Advanced Beginner

Interested in some basic fingerstyle ukulele? Like that old-time sound? Join us to create an amazing arrangement that uses chords, melody-playing, and singing. You will leave with 2-3 tunes for you ukulele group to play.

Intro to the Nashville numbering system. 1 - 4 - 5. We'll learn to play 1 - 4 - 5 in any key. Preferably after taking the “Navigating fingerboard workshop”, but not necessary. 

Navigating the fingerboard in a logical sense using the chromatic scale. Using the “Grip” system as opposed to the grid system. 

In this workshop, we will expand our ukulele skills by focusing on various strumming techniques, song intros and riffs from fun, popular songs throughout the decades.

This class consists of the three strums I use the most: a swing strum, a shuffle strum, and a rumba strum. After demonstrating each strum, we will practice it together on tunes that are available as handouts. 

The Swing Strum I use is slightly different than once I have observed and is based on rhythm guitar players from the 1930s. The Shuffle strum imitates the rhythm played by 1940s and 50s rhythm and blues bands like Louis Jordan. The rumba strum is useful in playing 1950s and 60s pop tunes like Save the Last Dance for Me.

This is a repertoire class of the songs written and performed by the great Slim Gailliard. In addition to writing the massive hit Flat Foot Floogie With the Floy Floy, Slim wrote dozens of fun and relatively easy tunes that sound great played with Ukulele.  We will play Palm Springs Jump, Atomic Cocktail, Dunkin’ Bagel, and Potato Chips. I’m getting hungry!

Reference Tunes:

OK, you've just learned a new tune. The first question that pops up is "How do I start it?" soon after, the next question arrives, "How do I end it?" This class is all about answering those important questions. We will discuss the reasons for vamps, turnarounds, and intros/ outros. 

Vamp: a chord progression that happens at the beginning of the performance. You can use it to get in the groove, establish the tempo, etc. 

"Plays Well With Others" coordinates Preparation, Practice and Performance for group players, band leaders or even solo musicians. We discuss (and demonstrate!) a logical and linked series of ideas that are integral to working with others in a musical context. Almost anyone will come away with a new idea (or several) and a better understanding of how to create a clearer, more systematic path to playing better. "We play for fun; but it’s more fun to play better."

Performance, ether with or without a group, demands creativity in putting your distinctive, and differentiating, personal stamp on each song. Like every creative discipline, there are specific steps that enable you to understand how to arrange and present songs with your own interpretative flair. 

Bob brings his arrangement techniques into 7 specific considerations that will dramatically affect and improve your arrangements for your group or for your solo performances... and we'll play through examples of each technique.

TIRED OF ENDLESS STRUMMING? STRUM STRUM STRUM! Lets get excited about progressing your ukulele performance - reading tablature is one door to knowing more about the ukulele. From classical chord melody, pop songs and even small instrumental segments for introductions, solo sections and endings - learning how to read tabs is a window to a whole new world! We will play an entire song in tab by the end of the class!!!

The Ensemble Track is a special masterclass workshop series taught by Peter Luongo. It consists of 4 workshops during the festival weekend culminating in a performance at the Performer Showcase on Sunday afternoon. This track is geared to advanced-beginner to advanced players looking to learn about playing as part of an ensemble.  For more details, please visit the Ensemble Track page!

The Ensemble Track is a special masterclass workshop series taught by Peter Luongo. It consists of 4 workshops during the festival weekend culminating in a performance at the Performer Showcase on Sunday afternoon. This track is geared to advanced-beginner to advanced players looking to learn about playing as part of an ensemble.  For more details, please visit the Ensemble Track page!

The Ensemble Track is a special masterclass workshop series taught by Peter Luongo. It consists of 4 workshops during the festival weekend culminating in a performance at the Performer Showcase on Sunday afternoon. This track is geared to advanced-beginner to advanced players looking to learn about playing as part of an ensemble.  For more details, please visit the Ensemble Track page!

The Ensemble Track is a special masterclass workshop series taught by Peter Luongo. It consists of 4 workshops during the festival weekend culminating in a performance at the Performer Showcase on Sunday afternoon. This track is geared to advanced-beginner to advanced players looking to learn about playing as part of an ensemble.  For more details, please visit the Ensemble Track page!

Ever wondered how to construct a harmony part? Ever run into a song that was easy to play in uke group, but completely out of your vocal range? If you're ready to go beyond the basics of "hum & strum", this class is for you! Using the simple technique presented in this class, you'll be able to create one, two, and three-part harmonies quickly and with confidence.

Attendees should be prepared to sing! You will need a uke to play and a pencil to take notes. A music stand is not required, but will be extremely helpful.