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The Open Textbook Library (OTL) turns 10 in 2022! To celebrate the library’s role in bringing together a community committed to making higher education more equitable, we are featuring authors, faculty, librarians, students and others who have contributed to the Open Textbook Library through the years. This interview was conducted by Tonia Johnson, Digital Content Strategist at the Open Education Network.
Chelsea Green is an associate professor of music at The American University in Cairo (AUC). Drawing on her experience as a professional guitar soloist and ensemble player, Chelsea also directs the Cairo Guitar Collective (CGC) and the AUC Guitar Ensemble, both of which perform regularly throughout Egypt. In 2020, the Rebus Community published Chelsea’s first open textbook, Sight-Reading for Guitar: The Keep Going Method Book and Video Series (CC BY), which is included in the Open Textbook Library.
We’re excited to talk with you, Chelsea, about your experience as a music teacher, performer, and open textbook author. Let’s start with a few random notes (pun intended) from your life.
Chelsea Green is an associate professor of music at The American University in Cairo (AUC). Drawing on her experience as a professional guitar soloist and ensemble player, Chelsea also directs the Cairo Guitar Collective (CGC) and the AUC Guitar Ensemble, both of which perform regularly throughout Egypt. In 2020, the Rebus Community published Chelsea’s first open textbook, Sight-Reading for Guitar: The Keep Going Method Book and Video Series (CC BY), which is included in the Open Textbook Library.
We’re excited to talk with you, Chelsea, about your experience as a music teacher, performer, and open textbook author. Let’s start with a few random notes (pun intended) from your life.
What’s your most memorable live music performance by another performer?
Radiohead at the Hollywood Bowl
Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?
After living in LA for two decades and seeing celebrities on a daily basis, I realized it’s just cool to see celebrities doing mundane things. As a result, I’m not much of an autograph asker. But I would ask Jimi Hendrix for his autograph if I could time travel.
If you could listen to only one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites
Turning to your experience as an author, what led you to write an open textbook on sight-reading guitar music?
A few years ago, I met a group of super smart and accomplished guitarists in Egypt who taught themselves classical guitar playing, but at some point switched to flamenco playing in order to avoid sight-reading. It saddened me that guitarists who don’t have access to quality sight-reading resources and/or teachers may not develop into advanced classical guitarists because of lack of resources or access. I wanted to give guitarists in these situations a chance to follow their passions for any aspect of guitar playing that included sight-reading.
You developed the Keep Going Method yourself, yes? How does this approach differ from traditional teaching methods?
Yes, I developed the method myself, but with a hefty dose of inspiration from the way my guitar teachers (Peter Yates and Ted Norman) led UCLA’s Guitar Ensemble.
I’m glad you asked about unique teaching methods because they are at the heart of this series. I devised the method so that guitarists will not stop when they make a mistake. This helps people learn to sight-read faster, and it’s way more fun! As the title suggests, duets, sight-reading tips and words of encouragement are included to inspire guitarists to ‘keep going’ as they play through the pieces.
I’m glad you asked about unique teaching methods because they are at the heart of this series. I devised the method so that guitarists will not stop when they make a mistake. This helps people learn to sight-read faster, and it’s way more fun! As the title suggests, duets, sight-reading tips and words of encouragement are included to inspire guitarists to ‘keep going’ as they play through the pieces.
Sight-Reading for Guitar is licensed CC BY, the most accommodating license offered by Creative Commons. Why did this license appeal to you?
I’m not that technologically savvy. Fortunately, a few pedagogical experts at my university’s Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) advised me about licensing. We decided upon the most accommodating license in order to truly commit to the vision of open education. Also, I was (and continue to be) curious as to how the content will be adopted and transformed. That said, a few of the duets by living composers are CC BY NC. I chose this slightly more restrictive license to honor the composer’s interests.
Topics that tempt you to write another open textbook?
Not gonna lie, Sight-Reading for Guitar was a three-year-long labor of love, obsession and, at times, frustration. The creation was a wonderful experience and I’m so glad I did it! I got to work with extraordinary people at CLT and I love receiving feedback from users. I also learned a lot about myself. However, I can’t foresee doing another in the near future, especially when I have plans to update this current series with live duet performances (instead of MIDI playback) and more. The obsession continues… ;)
What impact has the Open Textbook Library had on your teaching career?
The impact at this point has been philosophical and ethical. I believe in the mission of open education to bring quality, free and accessible learning opportunities to anyone, anywhere.
Are other AUC faculty embracing open education as you have? Why or why not?
I’m told by colleagues at CLT that I am the first AUC faculty member to produce a complete open textbook. It would have never been possible without the help of these very same colleagues at CLT (their names are listed on the acknowledgments page of the book). Currently, CLT is supporting a few faculty members in the creation of open educational sources. Stay tuned for a series of Arabic Language courses!
And for your outro?
If any composers out there want to contribute duets to the series, please contact me. Thanks for the chance to share ideas!!
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Thank you, Chelsea, for the backstage tour of open textbook authorship, and for celebrating the Open Textbook Library’s birthday with us.
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Thank you, Chelsea, for the backstage tour of open textbook authorship, and for celebrating the Open Textbook Library’s birthday with us.
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