Mike Christiansen

Many music educators are receiving the assignment to teach classroom guitar by default. They may be band, orchestra, or choir directors with very little, if any, instruction in guitar pedagogy. In this session, noted guitar educator, Mike Christiansen, will present material that will be invaluable to the new guitar teacher as well as seasoned instructors. Topics include: what you’ll need to get started, what every guitar student should be taught. teaching sequential technique and curriculum, repertoire, implementing guitar ensembles, implementing blended learning and flipped learning.

In this session, noted music educator, Mike Christiansen, will present material that will greatly assist in teaching classroom ukulele. Topics include: what you’ll need to get started, teaching sequential technique and curriculum, teaching accompaniment and solo skills, repertoire, and implementing blended learning and ukulele ensembles. Whether you are new to teaching classroom ukulele, or a seasoned instructor, there will be something here for you.

Blended learning is the perfect fit for teaching guitar. It is technology that allows for the combination of the use of online videos and recordings with live instruction organized in sequence to provide the ultimate guitar curriculum. Students can see and hear the music they are learning. In this session, noted guitar educator, Mike Christiansen, will present the advantages to using blended learning and demonstrate how it is used to teach solo playing, accompaniment styles, ensemble playing, and much more.

By incorporating blending learning technology into your curriculum, students can be learning material at home before coming to class. In class, the teacher can review and fine-tune skills allowing the students to progress rapidly and learn more. Renowned guitar educator, Mike Christiansen, will show how flipped learning can be applied in teaching solo playing, accompaniment, and ensembles. Teachers will be shown how to use flipped learning on a daily basis or part-time. Every participant will receive a free trial of the Consonus blended learning site.

In this session, a sequential approach to teaching improvisation and composition will be presented. From improvising to a blues progression using the pentatonic scale, to implementing chord tones and rhythms, participants will learn how to get students off on the right foot (note). Teachers will be encouraged to have students compose from the beginning of their instruction on guitar. Emphasis will be placed on teaching students to write chord progressions in major and minor keys. Short cuts will be presented to help students learn chords that go together in various keys and how to write common progressions. Simple melody construction and basic chord embellishment will also be discussed.

In this session, emphasis will be placed on teaching students to write chord progressions in major and minor keys. Short cuts will be presented to help students learn chords in various keys and common progressions. Simple melody construction and basic chord embellishment will also be discussed.

In this session, a sequential approach to teaching improvisation will be presented. From improvisation to a blues progression using the pentatonic scale, to implementing chord tones and rhythms, participants will learn how to get students off on the right foot.

In this session, attention will be given to developing sequential curriculum for classroom guitar that coincides and is compliant with the National Core Music Standards presented by NAfME. Topics will include information on methods, repertoire, layered learning, and the application of blended learning. Participants will also learn ways of teaching improvisation and composition to beginning and intermediate students.

In this presentation, a sequential system will be given for learning chords, ranging from basic open chords (and not so basic open chords) to altered chord inversions, and quartal harmony. If you’re interested in taking your knowledge of chords to next level, there will be something here for you.

This presentation will show participants how to play basic blues progressions and modify them to make more complex progressions. Time will also be devoted to playing solos over the basic blues progression and learning to play more advanced solos over complicated blues changes.

In this presentation, participants will learn how to play an accompaniment style referred to as “comping”. Basic comp patterns and variations will be presented with time also dedicated to interpretation, accents, and tone.

In this presentation, techniques will be presented to help participants achieve great sound. Equipment and instrument setup will be discussed for both acoustic and electric guitars.

“You’re the most phenomenal guitarist I’ve ever heard!” At least that’s what people will think when they hear you applying the techniques presented in this presentation to playing using your loop pedal. Techniques such as playing intros and endings before the looper plays; doubling with a loop station; and creating arrangements will be presented. The information from this session will allow you to go far beyond merely having the loop play the accompaniment while you play the melody.

Regardless of your playing level, the sequential content of this session will be valuable in developing your arranging skills. Topics will range from selecting the right music to harmonizing the melody using the given chords, chord embellishments, and chord substitutions. Attention will also be given to writing and notating fingerstyle and flat-pick solos.

Often, teachers assume their students know how to practice. They don’t. Students need direction in developing beneficial practice habits. This presentation will discuss 16 tips to effective practicing, ranging from: when to practice, to, not practicing mistakes.

In this presentation, participants will learn techniques that will accelerate the memorization of music and make the memorization process easier. Topics to be discussed include: gradual detachment from the music, visualizing patterns on the guitar, and theory applications.

In this presentation, participants will learn the techniques used for playing rhythm guitar in Brazilian styles such as samba and bossa nova. The presentation will explore traditional rhythmic and accompaniment patterns in addition to chords and chord voicings commonly used in Brazilian harmony.

Rhythm Guitar for the Jazz Band Guitarist

Participants will be shown the essential skills every jazz band guitarist needs to know and how to present them. Topics will include: get the sound, chord voicings, comping, and stylistic rhythm techniques. Teachers will feel more comfortable in helping the guitarist in their band as a result of attending this session.

Participants will learn what are the essential skills every jazz band guitarist needs to know and how to present them. Topics will include: get the sound, comping and other rhythm techniques, basic improvisation. Teachers will feel more comfortable in helping the guitarist in their band as a result of attending this session.

Participants will learn to teach the essential skills the jazz band guitars needs, including: getting the sound, comping, chord voicings.

With little, or no, guitar skills, band directors can help the guitarist in the jazz band get the right sound and play stylistically correct. Participants in this session will be given information to pass on to their jazz band guitarist that will improve their sound and playing. Topics will include: getting the correct sound, what chords to play, stylistic rhythm techniques, and soloing tips. Band directors with guitar skills will also benefit from the session.

In this session, the do’s and don’ts of making the guitar class successful will be presented. Unique opportunities and challenges in teaching the classroom guitar will be addressed. Topics will include: what you need to get started, what every guitar student should learn, engaging every student, implementing blended and flipped learning, and incorporating ensemble literature.