Participate in the February 2021 Member Challenge – Theme: Mixed Bag!

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  • #45144
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Hi Rock Class 101 Community!

    We are back with site member challenge #47! WOW, there has now been over 2,200+ members participating in our challenges! If you’ve sat on the sidelines, please join us for this month’s challenge! Challenges are a fun way to stay motivated and a great way to meet fellow ukulele players who are passionate about learning and becoming better players 🙂 And I offer feedback on ALL submissions!

    Please watch the video above and read instructions below carefully for details/instructions on this month’s challenge.

    Pick 1 from the following 5 RC101 Lessons:

    1) “Gymnopédie No.1” by Erik Satie – This famous piano composition is known for its intentional simplicity. The melody is sparse and melancholic in nature, yet it floats elegantly through colorful and rich chords. (REQUIRES LOW G)

    2) “Into the Maze” by Rock Class 101 * – This fingerstyle piece is inspired by the fantasy movie, ‘Labyrinth’. * Taught in its entirety for FREE!

    3) “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet * – We’ve arranged this iconic Jazz standard as a duet. One ukulele plays the melody, while the other plays the harmony (chords). *If you choose this, you have to play the melody to the backing track. The backing track requires premium membership to download.

    4) “Soaring Leads” by Rock Class 101 *In this lesson, you’ll learn 2 solos inspired by the movie, Top Gun. The solos are set to an anthemic backing track consisting of drums, keys and bass. *If you choose this, you have to play the solos to the backing track. The backing track requires premium membership to download.



    5) “2 Chord Jam (no. 2)” by Rock Class 101 * – Develop your groove playing by learning this Blues inspired riff. (REQUIRES LOW G) * Taught in its entirety for FREE!

    ** If you need assistance with how to record yourself check out our FREE course on recording audio/video and/or private message me and I will be happy to help you out. **

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    GOALS FOR MEMBER CHALLENGE:

    1. Beginner Level: Be able to play one of the lessons as shown by Andrew smoothly and in time. Do not worry about trying to play fast; slow and steady wins the race 🙂

    Recommended Piece: “Into the Maze”

    2. Intermediate to Advanced Level: Be able to play the lesson as shown by Andrew smoothly, in time, and at or close to the original piece’s tempo.

    Recommended Piece (from easier to harder): “Gymnopédie No.1”, “Take 5”, “Soaring Leads”, OR “2 Chord Jam (no. 2)”

    3. Participation Goal: 35 Rock Class 101 Member Participant Videos/MP3 posted.

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    GROUND RULES FOR PARTICIPATION:

    1. Post your Youtube, Vimeo, or Soundcloud links of you playing 1 of the 5 RC101 pieces anytime between Monday, February 1st until Sunday, February 28th, 11:59pm EST.

    The upload feature on the site only supports file sizes up to 5 MB. Members must host their own files. Creating an account is easy and free 🙂 Here are the links to create an account:

    YouTube (For Video) – https://www.youtube.com/create_channel

    SoundCloud (For Audio) – https://soundcloud.com/signin

    2. Submit individually, as a reply, IN THIS POST.

    3. Feel free to submit more than one video for the challenge, but additional videos will not count as extra entries into the raffle for the prize.

    4. Have fun and don’t be intimidated by this challenge!!! Use this challenge to help you set goals and complete them by a deadline. You can also use this as an opportunity to chat with your fellow Rock Class 101 members and share tips or tricks on this challenge that you think are useful.

    5. You must perform the entire piece to receive an entry into the prize raffle. Performance must be submitted by the deadline listed (in #1) above to gain an entry in the raffle, as well as, to receive feedback.

    * Note: In my opinion, it is better to show progress versus perfection with these challenges. So if you are a beginner and can only play the first couple of measures. That is completely ok. If you play two more measures of the next challenge piece than you did the previous one, you are on track to getting better. This is what these challenges are about… you learning ukulele and getting better. Remember we are all here to support you no matter what your current playing level is.

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    COMMON FAQs:

    1) The prize and the challenge is open to the entire world!

    2) Premium membership is NOT required to participate, but will make participation easier as it gains you complete access to the full video lessons, tabs, and the on-screen tab viewer.

    3) Basic membership (free) is required to submit a reply on this forum post. You can sign up for Basic Membership HERE.

    4) To post YouTube video links (in which they appear embedded on the forum), simply copy and past the video URL in its own line. For example:

    YouTube URL

    5) If you live in the Continental U.S., we will ship the giveaway ukulele to you for FREE! If you live outside of the Continental U.S., there will be a shipping fee ranging between $40 USD to $80 USD. This fee will be collected by Uke Republic. You are also responsible for any custom fees or duties.

    _______________

    Giveaway Rules:

    There will be 1 winner, selected by random drawing on March 5th. To qualify to win, you must submit your audio and/or video links of your playing by the deadline listed above.

    Grand Prize:

    1) $212 Grand Prize! Includes:

    A) Islander AT-4EQ Acacia Tenor Ukulele w/ Pickup

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    THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

    Uke Republic: http://www.ukerepublic.com/

    Kanile’a: https://www.kanileaukulele.com/

    Islander: http://www.islanderukulele.com/

    Let’s crush this challenge!

    #45147
    emiliano
    Participant

    Oh I am so ready for this challenge, last month I buy my first low g ukelele, have a good and fun february everyone!

    #45148
    deadbuggy
    Participant

    Wherein our student works on her rhythmic shortcomings, battles brain fog in part B and claws her way back into the timing of the final section.

    I know what you’re thinking: Why does she post so fast? Well…I’ve started to use Andrew’s lessons the same way I would if we worked together in person. I decide which song I want to learn and then spend a week trying to learn it. Just as if I were to see him on a weekly basis, I record the song at the end of that first week and then put it aside. My hope is that I can incorporate Andrew’s feedback before I either memorize the song ‘wrong’ or give up on it entirely. This one was really a challenge for me rhythmically and very fun to learn!

    #45149
    lisadmh
    Participant

    Great challenge! I think I’ll do Into the Maze.

    But…. I’ve been working on Gymnopedie since it was released. It’s harder than it sounds! My big learning on this one is how to do the arpeggiated pick. That’s brand new to me, learned for this song. It’s not perfect, and my thumb lags, but I do love the sound.

    Feedback welcome! Such a beautiful song.

    #45169
    lyndallk
    Participant

    Sara and Lisa! That’s so quick off the mark. They are the two I will probably do for this challenge. Great to hear both of you on the 2nd Feb!!!

    #45174
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    @deadbuggy – timing & rhythm are spot on, Sara! Well done! But, I wouldn’t change the melody in the B section, so I’d go back and learn that section note for note.


    @lisadmh
    – Great job on the arpeggio strum technique. It really adds a nice color to this arrangement and I think it’s quite needed as that little “pop” adds so much texture.

    Your sustain and feel is getting much better. Try not to rush through this song, I want you to slow the tempo down and let the music breathe a bit more. Playing slow is actually equally as hard as playing fast.

    #45185
    b_ukes_101
    Member

    Question. For take five it looks like the music gives you both parts. If I wanted to learn that one would I be allowed to submit it as a duet with my friend? If not I’ll think I’ll try Gymnopedie. I had such a hard time choosing this month I think I’ll just learn them all!

    #45186
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    @b_ukes_101 – Yes, the lesson covers both parts and that would be awesome! I look forward to watching your duet 🙂

    #45232
    samash07
    Participant

    For a change I already have one of the songs memorised as I couldn’t stop learning Into the Maze when it released. So beautiful!

    Now to practice and get the timing right.

    #45234
    lyndallk
    Participant

    Here’s my go at Gymnopedie No1. Love the arrangement Steven – makes it possible for me to play this wonderful piece

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by lyndallk.
    #45237
    annemarie
    Participant

    Absolutely beautiful, Lynda…..

    Really pretty ukulele too!

    #45244
    Steven
    Participant

    Absolutely wonderful lyndallk I smiled all the way through your performance. My favourite thing is how much you clearly loved playing this piece 🙂 The expression and emotion in your performance and your use of dynamics are absolutely top notch! Great work!

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Steven.
    #45246
    shmu88
    Participant

    Hey group,

    Here is my attempt for Into the Maze!

    Cheers,

    Sam

    #45248
    lyndallk
    Participant

    Thanks @annemarie. Not meaning to show off, well… maybe a little… I built that uke. And I love it.

    Thanks Steven for your feedback. I do love playing that piece. It took many takes to record to my liking because I get so caught up that I forget where I’m up to!

    #45249
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    @shmu88 – Well played, Sam. I loved it, great job! 🙂

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