Class detail : Beginner | 9 week class | Andrew Smith

Beginner : Get playing

This course is perfect if you have taken Uke Starter Workshop or can play basic chords and strum some, and are ready for the next level. This Beginner : Get playing course is designed to be taken after the Beginner: Uke Starter workshop, or if you have been playing tunes and strumming along with you-tubes at home for a bit. This level focuses on deepening your Ukulele foundation: Strumming chords and singing, Reading and playing beautiful single note melodies, and instrumental playing (yes you can!). This level is designed to give you the Ruby’s Ukes method of Ukulele playing that has earned us the international reputation of being the largest physical Uke school in the world outside of Hawaii (wild, but true!) Repertoire will start with familiar tunes to really get you playing, that will draw from a catalogue of folk, pop, jazz, blues, and classical music. There’s something to learn and enjoy for everyone!

The classes are a weekly 90 minute session and will leave you smiling and a whole lot smarter. The perfect way to keep inspired and have an appointment to play music each week.

Date: Wednesday, April 24th 2024 (in-person, 9weeks)

Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm (PDT, Vancouver)

Cost: $195

Place: Oxford ESL school (near Sinclair Centre)

815 W Hastings St, Office 250, second floor, Vancouver, BC V6C 1B4

There will also be a class materials page that include song and theory charts, and audio samples to accompany you!

This level is perfect for you, if you have completed the ‘Absolute Beginner : Uke starter’ workshop, or been playing for a while on your own. You already know how to tune your Ukulele, read a chord diagram, perhaps play a simple chord progression such as C,F,C, G7, C, and can sing simple songs on the Ukulele. You are ready to go beyond the basic chords C, F, G7, Am, to chords such as E7, Gm or Bb. You understand how to move from one chord to another, and understand how to play a melody, reading simple tablature. This level is designed to be taken to consolidate these concepts and really get you playing. To create muscle memory, and an ability to play, sing, strum, read tablature and enjoy doing so!

It is a fun class that will consolidate the concepts that are the foundation of the Ruby’s Ukes Method of Ukulele playing. This level precedes the ‘Intermediate – really get playing!’ level.

The perfect way to make music part of your everyday life!

Click here | What level am I? | What I will learn?

You will learn: to play more chords associated with the C Major Scale,(and perhaps the scales of G, F, or D), simple picking patterns, a variety of strum feels, review and consolidate single note instrumental melody playing. As well as how to build a major scale, fret board recognition, simple chord progressions, simple chord melody, 2 or 3 part ensemble playing, and a variety of tunes from a repertoire of Jazz, Blues, Country, Classical, Folk & contemporary tunes. There is something for everyone!

This course consolidates the basics of Ukulele playing, and enhances fluidity of playing. It is designed to facilitate ease of transition into ‘Intermediate – really get playing level’, where students continue to play, learn, and consolidate techniques.

At Ruby’s Ukes our mission is to open the amazing world of music to everyone and you will find a welcoming, inclusive, inter-generational, very encouraging learning environment.

Andrew Smith is a professional musician, and live sound engineer, as well as one of our beloved Ruby's Ukes teachers. He has been playing his guitar and performing since he was a young teen performing in a folk duo with his sister as teenagers in England. He now regularly performs professionally (Ruby & Smith and Black Gardenia). His extensive knowledge of Jazz, Folk, and Finger-style guitar has translated beautifully onto his Ukulele playing and he loves sharing his tips, techniques and tricks to get his students sounding like real pros! His knowledge and supportive teaching style has students loving his Ukulele classes and workshops!

Andrew has graced the stages of the Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Mission Folk Festivals in Canada with his darlin' Ukulele in hand. As well as many other prestigious stages. He's friendly, kind, and above all a great instructor and fun teacher!

Read FAQs HERE answers to your questions are often just waiting for you!

 All you need for a fun time playing your darlin' uke!