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ORDER THE DVDs
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You can order the Play Ukulele By Ear DVDs or download them directly off my website by clicking this link.
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26 Basic
Ukulele Lessons
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Check out my
FREE
26 Basic Ukulele Lessons sponsored by
Kala Brand Music by clicking this
link.
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| PRESS |
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Jim's unique approach to teaching and playing the ukulele has been profiled on the popular OPB television show, Oregon Art Beat. To view the episode click on the video link.
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CARAVAN GOGH
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Jim's first recording project was with the Portland quartet Caravan Gogh. You can order the recording from CD Baby.
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CARAVAN GOGH
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Caravan Gogh's latest recording has six instrumentals and one vocal featuring ukulele, cello and mandolin. You can order the recording from CD Baby.
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FOLLOW ME!
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Follow me on Twitter
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HAPPY UKE YEAR! 
Welcome to 2019! I'm looking forward to a renewed interest in the joy of practice and the art of improvisation. Have you decided on a specific area of music study you'd like to explore this year? As I start a new chapter here in Albuquerque as a private and group instructor I thought I would put together a list of practice pointers. If you have anything to add to the list feel free to drop me a note HERE.
Play Ukulele By Ear Practice Tips
*PICK UP YOUR INSTRUMENT EVERYDAY. Even if all you do is tune it, get into the habit of spending at least a few minutes a day with your instrument. Who knows, you may like it!
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LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. This may sound like simplistic advice, but
really listening to the sounds you are making takes your full concentration.
*GO SLOW. You won't be able to play a piece fast until you can play it slowly first.
*DON'T PRACTICE MISTAKES. If you are constantly making a mistake on a certain passage, lick, etc. slow it down to where you can play it without mistakes.
*PRACTICE EFFICIENTLY. Develop a practical routine. Make it fun and varied. Work on different left and right hand techniques, learn some new chords, practice your favorite songs and keep it interesting.
*TRAIN YOUR HANDS. A lot of ukulele playing is not talent, but muscle memory. Think of your fingers as little athletes and take them to the fingerboard gym everyday!
*LEARN THE CHORDS OF THE MAJOR SCALE. Every key has the same set of seven chords (I-ii-iii-IV-V-vi-viidim), only the pitch is different. Know your diatonic chords.
*DON'T GET HOOKED TO THE BOOK. Reading a book and playing music are two different things. If you are trying to play while reading the chord changes/lyrics out of a book you are not fully experiencing what it is to play music.
*BE POSITIVE! Learning to play music is a fun experience, with the correct mindset. Do not think negative thoughts like, "I'll never be any good," etc. Learning to play music is not something that will happen by next Wednesday. It's about learning to tap into the emotional quality of the sounds we are making and communicating those emotions to a listener, even if you are the only listener. Enjoy the process.
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NEW MEXICO UKULELE WEEKEND!
Here's some exciting news! The world renown blues maven Del Rey and I are planning a fabulous ukulele weekend in the
Land of Enchant-ment!
H
ere's what we have so far.
Saturday, May 4: Albuquerque
Sunday, May 5: Santa Fe
We'll be presenting one-day mini-camps in each city consisting of workshops, play-along sessions and concerts. Come for the weekend and experience what north central New Mexico has to offer; the Sandia Peak Tram, Rio Grande River, old town plazas in both cities, great New Mexican food, and the excitement of being a mile above sea level.
Seating will be limited as we want to keep the class sizes on the small side. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in,
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WORLD'S BEST CHORD CHARTS!
Glowfly Press produces what I think are the world's best ukulele chord charts. There are three charts to choose from-
Map of Major Keys, Map of Minor Keys, and
144 Chord Chart. No more using clothes pins to hold open your chord book. These sturdy, laminated charts stand on their own! Other great features include chords to every major and minor key, chord progression builder, famous song progressions and more. You can order your nifty new chord charts
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BOOKING FOR 2019 
I'm
currently booking workshops and events
for 2019. I will be returning for the fourth time to the wonderful Kamloops Ukulele Festival in Canada in June, and the first Cuyahoga Valley Uke Retreat in Ohio in August. If your
camp, retreat, festival, club or local music store would like me
to pay a visit drop me an email
HERE.
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TAKE A TOUR OF MY WEBSITE
I've produced a three-minute video tour of my website.
Watch the video and see the wealth of FREE content offered. I began my online ukulele presence almost ten years ago so you won't run out of things to learn anytime soon.
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FROM THE MAILBAG
"
Hi Jim,
I just got the last of your video series and want to say a big thank you for your videos and your teaching methods.
I am watching, listening, hearing, and playing my way through them - repeatedly. T
hey are the best instructional materials out there by a country mile - they are fun, and I get it !!!"
Regards,
Will
Cyber Student
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