Starlight Ukes Upcoming Classes

Upcoming Classes for the Month of September

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Fingerstyle - Sally’s Song Chord/Melody Solo (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Mondays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Oct 5 & 12

Description
This mournful little tune is a nice change of pace from the more frenetic Halloween soundtracks. Danny Elfman illustrated the love-lorn ragdoll’s melancholy with a gentle melody and simple chord structure. This month students will learn how to play the melody along with the chords to capture the character’s heartbreak.

What You’ll Learn

How to find melody
How to add chords to melody
How to add lite rhythm accompaniment

Prerequisites

Must read TAB. Ambitious beginners and beyond.

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Blues - Sittin’ on Top of the World - Part 2
Tuesdays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Oct 6 & 13

Description
Take your fingerstyle playing to the next level with practical fingerpicking patterns you can use in real songs. We’ll develop thumb-and-finger independence, explore several repeating picking patterns, and learn how to keep a steady groove while changing chords.

What You’ll Learn

Several useful repeating fingerpicking patterns
How to keep the thumb and fingers working independently
How to maintain a steady pattern while changing chords
How to vary a basic pattern without losing the groove

Prerequisites
No strict prerequisites. Basic chord knowledge, TAB reading, and a working understanding of the Nashville Number System are recommended.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jazz - I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
Wednesdays 11 AM & 5 PM Pacific Time
Oct 7 & 14

Description
This tune provides an ideal framework for connecting harmony, melody, and form. We’ll focus on smooth closed chords for singing, then build a solo etude that reinforces strong harmonic storytelling.

What You’ll Learn
* Closed chords through classic song form
* Voice leading across sections
* Supporting lyrics through transitions
* Harmonic storytelling
* A form-based solo etude

Prerequisites
No strict prerequisites. Basic chord knowledge, TAB reading, and a working understanding of the Nashville Number System are recommended.
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Beg 2.0 - Perry’s Closed Chords Level 1
Thursdays 11 AM Pacific Time
Oct 8 & 15

Description
Closed chords don’t have to be complicated. In this beginner-friendly class, we’ll focus on just three major-triad shapes on strings 4–3–2 and use them to play G, C, and D—the I, IV, and V chords in the key of G.
Because these voicings use only three strings, they create a smaller accompaniment sound that leaves more room for the vocal melody. We’ll also keep all three chords in the same fretboard neighborhood, which means less jumping around and less looking down at your fretting hand.
We’ll keep the harmony simple: major triads only, with no 7ths or extensions. The goal is to recognize the three shapes, get comfortable switching between them, and begin building the muscle memory needed to accompany yourself while keeping your attention on the song.
This class is a gentle introduction to the closed-chord system used in the more advanced Closed Chords for Vocalists class.

What You’ll Learn
* The three repeating major-triad shapes on strings 4–3–2
* How to play G, C, and D as a compact I–IV–V group
* How to recognize the Diagonal, Vee, and Horizontal shapes
* How to keep chord changes in one fretboard neighborhood
* How three-note voicings can leave more room for the vocal melody
* Changing chords with less dependence on looking at the fretboard

Prerequisites
Students should be comfortable playing basic open-position ukulele chords and changing between them at a moderate tempo.
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Bass – Bass 102 Dani’s Jam Session and Groove Workshop
Thursdays 5 PM Pacific Time
Oct 8 & 15
Level 1-2

Description
Put your new rhythm vocabulary to work in a fun, supportive jam session, lead by Dani Joy! This class is all about applying the essential grooves from Bass 102.1 as we play through familiar songs chosen by Dani. 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.

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.