Participate in the November 2025 Member Challenge – WIN $2,250 Kanile’a Uke

[Andrew]

Hi Rock Class 101 Community!

We’re back with a VERY SPECIAL site member challenge #104! 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 4 RC101 Lessons:

1) Fingerpicking Etude no. 25: “Morning Dew” * – This peaceful sounding etude is beginner-friendly and focuses on developing your hammer-on, pull-off, and slide technique.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

Note #1: This etude can be played on high G ukulele, but will sound best on low G.

Note #2: Need a recap on how to do hammer-on and pull-off technique? Check out this lesson. And for a lesson on slide technique, jump into module 3, unit 5 in our Beginner’s Course.

2) “La Gitanita” * – Learn a traditional Flamenco piece that uses picado and rasgueado technique to create an authentic Spanish flair.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

Note: Both techniques are taught in the lesson video for “La Gitanita.” But, if you need an extra in-depth tutorial on rasgueado technique, check out module 4 in our Next Level Strumming Techniques Course.

3) “Over the River and Through the Woods” * – Master the triplet strum in this classic Thanksgiving tune.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

Note: Check out this lesson to learn how to do this technique.

4) Fingerpicking Etude no. 28: “Triplet Picking Technique” * – Learn a haunting etude that’s played entirely with triplet picking technique.

* Taught in its entirety for FREE!

Note #1: This etude requires low G ukulele.

Note #2: Check out this lesson to learn how to do this technique.

** 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. 25: “Morning Dew”

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: “La Gitanita”, “Over the River and Through the Woods”, Fingerpicking Etude no. 28: “Triplet Picking Technique”

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 4 RC101 pieces anytime between Saturday, November 1st till Sunday, November 30th, 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:

ALL ENTRIES SUBMITTED IN THE SPRING CHALLENGES (APRIL, MAY, JUNE) WILL COUNT TOWARDS THE FALL PRIZE. IN ADDITION TO THOSE ENTRIES, THERE WILL BE 3 CHANCES FOR YOU TO WIN THIS UKULELE.

FALL CHALLENGES:

First Chance: Participate in our October Challenge.

Second Chance: Participate in our November Challenge.

Third 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 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 November 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
Kanile’a 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!

[nat-uke]

I can’t get Moondance out of my head. Next verse chorus is singing in my mind this morning…..”My mouth…it drools each time I see this gorrrr…geous UKE”. LOL.

I think I’m going to try and learn the tremelo / triplet picking skill in Etude #28. (Because then I could also try Malagueña one day – which I love). Promising myself to not wait until the end of the month this time. 😂.

(edited) definitely not waiting – just realized it’s a 6 page pdf!

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by nat-uke.

[The_Bumble_Bard]

@nat-uke, ha, yeah, waiting until the last minute, not ideal whatsoever! That was probably the longest I’ve ever waited to finish learning a song, literally the last day of the challenge. Do not recommend. Success: Maybe 25%. Stress: 75%. 😂😂

I wanted to do Etude 28, too, but it’s for Low G. I may be weak this month and go for Morning Dew, if it isn’t too-too easy. I don’t think I’ve done that one before… Oh wait, I just had an idea about that. Okay, now I know exactly what I’m going to do… 🤪

Edit: I just realized that may have come off the wrong way. It doesn’t make anyone “weak” to learn the beginner level songs; not at all. That one may even be harder than I realize (though I haven’t looked at it yet). I just mean I don’t always find beginner level songs as challenging anymore for me now, usually – but sometimes they still are, even being a bit more experienced. Okay, just wanted to mention that. 😂 All of RC101’s songs are challenging, but that’s part of what makes them beautiful.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by The_Bumble_Bard.

[nat-uke]

@the_bumble_bard – I getcha’! Only “weak” in the sense of not feeling quite ready to flex a bunch of new-skill muscles at that moment — and that’s totally okay. We all need breaks sometimes, and it takes wisdom (and self-awareness!) to know where our “gas tank” is at any given time. On Nov 2nd mine might be full, but who knows what sneaky things might siphon it off in the weeks to come! We do what we can, when we can. I always look forward to seeing what you come up with in your performances. ☺️

[gi_gi_]

I have been so out of playing. We had a big trip abroad for over a month and when we came back I wanted to do Moondance badly but couldn’t fit it in and get my life orgazized in time. I signed up to this website for the very song, “La Gitanita” and never learned it completely. Maybe I’ll do that to get back on track of playing the ukulele. I miss it so much and miss all you guys too.

[grannieannie]

@The_Bumble_Bard: I didn’t get a chance to tell you how impressed I was with your performance, given that you worked on it for less than a day. To your 25/75 Success/Stress levels, add 100% for your courage in playing it for us! I’ll look forward to hearing your November piece.

@gi_gi_: Welcome back! I had two weeks away from playing in October, and I wondered if my fingers might have forgotten what to do – fortunately, their collective memory seems better than my own, and it didn’t take long for them to limber up again.

@nat-uke: I just listened to Evan playing Malagueña – oh, that’s something to aspire to! In the meantime, I’ll be happy to make it through Etude 28 all in once piece.

[gi_gi_]

Thanks @grannieannie it feels good to pick up my uke again. I missed it 🙂

[gi_gi_]

@nat-uke I wasn’t able to see all the performances from last month but I just saw yours. I loved it! It was great. Beautiful tone to your voice.

[marianne]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Hello RC101 friends,

I chose for this month the incredibly beautiful fingerpicking etude n.28. What a melancholic and pleasing chord progression AJ. Thank you!!

I also felt it was a perfect tune that worked well on both low G tenor and baritone and wanted to compare the sounds, so they are back to back.

This week has been particularly rough as a young work colleague passed away after a horrid accident. I dedicate this interpretation to her memory.

[Andrew]

@marianne – Breathtaking performances 👏

So sorry for your loss, Marianne.

[grannieannie]

Oh @Marianne, you played your intense sadness into those pieces. I hope her family can hear this tribute. Thank you.

[misterbones]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

La Gitanita has been on my list for quite a while, happy to see it coming up in a monthly challenge. The tapped harmonics just won’t work for me though, I can’t make it sound right no matter what.

[marianne]

thank you very much @Andrew and @grannieannie

[leb397]

@marianne mesmerizing, so full of emotion. Very sorry to hear about the loss of a friend 🥺.

@misterbones , very nice.

@gi_gi_ I wondered where you were. Happy travels and welcome back.

[misterbones]

@leb397 Thanks!

[Author]

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