Gerald is a very funny guy, an accomplished musician, and a well-thought-of instructor. One of his early claims to fame was a commercial he made with a friend in high school for Kazoozie Kazoos that ran everyday for 2 months on the Captain Kangaroo Show. And while it may have been his talent on a kazoo that kick-started his musical career, Gerald also played bass in a rock band during high school. In college he played electric guitar with a Western swing band and acoustic guitar with a bluegrass band, finally graduating to ‘The Lost World String Band” playing guitar, bottleneck National guitar, and Cajun accordion, appearing several times on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Today, however, Gerald Ross is known more for his work with the ‘ukulele and Hawaiian lap steel guitar and has recorded five solo CD’s. He can back up just about anyone, on anything. And in addition to being an extremely polished performer, Gerald is a prepared, organized, and thoughtful teacher. It’s no wonder Gerald Ross has been called an entire music camp and festival in one. He joined us at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival for the first time last year and we immediately signed him up come back this year.
Workshops
Sweet Georgia Brown – A study in simplicity
Two left feet, but oh, so sweet……the Harlem Globe Trotters have nothing on us! In this brand new workshop, Gerald Ross will teach you how to play this classic jazz tune using three simple chord shapes that translate into seven different chords! And, once you’ve mastered “Sweet Georgia Brown,” you will go on to apply these three shapes to other jazz, swing, and popular songs…..a technique that will boost your skill immeasurably, across the board. This is a two-part class and you can choose to do just Part 1 on Saturday, or both parts by adding Part 2 on Sunday…and if you’re there on Sunday you’ll be able to strut your stuff at the Student Showcase at Gott’s Roadside (aka Taylor’s Refresher) on Sunday Evening. (Level 2 – 3)
Foundations in Jazz & Swing
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing. And what you’ll need for that is a strong foundation in the jazz/swing style that will serve you well through-out your ‘ukulele career. The good news is that it’s easier than you think. In this 2-part workshop, you will learn two, classic Jazz/Swing tunes: “Honeysuckle Rose” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing).” But more importantly, you’ll learn the basic chord progressions that comprise 99% of this popular genre. Though this is a two-part class, a more advanced intermediate student can jump into part 2 and still learn something. Those who stick around for Part 2 will also have the opportunity to play for the folks at the Sunday evening Student Showcase at Gott’s Roadside (aka Taylor’s Refresher). (Level 3 – 4)
Beginning Finger Picking – and we don’t mean your nose. FULL
Strumming is not the only show in town! And if you’re a confident beginner, it’s not too soon to explore the world of finger-picking, on your uke, and make it sound a wee bit more like a piano– a great technique to have in your toolbox when accompanying yourself or anyone else! In this workshop, Gerald will teach you the basic right hand patterns that can be applied to any chord progression. (Level 2 – 3)
How To Write a Chord Chart
At some point in your musical career, you are going to need to write a lead sheet. “What’s that?” you say? It’s a standard music format that everyone agrees on. Imagine that! Not only will you learn the easy way of writing charts that both professional and amateur musicians can read and perform immediately, you’ll learn how to read them in the process so you, too, can perform with other musicians without timing and tempo errors. And the best part is: no music theory is needed! (Level 1 – 3)
Swing Jam with (mostly) three chords
There is nothing better in this world than making music with your friends. In this very user–friendly jam session, Gerald Ross will guide you through such classics as ‘Undecided’, ‘Dinah’, ‘At The Cod Fish Ball,’ and ‘When You’re Smiling’. Charts will be provided (though you might not need them if you’ve been to Jim D’Ville’s Play by Ear workshop). And don’t let the words ‘Jazz’ or ‘Swing’ scare you. These are all basically three-chord songs with a few “spice” chords thrown in. This is an informal, fun, sing-along session, and don’t be surprised if you find Marv Reitz on clarinet, Kathy Reitz, on bass, Dave Egan on guitar, and a few of the other “usual suspects” jamming with you, as well. (Level 2 – 3).
