(Parents: Please note that this is an intermediate level class and not suitable for beginners.)

Everyone loves the ukulele because you can pick it up and strum a tune pretty quickly... But soon, you want to play MORE. And then you discover that learning the chords isn't the big challenge. The BIG challenge is learning how to move from one chord to another without slowing down (or stopping!) the music. That's what this class is all about. 

In this class, we will work on these skills and concepts:
 - Left (neck) hand positions (not finger positions - HAND)
 - Finger placement in chord shapes, and why we don't always use the same fingers for the same chord in different songs.
 - chords that are played in the first, second, and possible third frets. 
 - chords that are played with one, two, or possibly three fingers (this will be adjusted to accommodate individual learner level). 

These skills will be explored within the context of SONGS. The instructor believes that skills are best acquired in their true context (music, not exercises). While we may try a technical exercise to experience a specific physical feeling, the bulk of time in class will be spent on chords, hand positions, and finger placements in the context of songs. 

Songs will change every month. This allows students the option to take the class again if they would like to BUT have fresh material as they work toward mastery of the concept. 

Songs are chosen from the repertoire of world and folk music. 

Songs for the month of January include:
 - The Kine are homeward going (England)
 - Stooping on the Window (African American)
 - Welcome Here (composed, 1899)
 - Summ Summ Summ (Germany)

 - Students should arrive with ukuleles IN TUNE. If your learner cannot tune his/her own ukulele, enrolled students will be eligible for a free tuning class. Message the instructor for more information. This offer is ONLY available to students who are enrolled and have attended a class meeting. 
 - Students in this class should already know the names of the parts of the ukulele, including head, neck, body, frets, nut, and (of course 🙂) strings.
 - Students should have a soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele. A baritone ukulele is not suitable for this class. 
 - Students should expect to have their cameras ON during class. For the instructor to provide helpful feedback, she will need to both SEE and HEAR the students.
 - Students are encouraged to self-mute when they want to try playing an idea but the instructor or another student is having a turn to speak or play. Students are reminded that the instructor cannot turn their microphones back on, and should be prepared to do so if the instructor asks them a question. (There is never ANY pressure in my classes; I just can’t turn their microphones ON, and I think students forget that sometimes. 
 - This class is not suited to adapt to student requests for specific songs. Students who wish to learn a specific song should have their parents inquire about One-on-One classes with the instructor.