Tag Archives: class

Correct fingering for error-free execution with ease

“Pencil in your fingering for both hands. Use a pencil in case you want to erase later. Decide on the fingering. Practice with the fingering you wrote in the score.” Why? The students in piano and ukulele classes ask. Why … Continue reading

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Taster Workshop on song writing and composition

The ukulele culture of sharing songs and sightreading song sheets sometimes leads to writing your own songs. It may start with a famous poem with words that seem to suit a tune whose origins you’re not sure of. Convinced it’s … Continue reading

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Fingerstyle Ukulele Showcase

Curious about the NEW music intentionally AND specifically written for the ukulele? As an accompanying instrument, the ukulele can help us sing in tune and play in sync. As a solo instrument, there are plenty of transcriptions and arrangements made … Continue reading

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Music Theory MELODY

Of the essential elements of music, melody is the single most important ingredient in a song. You can think of melody as a series of notes, one after another, defined by the distance in pitch (interval) and duration. What makes … Continue reading

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Piano Harmonisation (Harmonization)

By special request, I am offering a new 8-week piano course in Zoom to take beginners to the next level of playing. Read from lead sheets and play songs you’d like to play. It’s open to all levels though not … Continue reading

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Music Theory: HARMONY

What’s the difference between melody and harmony? Both require notes to define and describe them. One is ordered sequentially through time. The other can also be stacked vertically. We associate melody with words and harmony with emotions. Is there more?

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3 Chord Thursday HARMONICA class

On Thursday 9th February 2023 at 3 pm EST when we don’t have a scheduled song session, we will be having a harmonica class in Zoom. This is a prize from the 2022 Annual Ukulele Jeopardy Game. The one-hour class … Continue reading

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Music Theory for Song Writing

How do you get others to learn your song without listening to your recording and reading a song sheet? Do you need to know any music theory to write a song? How can you make a song last beyond you … Continue reading

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Pluck & Play

Pluck & Play refers to a new fingerstyle ukulele course with a focus on fingerpicking technique for dexterity and better tone, to be offered in November 2022. Pre-requisite: have taken Tab & Pluck or equivalent introduction to fingerstyle course, instrumental … Continue reading

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Vocal exercise with ukulele as warm-up

Warming up is essential before you play your instrument and even more so before you sing. I asked two vocal coaches how they instruct their students on breathing, singing and other topics. Here’s what they have to say.

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