Ukulele ensemble
Time: 18:00 - 19:30
Location: Keeley Street
Choose a start date
- Course Code: ME808
- Dates: 16/09/24 - 02/12/24
- Time: 18:00 - 19:30
- Taught: Mon, Evening
- Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Martin Wheatley
Course Code: ME808
Choose a start date
Duration: 11 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Ensemble ukulele playing : not strumming along to songs but playing individual parts which fit together to form a musical arrangement - a mini orchestra! Arrangements in a mix of musical styles will include tunes by Glenn Miller, David Bowie, and Vivaldi.
What will we cover?
We will develop our reading skills. We will learn to play well together. This means playing separate parts while listening so we are aware of the rest of the band. We will play a variety of music including popular music and classical.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- demonstrate improved listening skills
- play well in a group situation
- enjoy the teamwork.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You will need experience of playing ukulele: the coursework here is intermediate to advanced level. Experience of reading tablature is desirable as is skill in finger style playing. A group of varied technical levels will work well as the music is multi-part so it will be possible to match the music to the player's abilities.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Students will learn by playing in a group. The tutor will give practical demonstrations of tunes, parts and techniques you will be asked to learn and practise.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring your own ukulele, any type welcome. The tutor will provide all musical materials and inspiration.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Courses for ukulele run throughout the year. You may also be interested in extending your technique through learning guitar (folk/pop or classical style).
Martin Wheatley has enjoyed a varied career playing and teaching all sorts of fretted instruments: guitar, banjos of all sorts, mandolin and ukulele. His interest in the ukulele started long before the current wave of popularity through a love of vintage Hawaiian music. You can watch him performing on the ukulele on Youtube but he is as interested in the value and joy of the instrument for complete novices as he is in pushing technical boundaries. His performing career has been spent playing old-style jazz (pre-WW2) with occasional forays into the worlds of rock (Bryan Ferry) and classical music (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic). He has a B.A. from Colchester, an M.A. from University College London and a houseful of ukuleles.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
