Participate in the May 2025 Member Challenge – WIN $2,250 Kanile’a Ukulele

[Andrew]

Hi Rock Class 101 Community!

We’re back with a VERY SPECIAL site member challenge #98! We’re teaming up with Kanile’a ‘Ukulele and Uke Republic to give away an INCREDIBLE Kanile’a 2025 Custom Made Ukulele! This tenor sized model is crafted with deluxe grade koa wood and retails for $2,250 USD.

I’m beyond humbled to share that over 5,000 members have now participated in our challenges. Absolutely amazing! If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, now’s the perfect time to jump in! This month’s challenge is a fun way to stay motivated and a great opportunity to connect with fellow ukulele players who are passionate about learning and growing as musicians. Plus, I give feedback on every submission! 🙂

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

Pick 1 from the following 5 RC101 Lessons:

1) Fingerpicking Etude no. 37 * – A beginner-friendly fingerpicking etude with a beautiful picking pattern that creates a dreamy sound.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

2) Duality – Learn a thought-provoking duet for lead and rhythm ukulele. This composition was inspired by the drama series Mad Men.

Note 1: If you choose this song, you MUST perform with the backing track. The backing track requires premium membership to download. You can choose to perform either the lead part, rhythm part, or both.

Note 2: This song requires low G ukulele.

3) (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay * – Hone your strumming skills with this classic soul song.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

4) Contemplations – Learn a hauntingly beautiful piece inspired by classical music. This piece was composed by fellow RC101 member Marianne for our July 2024 monthly challenge.

Note: This song requires low G ukulele.

5) Star Wars Theme * – Learn the two most iconic melodies from this timeless movie theme!

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

Note: This song is for U-Bass.

** 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. Don’t worry about trying to play fast, slow and steady wins the race. 🙂

Recommended Piece: Fingerpicking Etude no. 37

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: Duality [intermediate], (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay [intermediate], Contemplations [advanced], Star Wars Theme for U-Bass [intermediate]

3. Participation Goal: 50 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 Thursday, May 1st till Saturday, May 31st, 11:59pm ET.

The upload feature on the site only supports photos. 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. Your 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 (as this ukulele is very expensive, shipping costs may exceed this amount. It will be shipped insured). This fee will be collected by Uke Republic. You are also responsible for any custom fees or duties.

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Giveaway Rules:

There will be 6 chances for you to win this ukulele:

SPRING CHALLENGES:

First Chance: Participate in our April Challenge.

Second Chance: Participate in our May Challenge.

Third Chance: Participate in our June Challenge.

FALL CHALLENGES:

Fourth Chance: Participate in our October Challenge.

Fifth Chance: Participate in our November Challenge.

Sixth Chance: Participate in our December Challenge.

Basic (free) members will receive 1 entry for each month they participate in, while Premium members will receive 2 entries.

On July 4th at 12pm ET, a video will premiere on our YouTube channel, picking 1 member by random drawing that will BE AWARDED 10 EXTRA ENTRIES. This event will mark the end of our Spring Challenges (April, May, June).

We will break for July, August, and September. Entries for the prize will resume for our Fall Challenges (October, November, December).

On Christmas Eve (December 24th at 12 PM ET), a video announcing the winner will premiere on our YouTube channel, picking 1 member by random drawing that will WIN this AMAZING Kanile’a Ukulele!

To qualify to win, you must submit your audio and/or video links of your playing by the deadline listed above.

Basic members can earn up to 6 entries for the prize.

Premium members can earn up to 12 entries for the prize.

You must have an “active” premium membership at the time you submit your performance. Active membership means that your membership HAS NOT expired. This does not mean that you cannot cancel auto re-bills. If you sign up for monthly membership (valid for 30 days) on the 15th of May and cancel your membership the same day, then submit your performance on the 16th (the next day), you are still considered an “active” premium member. The same concept applies for annual membership or gift card membership (3 or 6 month membership).

YOU MUST WRITE “I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER” ON YOUR PERFORMANCE SUBMITTAL POST. Please write this phrase in its own line. For example:

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

I will only award 2 entries to premium members that write this line. It would be too time consuming to check if everyone who submits is a premium member. If you do not write this, you WILL NOT receive 2 entries.

Grand Prize:

1) $2,250 Grand Prize! Includes:

A) 2025 Kanile’a Custom Tenor Model Ukulele (Includes: a premium padded case)

OUR 11 PREVIOUS KANILE’A WINNERS! WILL YOU BE NEXT?

LISTEN TO THIS SWEET UKE BEING PLAYED!

UKULELE SPECS


Tenor Body
Deluxe Grade Koa Top, Back, and Sides
Mahogany Neck
Ebony Fretboard and Bridge
D-Shaped Soundhole
Side Sound Port
Kanileʻa Crown Headstock w/ Ebony Headplate
White Mother Of Pearl Logo and Position Markers
Open Geared Chrome Tuner

Other Features: Includes a premium Kanile’a padded case

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

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

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

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU! Let’s crush this challenge!

[leb397]

You just can’t go wrong with Otis on a set list. 👍🫶👏🎼
Nice may challenge @andrew

[The_Bumble_Bard]

Very excited that @Marianne ‘s song “Contemplations” is an option this month! That’s the one I’m going to pick, for sure! Although all the song options are lovely and quite eclectic, I must say! 😊

This was an extremely delayed reaction, but life do be gettin’ crazy at times.

(Actually it wasn’t that delayed of a reaction. I’ve just lost all perspective on time over the past few weeks. 😂😭)

• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by The_Bumble_Bard.

[hygyli]

Does it matter the tempo used in the recording submitted? I’m still a beginner and will try my very best to get close to the original tempo, however, in case I were to not quite get there, does my submission still count?

[Andrew]

@hygyli – Great question! That’s actually something I cover in the first post of each month’s challenge, along with recommended pieces for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. I’ve highlighted the answer for you:

Go at the pace that’s right for you. If you can play the piece better at the end of the month than you did at the beginning, that’s a win in my book! And you will gain an entry, as long as you perform the entire piece.

[shmu88]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Hi all, here’s what I’d rather do instead of sitting on my couch on a rainy day…here’s “Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay” 🙂

Cheers,

Sam

[Andrew]

@shmu88 – Aced it, that was awesome Sam! 👏

[leb397]

@shmu88 that was perfection👏👏👏

[otzepeng]

@shmu88: i grooved on it … very well done 🤙🏼

[leb397]

Just making a comment after practicing an hour or more. Do others hit a wall about a week in to learning a new song saying “ I’ll never pull this together?” It seems I feel the same each month. I finally can play the song through- now I need to memorize and pick up temp.
Well, I’m still at the first part. I’ll get there as usual.
Keep practicing. ☺️👍🎼

[dianna]

@shmu88 that was great….You make it look so easy, setting the bar high….I am also working on that piece….not easy! Sometimes I strum up when I’m supposed to strum down and visa-versa….will take some time to discombobulate my strum pattern.

@leb397 – Yes! I am becoming a little more patient with myself, because it does eventually start to come together….it does take a lot of repetition…over and over again….yes there is a level of frustration…but then I do seem to break thru….this does not necessarily mean it’s 100% by the time I post(more like 75-80%)….usually it needs more work…..and now I just try to keep them in rotation hopefully keeping them in my memory….continuing To practice at a much slower pace.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by dianna.

[leb397]

@dianna, exactly my point. I rarely get to 100% but it’s the process of thinking I’ll never get there and then by the end I surprise myself 😁
I too am working on Dock of Bay. Yikes those up and downs! Hence having my doubts.
I’ll look forward to hearing your entry.
Of course, Sam’s entry blew me away.
I’ll keep at it. Good luck! Louisa

[anyon1]

Hi All,

I am a premium member.

Here’s my take of Dock of the Bay. It’s fun to play!

Adriana

• This reply was modified 1 week, 1 day ago by anyon1.

[malku2603]

Hello 👋 happy to be back after a long time this is my progress so far on fingerpicking etude no 37, having fun making gradual progress 😉…..

[Andrew]

@anyon1 – Very nicely played, Adriana! I really enjoyed listening to your performance 🙂

@malku2603 – It’s sounding really good, Akansha! Only a little bit left to learn and you’ll have the entire piece down. Keep up the great work!

[Author]

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