Category Archives: Music Lessons

Mike Op Music Newsletter

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Mike

Last month the first edition of the Mike Op Music Newsletter went out, and received a great response! Thank you to all of the subscribers for your thoughts and feedback. If you didn’t receive it, here is a link to … Continue reading →

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Michelle Chord Melody

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Mike

Here’s a new chord melody arrangement of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s “Michelle” for solo guitar. In addition to being a pop tune, it has become a standard in the jazz repertoire.

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Bluegrass Banjo Lesson Now Available

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Mike

I’ve just published a new lesson on the bluegrass rolls for the five-string banjo. Check it out here!

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Newsletter Launched!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Mike

I’m happy to announce that the first volume of the Mike Op Music Newsletter went out yesterday! This newsletter is an opportunity for me to stay in touch with students, friends, and readers.  The newsletters feature updates on myself, links … Continue reading →

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Bye Bye Blackbird Chord Melody

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Mike

Here is my guitar chord melody arrangement for “Bye Bye Blackbird,” composed by Ray Henderson, published in 1926. A jazz standard, “Bye Bye Blackbird” has been recorded by many notable musicians including Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Keith Jarrett, … Continue reading →

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My Youtube Channel

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Mike

If you haven’t already, check out my Youtube channel. I currently have five playlists, three related to my teaching materials. These three playlists include sample lessons, ear training resources, and videos of the songs currently available in my Beginner Guitar … Continue reading →

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Ear Training Resource

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Mike

Ear training is one of the fundamental skills a musician works to acquire. Recognizing intervallic relationships between different notes enables accurate sight singing, transcription, imitation, and allows the improvising musician to know what how something will sound before they even … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Mike

It’s a little late, but one month into 2013, I’ve finally settled on some resolutions for this blog! I’m adding a couple of new running topics to the blog such as album and concert reviews, instructional book, DVD, and website … Continue reading →

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Free Guitar Resource: Open Chord Bass Notes

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Mike

Here is a very useful chart for rhythm guitar, alternating bass, and for fingerpicking, bluegrass, and old-time accompaniment. It provides the root, third, and fifth of all of the basic open chords in multiple positions. Open Chord Bass Notes

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Jazz Article at Guitar International Magazine

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Mike

Guitar International Magazine has just published my article “Jazz Improvisation: Licks as a Learning Tool” on their website. This article provides a method for getting the most from pre-composed licks as a model of jazz improvisation.

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