Ian Porter Music

13th April 2024

Following successful workshops pre-Covid, where over 60 people attended on each occasion, this full-day workshop is again run by Ian and assisted by tutors from The Australian Ukulele Orchestra (AUO) who will guide you through 3 intensive tutoring sessions in the morning, based on your skill level (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Advanced and Baritone see below for information on levels) covering 3 mulit-part instrumental pieces. All pieces will have a competent bass player in the final group rehearsal.

All arrangements are scored for three C6 ukulele parts, a baritone part, a strumming part and bass.

After tutorial sessions, there will be a brief masterclass from the AUO to discuss rehearsal technique, staging and any other topic chosen by the participants. In the afternoon you will be combined with the other players for a rehearsal as a full ensemble. The day wraps up with a performance to family and friends and recording of your performance. All music is provided 6 weeks in advance as well as audio recordings of your allocated parts, so you can start to practice your part. The workshop outcomes include:

• provide understanding of what it means to be part of a structured orchestra

• understanding conductor instructions and signals

• listening critically to the other parts in the orchestra and how your part fits in

• exposure to three different genres of music arranged for this special little instrument

• improved skill development, and lessons from the AUO

• HAVE FUN !!

Ukuleles of all sizes in standard C6 GCEA tuning are welcome. Limited baritone parts will be allocated , and no allowance for left handed players. Three 30 minutes rehearsal sessions start at 9:00am sharp. There will be a 1 hour lunch break, where you can wander through the Restaurant precinct in Chatswood and source food, then a session in the afternoon, with the final recording and performance concluding the workshop by 5pm. Morning refreshments will be provided. The number of spaces in each skill-Level is strictly limited.  

Contact Ian if you have any questions about this event

Location

Dougherty Community Centre
Victor Street, Chatswood NSW 2067

Price

Workshop price for the full day, including all materials, audio practice files, video and in-person tutoring, masterclass and morning tea and final recording is $150.00

Book Here

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Skill Level Pre-requisites

All players must read either TAB or music notation (or both). Strumming parts will often be shown in slash notation as well as chord boxes. Baritone parts can be either Treble or Bass clef (when booking you will be asked for your preference)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

There are three pieces we will learn:

1. Classical has 3 picked ukulele parts, a strumming part and a picked baritone part. All parts can be played on Low G, the two less-difficult parts MUST be on a Low G. The advanced picking part is demanding and requires knowledge of the fret board up to the 15th fret. This year we will pay Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by Tchaikovsky

2. Jazz has 3 picked ukulele parts, a strumming part (best on Hi G) and a picked baritone part. The picked ukulele parts can be on either Hi or Low G tuning. This year is Ian’s adaptation of a James arrangement of LimeHouse Blues. Advanced players will have an opportunity to solo in this piece.

3. Pop has 2 picked/ strummed ukulele parts, 1 strummed part and a picked baritone part. The more advanced picking parts requre Hi G tuning, the strumming part can be either. In general this piece is rated as intermediate rather than advanced, per se. This year we will play the AUO arrangement of Michael Jackson’s Black or White

All Ukulkele parts are for C6 ukuleles except Baritone whcih is in DGBE.

You can switch between parts and songs at the organsier’s discretion, but you will be initially allocated a part based on the answers to the question at registration time to ensure we have a good balanced ensemble.

We will try to be as accomodating as possible.

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Level 1 – strummers: 

• C6 tuning
• Can tune your ukulele and do so regularly !
• You know 1st position major & minor chords, for A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, B7, Em, plus D7, E7, F7, G7.
• Might know first position barre chords, such as Bb7 (1211), F# (3121) (these may need a little practice and tutorials will be available on these chords specifically – don’t panic!)
• Can simple up and down finger strum.
• You know some of the notes, by name, on the fret board up to 5th fret
• You can keep a steady beat when strumming and picking
• Have a basic understanding and experience reading TAB or slash notation

Level 2:

• In addition to Level 1 requirements:
• You can play some of the less common barre chord shapes
• You are not freaked out by extension chords, including ‘5’ chords, some common augmented, diminished (like C# dim7 – [0101] ).
• You can pick some major scales, may have some experience with pentatonic or blues scales. Scales should be able to be played as 1/4 notes @ 100 bpm
• Have basic experience in picking multiple strings simultaneously
• You have experience picking out notes, by name, above first position and across the fretboard up to 5th Fret
• Has confidence reading more complex TAB or notation for melody lines

Level 3:

•  In addition to Level 2 requirement, although there is limited strumming at this level:
• You can pick basic major scales at a moderate pace, possibly in broken 3rds. Scales should be able to be played as 1/4 notes at ~120-140 bpm
• You have experience in picking melodies all over the fretboard and up to 10th fret 
• Has no problems wth TAB or notation reading, particularly for single line melodies

Advanced:

High G only, although Low G in some pieces is possible. If you can improvise (well), there may be an opportunity to do so in the James Hill Arrangement

• In addition to Level 3 requirement:
• You can pick most scales, a few modes in 1/4 notes @ ~140+ bpm
• You must be proficient playing melodies up the neck and using alternate fingering as required up to 15th Fret
• Have no problems wth TAB or notation reading, particularly for single line melodies

Baritone:

• DGBE tuning only
• Must be at least a Level 2 picker and comfortable with playing in the first 9 frets. There is no strumming in this part, but a small amount of multiple string picks.
• Can choose between Treble and Bass clefs when registering

Terms and conditions

• Regular ticket price $150 per person
• EarlyBird (individuals): Means register before 14th February 2024 and pay only $120 per person
• Cancellation/refund:
  • If YOU cancel within before 14th February you will receive a full refund less $25 administration fee.
  • If YOU cancel between 14th February and 31st March you will receive a 50% refund
  • If you cancel after 31st March there will be no refund for any reason.
  • In the unlikely event that WE cancel the event all monies paid (registration fees) will be refunded in FULL.
• The organiser makes no representations as to the suitability of the workshop for your skill level or musical preferences. All participants must ensure they have read and can meet all playing skill prerequisites for their chosen level prior to registration. No refund will be made where due care of the participant or person making the booking has not met these requirements of playing.
• All material supplied is strictly for the use of the participants, is for educational purposes only, and may not be copied or distributed to persons or organisations not registered at the event. Material will be emailed to participants via the email provided in the registration on or before 1st March 2024 in PDF format.
• Any refreshments provided are consumed at the participants’ own risk, in terms of allergies, suitability and preference.
• All participants must arrange all travel to and from the workshop at their own expense. Parking is available in the Albert Street Secure Car Park where the current weekend daily rate is $7 (this may change) .The Venue is two blocks from this car park. Street parking is limited and participants are advised that parking officers patrol this area.
• Participants must be at least 16 years of age, and be responsible for their own behaviour. Any attendee under 18 will be required to have parental or guardian indemnity form signed on the day. 
• The organiser reserves the right not to accept a registration without any claim or action, whether previously accepted on TryBooking or by any other means and will refund any payments in this case.