Ukulele I have developed an innovative approach to learning to play the ukulele that is designed to teach the student in the way that brain researchers say we learn best: through rhythm, movement, and creative play.
I have presented my ukulele workshops at conferences, teacher trainings, senior centers, and community groups across the United States and beyond, to folks from age 9 to 99. "If you want to learn to play the Ukulele this is THE best course anywhere! Mary has a fun and easy method that finally worked for me. I had tried some other lessons and none of them really took hold. Mary's method gave me tips for strumming, drumming on the Uke, using the Slack C chord to improvise in any setting, and great songs that I can sing with my Grandchildren. The classes are great for Beginning Beginners to Advanced players. I am finally an enthusiastic Uke player who can't stop playing thanks to Mary!" Lulu Leathley, LuluJam.com
UKULELE ALIVE!: A series of 3-session workshops presented online (and sometimes in-person) where the participant learns how to play the ukulele with the brain in mind, and designed to bring engagement and joy to your learning process. Ukulele Alive! INTRO - Participants learn ukulele basics, including strumming techniques, rhythmic skills, easy chords, and accessible songs. Ukulele Alive! 101 - Step beyond the ukulele basics and advance your strumming skills, explore finger picking, more chords and keys, improvisation skills and more.
"Your Ukulele Alive course is brilliant! Why? Because I look forward to reviewing all the easy slides and exercises you so thoughtfully put together. To just play for the sake of PLAYING and having fun. My voice has started showing up too! I'm in LOVE with the ukulele!"
Dyane P, Ukulele INTRO Student UKULELE FOR ALL: Two FREE lesson plans designed for Elementary Music Classes - Grades 3-5. You will receive Lesson Plan outline, chord charts, music score and play-along tracks. Lessons include: Stepping Into Ukulele Improvisation (Slack Key C tuning) and Getting Into Your Ukulele GROOVE with the Drum/Chunk/ Strum Method
TEACHING UKULELE: An overview of Teaching Ukulele with the Brain in Mind, with a 4-page PDF download of Session Notes from the Texas Music Educators Association's annual conference in 2020. "Mary's Uke class has been an inspiration and a practical, easy, and fun approach to learning Uke. Mary's teaching style sets us up for success by making Uke easy to start for beginners. I had a bit more experience playing Uke and I still gained new skills, new chords, and new songs to play. And whether a beginner or experienced, you will leave inspired to play on your own or share it with others. Thank you Mary."
Jim Boneau, TheRumbleGroup.com 
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On a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, Jim Beloff, owner of Flea Market Music, and an ukulele enthusiast, presented for appraisal a letter written to him from George Harrison.
George had heard about Jim's ukulele collection, and one day, showed up at Jim's front door, to check out his collection and play some ukulele. After three hours of playing, as George was preparing to leave, Jim asked him, "Would you mind writing why you like the ukulele?" This is what George wrote... Click HERE for the Antiques Roadshow appraisal |
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How is Ukulele Actually Pronounced?
According to Wikipedia, the word "ukulele" is Hawai'ian, not English.
Most English speakers say "yoo koo lay lee" or "yoo ka lay lee".
In Hawai'ian, the language of origin, it is pronounced "oo koo lay lay".
The Hawai'ian pronunciation is unquestionably the most "correct" pronunciation,
as that is the way it was first pronounced.
Most English speakers say "yoo koo lay lee" or "yoo ka lay lee".
In Hawai'ian, the language of origin, it is pronounced "oo koo lay lay".
The Hawai'ian pronunciation is unquestionably the most "correct" pronunciation,
as that is the way it was first pronounced.
