LEARN UKULELE WITH US
Want to learn ukulele with us? We'd love to teach you.
We travel Australia-wide teaching our ukulele masterclasses to enthusiastic uke groups.
You have amazing music in you, even if you don't believe it yet.
And we're going to teach you to shine.
We teach ukulele groups how to play ukulele their own way.
Not how to play ukulele like Jake-Iz-Formby-Ike or any other ukulele genius.
Instead, our ukulele masterclasses teach you how to develop your own natural style and sound.
Whether you want to perform or simply improve for your own enjoyment
we'll bring out the best in you.
Beyond beginners ukuleleOur ukulele masterclasses are game-changers for ukulele enthusiasts. In each masterclass, you get:
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GROUP LESSONS
We specialise in teaching small groups of passionate ukulele students. Not every member of your uke group needs to attend. The ones that do will be developing tools & techniques miles beyond the normal learning pace.
SKILL LEVELS
Our masterclasses are best suited to ukulele enthusiasts with some prior ability. If you're comfortably changing chords and playing songs, you'll revel in our classes. If you're an absolute beginner, perhaps not. Talk to us if you're in between, we've done great work with dedicated beginners of just a few months experience.
NOT YOUR USUAL WORKSHOP
Fair warning. These aren't beginners lessons. The information we have to share with you can take years off your learning curve. But we expect you to give it your all. These aren't low-value introductory workshops. There's no fluff, and we don't tolerate time wasters. If you want to see just how much potential you have as a ukulele player, for personal enjoyment or professional development, we'd absolutely love to work with you.
Kangaroo Island Ukulele Group Masterclasses
A note to the introverted ukuleleists..
We're actually shy performers ourselves. We need time alone to recharge. We've dealt extensively with nerves, stagefright, anxiety, panic, stress, and tears - all the stuff that makes you feel like you can't do it. Believe us when we say, our teaching methods are powerful but oh-so-gentle. We won't make a fool of you, we won't force you to do anything you're not comfortable doing. Please know that no matter how shy or introverted you are, as long as you are ambitious to learn, we'll get you there. Introverts are fantastic learners and we have a soft spot for working with ukers like you. You're in safe hands, we'll be right beside you every step of the way.
Current Ukulele Masterclasses
Every masterclass we run is personalised and intuitively driven to address the needs of your group.
Topic coverage may vary to better suit in-the-moment individual and group needs.
Topic coverage may vary to better suit in-the-moment individual and group needs.
ESSENTIAL UKULELE MUSICALITY
MUSICALITY I: UKULELE ESSENTIALS
This masterclass delves into the realms of essential musicality dynamics from strong and clear starts, to leading and following, ear training, and proper ukulele strumming. We start with an insight into your group's current level and we tailor the learning throughout the entire session. Throughout the session we walk around and spend time with you individually to solve trouble spots and magically repair bad habits. We work gently and kindly through vocal accompaniment techniques, natural singing exercises, voice range exploration, note intervals and enhanced song emotion. You needn't be a confident singer to get huge benefit from this part of the session. Your ukulele group will level up as a whole, connecting and working together like never before.
MUSICALITY II: THE ART OF GROUP UKULELE
During this masterclass we explore the oft-neglected cornerstones of ukulele group success. You will learn how to excel as a musician within a group. We explore ukulele group dynamics, creative musical freedoms that introverts and extroverts need in order to grow, management of musical differences and ways to support productive group development. This session opens doorways which allow you to find a deeper sense of meaning through music and connect with your unique (and often unrealised) musical gifts. Through interactive exercises in group musical communication, vocal harmonies, ear training, leading and following, playing without music sheets and meaningful delivery of songs, you will experience the true potential of an effective ukulele group.
This masterclass delves into the realms of essential musicality dynamics from strong and clear starts, to leading and following, ear training, and proper ukulele strumming. We start with an insight into your group's current level and we tailor the learning throughout the entire session. Throughout the session we walk around and spend time with you individually to solve trouble spots and magically repair bad habits. We work gently and kindly through vocal accompaniment techniques, natural singing exercises, voice range exploration, note intervals and enhanced song emotion. You needn't be a confident singer to get huge benefit from this part of the session. Your ukulele group will level up as a whole, connecting and working together like never before.
MUSICALITY II: THE ART OF GROUP UKULELE
During this masterclass we explore the oft-neglected cornerstones of ukulele group success. You will learn how to excel as a musician within a group. We explore ukulele group dynamics, creative musical freedoms that introverts and extroverts need in order to grow, management of musical differences and ways to support productive group development. This session opens doorways which allow you to find a deeper sense of meaning through music and connect with your unique (and often unrealised) musical gifts. Through interactive exercises in group musical communication, vocal harmonies, ear training, leading and following, playing without music sheets and meaningful delivery of songs, you will experience the true potential of an effective ukulele group.
BLUES UKULELE MASTERCLASSES
BLUES I: AUTHENTIC BLUES UKE
Real blues. Genuine, earthy, down-trodden blues. Blues with heart, raggedness, and true grit. Most importantly, blues like it should be taught for ukulele. This masterclass steam-trains through standard blues progressions and important form variations for extended blues, condensed blues, minor blues, ¾ blues, shuffling blues, hard drivin' blues and ragtime blues. Your genuine blues sound will come together with musical connection, primitive plonk, steady clank, essential turnarounds, creative muting, chord embellishments and clever transpositions. Depending on the interests of your group, this masterclass may also cover blues fingerpicking, blues uke arrangements, bends, slides, call & response and creative blues solos.
BLUES II: RAGTIME UKULELE / 15 NEW SONGS FOR YOUR REPERTOIRE
Expand your song repertoire and ragtime knowledge at the same time. This incredible progression applies to countless songs through vintage and modern styles. In this super-sized learning experience, we'll cover 15 new songs (more if you behave well) you can instantly add to your repertoire. These are not simple two and three chord songs, they are diverse, performable pieces with complexity and great energy. You'll learn the critical progression that allows you to master these songs with ease, and we'll explore creative variations that open up the possibilities of fast-paced learning. We'll demonstrate crafty ways to tie these songs together or fill them out for variety, interesting chord substitutions, fancy repeats and a ridiculously easy transposing trick.
Real blues. Genuine, earthy, down-trodden blues. Blues with heart, raggedness, and true grit. Most importantly, blues like it should be taught for ukulele. This masterclass steam-trains through standard blues progressions and important form variations for extended blues, condensed blues, minor blues, ¾ blues, shuffling blues, hard drivin' blues and ragtime blues. Your genuine blues sound will come together with musical connection, primitive plonk, steady clank, essential turnarounds, creative muting, chord embellishments and clever transpositions. Depending on the interests of your group, this masterclass may also cover blues fingerpicking, blues uke arrangements, bends, slides, call & response and creative blues solos.
BLUES II: RAGTIME UKULELE / 15 NEW SONGS FOR YOUR REPERTOIRE
Expand your song repertoire and ragtime knowledge at the same time. This incredible progression applies to countless songs through vintage and modern styles. In this super-sized learning experience, we'll cover 15 new songs (more if you behave well) you can instantly add to your repertoire. These are not simple two and three chord songs, they are diverse, performable pieces with complexity and great energy. You'll learn the critical progression that allows you to master these songs with ease, and we'll explore creative variations that open up the possibilities of fast-paced learning. We'll demonstrate crafty ways to tie these songs together or fill them out for variety, interesting chord substitutions, fancy repeats and a ridiculously easy transposing trick.
LEARN JAZZ UKULELE
JAZZ I: VINTAGE JAZZ UKE
The first (and arguably the best) eras for ukulele music, the 1920s & 1930s. This masterclass will take you on a guided stroll down Tin Pan Alley, through carefully selected songs designed to make your humble ukulele shine. You will learn how to create that distinct vintage sound including a swingin' rag progression, variation and turnaround, application of delightfully diminished jazz chords, fancy vintage strums including the infamous triple strum and a most impressive split stroke. You'll also learn tricks to make sense of vintage sheet music, how to easily decode complex jazz notation and chord extensions, and you'll be dizzy with delight when we have you playing from the same song charts that professional jazz musicians use.
JAZZ II: SUGAR IN MY UKULELE
Sugar In My Ukulele takes you on a risque journey up the neck of your ukulele. Why on earth would you do that? Because that's where valuable chord variations and voicings are hiding. If you've ever been disheartened by the jungle of useless chords on a ukulele chart, you'll love this masterclass. We explore the most usable, pleasurable, highly versatile chord shapes and chord leading progressions. You'll be utterly absolved when we reveal the chord shapes that are a complete waste of your precious time. While we're on a path of earthly ukulele delights, we'll demonstrate the incredibly rewarding devil's chord. The music we teach in this masterclass is deliciously slow to ease your hands into new shapes. Of course in true vintage style, it's cheeky and highly enjoyable! We provide songsheets and variations for different levels of learning, so you'll always feel challenged but never beyond your capacity. You'll learn important tools for conveying authentic feeling in music. By the end of this masterclass, you'll be able to transform a humble ukulele song into an impressive, dynamic performable piece.
JAZZ III: HOT SWING CHORDS
Following on from the previous masterclasses, we enter a new level of sensational jazz uke. The focus of this session is creativity and momentum. Enter into the rarely explored realm of hot swing and gypsy jazz ukulele. Learn jazz chord substitutions that make it possible to play fast-paced music with ease. We'll teach you beautiful voice leading variations that enable you to create your own style within the music. This masterclass covers essential vintage strumming techniques for speed and finesse including muting, spacing, pulsing and 'la pompe'. Don't be surprised if we sneak in some vintage trickery and entertainment-centric uke strumming methods. These teachings stretch far beyond jazz - your new chord vocabulary and strumming skills will transform your sound and creative enjoyment across your entire ukulele song repertoire.
The first (and arguably the best) eras for ukulele music, the 1920s & 1930s. This masterclass will take you on a guided stroll down Tin Pan Alley, through carefully selected songs designed to make your humble ukulele shine. You will learn how to create that distinct vintage sound including a swingin' rag progression, variation and turnaround, application of delightfully diminished jazz chords, fancy vintage strums including the infamous triple strum and a most impressive split stroke. You'll also learn tricks to make sense of vintage sheet music, how to easily decode complex jazz notation and chord extensions, and you'll be dizzy with delight when we have you playing from the same song charts that professional jazz musicians use.
JAZZ II: SUGAR IN MY UKULELE
Sugar In My Ukulele takes you on a risque journey up the neck of your ukulele. Why on earth would you do that? Because that's where valuable chord variations and voicings are hiding. If you've ever been disheartened by the jungle of useless chords on a ukulele chart, you'll love this masterclass. We explore the most usable, pleasurable, highly versatile chord shapes and chord leading progressions. You'll be utterly absolved when we reveal the chord shapes that are a complete waste of your precious time. While we're on a path of earthly ukulele delights, we'll demonstrate the incredibly rewarding devil's chord. The music we teach in this masterclass is deliciously slow to ease your hands into new shapes. Of course in true vintage style, it's cheeky and highly enjoyable! We provide songsheets and variations for different levels of learning, so you'll always feel challenged but never beyond your capacity. You'll learn important tools for conveying authentic feeling in music. By the end of this masterclass, you'll be able to transform a humble ukulele song into an impressive, dynamic performable piece.
JAZZ III: HOT SWING CHORDS
Following on from the previous masterclasses, we enter a new level of sensational jazz uke. The focus of this session is creativity and momentum. Enter into the rarely explored realm of hot swing and gypsy jazz ukulele. Learn jazz chord substitutions that make it possible to play fast-paced music with ease. We'll teach you beautiful voice leading variations that enable you to create your own style within the music. This masterclass covers essential vintage strumming techniques for speed and finesse including muting, spacing, pulsing and 'la pompe'. Don't be surprised if we sneak in some vintage trickery and entertainment-centric uke strumming methods. These teachings stretch far beyond jazz - your new chord vocabulary and strumming skills will transform your sound and creative enjoyment across your entire ukulele song repertoire.
CLAWHAMMER UKE (BANJO STYLE)
OLD TIME CLAWHAMMER UKULELE
What happens when you take an old time banjo style and apply it to ukulele? You're about to find out. This masterclass will teach you the bare bones of frailing (clawhammer) and how to incorporate it into ukulele playing for a truly mesmerising sound. We'll demonstrate how the clawhammer sound can be applied for a traditional old time feel, a delicate somewhat haunting beauty, or hard-driving rhythmic momentum. The technique itself is a bit of a challenge, but it can (and should) be done and we show you exactly how to master it. We teach clawhammer a little differently to others, using a three-tiered approach to build the strum. As a bonus, you'll learn how to strum clawhammer variations you can use to add interest to other styles of music. During the masterclass you'll receive ongoing, dedicated personal attention to ensure correct posture, hand placement, thumb position and strum style for the foundations of excellent ukulele clawhammer technique. Come along for a wagon ride of traditional old time tunes from mountain music to bluegrass and early americana.
What happens when you take an old time banjo style and apply it to ukulele? You're about to find out. This masterclass will teach you the bare bones of frailing (clawhammer) and how to incorporate it into ukulele playing for a truly mesmerising sound. We'll demonstrate how the clawhammer sound can be applied for a traditional old time feel, a delicate somewhat haunting beauty, or hard-driving rhythmic momentum. The technique itself is a bit of a challenge, but it can (and should) be done and we show you exactly how to master it. We teach clawhammer a little differently to others, using a three-tiered approach to build the strum. As a bonus, you'll learn how to strum clawhammer variations you can use to add interest to other styles of music. During the masterclass you'll receive ongoing, dedicated personal attention to ensure correct posture, hand placement, thumb position and strum style for the foundations of excellent ukulele clawhammer technique. Come along for a wagon ride of traditional old time tunes from mountain music to bluegrass and early americana.
PERFORMANCE LEVEL MASTERCLASSES
PERFORMANCE I: CREATIVE SONG ARRANGEMENTS
Do you play songs people love to hear? Plenty of ukulele players don't. Boring songs, done-to-death novelty and lacklustre arrangements are a guaranteed path to yawn-worthy performance. In this masterclass, we tackle the issue head on with effective repertoire choices and arrangements that keep audiences thrilled. You'll learn important tactics for song introductions, endings, dynamics, styling, rhythm, feel, timing, tempo, key choice, volume, space, tension and fancy embellishments. We show you how to work together as a powerful ukulele ensemble, making the best use of your individual strength and personality within the group. You will learn a variety of methods for contributing to a song beyond basic strumming. We'll explore creative options for ukulele players to take on roles of leading, accompaniment, bass, percussion, background melodics and harmonies. Depending on the needs of your ukulele group we may steer the session towards methods for creating solos, mastering new songs, productive practice, ensemble positioning, meaningful song delivery, determining proper ordering of song sets, memorising performance pieces, or keys to making arrangements unique to your group.
PERFORMANCE II: PERFORMER DEVELOPMENT
Beyond building your repertoire, there are important aspects of quality performance you can develop. This masterclass covers critical lessons we've learnt over 25 years of performance experience. It is entirely suitable for all aspiring performers,especially the introverted and stage-shy. We reveal honest and practical secrets for dazzling, polished performance without having to become an over-the-top entertainer. You'll receive our best advice on effective rehearsal methods, off-stage preparations, developing stagecraft, positioning, appearance, amplified and acoustic setups, microphone technique, connecting with the audience during and between songs, on-stage professionalism, shyness and stage-fright, mindful self talk, performance dynamics and showmanship. You'll learn the important differences between performance as entertainment and performance as a showcase. We encourage you to bring your questions and concerns for exploration and, as appropriate, may direct the session into topics of finding performance opportunities, remuneration, marketing and advertising, recruiting new performers, repertoire variations for different venues and audiences, interpersonal collaboration or conflict, and recommendations for non-uke performance additions. We will teach you how to transform your performances into professional, stunning and engaging entertainment you can really be proud of.
Do you play songs people love to hear? Plenty of ukulele players don't. Boring songs, done-to-death novelty and lacklustre arrangements are a guaranteed path to yawn-worthy performance. In this masterclass, we tackle the issue head on with effective repertoire choices and arrangements that keep audiences thrilled. You'll learn important tactics for song introductions, endings, dynamics, styling, rhythm, feel, timing, tempo, key choice, volume, space, tension and fancy embellishments. We show you how to work together as a powerful ukulele ensemble, making the best use of your individual strength and personality within the group. You will learn a variety of methods for contributing to a song beyond basic strumming. We'll explore creative options for ukulele players to take on roles of leading, accompaniment, bass, percussion, background melodics and harmonies. Depending on the needs of your ukulele group we may steer the session towards methods for creating solos, mastering new songs, productive practice, ensemble positioning, meaningful song delivery, determining proper ordering of song sets, memorising performance pieces, or keys to making arrangements unique to your group.
PERFORMANCE II: PERFORMER DEVELOPMENT
Beyond building your repertoire, there are important aspects of quality performance you can develop. This masterclass covers critical lessons we've learnt over 25 years of performance experience. It is entirely suitable for all aspiring performers,especially the introverted and stage-shy. We reveal honest and practical secrets for dazzling, polished performance without having to become an over-the-top entertainer. You'll receive our best advice on effective rehearsal methods, off-stage preparations, developing stagecraft, positioning, appearance, amplified and acoustic setups, microphone technique, connecting with the audience during and between songs, on-stage professionalism, shyness and stage-fright, mindful self talk, performance dynamics and showmanship. You'll learn the important differences between performance as entertainment and performance as a showcase. We encourage you to bring your questions and concerns for exploration and, as appropriate, may direct the session into topics of finding performance opportunities, remuneration, marketing and advertising, recruiting new performers, repertoire variations for different venues and audiences, interpersonal collaboration or conflict, and recommendations for non-uke performance additions. We will teach you how to transform your performances into professional, stunning and engaging entertainment you can really be proud of.
Ukulele Masterclass Bookings
Between our events bookings and uke teaching, we travel around Australia quite a bit.
Last year we managed over 20,000 kms, ukuleles in tow! Our current schedule includes:
Last year we managed over 20,000 kms, ukuleles in tow! Our current schedule includes:
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VIC
melbourne yarra valley bellarine peninsula macedon ranges mornington peninsula bright |
NSW
mudgee hunter valley shoalhaven mid-north coast central coast |
SA
kangaroo island mclaren vale clare valley barossa valley fleurieu peninsula adelaide |
QLD
brisbane granite belt sunshine coast toowoomba noosa central/west qld |
If your ukulele group is located near any of the listed areas, let us know.
If not, we may be able to make a special detour just to meet your lovely faces.
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STUDENT UKULELE TESTIMONIALS
"I'm a beginner who lapped up the three Uke workshops Sarah recently presented to our group. Sarah prepares her workshops thoroughly and is a firm, yet fun-loving and engaging guide. Sarah's teaching style impressed me. It seemed to be grounded in her own learning experiences which she vividly recalled and could translate and present to students with clarity. She empowered her students and moved them easily onto the next level of competence. Sarah is interested in supporting individuals as well as nuturing and developing the natural dynamics of ukulele groups. Her workshops were a very positive experience. She did not impose herself or her style but understood the group and worked alongside us. Her legacy of learning will sustain me as an individual and as a member of a Uke group into the future. Best wishes, Catherine." "thanks for the great workshops you gave us. Your lessons have certainly given us a lot to work with and have provided what we needed to make the next step up. Hope to see you over here again but in the mean time I will keep on strumming, |
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