FRIDAY WORKSHOPS

Johnson Theater

Noon – 1 pm
Uncle Zac THE BARITONE UKE "3 ukes in one"
Explore the flexibility of this wonderful instrument from chords to strums, progressions to intros and endings, to picks and licks -while adding depth to any uke gathering

1:15 – 2:15
John King BASIC STRUMMING
Demonstrations, with printed handouts, plus Q&A to address specific technique concerns, taught by the undisputed master of classical music on the ukulele. Hugely popular at the 2007 NY Uke Fest. Good for all levels as an introduction or refresher.

2:30 – 3:30
Gerald Ross STEEL GUITAR
This workshop introduces the student to the Hawaiian steel guitar utilizing the C6 tuning (CEGACE low to high strings).  The C6 tuning is a versatile tuning that adapts well to Hawaiian, Western Swing, 1930’s / 40’s popular music, Ukulele music and early Country music.  The sound of this tuning is very evident in many of post 1945 Hawaiian recordings.    
This is not a beginning class.  It is assumed that the student has some standard guitar experience.  Listeners and observers are welcome to attend.   Audio and video recording the workshop is allowed and encouraged.
Questions?  
Please contact Gerald Ross at gbross@umich.edu

 
4:00 – 5:00
Mark Michaels – MAKING SONGS SNAZZY AND JAZZY
New York City ukulele instructor and recording artist, will show you how to take simple 2 or 3 chord songs (“Singing In the Rain”, “Moonlight Bay”, “Bei Mir Bist du Schoen”, etc.) and flesh them out into more “musical” pieces. He will illustrate how one can substitute chords using the music theory principles of relative major/relative minor, II-V7 changes, diminished and augmented chords and cycles of fourths. He will also discuss how to add rhythmic vitality to your playing. Recording the workshop for personal use is permitted.

Noon – 1 pm
Jim Beloff – Beginner Ukulele Workshop: “Strummin’ With Jumpin’ Jim”
(Jumpin’ Jim songbooks; The Joy Of Uke DVDs, The Ukulele: A Visual History) introduces you to the basics of playing the ukulele including holding, tuning, strumming and making the chords. We will play through well-known songs learning new chords, strums, tips and techniques along the way. Bring a GCEA soprano-tuned uke and be ready to have a lot of fun. At the end of the workshop you will have made a new life-long friend—your ukulele!

1:15 – 2:15
Hal Brolund - Introduction to Blues on the Ukulele (Blues 101)
Beginner - An exploration of the techniques and sounds of the blues as performed on ukulele. The style is discussed and some examples are demonstrated and taught.  This workshop is prepared for either ‘C’ tuned ukuleles includes handouts with all exercises.
            •  12 Bar Blues
            •  Shuffle Rhythm
            •  Introductory Soloing
            • Blues Turnarounds

2:30 – 3:30
The Kennedys STEAL FROM THE BEST: Expanding the Uke Repertoire
Purists beware! Iconoclastic ukists Pete and Maura Kennedy demonstrate ways to tiptoe far beyond the tulips, as they draw Beethoven, Gerwshin, Hendrix and Henry Mancini into the magic circle
of the uke. Earl Scruggs technique applied to a Charlie Parker tune? Why not?

3:45 – 4:45
Ali Lexa - Jazz & Blues Improvisation: "What to play and where to play it?"
We'll cover the foundation techniques and tricks used in blues and
jazz improvisation.
Using chord tones, scales and arpeggios we'll improvise over a
standard 12 bar blues, a "jazz blues" and learn what to play over
"Rhythm Changes", one of the most common chord progressions in Jazz.
Handouts of all material covered will be supplied. Course will given
be in C tuning. Intermediate to Advanced. Knowledge of chords and some scale
experience recommended

Johnson Theater

Noon – 1 pm
Lil’ Rev Old Time Styles For Ukulele and other Right Hand Techniques:
Learn Fiddle Tunes, Ballads, Folk-songs, Blues, Novelty numbers, Three Different triplet Strokes, The Claw-Hammer Stroke, The Vo-Do-De-O-Do Strum and many other tricks and tunes from Uke Master Lil Rev.

1:15 – 2:15
Ron Gordon BLUES UKE
This workshop will teach two classic blues songs that illustrate both strumming and fingerpicking ragtime and delta blues on four strings. "Mean Old World" ( in an open tuning) and "Kansas City Blues". Handouts with tab will be provided and a recorder is recommended. Gordon will also illustrate a variety of other blues styles on the uke.

2:30 – 3:30
John King BASIC STRUMMING
Demonstrations, with printed handouts, plus Q&A to address specific technique concerns, taught by the undisputed master of classical music on the ukulele. Hugely popular at the 2007 NY Uke Fest. Good for all levels as an introduction or refresher.

4:00 – 5:00
Rose Turtle Ertler HOW TO PLAY UKULELE EN MASSE
Rose will teach an original instrumental composition written for en masse ukuleles, showing a few of her favourite picking and strumming patterns along the way.  The piece includes two parts to played at once, and looks at dynamics and arranging possibilities for a group of ukuleles. The song will be part of Rose’s performance on Saturday night.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

Community Space Theater

1:00 – 2:00pm
Evy Mayer HUMOROUS SONGS
Learn humorous songs ranging from novelty songs of the early 1900s to more modern ones from the early 2000s. Evy Mayer specializes in funny songs, and has recorded 17 of them on her CD, "Humor Me!" Evy, also known as Ukelady, has led or participated in funny song workshops at festivals and other events, up and down the east coast, for many years.

2:30 – 3:30
Uncle Zac THE THEORY OF 4
An easy but comprehensive guide to chord forms that will allow you to play up the neck -
learn basic patterns and shapes for each chord group instead of memorizing 100's of chords
to help you quickly find the right chord in the right place --
for ukes of all sizes

3:45 – 4:45
Ron Gordon OPEN TUNINGS
Long time stalwart of the old time and folk music scenes in the Empire State, Gordon’s Open Tunings clinic was one of the most popular last year. Open tunings and their use to create new chord voicings, tonal colors, and even styles of playing will be discussed and demonstrated. We will cover two tunes in different tunings to illustrate creative arranging for the uke.Handouts with tab will be provided. Some of this will build on previous year's workshops at the NY Uke Fest, but we will learn a brand new tuning as well.