Ukulele Lessons
Wikipedia entry
The ukulele is a fun and easy instrument to play, with a quick payoff. If you're not sure whether you have the hand strength for playing the guitar, the uke is a rewarding and cheap way to strengthen your fingers (It's more portable too).
Because it has nylon (plastic) strings, the strings are much easier to press down on and much easier on the fingers, and easier to get a clear tone out of without having to press down as hard as any other steel or bronze- stringed instrument. It is especially good for those with smaller hands and fingers, but many players with larger hands do just fine.
Ukuleles have a fun and whimsical sound, and have been played in numerous styles of music, wherever a light, fun, or playful sound is needed. Musicians from Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson to Elvis have played the uke in their songs. In addition, many celebrities and actors such as Adam Sandler and Marilyn Monroe have played on the side as a fun hobby since it is so simple to learn and play.
If you want to play a fun instrument that is sure to bring smiles to any listener, that you can take nearly anywhere, or are even looking for an excellent entry-level stringed instrument to prepare your hands for playing other instruments such as guitar or banjo, you should give ukulele lessons a try!
My teaching skills with this instrument
I can teach anyone to learn to play the ukulele, and
start playing not only traditional and popular ukulele
songs, but also to play songs not normally associated
with the ukulele. For example, check out this
link. I have taught AC/DC's "Back in Black" and
Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" to students on the uke
as fun examples! I can teach strumming, chords,
rhythmic concepts, chord embellishments, and much
more. Also, the transition from ukulele to guitar and
banjo (and vice versa) is pretty simple because it
uses the same finger strength, dexterity, chord
changing concepts, and rhythmic rules as those other
instruments.
If you have any further questions I couldn't answer
here, check out my FAQ
section.
Concepts I teach:
Open major and minor chords
Leading fingers and common fingers
Developing hand muscle memory
Strumming and strum patterns
Changing chords while strumming
Reading ukulele tablature
Singing and playing at the same time
Playing melodies and lines
Names of the frets
Chord construction
Sharps and flats (# & b)
Octaves and their role
Bar chords
Chord embellishments: 7s, 9s, etc.
Tuning with an electronic tuner
Tuning by ear
Slurs- hammeron, pulloff, slide, bend
Rhythm and tempo
Rhythmic notation
Selective muting
Reading chord charts
Scales and their use
Playing by ear
Using the internet as a song resource
...and much more than I can list here!
