Private Lessons

Private Ukulele Lessons (ages 6 - 106)

with Shannon Simpson
Private Lessons :

One-on-one lessons are a great way to invest in your personal musical journey. In private lessons we develop technical skills, explore varied repertoire and work to improve musicality, rhythm, and theoretical knowledge. Lessons are tailored to each student as I find it is most important that lessons be fun and inspiring. I use songs that make my students smile, rhythms that get them dancing and activities that encourage practicing the instrument for fun! We progress at the student’s pace and play music curated to their goals, ensuring our time together is engaging and valuable.

Beginner Players

If it’s your first time playing the ukulele, we will start at the beginning! I start with how to care for and maintain the instrument, how to tune it (and keep it in tune), and how to hold it correctly. We then cover technique for playing the instrument, basic music theory, and specific ukulele skills. Once a foundation is built, lessons are tailored to each student’s individual progress and goals.

Intermediate Players

If you already play ukulele (or any other fretted instrument) and are looking to take your ukulele playing to the next level, I am happy to challenge you with new repertoire, strums, percussive ukulele, chord melody and much more!

Category

Individual class

Date

Dates and times are to be discussed an arranged with the instructor.

Scope of course
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate ukulele player, here are a few topics you can expect to cover in private lessons with me:

 

Chord Repertoire

Learning chords is a satisfying way to begin playing the tunes you love in as little as four lessons.  Growing your knowledge of chords allows you to: play in more keys, transpose songs to suit different vocal ranges, and play along with your favourite bands. An important foundation of your ukulele knowledge, building your chord repertoire is where I begin with most players.

Reading Music or Tablature

Ukulele is a mighty instrument, but only covers a range of 2 octaves, making it the perfect introduction to reading traditional music on the treble clef staff.  As a fretted instrument, students can also learn to read TAB (tablature), a valuable skill that is quick to learn and simplifies playing your favourite solos and riffs!

Music and Rhythm Theory

An important part of any musical foundation, rhythm is an essential part of exploring music.  The more you understand the role it plays, the more skilled a musician you become.  I enjoy making the theoretical part of music fun and accessible, so expect lots of challenges and games to help you find beat and feel the rhythm.

Music Appreciation

Broadening your music appreciation skills is an important part of growing as a musician.  We have affinities towards certain genres of music, ensembles, or performers; we all have our favourites!  However, I like to challenge students to expand their musical horizons, sometimes learning about the history of a band, the roots of a rhythm or by studying the instrumentation of an arrangement to draw inspiration from what we learn.

Performance

I believe that music is meant to be shared! Playing for others is an opportunity to share a musical story with an audience, whether that audience is your dog, your family, or a crowd. When possible, I like to encourage my students to perform in various settings from talent show auditions or school music programs, to end-of-season ukulele recitals. Of course, this is always optional!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive updates, promotions, and sneak peaks of upcoming course. Plus 20% off your next order.

Promotion nulla vitae elit libero a pharetra augue