Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart
Introduction to Ukestration and More Ukestrated Songs (all levels) - Jane
Be a part of the Muster Ukestra where you'll learn contemporary songs that are arranged into parts for a ukulele orchestra. The essence of a ukestra is to include all levels of ability, to stealth-teach music technique and theory, to create an entertaining sound, and to have fun. All levels of players, from beginners to advanced are welcome because there are parts for everyone! Oh and bring your vocal chords too!
Building Blocks of Improvisation (basic) - Mark
Learn how to improvise with your ukulele with My Girl and Sunshine of Your Love. This is home base for ukulele improvisation. We learn the major and minor pentatonic scales using riffs from these two popular pop/rock songs. All welcome, although we will move reasonably quickly. Must know string names.
Singing the Strings (all levels) - Jane
Let your ukulele help you find vocal harmonies. This workshop is all about singing with the ukulele. Jane has been leading choirs for over 20 years and enjoys helping you find your voice. You will learn how to unleash your voice, or get better at finding your harmonies, or even learn a bit of vocal improvisation depending on your level. All levels of singers are welcome.
Harmonising the Scale (intermediate) – Mark
Through songs such as Spanish Harlem, Do you Know the Way to San Jose, or Rhiannon, we extend the basics. We cement our use of harmonised scales and find how to apply them in our solo-ing skills.
Improvising in the Pentatonic Prism (intermediate) - Mark
Having learned the basics from Smokie Robinson and Cream, or the harmonised scale from Burt Bacharach, Lieber/Spector, or Fleetwood Mac, we now apply our newly learned theory and technique to jamming, taking lead breaks, making up riffs and getting well beyond the strum! This is a workshop that starts with the bedrock of simple improvisations built around the pentatonic scales, and takes you through how they are applied to the blues, jazz and popular music.
Be a part of the Muster Ukestra where you'll learn contemporary songs that are arranged into parts for a ukulele orchestra. The essence of a ukestra is to include all levels of ability, to stealth-teach music technique and theory, to create an entertaining sound, and to have fun. All levels of players, from beginners to advanced are welcome because there are parts for everyone! Oh and bring your vocal chords too!
Building Blocks of Improvisation (basic) - Mark
Learn how to improvise with your ukulele with My Girl and Sunshine of Your Love. This is home base for ukulele improvisation. We learn the major and minor pentatonic scales using riffs from these two popular pop/rock songs. All welcome, although we will move reasonably quickly. Must know string names.
Singing the Strings (all levels) - Jane
Let your ukulele help you find vocal harmonies. This workshop is all about singing with the ukulele. Jane has been leading choirs for over 20 years and enjoys helping you find your voice. You will learn how to unleash your voice, or get better at finding your harmonies, or even learn a bit of vocal improvisation depending on your level. All levels of singers are welcome.
Harmonising the Scale (intermediate) – Mark
Through songs such as Spanish Harlem, Do you Know the Way to San Jose, or Rhiannon, we extend the basics. We cement our use of harmonised scales and find how to apply them in our solo-ing skills.
Improvising in the Pentatonic Prism (intermediate) - Mark
Having learned the basics from Smokie Robinson and Cream, or the harmonised scale from Burt Bacharach, Lieber/Spector, or Fleetwood Mac, we now apply our newly learned theory and technique to jamming, taking lead breaks, making up riffs and getting well beyond the strum! This is a workshop that starts with the bedrock of simple improvisations built around the pentatonic scales, and takes you through how they are applied to the blues, jazz and popular music.
Sarah Carroll
Americanarama (intermediate)
Americana is a word used to describe a vast array of musical styles, all of which originated in the Americas. These include country, blues, old-time, bluegrass, Hawaiian, Tex-Mex and Cajun, amongst others. Join Sarah Carroll, fresh back from Americanafest in Nashville, as she shares her love of this music and learn some wonderful songs from these traditions.
Learn to Play and Sing Ostinato (all levels)
Were you one of those kids who were great at rounds? Row, Row, Row Your Boat, London’s Burning, Frère Jacques…? Come and lend your skill to this tremendously fun workshop where the humble round will be elevated to a new art form as we attempt four songs SIMULTANEOUSLY!! We will sing a couple of simple rounds to warm up then learn four chords and four songs. BEST FUN EVER!!! All abilities welcome.
Americana is a word used to describe a vast array of musical styles, all of which originated in the Americas. These include country, blues, old-time, bluegrass, Hawaiian, Tex-Mex and Cajun, amongst others. Join Sarah Carroll, fresh back from Americanafest in Nashville, as she shares her love of this music and learn some wonderful songs from these traditions.
Learn to Play and Sing Ostinato (all levels)
Were you one of those kids who were great at rounds? Row, Row, Row Your Boat, London’s Burning, Frère Jacques…? Come and lend your skill to this tremendously fun workshop where the humble round will be elevated to a new art form as we attempt four songs SIMULTANEOUSLY!! We will sing a couple of simple rounds to warm up then learn four chords and four songs. BEST FUN EVER!!! All abilities welcome.
Those Shameless Hussies (a.k.a. Cathy Welsford and Angie Smith)
Strumming Tips and Tricks – (basic) and (intermediate)
Add variation to your strumming by understanding the importance of weight (how your hand moves), emphasis (when to strum harder or more lightly), listening and imitation (what do the good players do and how can I copy them?), and the use of up strokes. We will practice these concepts with exercises and songs.
Basic - Easier level focussing on variations of basic strumming, using dynamics and easy picking rolls (Angie)
Intermediate - Includes triple strums, muting, up strokes and Cathy’s sure fire method to get you chunking along with the gang (Cathy)
In the Mood Ukulele Ensemble - (basic) and (intermediate)
We will learn to play In the Mood, playing either melody, backing chords or single backing notes, from memory, chords or TAB. There is place for everyone in these workshops including some ukulography and vocal soloists a la Glenn Miller band. The most important thing will be to have fun! Then at the end of the session we join forces to perform the whole thing.
Basic - Strumming the chords and singing the song (Angie)
Intermediate – Picking the melody (Cathy)
Latin Time Ukulele Ensemble - (all levels)
Learn to strum and pick this easy Latin rhythm instrumental piece. We will add percussion instruments and encourage outrageous dancing!
Basic and Intermediate levels with the choice of picking or strumming to suit your skills level.
Add variation to your strumming by understanding the importance of weight (how your hand moves), emphasis (when to strum harder or more lightly), listening and imitation (what do the good players do and how can I copy them?), and the use of up strokes. We will practice these concepts with exercises and songs.
Basic - Easier level focussing on variations of basic strumming, using dynamics and easy picking rolls (Angie)
Intermediate - Includes triple strums, muting, up strokes and Cathy’s sure fire method to get you chunking along with the gang (Cathy)
In the Mood Ukulele Ensemble - (basic) and (intermediate)
We will learn to play In the Mood, playing either melody, backing chords or single backing notes, from memory, chords or TAB. There is place for everyone in these workshops including some ukulography and vocal soloists a la Glenn Miller band. The most important thing will be to have fun! Then at the end of the session we join forces to perform the whole thing.
Basic - Strumming the chords and singing the song (Angie)
Intermediate – Picking the melody (Cathy)
Latin Time Ukulele Ensemble - (all levels)
Learn to strum and pick this easy Latin rhythm instrumental piece. We will add percussion instruments and encourage outrageous dancing!
Basic and Intermediate levels with the choice of picking or strumming to suit your skills level.
Chris Bodey
Finger Picking with an Emphasis on the Low "G" (intermediate)
We will explore how to use finger picking to enhance and provide interest to our performances. Concentrating on Folk and Country stylings, this technique is most suited to Low G-string ukulele tuning, but you don't need to have a Low G instrument to attend. We will learn Mr Bojangles and The House of the Rising Sun incorporating our new or improved finger picking skills.
Some Thoughts on a Contemporary Song (intermediate)
The recent hit song Ex's and Oh's by Elle King provides an excellent vehicle to showcase a number of clever playing techniques. We will learn this song to refine and better understand the effective use of the Em/B7 chord combination, the ever popular "Z" chord and vamping.
We will explore how to use finger picking to enhance and provide interest to our performances. Concentrating on Folk and Country stylings, this technique is most suited to Low G-string ukulele tuning, but you don't need to have a Low G instrument to attend. We will learn Mr Bojangles and The House of the Rising Sun incorporating our new or improved finger picking skills.
Some Thoughts on a Contemporary Song (intermediate)
The recent hit song Ex's and Oh's by Elle King provides an excellent vehicle to showcase a number of clever playing techniques. We will learn this song to refine and better understand the effective use of the Em/B7 chord combination, the ever popular "Z" chord and vamping.
The Toy Choir
Write Your Own Song (all levels)
In 90 minutes, you will be teamed up with a Toy Choir member to write your very own song. Bring a song idea or a chord progression that you love and work with a teenager to write your own song. The girls will even record and email it to you so you can share it with your friends and family!
In 90 minutes, you will be teamed up with a Toy Choir member to write your very own song. Bring a song idea or a chord progression that you love and work with a teenager to write your own song. The girls will even record and email it to you so you can share it with your friends and family!
Patrick Evans
Conversation with an Artisan
Patrick Evans is the creative mind behind the successful Maton ukulele range. Since 2011, Maton has produced nearly 3000 ukuleles and demand continues to grow for these Australian made, handcrafted instruments. In this workshop Patrick will discuss the origins of the Maton ukulele, wood choices, building techniques, pickup choices and more. This is a rare opportunity to get behind the scenes of an iconic brand of musical instrument and gain an insight into the craft of making and marketing top shelf ukuleles.
Patrick Evans is the creative mind behind the successful Maton ukulele range. Since 2011, Maton has produced nearly 3000 ukuleles and demand continues to grow for these Australian made, handcrafted instruments. In this workshop Patrick will discuss the origins of the Maton ukulele, wood choices, building techniques, pickup choices and more. This is a rare opportunity to get behind the scenes of an iconic brand of musical instrument and gain an insight into the craft of making and marketing top shelf ukuleles.