2026 Fifth Annual Frets Halligan Ukulele Picnic - Handouts
Please print the handouts and bring them with you to the workshop if you want printed copies. Many choose to display the handouts on a laptop during a workshop. Wifi is available at the campgrounds - no password is needed. Others download the files and then display them without depending on a wifi connection. Experiment with your computer's options before attending the workshop to save some frustration. Some iPads do not cooperate with the large display. Do what works for you.
DOWNLOAD and DISPLAY: Each computer is different. For some Macs, your only option is to click on the "Download File" option and then print the handout. Other computers allow you to print and download the handout from the large display.
DOWNLOAD and DISPLAY: Each computer is different. For some Macs, your only option is to click on the "Download File" option and then print the handout. Other computers allow you to print and download the handout from the large display.
- BEGINNER'S WORKSHOP: Ando will lead a workshop for first time players starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground on Route 1 in Searsport, ME. The workshop is free and open to all ages. Please bring your ukulele. If you have a music stand, it would be useful. Arrive a few minutes early if you need help tuning your uke. The workshop is for players who have not yet totally mastered the C and G chords - true beginners. The handout is selected pages from my new book, Playing the Uke with Ando available from Left Bank Books, at the sales table at the picnic, from the author himself, and from Amazon. To access the handout that will be used during the workshop, click HERE .
- 1:00 p.m. 12 Skills You Need to Enjoy Jams and Benefit from Music Camps - led by John Elberfeld. Jams and music camps expect specific skills that many new AND experienced musicians may lack. This workshop introduces 12 skills that will help you succeed at jams and camps no matter what instrument you play. You won't master the skills in one workshop, but you will know what you need to work on. Resources to help you make progress with these skills will be presented. Open to all levels and all instruments. Email John at [email protected] with questions. No handouts. The workshop is based on an online course created by John Elberfeld at Tutorial.
- 2:00 p.m. Ukulele Strumming: Feels and Grooves - led by Jeff Weinberger. In this workshop, you'll learn how to grow your strumming technique beyond mechanical memorized patterns. Together, through hands-on song playing, you’ll learn to swing, feel the backbeat, and strengthen timing. For confident beginners and intermediates. If you know at least half a dozen chords and a few strums, come join us! Download HERE the handouts for this workshop.
- 2:00 p.m. - Ando Anderson - How to play "Tonight, You Belong to Me" and other melodic accompaniments. No handouts
- 2:00 pm.- Dave Lewis - Learning and arranging songs for performing. #1: Please bring a song (or two) that you want to learn to arrange and perform - whether in public, or for your friends, or your kids, or whoever. I have one or two that I like to play, but since there are so many styles and genres, this will be very helpful. And bring questions! Then we’ll work on how to identify the best key for your voice: learn I, IV, V chords in that key, then expand to a fuller progression as needed. (Many songs use only the “big 3”). We’ll work in a “flatpicking” technique style, using either a pick or single finger to strum and play melodic figures – rather than a “fingerstyle” approach using multiple fingers to play melodic ideas. Scales and arpeggios will be explored both as practice techniques and as elements of song arrangements. No Handouts.
GUIDED JAM: At 7:00 or when the picnic supper ends for most players, I will lead a guided jam open to all players. Songs will be selected from the song book below so everyone has the same chords and the same lyrics. Thanks to Mid Coast Ukes for providing the Jam Books. A limited number of printed copies will be available at the jam, so to guarantee you have a songbook, Click HERE to print your copy and bring it with you. (Or display handouts on your laptop.)
Follow these links to the Beginner's Workshop, the Guided Jam Song Book, 2026 Jeff's Handout, last year's Finger Style Handouts, last year's Strumming Handout, and last years I IV V handout.