Nothing is more fun than learning the ukulele!
The ukulele has become a popular instrument for all ages, and for a good reason! Vesper School of Music sees the ukulele as a gateway for students to learn a variety of musical concepts, all in a portable and very fun instrument. Students are taught rhythm, chords, and strumming through songs they are familiar with and enjoy practicing. Even students as young as 6 years old can learn music with ukulele lessons. Singing along while playing is definitely encouraged!
Our Approach
Rhythm & Chords
A fundamental part of our ukulele lessons is rhythm and chord practice. Chords are taught in a way that makes sense to the student, through songs the student is familiar with. Rhythm and strumming patterns are integral parts of learning the ukulele and are a major focus of lessons from the very beginning. More advanced students can choose to study fingerpicking technique as well as more complex strumming patterns.
Tablature Literacy
Ukulele students are taught how to read chord tablature and basic music notation, leading to independence with music literacy. We teach tablature and chord chart reading to students of all ages. With regular practice, our students can expect to master tablature reading very quickly.
Improvisation
We believe improvisation and composition are essential skills for every musician. Our teachers guide ukulele students to discover their own unique voice through improvisation. Students are always encouraged to be creative and make up their own riffs and songs in relation to songs the student is practicing. Being creative with music helps students have a sense of ownership over the skills they are acquiring, and makes learning the ukulele even more fun!
Meet the Teachers
Brian Jackson
Degree in Music Education
Stephen Agustin
Background in Performance & Composition
Start Learning!
We’re offering in person lessons for adult and young students. Register now, or contact us to learn more about why Vesper is the right fit for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should students practice each day?
For young, beginning ukulele students we recommend 10 minutes per day of focused practice time. Practice time gradually increases as skills develop, so we recommend most elementary age students practice 20 minutes each day. We encourage adult and advanced students to practice 5-6 days per week for at least 20 minutes.
How do ukulele students know what to practice?
We use Seesaw, a parent-teacher-student interface to communicate about weekly assignments. Students can see exactly what to practice each week in a detailed and organized format. Through this platform our teachers also upload personalized video tutorials and notes for students, and students can message teachers with questions regarding their assignments.
What kind of ukulele do I need?
Most students purchase a concert or soprano ukulele, as these are the standard sized instruments. Ukuleles can be purchased at music stores such as Trade Up Music on SE Division St.
Do I need to purchase a tuner?
Students are taught how to tune their ukulele by ear with the help of a digital tuner. Clip on tuners work great, as do standalone digital tuners. We don’t recommend using smartphone tuning apps unless students do not have access to a digital tuner.
Do I need to purchase music books?
As our curriculum is tailored to each student, we will occasionally recommend students purchase music books. Much of the ukulele music we teach is from chord charts that students can download for free as part of their enrollment.
