Session 1  |  10:30am

 

1) Rhythm Works  (for ukulele players and percussion players!)
    Presenter: Wayne Morris

Rhythm is an essential ingredient of all music. You can mix together any sounds you want but if there is no underlying rhythm there is NO music!

According to his mother, Wayne has been fascinated by rhythm and percussion since her third trimester. Since then he has played various percussion in a number of bands at various New Zealand festivals over many years.

Bring your ukulele, and/or a favourite percussion instrument (or use one from the selection that Wayne will bring – including washboards and triangles!).

 

2) Arranging
    Presenter: Brian Wilson

Have fun while arranging a song.

Rule One: have fun. Rule Two: make it interesting.

In this workshop we will look at a song to perform, going beyond unison strumming to plenty of layers to make it fun and interesting. Music sheets provided, and if we wish, we can perform the song in concert.

Brian Wilson fell into (or was maybe pushed) into an interest in Ukuleles. He says: “Started a small ‘we can meet at our house’ group playing and learning the Ukulele. Group became the Ragtimers  – and is now too large to meet at our house”.

 

3) Singing Waiata
   Presenters: Lucy Haru and Betty Diprose

This workshop is all about learning Te Reo in a fun and musical way, accompanied by the ukulele.

Nō Whāingaroa a Lucy (Lucy is from Raglan). She is a teacher of Te Reo and a lover of music. Together these passions make a wonderful vehicle for learning Te Reo in a fun way.

Nō Whāingaroa a Betty (Betty is from Raglan). She is a teacher and ukulele enthusiast.

Session 2  |  12 noon

 

1) Muscle Memory Magic For Ukulele
    Presenter: Paul Jonson

A learning, and training, and playing technique for ukulele armchair athletes: it covers all strumming techniques, all fundamentals of fingerpicking and all genres of music. With just a smidgen of discipline, and a pinch of routine, and a whole lot of enjoyment you’ll go from simple to sophisticated in just seconds each time you practice. You’ll have fun realizing how easy it really is to dazzle folks, and you’ll never play your ukulele in the same way ever again.

Paul is a frequent performer and workshop presenter at ukulele festivals throughout Australasia, and around the world. He’s played Canada, Spain and Italy and is well-known both for his blues and ragtime playing, and his ukulele customization skills.

 

2) Intro to Harmony Singing
    Presenter: Penni Feather

If you’ve ever wanted to sing harmony, but didn’t know where to start, or if you’re a beginning harmony singer and want to be more confident holding your part against the tune, this could be just the workshop for you!

We’ll look at the basics of harmony singing and go through two or three different approaches on simple songs. Let’s make a glorious noise in three-part harmony!

Penni is a singer/guitarist/ukulele player who performs folk and blues as Penni Feather. She has sung in and led acapella choirs and leads Raglan ukulele group The Blister Sisters.

 

3) Bassists Panel (a.k.a. Bass Player’s Support Group!)
    Presenters: Lynne Wilkins, Ray Diprose and David Wood

The bass plays a crucial role in the rhythm, time-keeping, and “feel” of any ukulele band performance. But there’s only room for one bass in any band, and it can be a lonely place at the bottom end of the scale. This is an opportunity for bass players to get together, share knowledge and experience, and show off their instruments.

  • Lynne Wilkins – Bass ukulele

                        “Currently I’m the bass player for the Raglan ukulele band The Blister Sisters, and  one-half of the duo WilkieMac, where we feature the guilele in some of our songs.    I’ve played full-sized four string bass guitar (electric and acoustic) in various lineups over the years, on everything from rock covers to acoustic originals. I love my  ukulele bass, the quality of sound it delivers (for such a tiny instrument) is  astounding!”

  • Ray Diprose- Acoustic bass guitar

                                “I am currently playing bass and box drum in a local three piece band. I also play bass with a band called Blukes, you guessed it, a ukulele band made up of blokes. I  also play bass as a fill-in for the Ragtimers (though usually I’m on drums there)”.

  • Dave Wood – Martin Acoustic Bass

                        “After playing ukelele with the Ragtimers, I picked up the bass for the very  first time 6 months ago. It’s been a challenging journey of navigating weekly sessions, live gigs, and endless YouTube tutorials on my Martin acoustic  bass. While it’s a technically demanding instrument, I love the sound and the role it  plays.  As the resident beginner on the panel, I’m happy to share the honest  realities, mistakes, and breakthroughs of starting from scratch to help other new  players on their own path.”

 

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