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Hi Rock Class 101 Community!
We’re back with a VERY SPECIAL site member challenge #103! 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 6 RC101 Lessons:
1) “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath * – Learn one of the most iconic heavy metal riffs of all time! With this fingerstyle arrangement, I (Andrew) wanted to stay true to the original recording, honoring the parts that Tony Iommi, the guitarist from Black Sabbath, plays.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
Note: This song requires low G ukulele.
2) “Aerials” by System of a Down – A hauntingly ethereal fingerstyle take on one of SOAD’s most iconic songs.
3) “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica – An epic power ballad by one of metal’s greatest bands!
Note #1: If you choose this song, you MUST perform with the backing track. The backing track requires premium membership to download.
Note #2: The solo is OPTIONAL.
4) “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival – An upbeat, feel-good tune that levels up your strumming chops!
5) “Moondance” by Van Morrison – Learn to strum, sing, and play a jazz-influenced solo on this classic tune by Van Morrison.
Note #1: If you choose this song, you MUST strum and sing.
Note #2: The solo is OPTIONAL.
Note #3: This song requires low G ukulele.
6) “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon * – Level up your strumming skills with this feel-good song that’s perfect for Halloween!
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
Note: If you choose this song, you MUST strum and sing.
** 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. Intermediate 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: “Iron Man”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Moondance”
2. 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: “Aerials”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Werewolves of London”
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 6 RC101 pieces anytime between Wednesday, October 1st till Friday, October 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:
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 October 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 TunerOther 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!
Yes! I’m so excited about Nothing Else Matters, I’ve been wanting to learn it for ages!!! I’m waiting impatiently for it to be Friday over there so I can have a look see… it’s going to take me a lot longer than a month to actually be able to record a version of it but I’m keen to start anyway. Bring it on!!! 🥳
WOW. Nothing else matters is epic! 6.11 min but sounds amazing. Some great challenges this month @Andrew. Site is working nicely. Learned some new features that make it easier. Time to pick what’s it going to be 🤔🤔🤔
@leb397 – TY Louisa! 🙂
There’s no way I’m going to manage the solo of Moondance by the end of the month, but I’ll have a go at the rest of it.
@robinboyd – Absolutely!
Hello friends !!! I am feeling nervous about this months challenge , usually I work on beginner friendly songs don’t know will be able to play intermediate level Iron Man or not. Feeling fear of failure this month honestly. Getting Andrew’s feedback this month is very exciting and motivating ,..still feeling mental resistance to even pick up the ukulele to start practising Iron man….
@malku2603 – You can do it! And I’ll be here if you need help along the way 🙂
For now, start with the first section: The Intro. I have no doubt you’ll pick it up easily. Once you’ve got that down, the fear you feel now will start to fade, and you’ll have a ton of confidence as you move into the next section.
Hey @andrew thanks for the kind words!!!!!!!😊😁 i have only a high G ukulele can i play iron man on high G ukulele?
@malku2603 – You can, it just won’t sound as good as it does on Low G, and one chord in particular would need to be changed every time it shows up. That chord is B5 (46XX). Try playing this instead (X6XX).
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
Hi All!
As I don’t expect to be able to play “Nothing Else Matters” as well as I would like to by the end of the month, I’ll “secure” my spot this month with “Aerials” haha.
Cheers and have a good challenge everyone!
Sam
@shmu88 – Dude, that was awesome! What an epic start for our October challenge! Bravo 👏
@shmu88 I’m so impressed. Bravo Sam!
@malku2603 do YOUR best. I remember few years ago @Andrew saying that to me when i thought everyone on RC was a professional in comparison to my low level of playing. I too will have to work hard this month. One of the more challenging I’ve seen in few years but it’s going to be fun to learn a rock riff- if I take away anything. Good luck 🎶👍☺️@shmu88 – wow – inspiring!
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