2021 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
It is possible that some workshops may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We will do everything we can to accommodate your preferences.
SATURDAY 9 - 10.30 WORKSHOP 1 CHOOSE 1
1A Lucy Wise
The Basics of Fingerpicking & Strumming
Setting up the body to play the uke can make all the difference in your sound and enjoyment of playing the uke. This session will cover the basics of fingerpicking and strumming technique, and some common fingerpicking and strumming patterns you can apply to different songs in your repertoire.
LEVEL: Beginning fingerpickers, developing strummers
1B Sam Lemann
Swing/Blues
Using C Jam Blues as starting point, we'll learn some classic swing phrases/riffs that will help shape your solos over a swinging 12 bar blues. Well also look at some nice sounding closed position chords.
LEVEL: Intermediate+
1C Jane and Mark
Be a part of the Valla Beach ukestra where you'll learn contemporary songs arranged into parts for an ukulele orchestra. We will teach two really fun songs: Hold Back the River (James Bay) and Gold on the Ceiling (Black Keys). All levels of players, from advanced to beginners are welcome because there are rocking parts for everyone. Oh and bring your vocal chords too!
LEVEL: All
1D Ruth Allen
'Building your skills' workshop
Developing the right approach to playing up the neck, barre chord technique.
LEVEL: Those ready to play barre chords
1E Angie Smith
Strummers Paradise
Channel Freddie as you play your nostalgic way through some quintessential 'QUEEN' classics.
LEVEL: Advanced beginners+
FULLY BOOKED
SATURDAY 1.00 - 2.30 WORKSHOP 2 CHOOSE 1
Sponsored by
Ukulele Music Australia
2A Lucy Wise
Arranging a song on the uke
Bring a song alive by using a variety of different strumming or fingerpicking patterns that help to tell the story of the song!
LEVEL: All
2B Sam Lemann
Basics of Hawaiian Music We'll take the Ukulele back to its rightful home and explore the more traditional side of Hawaiian music. We'll learn the classic 10 bar form, vamps and some of the less obvious strumming patterns.
LEVEL: Advanced beginners &
intermediate
FULLY BOOKED
2C Mark and Jane
The Building Blocks of
Blues Improvisation:
Sunshine of Your Love
Have you ever wanted to play a ripping Blues solo? This workshop will give you the basics of how to get started, what to use and when! We learn a few Blues songs, but more importantly the riffs that drive them (ps: they are scales). Fun and nostalgic, but also mightily empowering.
LEVEL: Pre-requisites – intermediate players, at least one to two years of playing.
2D Ruth Allen
Ukulele ensemble
Ahoy there! Learn an ensemble arrangement for the Kiwi sea shanty, Soon May the Wellerman Come. Play and sing in 2 or 3 instrumental parts and a vocal part
LEVEL: Parts for ALL skill levels
2E Ian Porter and Cathy Welsford
New instrumental music for ukulele
Join with Ian and Cathy to play some examples of new instrumental music from international and Aussie composers: Sam Muir, Choan Galvez, Loretta Notareschi, Paul Mansell, Elisabeth Pfeiffer, David Roche, Sally Carter, Tony Mizen, Ian Porter, Cathy Welsford
LEVEL: Need to be able to read TAB or notation
SUNDAY 9-10.30am WORKSHOP 3 CHOOSE 1
VOCAL WORKSHOP
3A Lucy Wise
Simple songwriting processes
Learn some basic songwriting exercises to help get your creativity flowing! Bring your uke, paper and something to write with.
LEVEL: All budding songwriters!
3B Sam Lemann
South Of The Border
South American melodies were very popular with Ukulele Soloist in the 50's and 60's and were a large part of an instrumentalist repertoire for cocktail parties - and other essential events!
With this in mind, in this session we'll learn "Perfidia". A great melody that been recorded in
many styles but we'll stick to the more South of the Border/Cocktail flavour.
LEVEL: Intermediate+
6 PLACES LEFT
3C Ruth McCrae
Looking after your voice
Join Ruth and find new ways to relax and warm your voice; connect your body to your voice; expand your vocal range and enjoy singing in harmony with others! Ruth has been teaching music and singing for almost 3 decades and is looking forward to helping you delve deeper and discover more about your voice!
Bring your ukuleles with you to the session.
LEVEL: ALL
3D Ruth Allen
Ukulele ensemble
Wade in the Water /Motherless Child
Playing an ensemble arrangement of these gospel classics, improvising in minor keys
LEVEL: Intermediate+
3E Angie Smith
Strummers Paradise
'Marvellous Motown!'
Channel the Motown groups and sing all the way to The Chapel of Love.
LEVEL: Advanced beginners+
ESPECIALLY FOR UBASS BEGINNERS
3F John Wallace
Beginner Ubass
Have you just got your new Ubass in your hands? John will get you started learning some essential Ubass basics.
LEVEL: Ubass for beginners
Before you make your selection, please read Workshop Levels below to check
which workshops will be right for you.
Absolute Beginners
Never played ukulele before or less than a few months.
Advanced Beginners
You have been playing for at least a year. You know many chords but usually only play chords in the first 3 frets. You know some easy picking patterns and a few more strumming patterns than down, up, down, up. You want to develop your picking and strumming skills.
Intermediate
You can confidently play most chords in home position and some up the neck. You use picking patterns and different strums to suit specific songs. You can play some easy riffs and can include these in a song where appropriate.
Advanced Intermediate
You can confidently play many chords including moveable chords and some as bar chords up the neck. You use a variety of picking patterns and different strums to suit specific songs. You can hear the chord changes and are beginning to predict what the next chord could be.
Advanced
You are comfortable playing in any key and know the chords that belong in that key. You play various inversions of a chord up the neck. You can read tab and/or notation fluently. You are comfortable picking notes and melodies in the higher positions.
All levels
These workshops are specifically designed to cater for players of all levels from beginner to advanced.