Ukulele Lesson with Jake - Jazz, Showtunes, Pop. Adults & Children 7yrs+

Ukulele Lesson with Jake Rodrigues

"If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it; that surfeiting, the appetite may sicken and so die." - Jake

Duration

50 minutes

Teaching Level

Beginner – Intermediate - Advanced

Adults/Children

I teach all ages and abilities. I have considerable experience with our more senior players who still want to rock 'n' roll but can’t move their fingers as fast as they’d like. I also teach a great deal in schools and have an up to date enhanced DBS. I start teaching students from year 3 ( approx 7-8 years) in primary schools and can teach 1 to 1 ( I would advise 10+ years  for that ) to small groups. It often works well with parents and children at the same time. 

What to expect?

Expect a real interaction with me - I will watch, listen and work technique into songs bespoke to your individual needs. For instance, how do you make a jazz song sound more ‘jazzy' or a country song more ‘twangy'?  

Styles & Genres

The Uke is a delight to teach as musicality and interest can be found in almost any style of music. That said given a choice, my musical heart always strays back to the classic pop and jazz tunes of the first half of the twentieth century! Could there be anything better than a 1920’s crooning song for the Uke? 

I really enjoy players who want to accompany their singing as well and see this as integral to many styles of Uke playing. I have experience and useful tips on improving the vocal element of playing and singing!

I'd be happy to work on a novelty party piece or hone your uke picking & strumming  especially in bluegrass and early jazz styles. My teaching style aims to improve confidence in beginners and to find engaging ways to improve musicality in intermediate players! 

Favourite Songs to Teach

Sweet Georgia Brown - Jim & Bob (The Genial Hawaiians)

Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum

I’ll see you in my Dreams - George Harrison/Joe Brown

Jolene - Dolly Parton

Shotgun - George Ezra

Bio

Hi my name is Jake and I am a professional musician with over 25 years experience. My first instrument was the 5 string banjo, followed by guitar, Uke and accordion. On the Uke I’m very comfortable with vintage Uke styles and techniques from George Formby to 1920’s jazz and novelty. I enjoy all styles of music though and regularly play everything from The Beatles to Clean Bandit. As a cabaret performer with a degree in Drama, I am also in a good position to coach students with their own material with a view to live performance. So if you’re looking to hone a ukulele party piece to accompany your singing I’m very happy to help!

I have worked in many bands and as a solo act. My cockney and posh one man band performances have led to TV appearances on shows as varied as Strictly Come Dancing to Michael McIntyre to the Reith lectures. As a touring musician I have worked professionally in over a dozen countries most notably touring with Midge Ure for over 2 years. I presently teach in 4 schools and 3 adult colleges and as a consequence I am very adept in adjusting my teaching style to suit the students’ needs, whether their issue is tiny hands or hands that don’t move as quickly or as well as they used to.