Ukulele Curriculum

Beginner

  • First Position Chords that allow you to play your favourite songs.

I will teach you how to finger  chords in the best way possible and how to change between the chords smoothly without pausing.

 

  • Flamenco Strumming Techniques.

One special service I offer my Ukulele students is a flamenco inspired approach to strumming which allows you to strum normally but also to play fast, syncopated triplets and other percussive devices.  The strumming techniques I teach are adaptable to many different styles of music and will help you stand out as a Ukulele player.

  • Instrument Anatomy.

How to hold your instrument.  Hand placement: how to position your hand for strumming and finger picking, how to place your fingers on the fretboard with the least amount of effort, how to position your hand so that all the notes ring out.

  • Finger Picking.

Combining strumming with fingerpicking is a great way to create dynamics on your instrument and sound more interesting as a Ukulele player.

  • Tuning and Stringing your Instrument.

Need help buying a Ukulele?  I will go with you to the music store and help you buy an affordable, quality Ukulele that won’t hinder your ability to play.

  • Bar Chords and Scales.

I will teach you techniques which will help you gain hand strength and dexterity and move beyond first position chords.  I will also teach you scales so you can play melodies on your Ukulele.

  • Basic Music Theory that is fun and will help you write your own songs.

  • How to read Tablature & Chord Charts

I will teach how to read tablature and chord diagrams so that you can learn songs on your own.

Intermediate

  • Finger Picking, Alternate Plectrum Picking, Tremolo Picking

I will teach you right and left hand techniques that will help you sound like a professional and take your playing to the next level.

  • Soloing.

You will learn riffs and chords from your favourite songs and learn the scales and chords that are behind the riffs so that you can begin to solo and improvise your own riffs and chords.

  • How to think Rythmically like a Professional Drummer.

I will teach you how to groove over different types of rhythms and how to internalize musical pulse and think rhythmically like a professional drummer.  I will provide backing tracks for you to practice over and teach you how to compose your own rhythms and drum parts.

  • Jazz or Classical Studies.

For students who would like to learn Jazz or Classical, we can begin including this into the lessons and I can teach you how to read chord charts and notation.

  • Song Writing.

I will teach you basic song structures and rhythm changes that will help you compose your own songs.

Advanced

  • Pentatonic, Diatonic and Chromatic Harmony.

Scales and chords and how they relate to the modes.  How to think in chords, arpeggios, and modes while your improvising on your instrument.    

  • Flamenco Techniques and Advanced Finger Picking

One special service I offer as a Ukulele teacher is the ability to teach flamenco strumming techniques and advanced fingerpicking.  Take your playing to the next level with techniques that will add pizaz and inspiration to your playing.

  • Speed Picking and Fast Finger Alternation Picking

Learn how to speed pick on your Ukulele.

  • Odd Time Signatures, Scales from Different Musical Traditions

Studying odd time signatures and scales from different musical traditions is extremely rewarding and will help you grow as a musician, composer, and songwriter.

  • Recording Techniques

Layering, composition, arrangement.

  • Classical and Jazz Studies

I have many years of education in Classical and Jazz and can help you advance in these styles.

  • Fusion.

How to blend different musical traditions into your own unique way of playing.