Ukulele Classes

Starting Out with Your Ukulele 2

John Leder

Four Mondays, February 13, 20, 27, March 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.
Daytime sessions, same dates, 12:00-1:00 p.m., $80.

You know the basic chords and some simple strums needed to play many familiar songs. But more work is needed on fingering the more difficult chords, keeping a beat while strumming, and how and when to change chords. We will build your skills by reinforcing proper playing technique, developing confidence and fluidity in your chording and strumming techniques, and learning about song chord structure, chord families and transposing, new chords and strums, and moveable chords. We will do this in the context of some popular ukulele tunes and possibly a new tune chosen by the class.

Beginning Ukulele 2

Susan Howell

Four Wednesdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 7:45-8:45 p.m., $80.
Daytime sessions, same dates, 12:00-1:00 p.m., $80.

You know six or eight chords and a few simple strumming patterns. Learn more strums (calypso, rhumba, swing), jazzier chords, and how to play the blues. We’ll also begin to pick out simple tunes. Class will include a variety of fun songs. For ukes tuned G-C-E-A. A $2 materials fee is payable to the instructor at the first class.

Beginning Ukulele 3

Susan Howell

Four Wednesdays, February 15, 22, 29, March 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80.

Take your ukulele playing to the next level. Learn jazz, blues, and modern pop chord progressions. Augment your chord vocabulary with 6ths and 9ths. Learn Latin and Island rhythms (e.g. bossa, bolero, reggae). We’ll also do beginning chord melody - get to know your fretboard and start adding melody notes to the chords for more interesting arrangements. If you have taken Uke 2-level classes, or are past the novice level, this is the class for you.

Ukulele Beyond the Basics

John Leder

This class is for advanced beginners and above that have developed confidence in and competency with basic chord progressions and strumming patterns. Now you need a boost over that plateau to improve your ukulele playing skills. We’ll review the basics and use them to advance your knowledge of essential music theory, chord structure, transposing, and chord repertoire, and to add some flair to your strumming style. John will also introduce you to the basics of improvisation, reading and playing from tabulature (TAB), fingerpicking techniques, chord melody, and constructing simple intros and outros for your favorite tunes.

Starting Out With Your Uke

John Leder

Four Mondays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $80
Daytime sessions, same dates, 12:00-1:00 p.m., $80.

Learn basic skills needed to begin enjoying music with your ukulele. Explore two new songs each session, and learn how to read and play the handful of chords you need to play hundreds of songs! Learn to transpose a song to fit your voice and play familiar songs from simple scales.