NEW Don’t Stop Me Now! Level 2 Ukulele Lessons
"Take Your Skills to the Next Level!"
Tuesday Nights 7-9pm
10 week course
Lead Tutor: Jason
Location: Central London Pub TBC
Suitable for: Adults Only 18+
Next Course Dates
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21 Jan - 18 Mar 2025 |
| Lesson 1: Tue 21 Jan |
| Lesson 2: Tue 28 Jan |
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Lesson 3: Tue 4 Feb |
| Lesson 4: Tue 11 Feb |
| Lesson 5: Tue 18 Feb |
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Lesson 6: Tue 25 Feb |
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Lesson 7: Tue 4 Mar |
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Lesson 8: Tue 11 Mar |
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Lesson 9: Tue 18 Mar |
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Lesson 10: Tue 25 Mar |
Course Overview
Ready to build on what you’ve learned already? Our 'Don't Stop Me Now' Ukulele Course will take you beyond beginner ukulele to the Next Level. We’ll expand your chord knowledge, introduce you to new keys, and dive into more complex strumming patterns. You’ll also start playing more intricate melodies and riffs, adding a new dimension to your ukulele skills. Along the way, you'll start to see how music theory applies directly to your playing, making everything easier to understand.
What You’ll Learn:
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New songs and keys to grow your repertoire of chords.
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More complex strumming patterns and rhythms.
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Playing catchy melodies and riffs.
- How to play Major and Minor scales.
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Introduction to applied music theory: understanding keys and scales.
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Group playing with a focus on timing and dynamics.
Perfect For:
Players who have completed our beginners' course or those with some basic ukulele experience looking to enhance their skills.
If you've already started playing the ukulele, or have completed one of our 'Absolute Beginners' or '5 Week Challenge' ukulele courses, our Next Level Ukulele Lessons are for you. With a strong focus on playing within a group, we aim to develop your technique and get you playing like a pro!
Enjoy Playing Together as a Group
Meet new people, make new friendships and continue your musical journey with School of Uke. 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. There are two experienced School of Uke tutors per class who will put you through your paces, while making sure everyone is comfortable and having a great time.
By the end of the course you’ll have the opportunity to show off your new playing skills to family and friends at our very own ‘Grand Finale’ ukulele show at a London music venue.
Rock, Pop, R&B, and Disco Classics at Your Fingertips
All techniques will be taught by looking at popular and lesser-known rock, pop, country and R&B tunes. Think ABBA, The Smiths, Blondie, The Cure, Bowie, 60s Classics from The Shirelles to the Shangr-Las, French Pop and Bluegrass! Song requests are encouraged and will be explored whenever possible.
Confident Playing Technique
The course places a strong emphasis on developing a confident playing technique. As well developing 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 encourage singing and individual style.
In our Next Level classes we aim to expand on the basics and get you playing more confidently. We’ll take you beyond the simple stuff and start introducing techniques you never thought possible. With a hands-on practical approach we’ll look at new chords, chord construction, new scales, playing in new keys and performance tips and tricks.
Group Ensemble & Performance Technique
- Play simple one and two part arrangements.
- Learn more about developing arrangement and performance in songs with multiple parts.
- Emphasis on musical awareness, group timing, texture, rhythm and song.
- Develop playing technique and encourage individual style within a group.
- Introduction to playing effectively and confidently in a live gigging environment.
Strumming and Picking
- Strong focus on strumming techniques, chucking, damping and the place of emphasis and accent.
- Explore the use of barre chords to achieve damping effects useful for achieving a more percussive sound.
- Introduction to fingerpicking box rolls and arpeggios.
Melody and Theory
- Develop an awareness and map of the fretboard up to the 5th fret.
- Develop understanding of the Major Scale and introduction to the Minor Scale.
- Introduction to keys: Explore the idea of playing in different keys and basic transposition.
Chords and Chord Theory
- Focus on I/IV/V progression through 12 Bar Blues and cross-fertilization with other genres.
- Cement knowledge and application of all chords in the Keys of C, Am and G.
- Introduction to basic barre chords like D Major and D7.
Performance Technique
- Our Don’t Stop Me Now! course culminates in a “Grand Finale” show where you’ll have the opportunity to show off your new playing skills to family and friends at a London music venue.
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.
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
