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Classes are subject to change without notice.

A note about Classes and Workshops: The information on this page will change as the 2008 schedule is updated. Classes are cumulative over three days, e.g. claw-hammer uke class in first period is taught for 3 days at 10 a.m., each day building on what was taught the day before. There may be up to 8 classes offered in each class period. There are three periods in each day. There are many choices that you will make when you arrive, and if you are there on Wednesday afternoon for the teacher class descriptions, it will be help you to decide which classes are right for you.

In addition to the classes each day, there are 1-shot workshops offered on-the-fly according to the interests of the students and teachers. These 1-shot workshops will occur in the late afternoons outside of the class periods shown on the Schedule page.

About Class Levels

Level numbers are assigned to class descriptions to help you make decisions about the classes and get the most out of your time here. The teachers will describe their classes on the first evening and you'll have an opportunity to talk to them before making your class selection. One strategy so you don't overload, might be to select two classes where you'll be challenged, because that's where the learning occurs, and one class where you already have an established level of comfort.

LEVEL 1 beginners: This level of beginner just got a ukulele and has perhaps learned one to three chords but stops in-between chord changes to move the fingers to the next location.

LEVEL 2 beginners: This player knows a handful of chords and can move from one chord to another without pausing. May have trouble with, say, the Bb chord shape. Needs chords written out over the words for each song and has developed a strum or two or a finger pattern for picking.

LEVEL 3 intermediate: This player can hold a steady rhythm, and is competent with a variety of basic chords (for example: A, Am, B7, C, C7, D, Dm, E, Em, G, and G7). Understands simple chord progressions (such as I, IV, V chords), can sing and strum at the same time, and learns chords to simple tunes fairly quickly.

LEVEL 4 advanced: This player can hear I, IV, and V chords, has mastered some chord inversions, knows there is life above the fifth fret, and has been there with barre or 4-fingered closed chords. Plays lead and backup easily with others and keeps steady rhythm.

PACING: Classes usually pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Classes designated level 1 proceed at the pace of the slowest student in the class, i.e., no one gets left behind. Classes designated level 4 move at the pace of the most capable student in the class, i.e., no gets bored. Level 2 and 3 classes try to follow the pace of the majority of students in the class.

Brook Adams

Swingin' 60's: Play the Beatles, the Stones, the Who and a who's who of 60's and 70's pop stars. This is a repertoire class where we will relive our glorious youth with our fabulous ukes. Mixed in will be tips and tricks to make these great songs sound "just like the record" or at least at close you can get with a ukulele. (level 2-4)

Super Simple Songs: Great sounding songs even a beginner can play. Brook Adams will teach picking techniques, chord variations and other tricks to fire up your  ukulele playing. Learn to simplify songs into good beginner arrangements and boldly go where no ukulele has gone before! (level 1-2)

Jim Beloff

Songwriting On The Ukulele: The ukulele is a wonderful instrument to write songs on and for. In this course we will consider all of the ingredients that go into writing a song including: title and placement, structure, rhyme and stress, melody and sub-melody and the importance of the last line. Lots of classic songs will be analyzed. Attendees will be invited to present songs for critique and there will be some writing assignments during the three days. (level 2-4)

Have A Nice Uke: Playing and arranging pop songs of the 1970s for the uke. Here we'll consider a wide range of both easy and grandiose ‘70’s pop songs including tunes by the Bee Gees, Todd Rundgren, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Paul Simon, Abba, McCartney, Elton John, James Taylor, Bily Joel, etc. (level 3)

Jere and Greg Canote

Strum Fun for Everyone: Expand your rhythmic horizons in this exploration of right hand technique including the freight train rhythm, the roll and the syncopated strum, the triplet, the swing chop, the Bo Diddley beat and more. (level 1-3)

Party Uke: Fun 20’s and 30’s repertoire class. (level 2-3)

James Clem

Go, Cat Go!: This class will show you how to play way cool guitar-like riffs with a smokin’, rock solid rhythm that will kick your playing up a big notch from the basic strums you hear so often. Learn the familiar Chuck Berry groove (it’s easy) that will enable you to play dozens of songs from Blues to the Beatles. We will get into some recently declassified top secret tips on how to play intros, solos and endings that are a lot easier to master than you ever imagined. Emphasis will be on up- tempo ‘50s songs by Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more. This will be taught without the confusing musicians jargon. Fifties Rock is three chords, a catchy guitar riff and a crazed vocal…if those teenage Hillbillies could play it, so can you! (Level 2-4)

Le Jazz and Blues Hot: The focus is on 1920s and ‘30s Pop / Jazz vocal tunes that, with their snappy chord changes, seem to have been created for the uke. Even novice ukesters can play these songs and (lookout) even some single string solos. You will learn the Django style Hot Club rhythm that will make you one hep cat (don’t forget your beret!) and some intros and endings that most players omit. Tips on learning from recordings and we will get into some Ragtime Blues and old Western songs. The focus is on fun songs taught in a way that non-pro musicians can understand, but will enable you to move way beyond the basics and show your friends back home who’s boss at the next jam session! (Level 2-4)

Francis Doo

Hula 101: Hula is an honored and ancient cultural art form of story in motion. In this class you will learn basic steps of the Hawaiian art of the hula and will put those steps to use in learning a simple hula for performance. All levels.

Mark (Spanky) Gutierrez

Finger Pickers Paradise: Ever wanted to pick your ukulele? This class will use ancient lute and classical guitar methods to develop the right hand picking techniques. These are not typical patterns used in folk but rather calling upon the fingers of the right hand as rhythm and melody dictate.

Be prepared to become finger independent, revamp tunes that you currently strum, into finger picking works of majesty, and share your updated tunes with the class. Every day we will work on new right hand techniques and work them into a few class tunes. Then we will venture out into the land of self discovery as students rework their current repertoire. This class can be taken by the novice and advanced. Please come prepared by bringing some music to work on. (Level 2-4).

Joel Eckhaus

Uke-A-Billy: We will venture into the relatively unexplored world of Rockabilly Uke (aka Uke-A-Billy), including songs by Uke-Elvis (the King of Uke-A-Billy), the Ever-Lele Brothers, Ricky Ne-Leleson, Buddy Hol-Lele, and others, as well as possible forays into Surf-U-Lele music, and Doo-Wop-A-Lele hits. It's a level 1 and/or 2 class. If you know most (or some) of your basic major, minor, and dom7th - 1st position chords, go for it. They used to play this kinda music back in the 1950's, so no brains will be overwhelmed in this class (but they are required!). We will get into various rhythmic strumming variations (like the Cha-Cha-Lele strum) for certain types of songs. And we'll try some single note soloing as well as some chord/melody arrangements and solos. It will be a learning experience and fun, whether you've lived through this era or not. (level 1-2)

Chord Melody a la Smeck: Roy Smeck (the Wizards of the Strings) played solo guitar, banjo, Hawaiian guitar, and ukulele from the 1920's to the 90's. He always ended his act with the uke because his audiences were astounded by his dexterous, ingenious, and flamboyant chord melody solos, playing popular music of the day on this "simple, little" instrument.

Moving from basic accompaniment using first position chords into playing simple chord melody solos. The class will progress over three days to learning to create your own chord melody solos. Right hand strums and techniques as well as flashy intros, endings, and gimmicks. Chords in all positions, single note lines. Go on to a great ukulele career! (level 2-3)

Piper Heisig

Unobtrusive Percussion: Using a very compact set of percussion tools we will explore a variety of rhythmic grooves that will enable us to accompany most of the acoustic music found at the festival. Country, R&B, Rock, Swing, Jigs, Reels, Waltzes and some Latin Claves will be covered. This class will help you get the most bang from your musical buck, so to speak. (All levels)

Na Mele ‘O Hawai’i (Hawai’ian Songs) Aloha! We’re going to learn Hawai’ian language songs and some hapa haole (half English / half Hawai’ian) songs in this class. Topics will include places, sweet hearts, legends, plants and animals. Aloha wear optional. (All levels)

James Hill

Forget Fishing, Teach the Man to Play Ukulele! Sooner or later you're going to find yourself teaching ukulele to someone. Whether it's to your son, daughter, friend, neighbour, cat, dog, or whomever, ukulele is like a lucky penny... you just have to pass it on. To that end, this hands-on class puts tried-and-true teaching strategies at your fingertips along with oodles of fun, gratifying songs for students of all ages and stages. (All Levels)

Confessions of a Uke Nerd: Secret Strums That Could Change Your Life: Or not. Either way, you'll have fun learning some of James' signature techniques. I mean, the guy spent years locked in his bedroom inventing finger-twisters like the "mono-strum," the "spin cycle," and the "cherry pick" so that you wouldn't have to! You might even be surprised at how simple and practical these "advanced" strums can be. (Level 3-4)

Kimo Hussey

Recognizing Common Progressions -- Most Effective Methodology in Learning New Songs: We all ENJOY learning new songs as that helps drive our interest and enjoyment of music and ukulele. If we're able to streamline our methodology in LEARNING new songs, we can maximize the effectiveness of our practice time in a way that will result in tons of FUN and satisfaction. This methodology is available and easily facilitated. If you choose to attend this workshop, please have played each of the following two progressions at least 100 times: (C - E7 - A7 - D7 - G7 - C) (C - Amin - F - G7). (Level 2)

Create Introductions Using Chords Playable Anywhere on the Fretboard: Introductions are no different in music/ukulele as they are in any other discipline: they provide a means of readying the listener and player for that which is to follow. By using similar progressions as we find in the song itself, we enhance our learning curve. Using chords playable anywhere on the fretboard provides the latitude to play in any key. Only winners here!!! If you elect attending this workshop, please come having played a song you know in the key of C, but please, without the use of your left index finger in holding any chord. For left handed players, it would be your right index finger. (808) 561-3192 with questions. (Level 3)

John King

Pulling Strings: Picking a melody with accompaniment on the ‘ukulele is easier than picking a winning Lotto ticket! Amaze family and friends as your fingers leap and dance flea-like across the strings of your uke. (level 2)

Ukulele Ensemble: “Nothing is more beautiful than an ‘ukulele, save perhaps two…”—Frederic Chopin. Make beautiful music with the Portland Hui Mele Ka ‘Ukulele. (level 3

Casey MacGill

My Three Strums (to the theme of My Three Sons):

1. Swing strum and variations
2. Shuffle (oomba-oomba) strum; rhythm a la Loius Jordan, Louis Prima, early Elvis.
3. Rumba strum; used with 50's rhythm n' blues, rock n' roll and a bit of a 4th strum, the reggae strum.  

We will learn the various strums, apply them to 20's-30's standards, and 40's-50's R & B, rock n' roll.  There will be some melodic chord progressions, and some class ensemble playing with the class divided into sections with different parts. Handouts. (level 2-3)

The Uke in Tin Pan Alley: This is a repitoire class playing 20's-30's pop tunes in 2 or 3 keys for different range vocalizing.  Be willing to sing along and be harmonized. Handouts. (level 2-3)

Lil'Rev

Blues Ukulele Class: This class will expose all levels of players to the exciting world of playing Blues on the Ukulele including: Tremolo playing, Blues Scales, Slides, 8 bar & 12 bar Blues, turnarounds, Boogie Woogie, Jazzing The Blues, triplets, repertoire building, blues ukulele history, and much more. Must be able to read tablature (sheet music) or be willing to learn. (level 2-3)

Building Ukulele Technique: This intro level course teaches all of the fundamental basics to making your Ukulele sound like a Uke. Using exercises, visual demonstration and handouts, the student will learn: basic
strums, tremolo, slides, playing basic melodies, novelty tricks, rolls, tablature reading, Uke history and so much more. (level 1-2)

Del Rey

Fingerstyle Raggedy Blues: Intermediate (students should be familiar with basic chords and be able to keep time while changing them). Fingerpicking ragtime and jazz chords and melodies on the uke, tune by tune. Bring an audio recorder and your uke and your note book. (level 2-3)

Four String Horn Section: Horns and piano can be very good sources of inspiration for ukulele pieces. You inevitably leave things out, but listening to Sidney Bechet, Johnny Dodds and Clarence Williams play and then learning "Black Stick", "Oh Lizzie" and "High Society" will open up your ears! This class will be taught by ear-you are welcome to make your own tab (and share it) and record. We will be fingerpicking syncopated melodies with the right hand and you should be able to hear changes like I VI II V." (level 4+)

Lyle Ritz

Open Studio with Lyle Ritz: Have you been working on a jazz number and wonder how to make it sound more interesting? Bring your music or chart and your questions to an informal question and answer session with Lyle. (level 4)

Cure For The Common Chord: Using two classic, well-known tunes, Lyle will teach you how to jazz things up. Discover Lyle-enriched uke chords. These are familiar chords enhanced through extension, alteration and substitution. Suffering from dead spots? Learn to use fills, and melodic and rhythmic riffs to cure what ails that tune you've been working on. Enhance your technique, and fatten your repertoire. Cool cats and hip chicks will dig it! (Level 4)

Gerald Ross

Introduction to Swing Ukulele: The ukulele was made for Swing music! The music of 1930s and 40s is fun and easy to play on the ukulele. This class will teach the student how to get the swing feel in their playing through the use of closed position chord shapes and proper right and left hand rhythm techniques. During the classes we will:

1. Take a familiar swing tune and convert the basic open-string chords to more interesting closed-string voicings to achieve a jazzy or swing feel. 
2. Explore chord substitutions for basic chord progressions.
3. Getting the swing feeling in your rhythm.
4. Backup ukulele techniques for swing music.
(Level 2-3)

Advanced Swing Ukulele: This class will introduce the student to:
1. Lead Soloing
2. Movable Chord Shapes
3. Building Swing Chord arrangements

A larger size such as concert or tenor is a little easier to work with for advanced, up-the-neck, chording). I use the standard re-entrant C tuning. Bring a tuner, paper, pencil, extra strings and some type of recording device. An audio or better yet, a video recorder will serve you well in your studies after you return home.
(Level 3-4)

Introduction to Hawaiian/Western Swing Lap Steel Guitar (90 minute workshop): This workshop introduces the student to the Hawaiian steel guitar utilizing the C6 tuning (CEGACE). The C6 tuning is a versatile tuning that adapts well to Hawaiian, western swing, 1930s/40s popular music and early country music. The sound of this tuning is very evident in many of post 1945 Hawaiian recordings. Please note this workshop assumes that the student has some standard guitar experience and has their own instrument. Listeners and observers are welcome to attend. Tape recording the workshop is allowed and encouraged.

Ralph Shaw

Ukulele Performers Class: Sooner or later we all find ourselves playing and singing for an audience. This workshop will give you some tools to make sure the odds are on your side for a successful outcome. Subjects covered include; Preparation, microphone technique, connecting to the audience and what to do when things go wrong! (All levels)

The Life and Music of George Formby: He is not so well known in the USA but to the British people George Formby is an icon to rival Elvis. This banjo-uke playing superstar was Britain's highest paid entertainer for 6 years in a row. He made 23 movies and owned houses, boats and fast cars. He was a great performer but it was Beryl his tough wife/manager who made him famous. Ralph Shaw presents a workshop that will cover stories from the life of 'Our George' as well as entertaining you with some of his famous songs plus
George's unique split-stroke style of playing. (All Levels)

Strum-cersizes and Ornamentology: Strumming Class: If you feel that your strumming is not what it could be then this class will help you to develop an intuitive instinct for rhythm. Even the simplest songs can be made more interesting with a creative use of varied rhythms. By practising a host of different strums (known as ‘Strum-cersizes’) and by the clever use of ornament notes (known as ‘Ornamentology’) you will gain a variety of new tools for your ukulele kit bag! Ralph will provide some song examples and students are also invited to bring along a song of their own which they wish to improve on. Level: Students should already be able to play one or two simple songs while making the chord changes fairly quickly and smoothly.