teacher training workshops. Attend a CMI summer teacher training workshop taught by Abe Lagrimas and CMI staff instructors.

Filed Under: Blended, Courses

Mike Christiansen – Curriculum Author

Mike Christiansen classroom guitar and ukulele curriculum authorMike Christiansen, classroom guitar & ukulele curriculum author, is Professor Emeritus in the Music Department at Utah State University. Mike founded the guitar program at USU and was Director of Guitar Studies at USU for 39 years. Read More...

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What Teachers Think

"We really like the Consonus Music Institute product and … I anticipate using this classroom guitar curriculum for quite some time."

Dwight Dodd Bartlett High School

"I love how Consonus classroom guitar curriculum starts with tablature and incorporates chords from the beginning. The way the tablature incorporates aspects of standard notation, making that a little less scary when we get to it about halfway through the book."

Kelley Neudecker Fulton High School

"I really like the way tablature is introduced in this classroom guitar curriculum. It looks more like real music. I think it sets up the students for success when learning how to read rhythms and standard notation."

Brian Parker Granite Park Junior High School

"The level of accomplishment of the class has certainly increased since I began using CMI's classroom guitar material."

Richard Langham Chaparral Middle School

"The developmental sequencing is the best of any published classroom guitar curriculum I've used. I love the emphasis on technique building."

David Jackman Alpine School District

"The Consonus Music Institute Classroom Guitar Curriculum guides the students to become better guitarists and musicians. It enables them to take responsibility for their learning."

Karen Straus Carrolton Christian Academy

"Consonus has the best 'pre-reading' guitar TAB approach for classroom guitar I have seen. Transitioning into standard notation is actually smooth. Kids quickly feel successful and motivated. I'm a fan."

Chris Frazer Pueblo Middle School

"I am an experienced guitar player, and yet CMI has provided me with a valuable resource in my beginning classroom guitar class. The sequence of concepts, structure of lessons, and choices of music are all well thought out, and the engaging blended learning platform allows me to provide more individual and small group support."

Richard Langham Chaparral Middle School

"As a brass player and band teacher who has been asked to teach classroom guitar this curriculum is a life saver. Using video instruction to demonstrate guitar techniques and musical examples allows me to put my focus on helping the student’s with their performance."

Paul Dewey Legacy Preparatory Academy

"The classroom guitar course is very well organized and easy to comprehend. The students can work ahead as fast as they are ready with the help of the online resources."

Spencer Jensen Legacy Preparatory Academy

"I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your classroom guitar curriculum and classroom ukulele curriculum here at Lakeview Academy. The kids stay engaged and have progressed much farther than I could have ever taken them on my own."

Ruth Young Lakeview Academy

"This classroom guitar system will make my job as a teacher so much easier."

Cami Jensen Utah Valley University

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