Class of 2004 |
This course, designed for intermediate players, covers
the fundamentals of chords and strumming techniques using swing tunes
and popular songs from the heyday of the ukulele era – from the 1920s
to the ’50s. Students learn first position chords, as well as inversions
and some extended voicings. Simple right hand strums, rolls, glissandos,
fingerpicking, and other “tricks” are covered. Students learn
to use the uke to accompany songs and as a solo instrument using chord/melody
arrangements. Soprano and concert ukes using ADF#B tuning are strongly
encouraged, although other sizes and tunings can be accommodated. Students
who choose to do so may participate in the afternoon band labs of Swing
Week or Blues Week.
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Joel Eckhaus has been playing
the ukulele for over twenty years. He studied with Roy Smeck (the Wizard of the Strings) and has
performed with the Arm & Hammer String Band, the Blue Sky Serenaders, the New York Banjo Ensemble,
the Howitzer Mandolin Orchestra, the Neverly Brothers, the Blue Sky
Serenaders, the New England New Vaudeville Review and the Pinetones.
He currently plays with the Fore River Jazz Band; a ukulele/tap dance duo,
Ham & Legs; and his own group, Ukulele Eck and the Fabulous Lacklusters. Joel was a featured performer
in the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum's Ukulele Masters Tour in 1998. Joel
operates Earnest Instruments,
building ukuleles, mandolins, tenor guitars and other uncommon musical instruments.
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