Here's a list of the workshops being taught:
SOLO TECHNIQUES with Q&A: All Levels Welcome
In this workshop Brittni Paiva will demonstrate and share techniques for playing solos on the ukulele that are featured in her own playing and then answer questions on ukulele technique. Come prepared with something you always wanted to ask one of the great players of our time.
CLAWHAMMER UKULELE: All Levels Welcome
Clawhammer style is a banjo playing technique that also sounds great on the ukulele. For this workshop we will get the basic techniques and learn two short tunes. Students will also go home with a series of practice exercises and more tunes for enrichment. Instructor: Aaron Keim (The Quiet American)
“THE DAILY UKULELE” JAM: All Levels Welcome
Bring your copy of The Daily Ukulele : 365 Songs for Better Living by Jim and Liz Beloff, the most popular ukulele songbook in the world and be prepared to pick a favorite and get the group started. For the Friday session at Robinson Park, bring your lawn chairs. Saturday’s session will be held indoors.
HOW TO WRITE A SONG : All levels Welcome
Bolo explores with students how to find and get inspiration, find the right key and the right notes. Using example from his own music, Bolo gives you the story behind the music.
BLUES UKULELE: Beginning to Intermediate
It’s difficult to be sad while playing a ukulele . . . but its easy to GET the blues! Pick and strum your way through fun blues songs, learn blues chords, and blues fills and turnarounds from our own Utah-based ukulele instructor Max Willard. Bring your GCEA tuned ukulele.
TWO CHORD SONGS: Beginner to Intermediate
Sometimes a simple song is better! Let’s learn some cool songs with only two chords. While we are at it, we can learn some simple riffs, arrangements, intros and outros so we can sound “like the pros!” We also will hit upon some basic chord theory and discuss how to transpose songs to different keys. This workshop is great for anyone who is sick of the same old songs. I promise, you will learn some new catchy ones! Instructor: Aaron Keim (The Quiet American)
BREAKING OUT OF THE STRUMMING RUT: Beginner to Intermediate
Tired of the same old strums? This workshop will focus on ways to break up your strumming with unique strumming patterns, single note riffs and arranging techniques. This workshop will also be helpful to anyone with a ukulele group or orchestra that needs some ideas about how to spice things up! Instructor: Aaron Keim (The Quiet American)
MOVING UP THE FRETBOARD: Intermediate
Learn what 2nd position chords are and how to use them to enhance songs you already know. You will learn 4 basic chord shapes and how to use them on the ukulele. We will go over Major, Minor and Dominant 7 Chords. Instructor: Sarah Maisel
EASY EMBELISHMENTS: Intermediate
Lets spice up your playing! This workshop focuses on linking chords together to create ‘runs’, walk downs, and other simple ways to jazz up some of the songs you already know. Instructor: Sarah Maisel
UKE’N BLUES: Intermediate
If you already know your basic 12 bar blues and want to expand your knowledge, this is the class for you. We will focus on the Key of Bb. The class will cover the Bb Pentatonic Scale, alternate chord voiceings, and some blues licks. Come prepared for a challenge and to have some fun! This class does have a limit of 30, so don’t miss out! Instructor: Sarah Maisel
CLASSICAL-FLAMENCO STYLE: Intermediate
Bolo offers some simple exercises and patterns for Classical/Flamenco style of playing. These patterns will soon make their way into your ’every day’ playing, picking and strumming. Bolo will use examples of how to put them together in a popular song such as Hotel California, Over the Rainbow, Imagine, etc..
CELTIC UKULELE, parts 1 & 2: Intermediate to Advanced
Ukulele Jigs Anyone? To key to playing celtic music is ornamentation. In this session with Irishman Tommy Connor you will learn how to embellish and give variety to your ukulele playing with slides, cuts, crushes, taps, rolls, triplets, and more. We will also explore advanced cross-string finger-picking techniques.
THERE’S MORE TO UKE THAN JUST THE UKE!!: Intermediate to Advanced
If basic chords and a few simple strums come easily to you now, it’s time to move on to a little music theory. But don’t be afraid. Brittni Paiva will guide you gently through the maze of different chords and will help you emerge as much better player. You’ll come away with a better understanding of how chords are created and named and why we use chords the way do. With a little theory under your belt, you’ll memorize less, understand more, and be able to play solos in any song and any style with less pain and more fun.
