A Novice "Meet the Ukulele" Workshop with CHRIS HAMILTON (and a Second Session, also)

Saturday , February 03, 2007
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($35.00)

In the photo at left, standing in front of Elderly
Instruments' "ukulele wall," Chris Hamilton (called "Hambone"
at Elderly where he is employed as both sales specialist and
music teacher) shows off his newly-designed and eminently
playable "Legolele," which was prominently displayed in
Elderly's showcase last autumn.

In addition to this Novice Ukulele Workshop on February 3,
Chris is also offering a
second--"take-it-to-the-next-level"--workshop a month later, on
March 3. The follow-up workshop is also designed for novice
players (that is, those who in fact can't play).
Register for both workshops and save $10. NOTE: the first
(February 3) workshop is NOT a prerequisite for the second
(March 3) workshop, although students should be able to tune
their ukes and know a few basic chords for the second
workshop.

This initial Novice Workshop is intended for those who have
never held a ukulele, don't know how to tune it, can't form a
chord....
Chris will begin with a brief history of the ukulele and its
music. The rest of the two-hour class will be a hands-on
introduction to the instrument known as "the dancing flea" of
Hawaii.

Topics covered will include: tuning; strumming; basic chords;
scales; and finger-style playing. By the end of the workshop,
the entire class will be able to play a few songs together!
Chris will also answer questions and introduce tablature,
standard notation, simple rhythms and how to "read" them, and
ear training. Please bring a soprano, concert, or tenor
ukulele, and a tuner if you have one. All other materials
will be provided.

Join other beginning uke players in getting a start on this
great little "instrument of the new millennium." "Once you
start uke-ing," Chris says, "you'll be hooked and you'll have a
musical friend for life!"

Chris began his musical life with piano at age 5, and he's been
teaching piano successfully for years. He started playing the
baritone at age 10, the electric bass in local bands at age 13,
guitar at 15, and more recently both the ukulele and the
mandolin.

After high school Chris attended Musicians Institute in
Hollywood for a years while studying electric and upright bass
with Los Angeles studio musicians. He then returned to
Michigan and completed a Bachelor of Music in Theory and
Composition degree at MSU while studying (still!) piano and
upright bass. He has performed with various groups in Michigan
and Hollywood and is currently playing bass with the classic
rock group "Stretch-n-Two."

He has been teaching beginners and experienced musicians--young
children, teens, and adults--on bass, guitar, piano and ukulele
for over four years. He teaches from standard notation,
tablature, and by ear, emphasizing both musicality and
technique.

Whether you prefer Tin Pan Alley music, Hawaiian love songs,
50's pop music, Gay Nineties tunes, or the Beatles, the ukulele
draws smiles; it's fun to watch and even more fun to play.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Chris Hamilton