CLASSES

Novelty Songs for Ukulele:

Bawdy, Naughty and Double Entendre Blues, Rock, Tin Pan Pan Alley, Brosht Belt, Irish and Sailor Songs for ukulele including many cool Novelty Strokes including the fan stroke, the Zig-Zag Stroke and the Figure Eight Stroke (as well as all of the silly ukulele tricks). This is a multi-leveled class that is very popular. You’ll find a good variety of simple 2, 3 and 4 chord tunes along with some cool circle of 5th stuff and a few tin pan alley numbers. All and al, this is a really well rounded workshop that is alot of fun and also provides a little background on the evolution of the Novelty Number. Open to all levels. 90 minutes


Blues Styles For Ukulele:

This workshop focuses on repertoire building, while also giving the student a great overview of typical progressions, boogie-patterns, licks and turnarounds as well as Blues History and Lore all woven in. Must know basic chords, major, minor some 7th Chords. 90 minutes


Claw-Hammer Style Ukulele:

This workshop takes an in-depth approach to learning the banjo derived-claw-hammer stroke on the ukulele. Breaking this stroke down into three easy to understand steps, Lil Rev then introduces a typical tune that is played Claw-Hammer style. Also contained in this workshop the student will learn the western swing rhythm, the boom-chick stroke, classic Johnny Cash intros and tunes, Hank Williams, Mountain Ballads and simple old familiar melodies, the Pendulum Stroke, plus a whole lots more. Advanced Beginner and above. 90 minutes


Hot Licks for Ukulele:

Let Lil Rev show you why he is one of America’s busiest ukulele teachers! Join rev as he distills 30 years of listening to classic rock, blues and jazz into 90 minutes of Hot Licks for Ukulele. You’ll learn intros, endings, turnarounds, Licks, Fills, Riffs as well as their respective usage and the scales they derive from. Glean important soloing tips from Rev as well some juicy music history. This class is open to advanced beginners and up, as it is presumed the student is already playing some very basic melodies on the ukulele and is willing to learn from Tablature and./or notation with live demo. Bring a recorder with you so you can retain these licks. (This material will also appear in Lil Rev upcoming Hal Leonard Book: 101 Licks for Ukulele in 2011) 90 minutes


Essential Strums, Strokes and Tricks for Ukulele:

Join award winning ukulele master Lil Rev as he presents a workshop for all levels. Learn the four finger roll, five finger and two finger roll strokes, 3 triplets, slides, tremolo, novetly strokes and whole array of classic ukulele tricks, combine this with a great grab bag of Blues, Tin Pan Alley and Novelty numbers and what you have is a stellar workshop for all levels. Lil Rev is well known for making his workshops not only fun, but educational and entertaining all at once. Come and find out why he calls it: Edu-Tain-Ment!!! open to all levels. 90 minutes


Irish Songs for Ukulele:

This exciting celebration of Irish Song and Style will illustrate the use of the four finger roll in Irish Songs, The Irish Triple Strum and the Fake Triple (basic/6/8) Strum as well as Ballads, Drinking Songs, Sea Shanty's,Irish Tin Pan Alley Tunes, Novelty Numbers, Jigs, reels and much more! Open to all levels. 90 minutes


Mastering the Triplet Stroke:

Join Lil Rev on a fascinating exploration of the almighty triplet stroke! We’ll take an in-depth look at a variety of different ways to play a triplet stroke including the two variations on the two finger triplet, also a three finger triplet pattern and the famous George Formby Fan Stroke to name a few. We’ll add a couple of Blues and Standards to try out our triplet patterns as well as learn some helpful practice drills to gain proficiency and speed. Open to all levels. 90 minutes


Jug Band Ukulele Styles: 

The Jug Band era of the 1920’s & 30’s brought with it, a wealth of ukulele friendly songs, tricks, progressions and strums; join Lil Rev for a rollicking 90 minutes of sheer Jug Band fun as we explore the lost world of Jug Band Music thru its history, recordings, artists, and repertoire. From Walk Right In, to Stealing, Stealing and KC Moan, we’ll sing classics from The Memphis Jug Band, Cannon’s Jug Stompers, Jack Kelly, The Birmingham Jug Band, Earl MacDonald’s Jug Band, The Louisville Jug Band, Jim Kweskin and many more! In addition to building your repertoire we’ll also explore the I, VI, II, V progression, circle of 5ths , Early Boogie Patterns, Stop-time and much more. Find out why this timeless music is still so much fun to sing, strum and play. This is a multi-level workshop, open to all level of players with a whopping 12 page repertoire packet. Bring a recording device if you have one. 90 minutes


Fiddle Tunes for Ukulele: 

Join Lil Rev for a rollicking 90 minutes for pure Fiddle Tune madness! That's right! Fiddle tunes sound fabulous when arranged for the ukulele ( fingerstyle, single string and chord melody). Explore waltzes, reels, jigs, schotisches, and rags tabbed and arranged for soprano, concert and tenor ukulele in GCEA tuning. We'll start with simple tunes like Boil Em Cabbage Down, Old Joe Clark and Cripple Creek, gradually progression to more challenging tunes like: The Swallow Tail Jig and Stones Rag. This class is open to intermediate and advanced melody players only. It is presumed that you read tab and or standard notation. It is helpful to bring a recording device of some sort for follow with the tunes. 90 minutes


The Boodle Am Shake Workshop: 

Boodle Am Shake was recorded in the late 1920's by Clifford Hays Dixieland Jug Blowers. It is one of the most exciting Jug Band era pieces ever recorded both because of its infectious rhythm and its catchy melody. Learn the chords to this tune, learn to sing it and then various ways that you can spice it up. In doing so you will challenge yourself to move up the neck as well execute some new exciting right hand strokes. Open to anyone willing to venture up the neck a bit and to those who already know most of their basic chords. 90 minutes


Writing Roots Based Songs on Ukulele: 

This exciting new class will explore the concept of taking traditional jazz, ragtime, folk, bluegrass, tin pan alley, blues and country motifs and writing your own song. We'll explore the 12 bar form, The Traditional Folk Progression, Ragtime ideas, and Tin Pan Alley Hooks as well as Country progressions and other common forms songwriters use to hang lyrics upon. Lil Rev will teach 6 of his best compositions as examples of this approach. Open to all levels. 90 minutes


Intros And Endings: 

Join Lil Rev for a rollicking 90 minutes of hands on ukulele instruction. Great songs all share two things in common, a catchy intro and a strong ending! In this class, we'll explore the use of intros and endings in rock, tin-pan alley, early jazz, blues and country including complimentary right hand techniques like tremolo, triplets and roll strokes. prerequisite: all level of players are welcome, should know some basic chords already. Intermediate level.


Beg. Chord Melody: 

Chord melody is one of the most exciting approaches to playing the ukulele. Strumming chords, while also implying the melody took off in the vaudeville era of the 20's and 30's, then evolved to encompass jazz guitar, plectrum banjo and more! Yet, the ukulele seems to beg for a good chord melody arrangement! Let Lil Rev show you how to arrange your own chord melody pieces. We'll learn about the importance of moveable chord inversions, basic scale theory and repertoire building with Freight Train, Aloha Oh, Oh Susannah and more. 90 minutes Advanced only


The Life And Music of Woody Guthrie: 

Mr. Guthrie was one of America's most iconic troubadours and songwriters. He wrote poignant ballads of the working man's condition, kids songs, lovers quarrels, social justice, labor, travel, and political rants. He influenced everyone from Bob Dylan & Rambling Jack Elliot to Bruce Springsteen, cementing a near legendary status in the world of singer-songwriters.

Lil Rev weaves together a tapestry of Woody songs, tales, quotes, bio, and more, all arranged for ukulele in the keys of C, D, F, G, A and Bb. Most of these tunes are 3-4 chords and can easily be learned by any ukulele player.

This is a great repertoire class. In addition to building your catalog of classic folk material, you'll learn a few new strums including, Boom-Chuck, Swing, Gallop and Country strums to name a few.

Woody Guthrie is hands down, one of the most influential musicians that i have ever had the pleasure of listening to and reading about. His influence on my music will go on eternally!

I love teaching this class! Open to all levels. 90 minutes


The Finger Pickers Tool Box: 

This class is designed especially for anyone who is already playing the ukulele, strumming and possibly playing some basic melody, but would like to learn how to finger-pick. Thru a series of drills, exercises and simple tunes, Lil Rev will give you the tools you need to practice your way towards effective finger picking on the ukulele. Together we'll study: The Inside-Outside Pattern, The Outside-Inside Pattern, Alternating Thumb Picking, Travis Style, Cotton Style, Three Finger Bluegrass Rolls. Must read Tab or Notation. 90 minutes Adv. Beg and above welcome.


Learn The Fan Stroke: 

The Fan Stroke is one of the most syncopated, visually appealing strokes in the vast cannon of strum hand techniques. It is exciting to watch and even more so to see someone do it well.

Lil Rev breaks down the classic George Formby Fan Stroke into 4 basic movements, simplifying each one to its most basic explanation so that all levels can understand how to employ this exciting stroke. Also, Lil Rev shows you how to integrate this stroke into your playing without the use of the Formby repertoire. 90 minutes  Open to all levels.


The Blues, Boogie Vamp; Folk Music of Lead Belly: 

Join Lil Rev for a 90 minute class exploring the life, music and lore of Lead Belly. We'll learn 12 Huddie Leadbetter tunes including: Goodnight Irene, Rock Island Line, You Can't Loose-A-Me-Cholly, Midnight Special, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, and many more.

In addition to the cool music history & repertoire, we'll learn some classic strums, adding boogie notes to your chords, how to play the boogie-woogie, muted train patterns and much more! Open to all levels, handouts provided, you should know your basic chords. Supplemental video access available post class for follow up.


Island Charms: 

This class explores Reggae, Calypso and New Orleans music styles on the ukulele. We'll learn 4 cool strums and apply them to a variety of songs examples. The basic reggae strum, the basic calypso strum w/two finger roll, new orleans boogie strums as well as traditional jazz swing strums are all taught in this class. Handouts provided. For Confident beginner and up! 90 minutes   

The Muted Ukulele: 

Learn the art of chunking, dampening, muting, palm muting and much more as we explore how to get the most percussive sound out of your ukulele. Techniques are paired with complimentary songs for a totally fun and often overlooked aspect of ukulele strumming. Handouts provided. 90 minutes  Open to all levels.