Now, What You — “WILL” — Get

Learning Ukulele

The Good News⁣ — initially, the ukulele is a lot easier to learn than the guitar or most other fretted stringed instruments. You can get initial success pretty early one. Now the Bad News⁣ — there are no Tricks, Secrets or Shortcuts when learning any musical instrument and the ukulele is no different. To take it beyond the basic requires learning how things work in music and mastering the technique required for simply enjoying the ukulele.

Using my proven teaching methods, All I can guarantee IS that you WILL learn and progress.

Jack Webb of Dragnet TV fame said if best, Just The Facts, Ma'am.

The Tricks are just the tools and building on a core — solid foundation. The Secrets⁣ — well there are no secrets, it's how music works, and we work in relationship to music. And Shortcuts typically come back and bite you. Skip the tricks, secrets, and shortcuts, and you won't regret it down the road. My site does dispense countless tips I've discovered, researched and explored along the way to help with learning the ukulele. I can be your guide, coach, mentor, teacher for exploring the ukulele.

You won't have to:

• Practice — you'll EXPLORE the ukulele and all its potential.
• There are no Rules⁣ — just the PRINCIPLES of music and how it all works together.
• Play⁣ — well, you can call it play, but it is a bit of WORK⁣ — but a lot of fun.

Your Fearless `Ukulele Leader

Curt Sheller — ( Me, myself and I ) is-are an independent, by choice, musician, graphic artist, music store owner, publishing company, web developer (these sites), etc... catering to the needs of ukulele players and musicians worldwide with the resources, expertise and information you need to develop as a musician.

Curt Sheller Publications was created by Curt Sheller (me) in 1995 and has been on the web since – over 20 years. I have over 50 plus years ( that sounds old ) of playing experience, and I have been involved in private music education for the past 30 years. I have performed and presented workshops at various ukulele festivals around the USA since 2004.

Furthermore, I'm one of those rare performers that can communicate what I do to a student in a detailed manner and customized to their needs. Like I said – I'll guarantee your progress as long as you do the work.

Back to the 'Ukulele

After a 20 plus year break from the 'ukulele - ( couldn't figure it out back in the early 1980s. There was no info around, let alone finding a qualified teacher for 'ukulele ).

In 2003 I began taking advantage of my jazz guitar skills, training, teaching and performance experience and started pursuing and exploring the potential of the ukulele. Researching the field, I saw very little material organized at a level that actually works for intermediate to advanced players – most of the beginner stuff is suspect as well. I have developed an international reputation as a ukulele expert, having written 50+ books for ukulele and guitar. In my private teaching practice, I typically have between 40 and 60 students a week of all levels, depending on the season.

Checkout my ukulele CD, How About More Uke;⁣ — I've been planning and talking about this CD for a few years and finally have gotten around to getting it done.

A Few Popular Lessons

• Basic Open Position `Ukulele Chord Chart
• Core Chords - The Big Six - Building a Solid Chord Foundation
• Songs Using a Common 1 5 6 4 Chord Progression
• Core `Ukulele Chords, Traditional and Contemporary Triads
• Chord a Day, January 1st - C
• Building a Solid Jazz Chord Foundation for `Ukulele
• Selecting a `Ukulele
• Types of `Ukulele Chords
• Learning the `Ukulele Fingerboard (Finally!!!)
• Six Essential Scales for `Ukulele
• Movable `Ukulele Chords
• Getting Started with `Ukulele - Lesson One
• Natural, Sharp and Flat Notes of the `Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning
• 4-part Contemporary Chords, a.k.a. Jazz Chords
• Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation
• The Harmonized Major and Minor Scale Charts
• Hearing the Changes
• Understanding a `Ukulele Chord Diagram
• Remembering Songs
• Key Signatures - Introduction
• "Learning The Blues Scale on `Ukulele
• Dominant Seventh Chords?
• Reading for `Ukulele Series - C Tuning
• Exploring Jazz Chords on `Ukulele, Standard Example - Autumn Leaves
• Open Position Chords
• `Ukulele Blues, Example D
• Ear Training
• Harmonic Analysis Lesson Series
• Reading Music on `Ukulele Series - Reading in Open Position

“Press on: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” — Calvin Coolidge, The 30th. President [1923-1929]

“The ukulele is a noble little instrument... anyone serious about music will eventually come to play one.” — Bob Brozman

“How long can you call something a fad before you just have to admit the thing is just here, it’s hit a steady state, and it’s just going to be around?” — James Hill

“Curt, I really enjoyed your set at The Whiskey--your low key intros, mic persona provided a cool contrast with your complex uke technique and ingenious arrangements!” — Jared Denhard

“Chords can not be named out of context. They can only be named in the context of a chord progression or chord sequence and then only when the chord's harmonic function within that progression can be determined.” — Curt Sheller (me)

“That's the single most sensible statement about music that I've read in months, maybe years. Thanks, Curt.” — John Kavanagh, The 4th Peg Parlor Room

“I wanted to pay you a compliment. (Now don't get a big head!). I have purchased many books over the past 15 years I have been playing and none of them come even close to having the detailed and easy to understand information yours have. I really got a chance to get some practicing in and am finding your books to be such a great learning tool. I also purchased a timer like you suggested and my practice sessions the past 4 days have been my best in years.” — Take care, Nick Matty