Online lessons

Sadly hopping on the plane and travelling to our rambling orange farm in the sunny Algarve for a weekly clawhammer ukulele lesson is not feasible for most people, but with modern technology it’s easy to visit via Zoom, FaceTime or Skype for your one-to-one personal tuition. I find Zoom offers the best platform to configure for music tuition.

In 2011 prior to emigrating from the UK to Portugal in 2015, I formed ‘Colchester Ukulele Academy’ which successfully taught hundreds of students in groups and individually. Many of these students asked to continue their learning online, so I now offer online lesson times for both continuing and new students from across the globe. With the dreaded pandemic all my local students have now moved to online teaching. I specialise in clawhammer style ukulele but do also teach other styles.

All you need your end is a well lit room (with the light falling on your instrument), a reasonable webcam on your computer, tablet or mobile phone and a reliable and reasonably fast internet connection. The faster the internet the better the picture !

Free initial meeting

To make sure internet sessions work for the student, I provide a free, short 10 minute online introductory meeting which allows us to look at your learning goals and work out any technical bugs.

If you are happy with the introduction we can then work out lesson times to suit our commitments. At this stage I will also ask you to complete an emailed questionnaire which will help me plan the teaching sessions and ensure you make maximum progress towards your goals.

Times & terms and conditions

I usually teach weekdays from 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 8pm GMT/BST but can be flexible. To reschedule a lesson I ask for 24hrs email notice in advance. Less than 24 hours notice of cancellation or no-shows will be charged the full lesson price.If the student is late for the lesson there is a 10 minute courtesy period before the lesson is considered a no show.

Lessons end after 45 minutes, even if the student shows up late, so as not to inconvenience later students. If the session suffers any problems due to internet connection, your missing or disrupted minutes are credited to a future session. If problems persist we may have to reassess our lessons.

Your Lesson

I find that 45 minutes is the best length for an online lesson. This is a bit longer than offered by most teachers but gives me time to assess previous material, check on progress making corrections and answering questions. It also allows time to introduce and demonstrate any new material. During the lesson you will see me take notes so I can make sure the next session picks up where we leave off. Unlike most other teachers I will email you a brief summary of what we covered in each lesson.

This makes sure you know what to practice and work on before the next session. There is nothing worse than a music teacher who spends a lot of time each session trying to remember where we got to and what you should be working on. At key points I can also send you rough audio recordings and videos of my playing to help your practice, as long as you promise not to post them online !

Price

• Following your free initial meeting I charge 20€ for your first 45 minute lesson. This is on a pre-paid basis.

• As you continue with further lessons, these are booked and paid for in advance, in blocks of 4 lessons at a total cost of 80€ for four lessons.

• Payment by direct transfer or via Paypal. I find that the best frequency for any music lessons is weekly. This ensures continued attention and even with only 10 mins of practice per day you will make good progress. Unless you are very committed fortnightly and monthly lessons are not as efficient in building up your playing.

Teaching material

Over the years I have developed a full range of clawhammer teaching material.

The advantages of Online Ukulele Lessons

• You don’t waste time travelling (in the dark and rain) to and from lessons, worrying about traffic, parking and the cost of fuel.

• You are in a familiar, safe and (hopefully!) relaxed environment.

• You can use the travelling time for your practicing.

• You receive expert and experienced tuition that matches your needs and not those of others in a group teaching scenario.

The disadvantages !

• The inevitable slight connection delay means it is difficult for us to play together in real time, but I get around this by occasionally emailing audio practice tracks with my debrief email, so you get a permanent practice partner as well !

• No tea or coffee, playing with my adorable dogs or hugging donkeys on the farm..

• No sitting in the sun under the orange trees.

I think this covers most things about online lessons, but if you have any further questions please email me at robin.jennings@clawhammer-ukulele.com.