'Little People at Musical Instruments' 

Early Childhood Institutions, Pre-Prep, Prep, Grades 1 & 2

Christensen's supply all instruments for this workshop including junior size Guitars, Violins and Drum Kit, Keyboards, Glockenspiels and a variety of Percussion Instruments.

This workshop is an excellent opportunity for younger children to gain a hands-on experience at playing various musical instruments. Rod and Keryn teach the children basic playing skills on the instruments, and explain many essential aspects of music such as music styles, expression, rhythm and pitch. The children play along like a band to popular and original children's songs, with Rod singing and playing Guitar, and Keryn playing Bass Guitar. Children alternate on the instruments so they all have a turn on most instruments. 

'Mixed Instrument'

Grades 3 & 4

  Participants do not need any previous musical experience !

Christensen's Personnel:  2         (Teacher attendance recommended)

Christensen's supply all instruments for this workshop including children's size Guitars and Violins, Junior Clarinets, Glockenspiels, Keyboards, Drum Kit and Percussion Instruments.

'The Creative Wind & Brass Player'

Grades 5 to 7 children with basic to intermediate skills on Wind & Brass Instruments !

Duration:  60 minutes     Recommended Participants:  Minimum  4    Maximum  10

Children will learn how to make a wind or brass instrument talk ! Creativity is often not developed in young musicians if their playing experience has mostly been reading from music. This is because emphasis on the visual often does not allow for the development of a musician's 'ear', feel and natural creative abilities on a musical instrument.

In this workshop children will learn :

• specific techniques for being creative and expressive on any wind or brass instrument
  
• basic improvisation skills using easy rock, blues and jazz riffs
• playing by 'ear' on simple melodies
  

Rod uses various methods for helping children achieve success with these skills. Participants will widen their capabilities on their instruments and build confidence in stepping out from the comfort zone of just reading from music.

'Band Jamming'

Grades 5 to 7 children with basic to intermediate skills on any of these instruments: 

Keyboard, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone. Singers can also participate.

Duration:  60 minutes       Recommended Participants:  Minimum  4    Maximum  12

 Participants bring their own instruments to this workshop. (Christensen's can supply a full size Drum Kit if necessary)    Schools supply music stands. 

In this workshop Rod teaches participants how they can jam along together on various feels, riffs and fun songs.

The Workshop content includes:

              ~  playing different styles such as Rock, Funk, Blues, Jazz, Groove and Latin
              ~  setting the feel and tempo to suit a specific style
              ~  combining lead instruments, vocals and accompaniment instruments
              ~  general musicianship skills

To help participants achieve maximum benefit from the workshop Rod sings and plays either Guitar, Keyboard or Wind & Brass Instruments, and Keryn plays Bass Guitar. If there is no drummer available, Rod will show willing participants at the workshop how to play basic beats on the drums for the workshop material.