Ukulele Groups - Clubs & Courses

Beginners Ukulele Group

Meanwood Institukes Ukulele Group

Shape Shifters Ukulele Group

BOPS Ukulele Group

Ukulele Group Performance

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced ukulele player I have a group where you will feel right at home. Read about my current ukulele groups taking place in Leeds and online below…

Beginner Ukulele Course (Summer Term)

Learn in person in Bramley, LS13. The Beginners Ukulele Course costs £100 for the full 10 week course including a Beginner Ukulele Songbook! During the course you will learn:

How to hold your uke
How to tune your uke
How to read chord boxes, understand song sheets and how Tab works
How to strum
Basic fingerpicking
Basic melody picking

All the learning happens in the context of a selection of popular songs, singing is optional. Whether in real life or over Zoom , these Hybrid sessions are small, inclusive and interactive, where there is space for you to ask questions. There is an option to perform at the end of the course. Good quality ukuleles available to hire (for a refundable deposit).

Beginner Ukulele Course Starts in April 2024

Meets: Mondays (not on bank holidays)

6:45pm to 8 pm
Venue: Bramley Lawn Social Centre, Leeds LS13 3TG

Player Ability Level: 0 = Complete Beginner
Cost: £100 for 10 sessions
Availability: Places Available

Pay via Paypal here to secure your place or
Email: yourukuleletutor@gmail.com to book (places limited)

Improver Ukulele Class (Autumn, Winter and Spring Terms)

Learn in person in Bramley, LS13. Picking up where the beginners course finished, this is for those who can play basic chords, C, F G and can strum down and up! If you have not attended the beginners course but have already learnt a bit of ukulele already please get in touch with me to chat about your suitability for this group.

What you will learn:

More chord shapes
New strumming patterns
Melody playing
Extended song repertoire

Meets: Mondays (not on bank holidays) First session September 4th 2023

6:45pm to 8 pm
Venue: Bramley Lawn Social Centre, Leeds LS13 3TG

Player Ability Level: 1* = Accomplished Beginner
(See box at bottom of this page for level descriptions)
Cost: £70 for 8 sessions

Pay via Paypal here to secure your place or
Email: yourukuleletutor@gmail.com to book (places limited)

Ukulele Clubs

The following groups are established clubs that meet weekly. Please see the Player Ability Level* (levels explained at the bottom of the page) for each group when considering which to join.

Weekly groups are booked in blocks of eight week sessions at £68 a block with the exception of Ukulele Shape Shifters which are booked in blocks of four weeks at £20 (in partnership with Bramley Elderly Action).

All of these groups perform at local community and charity events and festivals when invited and sessions sometimes focus on preparing for concerts (performance is optional for members).

Bramley Ukulele Club

Meets: Mondays 8pm to 9:15pm (no tea break)
Venue: Bramley Lawn Social Centre, Leeds LS13 3TG
Player Ability Level: 1 and 2
Cost: £70 for Eight Sessions
Availability: Open For New Members

Develop your skills in a small group with a fun and friendly atmosphere whilst making lovely music. Singing and playing popular songs from the 1960’s to present day.

Band Of Plucky Strummers (BOPS)

Meets: Tuesdays 7pm to 9:00pm (with tea break)
Venue: Bramley Lawn Social Centre, Leeds LS13 3TG
Player Ability Level: 2 and 3
Cost: £70 for Eight Sessions
Availability: Open For New Members

The BOPS are a sociable bunch who have been playing for a few years. New players are always welcome. This group plays multi level arrangements of indie, pop, rock and blues from the 1980’s onwards. Opportunities available for solo melody playing and harmony singing for those wishing to put themselves in the spot light.

“The BOPS with Jessica is like therapy in a way, it really helps blow the stress away! And you can choose to learn your favourite songs!” Caroline (BOPS member)

The Meanwood Institukes

Meets: Wednesdays 1:30pm to 3:30pm (with tea break)
Venue: The Meanwood Institute, Leeds LS6 4LD
Player Ability Level: 2 and 3
Cost: £70 for Eight Sessions
Availability: Open For New Members

For those who like to learn and play and sing great songs at a relaxed pace, with time for lots of laughter and tea and biscuits included. Playing a vast array of sophisticated arrangements of popular, unusual and also comedic songs spanning the last century. Playing and singing in parts, finger picking and strumming techniques taught.

“Jessica always explains things clearly and each session is always a special musical ukulele afternoon.” Pam (Meanwood Institukes Member)

The Ukulele Shape Shifters

Meets: Tuesdays 11:40 – 12:40
Venue: Bramley Baths, Leeds LS13 3DF
Player Ability Level: 0 and 1
Cost: £20 for Four Sessions
Availability: Open For New Members

This groovy group is open to all players, beginners are welcome. The music in this group is simple and delivered at a very steady pace. In this group older people and those with disabilities can try out instruments tailored for people with limited manual dexterity. By using adapted ukuleles, people can play chords at the push of a button rather than fretting the strings with their fingers. Large print songbooks are provided. Ukuleles and chord changers are available to borrow. Please contact me in advance to book your place. This group is delivered in partnership with Bramley Elderly Action.

*Player Ability Levels (Key)

0 = You are a complete beginner. No experience of playing an instrument or reading music is needed for groups at this level.

1 = You have attended a Beginner Ukulele Course or been learning for six months. You are able to play chords in the keys of C, F and G major (even if the Bb chord is still a bit tricky for you). You can count the 4/4 and 3/4 straight strumming pattern and a 4/4 “Calypso” or “Island” strum even if you can’t strum the downs and ups every time. You can read chord boxes and song sheets.

2 = You are confident in playing most of the first position major, minor and 7th chords. You are able to play both a 4/4 and 3/4 straight strumming pattern and a 4/4 “Calypso” or “Island”. You can read chord boxes, song sheets and Tab.

3 = You can play all of the first position chords and have started moving up the neck. You may wish to try some more complex strumming, picking and even play solos to the group. You can read chord boxes, song sheets, Tab and maybe “the dots” (stave music).