Find out the latest from the world of Learn to Uke – lessons, workshops & more!

Ukulele Workshop in London, UK with James Hill

Ukulele Workshop with Ukulele Virtuoso, James Hill. 11 March.

James Hill and Anne Janelle

It is with the greatest pleasure that I announce a workshop with James Hill and Anne Janelle for our alumni students. As most of you will know, James is one of three true ukulele virtuosos that I am aware of in the world. The words ‘ukulele virtuoso’ are used liberally by some to describe guitarists who are able to hack and play lead lines on a ukulele, but I know of only three actual ukulele virtuosos. In March 2014, you’ll get to have a workshop with one of them. Very exciting!

Even better than that, you’ll get double the fun. The amazing Anne Janelle (James’s wife, and incredibly talented partner in crime – she’s a phenomenal cellist, performer and recording artist.) will be with him. The reason he’s in town is because of Anne’s tour. He’ll accompany her on stage at the Green Note in Camden, with the beautiful folk group Troubadour Rose on March 23. If you want to go and see the (highly recommended) show, then you can grab yourself a ticket here.

Here’s James’s actual biography: Since the release of his first solo ukulele album in 2002, James has become recognized as “one of the world’s top composers for the ukulele” (Rafe Mair, 600AM Vancouver), renowned for his “world-class command of the instrument” (John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin).

James, who holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia, is also a distinguished teacher. He has presented ukulele workshops throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Japan, Germany, Italy, Sweden and New Zealand. He has twice been invited to teach and perform at the renowned `Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Institute in Waimea, HI, and has lectured at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and at the University of Oregon. James is co-author of the acclaimed Ukulele in the Classroom method book series.

“Possibly the best ukulele player in the world… Hill wowed and charmed the audience.” – Waikato Times Testimonials

Wow! James Hill brings the uke to life. It is one thing to be so amazing on the ukulele… but to also connect and bring the magic to the hearts of his students, that’s wonderful. – Chris, Music Teacher

James’ lessons are delivered so clearly, amusingly and thoughtfully. – Faith, Adult Learner

I’m super-impressed by James’ teaching, organization and caring. As an ex-public school music teacher I realize how much he has invested in developing his teaching skills. – Ellie, Retired Music Teacher

So. If all this excites  you, then you can

 

Book a ticket to James’s workshop here. [this event was in the past]

We Won! Southbank Centre’s School of Rock!

I’m sure you already like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter so you’ll already know this news, but we’re really happy and excited to share it again…

Michael Faraday School of Rock winners

Michael Faraday School of Rock winners

Lorraine’s wonderful pupils from Michael Faraday School won the Southbank Centre’s Imagine Festival School of Rock!

They were up against some really stiff competition from some really accomplished rock bands, Ilderton Steel Pan Band:

Many of these children had been rehearsing for months. So we were surprised and proud that our children won, particularly as they had only started learning the songs 2 weeks before the competition!

See the Ukes Of Rock in action here:

Strum Fun Workshop with Ukulelezaza!

Remco

We had the great pleasure of a visit and a strum fun workshop from Ukulelezaza.

If you’ve not come across Remco Houtman-Janssen before, then you should have! He’s a world class player, who’s played in many Hawaiian bands, and regularly plays live at global ukulele festivals.  He paid us a visit from Belgium last Thursday, and ran a workshop at the Royal George.

Here are are the details of the strum fun workshop that he ran:

As a master of the right hand and a well experienced teacher, Zaza’s workshop on strumming techniques is a must-attend for anyone interested in traditional syncopated rhythm techniques, like the triplet, split stroke and swing jazz. One finger, two fingers, three fingers… You will leave this workshop with a few quintessential ukulele strums up your sleeve. Duration 75 minutes.

Some of the students said:

‘Remco is a great teacher and player. I leant a lot from this workshop and really enjoyed his concert that followed after the workshop. He has a wonderful collection of very old (and battered) uke’s of all shapes and sizes that he uses in his act. If you enjoy playing ‘jazz style’ numbers I can heartily recommend his book and DVD ‘happy days are here again’ which you can get from his website: www.jumpingfleamarket.nl. These alumni workshops are a great idea and I am really looking forward to the new ones.’
– Nigel Karney

‘Absolutely brilliant workshop, one you need to make sure is in your Diary. Zaza has a unique was of teaching which can make any Ukulele at any level sound beautiful. He has so much experience to offer, and if you are lucky he will show you what he can do with a wide range of his own Ukulele’s.’
– Maria Cox

Mister Ukulele – our new model!

Mister Ukulele, or Mr. Uke for short has been hanging around for a while, just waiting for an opportunity to shine.  And now, here he is:

Mr Ukulele

Mr Uke!


 

He’s going to be popping up all over the place in future.  In our new YouTube Uke tips, news, reviews, and playalong songs.  We’re going to take him out on tour, and he’ll meet a whole bunch of awesome people.  Like him?

This time next year, you could make him an amazing ukulele cake like this one:

Ukulele Cake

Mmm Yummy!

 

We love that cake so much, you could make one for all of us, and we’d be over the moon!