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Hi Rock Class 101 Community!
We’re back with a VERY SPECIAL site member challenge #75! We’re teaming up with Kanile’a ‘Ukulele and Uke Republic to give away an AMAZING Kanile’a Ukulele! One lucky winner will win their choice of either a Kanile’a K-1 model featuring Premium Hawaiian Curly Koa or a Custom Build Kanile’a featuring Redwood Top with Milo Back and Sides. These concert sized ukuleles retail for $1,745 and $2,900 USD. These are the same 2 ukuleles Andrew has owned and played for years! Kanile’a will create a duplicate specced ukulele for the winner!
I am beyond humbled to say that there has now been over 4,000 members participating in our challenges! AMAZING! 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 6 RC101 Mini Lessons:
1) Syncopated Funk Strumming – ML006 * – Learn to play a syncopated strum pattern in this funk-inspired ukulele lesson.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
2) Harmonizing Chords – ML007 * – Learn how to play higher-voiced chord harmonies over a popular chord progression in C Major.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
Note: If you choose this song, you MUST perform “player two’s part” to the backing track. The backing track requires premium membership to download.
3) Dynamics – ML008 * – Learn three ways to apply dynamics in this fingerpicking and strumming etude.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
Note: This mini lesson requires Low G ukulele.
4) One Finger Etude – ML009 * – This beginner-friendly fingerpicking etude can be played with one finger on your fretting hand.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE! Note: This mini lesson requires Low G ukulele.
5) Feel Good Strumming Riff – ML010 * – Practice strumming with this fun, feel-good riff inspired by heartland rock artist John Cougar Mellencamp.
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
6) Rhythmic Blues – ML011 * – Challenge yourself rhythmically with this 12 bar blues that’s played with a twist!
* Taught in its entirety for FREE!
Note: This mini lesson requires Low G ukulele.
** 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 to Intermediate 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: Harmonizing Chords – ML007 [BEGINNER], One Finger Etude – ML009 [BEGINNER], Feel Good Strumming Riff – ML010 [INTERMEDIATE]
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: Syncopated Funk Strumming – ML006, Dynamics – ML008, Rhythmic Blues – ML011
3. Participation Goal: 75 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 Thursday, June 1st till Friday, June 30th, 11:59pm EDT.
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. 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.
_______________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 Kanile’a Ukulele. You are also responsible for any custom fees or duties.
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Giveaway Rules:
There will be 3 chances for you to win this ukulele:
First Chance: Participate in our April Challenge: Original Music!
Second Chance: Participate in our May Challenge: Funk Music!
Third Chance: Participate in our June 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 EDT, I will be live streaming on our YouTube channel, picking 1 member by random drawing that will WIN their choice of one of the two Kanile’a Ukuleles!
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 3 entries for the prize.
Premium members can earn up to 6 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 June 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.
Note: Previous Kanile’a winners are more than welcome to participate, but will not receive an entry for the prize.
Grand Prize: Your choice of one of the two ukuleles listed below.
1) $1,745 Grand Prize! Includes:
A) Kanile’a K-1 Concert Scale Ukulele
UKULELE SPECS
Premium Curly Koa Body (Top, Back, Sides, & Headplate)
Mahogany Neck w/ Rosewood Fretboard & Bridge
Paua Abalone Position Dots on Top & Side of Fretboard
Kanile`a Open Geared Chrome Tuners
NuBone Nut & Saddle
UV Natural Satin Finish
Aquila Strings
Made in HawaiiOther Features: Includes Hardshell Case w/ Leather Handle
2) $2,900 Grand Prize! Includes:
A) Kanile’a Custom Build Concert Scale Ukulele
UKULELE SPECS
Curly Sequoia Redwood Soundboard (Top)
Milo Back & Sides
Tortoise Front Binding
Mahogany Neck w/ Ebony Fretboard, Bridge, & Headplate
Position Markers & Logo in Sand
Kanile`a Open Geared Chrome Tuners
NuBone Nut & Saddle
UV Natural Satin Finish
Aquila Strings
Made in HawaiiOther Features: Includes Hardshell Case w/ Leather Handle
OUR 8 PREVIOUS KANILE’A WINNERS! WILL YOU BE NEXT?
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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!
@muzikmama loved your entry. I haven’t decided what to work on but your piece was well done.!
@muzikmama beautiful entry….I tried playing this yesterday….I found it to be mesmerizing and haunting. @leb397 I love these mini-lessons, because each one offers something else to learn, and I want to play all of them. I think I have decided to at least do more than one, so that I can also practice relaxing when recording. Of course, life is happening at the same time, so we will see how far I am able to get….plus, I know even the mini-lessons can be quite challenging.
Just recording a piece has been a huge commitment, let alone preparing it to be “performance-ready…”. Sometimes, it is obvious that a month was not enough time. As @The_Bumble_Bard so bravely showed us in last months challenge….The struggle is real! I could soooo relate…I thought…that’s me too!!! Thanks Bumble Bard!😁
Yet, I also see others that have totally crushed the challenge, and I wonder how many times did they attempt recording before it sounded that good!?! (I also wonder how many people played guitar before playing the uke)….for me they are inspiring (also a bit intimidating)….I find the other students are also my teachers….as I listen to see how someone else approached a piece….
It seems I am rambling a bit here…..just putting it out there as I approach another challenge…thanks everyone (Uke Friends) and good-luck as we begin another month of practicing, preparing and recording.
Dianna@dianna, I feel like we have the exact same experience trying to record. It really does help to know that most people share that struggle, even the instructors here who are obviously also incredible musicians. Ha, I knew when May 20th rolled around that I was “doomed” with Funk Jam because I was only half way done learning it and literally nothing about that piece was comfortable or easy for me, so I just tried to embrace that it would be very imperfect, but I’m definitely going to keep working on that one. For me it has helped a bit with the anxiety of recording to allow for the mistakes and also trying to record more often–even if I look like a slob in my appearance, in my work clothes or pajamas. 😂😂😂😅😅😅 Because sometimes the build up of getting ready to be on camera, trying to look nice, makes me more anxious. That sounds really dumb but it’s true. Thank you, though. I appreciate your support and so many other people’s support here. This is such a special community of people. 😊💕
@muzikmama and @deadbuggy, such lovely entries to start out this mini challenge!! I’m so excited for this one! 😊@leb397, @dianna, @The_Bumble_Bard
Thanks for the kind words. Was sick so not the best time to post but just wanted to get it done lol. I too was thinking of learning another, Dianna. @leb397, I was deciding between this piece and another but was drawn to this. I’ll probably work on the other one.
Since I’m feeling better, couldn’t help trying to improve on my last video, not that I expect extra feedback. Happy enough if my mistakes helps others.
Thanks for the lessons Rock Class team. So nice to play this pretty and haunting piece.@muzikmama – Both takes were beautifully played! I really liked your interpretation and pacing of the piece. An excellent first post(s) for the month! 🙂
@deadbuggy – Such a fun take, Sara! Always a pleasure to get to share your performances in our newsletter 🙂I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
Hey everyone!
Well, I guess these challenges inspired me to push myself because after submitting a beginners level video last month I spent the rest of the month trying to master one of the advanced level songs. And this month, I decided to push myself again. I really liked Evan’s version of Dynamics, and thought that I could give it a go. It’s not perfect, but I’m excited that I can actually play it!
Much appreciated @Andrew, thank you!😊 I really enjoyed exploring the tempo changes and dynamics.👍
@billypancakes – That was awesome, Will! You did an excellent job showcasing all 3 dynamic changes. Well done!
@dianna I can only speak for myself, but for me, I do a lot of practicing and takes before I get one that I like for nearly every challenge! You are not alone! 🙂
I am a Premium Member
I started working on the Feel-Good Strumming song, but I was also inspired by @muzikmama to do the One Finger Etude! I really like how you play it, and it was cool to see your changes and improvements from the first post to the second!
Because 3 or 4 finger picking is not an option anyways, I figured I would go all in on the “One Finger” theme of this etude and only use one finger on my right hand as well! lol 🙂
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