UKULELE/UKE LESSONS. IN DENVER, COLORADO.
LEARN WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN ON UKULELE
Ukulele is great. Small, portable, inexpensive and easy to press down the strings. I teach beginner and up ukulele lessons to adults and kids. I'll teach you how to play the songs and techniques you're interested in learning.
Did you know that a ukulele is a lot like a guitar? Specifically the same tuning as the high 4 strings of a guitar with a capo on the 5th fret? In other words, if you play guitar, you already know a bit of ukulele and vice versa.
Uke is one of the later instruments I picked up on (along with drum kit). I like that guitar knowledge is easily applied. And the diversity of sound it brings.
Learn to play the ukulele in ways that are fun and inspiring, and tailored to your specific needs and desires. Learn more about my teaching style and philosophy on the Lessons Overview & Teaching Philosophy page.
A student, Tami, playing the bass.
I just wanted to drop you a note to express how grateful I am to have found you and to have taken lessons in your studio. Working with your techniques, I found a way to consistently connect with a part of my voice that I never knew existed. Thank you.
~ Sef W. - IT Professional ~
UKULELE SPECIFIC STUFF I TEACH
- UKE CHORDS: Starter ukulele chords. And moving to advanced chord technique
- STRUMMING: Moving from simple to advanced
- UKULELE TECHNIQUE: Learn the instrument at the depth you desire
- FINGERPICKING: Pre-set patterns and improvisational fingerpicking
- UKE TAB: An easier form of stringed instrument notation
- UKULELE SOLOING: You can learn to improvise with ease. And it's a lot of fun.
LESSON SPECIFICS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS
Instruments I teach: acoustic & electric guitar | piano & keyboard | bass guitar | ukulele + singing~voice~vocal
- YOU PICK THE SONGS: We learn the songs you want with guidance from me to help you learn progressively.
- YOU PICK THE STYLES: We learn the styles you like. Folk, rock, blues, pop, country, soul, heavy, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, world, starter jazz, starter classical and anything else.
- EASY, ACCESSIBLE MUSIC READING: We use simple, low-learning-curve forms of written music, instrument technique and memory-based learning. You'll be playing music you like right away.
- MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS: We learn the ins and outs of "musical intelligence" and playing with clear intention.
- CREATIVE PLAYING: We learn various tips and tricks to bring creativity, connection and semi-improvisational skills to your playing.
- SINGING & PLAYING: It's much easier than you think. And even if voice isn't your focus, though it's not required, I encourage everyone to sing as makes your practice and playing experience more engaging.
- USEFUL PRACTICE EXERCISES: Rather than focus on busy-work and unhelpful systems, we use only practical, directly applicable practice exercises and methods to improve musicianship skills and dexterity.
- USEFUL MUSIC THEORY: We explore practical, relevant-to-you music theory/mechanics that will expand your skills and musicianship.
- COACHING & PRACTICE STRATEGIES: We make sure you are on a clear path to reach your goals and have effective strategies to get there.
- BLUES (OPTIONAL): Blues is the foundation of a lot of modern music, and we can explore the ins and outs of soloing and/or accompanying.
- IMPROVISATION (OPTIONAL): We can more deeply delve into improv for both soloing and accompaniment.
- JAMMING (OPTIONAL): We can focus tips, strategies and theory to play confidently, creatively and improvisationally with other people.
- SONGWRITING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you the tools, tips and theory to write your own songs. I also teaching songwriting in small groups: songwriting (in person & online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
- RECORDING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you techniques and practices to start or improve your home recordings. I also teaching recording in small groups: home studio recording (online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
- OPEN MIC & PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL): I can help you with your goal to do open mics as well as enhancing your live performance abilities.
- AUDITION PREP (OPTIONAL): We can greatly improv your chances of a successful audition for a musical, a band or a music school. I've helped several students reach those goals.
- VOICE TIPS (OPTIONAL): I also teach robust, practical singing~voice~vocal technique, and if you want to improve your voice along with your instrument, we can go whatever depth works for you.
- COMPLEX MUSIC READING (OPTIONAL): We can learn to read standard staff notation and sight reading.
- WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO LEARN: I can help you learn whatever else you'd like to learn.
» MORE ABOUT LESSONS & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
» REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS
» LESSON PRICES, STUDIO LOCATION & TEACHING HOURS
» SCHEDULE A FREE INTRO LESSON
I would definitely recommend Make Great Music to anyone that has ever thought of giving guitar or singing lessons a try. I purchased a guitar for myself for my birthday and just couldn't seem to get the hang of it on my own. Taking lessons with John has given me the foundation I need and at the same time helped to build my confidence in order to sing and play in front of others. John is always encouraging and very patient in his teaching delivery. I am excited to see how this new passion continues to develop thanks to the help of John!
~ Kristen K. - VP Leasing ~
Student friends playing ukulele.