Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London
Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London

Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London

Regular price£229.95
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Absolute Beginners Ukulele Lessons 10wk Challenge - Central London

    Monday Nights 7-9pm

    29 Apr - 1 Jul 2024 

    (With the exception of May bank holidays 6th and 27th where we will host on Wednesday evenings instead)

    10 week course

    Location: The Castle, 44 Commercial Rd, Aldgate, London E1 1LN (downstairs)

    Suitable for: Adults Only 18+

    20 Places Available

    Course Dates 

     22 Apr - 24 Jun 2024

    Lesson 1: Mon 29 Apr
    Lesson 2: Wed 8 May (Change due to Monday bank holiday)
    Lesson 3: Mon 13 May
    Lesson 4: Mon 20 May
    Lesson 5: Wed 29 May (Change due to Monday bank holiday)
    Lesson 6:  Mon 3 Jun
    Lesson 7:  Mon 10 Jun
    Lesson 8:  Mon 17 Jun
    Lesson 9:  Mon 24 Jun
    Lesson 10:  Mon 1 Jul

    Get inspired. Meet new people. Start your ukulele journey in just 10 weeks.

      Our Beginners Ukulele Lessons will give you the perfect start to your musical journey. Meet new people and get inspired on one of our relaxed, fun and friendly evening courses. 

      With 15 - 20 places in each class, they are a perfect size for everyone to get to know each other and enjoy playing together as a group. 

      Venue: The Castle, 44 Commercial Rd, Aldgate, London E1 1LN

      Embrace your ukulele challenge at The Castle pub in Aldgate. Enjoy a selection of world wines and craft beers to accompany you on your challenge, with an exclusive 20% OFF drinks for School of Uke students!

      Nearest Tube: 5-10 mins walk from Aldgate East and Aldgate Stations respectively.  

      Our Venues

      All our venues are hand-picked for their special qualities, and just 5-10mins walk to TFL Stations. We work with a number of partner venues in Central, East and South London, including Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Tower Bridge, Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Dalston and  Bermondsey.

      During the Summer months, weather permitting, we host our evenings at outdoor venues to make the most of the sunshine and warm summer nights.

      If you have a venue and would like to discuss hosting School of Uke events, please contact us at info@schoolofuke.co.uk

      Absolute Beginners

      We whole-heartedly welcome complete beginners! You don't need any prior musical knowledge whatsoever. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to get started. 

      What if I don't have a Ukulele?

      If you don't own a ukulele already, we're happy to provide one for you for your first lesson and give you help and advice on which ukulele you should buy. 

      In the meantime, feel free to browse our recommended ukuleles for beginners and get kitted out with all the essentials. You don’t need much, just a Ukulele, a Gigbag or Case and a Tuner and you’re good to go. 

      What You Get

      Through a selection of classic songs arranged by School of Uke we’ll give you all the necessary technique and confidence to start your musical journey. You’ll learn about strumming, chords, melody, song writing, and most importantly how to play your favourite songs!

      Rock, Pop, R&B, and Disco Classics at Your Fingertips

      All techniques are taught through popular Rock, Pop and R&B Classics. Think ABBA, Blondie, The Cure, Bowie, Stevie Wonder, ACDC, Diana Ross, 80s & 90s Anthems and 60s Classics from The Shirelles to the Shangri-Las. You can play anything on a ukulele and it’s your journey, so we encourage all song requests. 

      Confident Playing Technique

      We place a strong emphasis on developing your ability to play music with confidence. As well as improving your technical ability, with a focus on timing, texture, rhythm and song, we aim to build your musical awareness as part of a group ensemble. We take into consideration the specific aspirations and needs of everyone in the group, and we encourage individual style and singing where desired. 

      Group Ensemble

      • Learn to play one or two part arrangements as part of a group.
      • Learn about group performance in songs.
      • Emphasis on musical awareness, group timing, texture, rhythm and song.

      Strumming 

      • Learn a variety of strumming patterns, with accent and basic syncopation.

      Melody

      • Understand and read music tablature to be able to play simple melodies.
      • Intro to the C major and chromatic scales.

      Chords and Practical Chord Theory

      • Learn major, minor and seventh chords in root position.
      • Learn to play a I/IV/V Blues chord progression. 

      An Awesome Experience

      Overall it's about a group of like-minded people discovering music and having a great time together. Here's what some of our students had to say...

      "Great teaching and so much fun! Everyone should learn to play an instrument!" - Edina

      "Amazing fun, brilliant teaching, awesome people!" - Avital

      "I couldn't play anything when I first started, now I'm playing Slash solos!" - Cat

       


        What if I've never played a musical instrument before?

        We absolutely welcome complete beginners, and people who have never touched a musical instrument in their lives. Come along with an open mind and we'll do the rest!

        When do your group lessons take place?

        All our group lessons take place on weekday evenings from 7pm. And occasionally we will host workshops and jam sessions on weekend afternoons.

        Where do the group lessons take place?

        We love to run our lessons in pubs, which we feel adds to the social and relaxed vibe.

        All our pubs are hand-picked for their special qualities, and just 5-10mins walk to central London TFL Stations. We work with a number of partner venues in London Central and City Central, including Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Tower Bridge, Aldgate, Bethnal Green and Bermondsey.

        And during the Summer months, weather permitting, we host our evenings at pubs with outdoor facilities to make the most of the sunshine and summer nights.

        Is the ukulele a children's instrument?

        The ukulele is a very versatile instrument that comes in many different sizes. While it is taught as an elementary instrument in some schools, it most definitely is not a kids instrument. It's the native instrument of Hawaii and is hugely popular with adults due its portable size and playability.

        Are these sessions for adults or for kids?

        All our evening classes are for adults 18+.

        What if I don't have a ukulele?

        All instruments are provided at our Discover sessions so all you need to bring is your best self!

        For our beginner sessions, you can borrow a ukulele for the first lesson, but we recommend that you purchase an instrument as soon as possible to make the most out of your learning experience.

        How many people are in each class?

        There are 20 places available in each of our group classes and Discover sessions. Sometimes they sell out completely, but we usually run with about 15-20 people.

        Are the sessions wheelchair accessible?

        Unless otherwise stated in the venue description, sadly our sessions are not wheelchair accessible. They usually take place in pub function rooms, which are often only accessible by staircases. 

        Is it ok to drink alcohol in the session?

        Absolutely. We encourage people to grab a drink at the bar before the session and during the mid-lesson break.

        It's a fun and lighthearted vibe, and a bit of dutch courage never goes amiss. Our partner pubs & venues all offer a good range of beers, wine, spirits and simple cocktails like Negroni, Aperol  Spritz etc. 

        What time should I arrive?

        It's great if you can arrive 10-15mins early to grab a drink, meet your tutor/s and get settled in. 

        Is it ok to hang out after the session?

        Absolutely, we want to create a community of friends so we encourage people to hang out for drinks after our weekday evening classes. Our lessons are about social connection, music appreciation and learning to play as part of a group so they are as much social events as anything else. 

        What kind of music can you play on the ukulele?

        Absolutely anything! Anything you can play on a piano or guitar, you can also play on a ukulele. It's just half the size and easier to play.

        The ukulele is a great instrument to get started on and also a stepping stone to all other stringed instruments. And it's nice and compact so you can take it anywhere. Rock, Pop and R&B bangers at your fingertips!

        What are the health benefits of learning to play the ukulele?

        Learning to play music, especially socially, has many health and well-being benefits. As well as brain development, when you make music, your brain releases endorphins that induce feelings of joy and pleasure and block the nerve cells that cause us to feel stress and pain. There is evidence to suggest that it even boosts your immunity!

        What other events and services does School of Uke offer?

        We offer a range of ukulele lessons & events for complete beginners to advanced players, both online and in-person. As well as group based lessons, we offer one-to-one ukulele lessons, our 5wk Ukulele Challenge For Beginners,10wk Evening Courses, plus package events for private & corporate clients. 

        How long has the School of Uke been established? 

        School of Uke is a sister brand of Duke of Uke, London's World Famous Ukulele Store. The School of Uke name and company was formed in 2012, but we've been teaching ukulele for 18 years, since we first opened our doors back in 2006, as the UK's first ever dedicated Ukulele store.

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        For all enquiries about ukulele lessons or courses at School of Uke please email or use our Online Live Chat service.

        Email: info@schoolofuke.co.uk 

        Google & Facebook Reviews

        ★★★★★

        Onto my second course with School of Uke now! 🎉 Amazing fun, brilliant teaching, awesome people!! I will be back for more! 😁

        Avital Kaye
        ★★★★★

        I’ve done 3 classes over the last few years, and it’s always a blast. Playing as a group is very different to playing on your own, and whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, you’ll be shown new ways to play and new styles of music. You’ll learn loads, and most importantly you’ll meet great people!

        Dan Stewart
        ★★★★★

        Great teaching and so much fun! Enjoyed every minute while also felt challenged-everyone should learn to play an instrument.

        Edina Imrik
        ★★★★★

        Classes at the Duke of Uke are great fun and each term is different so that your ukulele technique improves while you learn about different musical genres. The teaching is superb, and there’s a real sense of community as you get to know your class and play at end of term concerts. Highly recommended!

        Ben Campkin
        ★★★★★

        I am now in my second year of classes at the school of Uke. I absolutely love it. I arrived as a complete beginner, not being able to play a note and now a year later I am a complete addict.

        Karen Neill
        ★★★★★

        The atmosphere was incredible, fun, inclusive and comfortable, all allowing us to learn in a relaxed but structured way. Instructors are great, patient, kind, knowledgeable, guiding us through each step with enthusiasm, patience and good humour.

        Catherine Young
        ★★★★★

        It’s been utterly magnificent getting to spend Tuesday evenings for the past 10 weeks, learning a new skill playing alongside this superb set of humans.

        Expect smiles, laughs, fun songs you want to learn and your new found favourite hobby all rolled into one!

        Ruby isla Cera Marle
        ★★★★★

        I have to say they're brilliant. The tutors are talented and professional musicians so if you want to learn/improve your ukulele and musicianship in a group setting look no further - you're guaranteed a good vibe and you'll meet some really lovely new people too!

        Mary Almond
        ★★★★★

        This is such a supportive way to learn to play a musical instrument - supported by both the tutors and my fellow students; the perfect balance of challenge, learning and friendship.

        Author name

        Simon Purins