Starlight Ukes Upcoming Classes

Upcoming Classes for the Month of September

====================================================
Click Here to Enroll
====================================================

Fingerstyle - Linus & Lucy Part 2: Chord/Melody Solo
Mondays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Sep 7 & 14

Description
It’s time! We are going to weave together the rhythm and melody into one singular fingerstyle obsession. This way you can play Vince Guaraldi’s classic song all by yourself without relying on a partner’s timing or practice schedule. It’s fun to play and uses a lot of intuition.

What You’ll Learn

Syncopated rhythm
New 3-string chords
How to create chord/melody
One of your favorite songs
How a song obsession facilitates memorization, confidence and success

Prerequisites
Must read Tab. Ambitious beginners and beyond.

====================================================

Blues - Fingerstyle Blues 5 - Sittin’ on Top of the World
Tuesdays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Sep 8 & 15

Description
This classic tune teaches how to balance vocals, groove, and tasteful fills. We’ll focus on leaving space and adding fills only where they serve the song.

What You’ll Learn

Vocal-friendly fingerstyle
Tasteful blues fills
Groove restraint
Song form awareness
Ensemble thinking

Prerequisites
No strict prerequisites. Basic chord knowledge, TAB reading, and a working understanding of the Nashville Number System are recommended.

====================================================

Jazz – It’s Only a Paper Moon
Wednesdays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Sep 9 & 16

Description
This upbeat standard brings together swing rhythm and playful harmony. You’ll refine closed chords for clear lyric support and work through a solo etude that emphasizes rhythmic confidence and phrasing.

What You’ll Learn

Swing comping with clarity
Closed chord substitutions
Rhythmic phrasing under lyrics
Call-and-response ideas
A rhythmic solo etude

Prerequisites
No strict prerequisites. Basic chord knowledge, TAB reading, and a working understanding of the Nashville Number System are recommended.

====================================================

Beg 2.0 - Movable Chords
Thursdays 11 AM Pacific Time
Sep 10 & 17

Description
First position chords are fine, but what happens when you want to take the song “somewhere else”. And how can you avoid those painful barre chords? This month students will learn about the 5 shapes. Yes, 5 shapes for major and 5 shapes for minor chords which will allow you to play all 12 chords in any position up and down the entire neck. Students will also learn the beauty and reason for 3-string chords, which can save the player from uncomfortable wrist and finger positions.

What You’ll Learn

5 major chord shapes which connect
5 minor chord shapes which connect
Several useful 3-string shapes
The beauty of 3-string shapes

Prerequisites
No real prerequisites. Even absolute beginners could come, just be ready for a challenge.

====================================================

Bass – Bass 102 Jam Session: Groove Workshop
Thursdays 5 PM Pacific Time
Sep 10 & 17
Level 1-2

Description
Put your new rhythm vocabulary to work in a fun, supportive jam session! This class is all about applying the essential grooves from Bass 102.1 as we play through familiar songs together. Rather than learning new techniques, we'll focus on choosing the right rhythm for the style, locking in with the groove, and building the confidence to play with other musicians. You'll discover how a simple bass line can take on a completely different character simply by changing its rhythm.

Song List

My Girl
Under the Boardwalk
C'est la Vie
Blue Bayou

What You'll Learn

Applying the four core Bass 102.1 rhythms in real songs
Choosing the appropriate groove for each musical style
Moving confidently between rhythmic feels
Strengthening time, consistency, and ensemble playing
Developing stylistic awareness through practical application
Building confidence in a relaxed jam-session environment

Prerequisites
Bass 102.1 or equivalent experience is recommended. Students should be comfortable playing the four core rhythm patterns introduced in the course and reading basic TAB or chord charts.