Click here to schedule your first lesson!
I teach ukulele to brand new beginners up to intermediate students. I give 30 minute, 45 minute, or one hour lessons typically held once a week.
I started offering ukulele lessons several years ago after I was asked to show a student’s sibling the basics of the instrument. I purchased my own uke, and transferred the knowledge I acquired playing many years of guitar. Guitar and ukulele are both stringed instruments that share many of the same foundational and technical principals. Although ukulele is not one of my primary instruments, I love the versatility and sound of these beautiful Portuguese instruments (popularized in Hawaii). Because they have less strings than guitars, are easier to hold, and cost far less, ukes have become a popular option for beginners who want to learn a stringed instrument. In fact, many school music programs offer ukulele instruction!-))
What will you learn?
- THE UKULELE: I’ll teach you the parts of the uke, why it’s structured the way it is, and how to tune it.
- TECHNIQUE: You’ll learn how to sit and stand with your uke properly. I’ll show you how to position your arms, wrists, hands and fingers to play most efficiently. You’ll learn finger picking and strumming and eventually conventional flatpicking.
- MUSIC THEORY: From the musical alphabet to scales, rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, dynamics, and song structure, we’ll delve into the foundational aspects of music theory.
- READING: Initially, I’ll guide you through interpreting simple notation, and as your technical skills increase, we’ll switch to tablature. We’ll also incorporate YouTube tutorials, an invaluable resource for learning songs.
- EAR TRAINING: Listening and processing music is one of the most important aspects to learning an instrument. I will teach you how to analyze and interpret the world of sounds around you whether playing your instrument or just simply listening to music.
- SONGS: The strongest connection humans have to music is through song. I prioritize teaching you songs. I’ll start teaching you simple songs within the first few weeks and I’ll train you towards eventually playing the songs by your favorite musicians.
- PRACTICE: Playing often, of course, is crucial to improving your skills. But, I always tell my students, “It’s not HOW MUCH you practice, it’s HOW you practice. I will teach you how to practice effectively and efficiently, shifting your perspective from viewing practice as a chore to embracing it as a love of playing your instrument.
MUSIC APPRECIATION and EXPRESSION – How to become a Musician:
As you embark on your musical journey, you’ll encounter new songs, genres, musicians, and an entirely new understanding of music. Drawing inspiration from the musical and non-musical world, you’ll enhance your playing skills and deepen your general knowledge of music. I’ll help you cultivate your unique musical style through personal expression, fostering a lifelong connection with music.
- DIVERSE REPERTOIRE: Whether you’re into pop, folk, indie, alternative, blues, classical, jazz, video game music, movie music or any genre in between, I tailor lessons to your musical preferences. Together, we’ll explore a diverse repertoire to keep your musical journey dynamic and inspiring.
- MUSIC APPRECIATION: I encourage my students to explore all genres of music, and select songs they’re passionate about learning. As you learn a favorite song, we’ll discuss it’s composition and feeling. I may also touch on the song’s meaning and historical context.
- CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: Through simple creative exercises, I’ll guide you through the processes necessary to improvise. Over time, I’ll help you develop a style, your style, by emphasizing your strengths and tapping into your creativity. We’ll explore songwriting if you’re interested.
- PERFORMANCE: I’ll mentor you in preparing for performances step by step. Whether performing for yourself, family, friends, classmates, or in recitals, I’ll teach you how to maintain confidence and composure on stage.
- PLAYING WITH OTHERS: Making music with other musicians is an incredible experience. Starting from basic duets, I’ll help you focus on your part while hearing other sounds, paving the way for collaborations with multiple musicians.
- MUSIC and LIFE: My ultimate aim as a music teacher is to ignite your lifelong passion for playing an instrument and fostering your deeper connection with music. For all of my students, I strive to illuminate the profound connection between learning music and life, demonstrating how enriching and healing the experience can be.
Are you ready to start your musical journey and unlock your fullest musical potential?