Ukulele Lessons in Pelham, NH

I teach ukulele for the beginner to the player that likes to play with bands

My name is Jerry. I LOVE music and passing my knowledge on to others. I have played many different instruments in many different kinds of bands. It all one major thing in common, it was FUN! If you are not having fun while learning an instrument you won't want to learn. Lessons can be fun AND educational at the same time. I have had many parents tell me I'm one of the best teachers they have ever seen. (A couple of them were public school teachers themselves). I truly want my students to succeed and I will do everything in my power to help them accomplish that!

The Ukulele is in a world of it's own! It's easily portable and you can pull it out to jam or play as you sing just about anytime. It's an instrument that has a unique love from all of it's players, and once you learn how to play (in no time!) I'm sure you'll develop the same passion for the Uke!

We'll learn basic chords and strumming techniques as well as advanced fingerpicking, melody playing and the theory to help you choose chords that really fit the mood you're trying to create.

For students who have played an instrument prior to our lessons, I try and shape a curriculum entirely based upon the specific goals of the student, and I rarely use text books although I use a lot of exercises and educational material when appropriate.  I feel learning to play and transcribe songs and solos to increase a students self reliance and confidence is my most important job.  

Most students come to me looking for structure so I try and provide a clear path to their goals. For students with no prior musical experience I use text books and exercises to strengthen their technique, expose them to musical ideas, and give them a foundation for basic theory.  After that is accomplished I move into a curriculum that is more personal to their specific goals.

Would you like to play your favorite song on that ukelele you bought month ago? I can totally help you with it, I've been teaching the ukulele for about 2 years now and it doesn't matter what level you find yourself in, class by class we can improve our technique and musicianship with the ukulele and for sure have some fun playing. :)

Ukulele students start with five subjects.

1) Technique is concerned with the development of the physical mechanics involved in playing the instrument.

2) Scales are a part of basic music vocabulary and building blocks of the musical language.

3) Chords are also basic vocabulary of the musical language.

4) Note reading is not required for every student. It really depends on the students' goals. However, I strongly encourage everyone learn to read musical notation, (more than tablature). Literacy in reading music is analogous to literacy in reading in our English language. Can you imagine how much smaller our world would be if we couldn't read?

5) Songs utilize the skills and concepts of all the previously mentioned subjects and are the goal of studying music. The student chooses what songs they want to play, guided by my suggestions; Jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, R &B - "How deep is the ocean, how high is the sky?"

A beginning student will practice ...