Learn ukulele with Matt

The Ukulele Detective

Wednesday 27th May
3:30pm UK time
Replay available afterwards

Together, we’ll become musical detectives.
I’ll play short musical examples… and your job will be to listen carefully and work out:

What changed?Was it the tone?Was it the harmony?Was it a different picking pattern?Was it the scale or melodic colour?

This could be brilliant, and honestly, I have no idea if it’ll become one of our favourite workshops yet, but if we make it work together, I genuinely think you might learn more than ever before!

And here’s the exciting part:

Whether you’re a beginner who’s just learning a few chords or a more advanced player exploring improvisation, jazz, fingerstyle or arranging you will hear music differently by the end of this workshop.

Everyone is welcome to join us live.

By the way, if you’re one of our LearnUkulele.com members, don’t forget your detective worksheets are waiting for you in the members’ area and from this workshop onwards, members will also have access to an archive of 100’s of these lessons.

If you’d like to revisit the workshop later, download the worksheets, and build your own personal workshop library, all replays and bonus resources are included for Learn Ukulele members.

Bring your uke. Bring your ears. Bring your curiosity!

Link for the tip jar, work sheets and more in the comments.

Link for the tip jar, work sheets and more:
bio.learnukulele.com/the-ukulele-detective

Visit my website for 10 fully structured courses:

learnukulele.com/

2 days ago | [YT] | 13

Learn ukulele with Matt

https://youtu.be/xQWxbFt3OL4?si=LfT2w...

Something very special arrived today…

After months of writing… rewriting… experimenting… second-guessing… and believing in an idea I couldn’t quite let go of…

The first printed copies of Colours in Music are finally here.

This has been one of the biggest creative projects of my life.
It began with a simple question:

What if we could actually see harmony… not just hear it?

I’m off to teach in Spain next week, but when I’m back I’m hosting a special LIVE BOOK LAUNCH here on YouTube and I’d genuinely love you to join me.
Whether you’re a ukulele player, musician, songwriter, teacher, or simply curious about music… you’re very welcome.

Sometimes the biggest ideas begin with a little bit of curiosity… and a lot of cups of tea!

Get your mitts on copy here:www.mattsteadmusic.com/category/all-products

or get it with next day delivery pretty much anywhere in the world on Amazon (just search Matt Stead Colours In Music).

Cheers,
Matt

3 days ago | [YT] | 4

Learn ukulele with Matt

This week for Kanikapila Mondays we’re diving into the magical world of British folk-rock with songs connected to Fairport Convention.

We’ll explore:

Fotheringay – a haunting classic written by Sandy Denny
And When She Smiles – from Matthews Southern Comfort and Iain Matthews

Along the way we’ll also work on:

⁃ Two beautiful fingerpicking patterns
⁃ How to begin soloing over folk progressions

Live: Monday 18th May 6:00pm UK time

For worksheets, tip jar and more click on the link: bio.learnukulele.com/kanikapila-mondays-fairport-c…

Bring your uke, a cup of tea, and come play with us. Because kanikapila simply means “play music together.”

For the live link, free worksheets and 10 fully structured courses visit: Learn Ukulele Com

4 days ago | [YT] | 18

Learn ukulele with Matt

This afternoon folks!! 3:30pm UK time

How To Get a Beautiful Ukulele Tone - Fingerstyle Workshop (Sigh Waltz)

A great tone can completely transform your playing.
In this live workshop, we’ll explore how to get a warm, clear, expressive sound from your ukulele — using my chord melody arrangement of Sigh Waltz as our guide.

For the Live Link, Worksheets and more…
bio.learnukulele.com/tone-workshop

What you’ll learn
How to improve your fingerstyle tone
Fingers vs thumb — when and why to use each
Introduction to PIMA technique
Nail shaping for a clean, consistent sound
How your ukulele (wood & size) affects tone
How strings influence warmth and clarity
Small adjustments that make a big difference

The musical focus
We’ll use Sigh Waltz as a practical example — one of my most popular chord melodies that really responds to touch, tone, and control.

This is all about:
- getting more out of the instrument you already have
- playing with confidence and intention
- making your ukulele sing

Join the workshop
Wednesday 13th May
3:30pm (UK time)
On my YouTube Channel Live: Ukulele Teacher Matt Stead

5 days ago | [YT] | 22

Learn ukulele with Matt

Click here for your music sheets, tip jar and more:
bio.learnukulele.com/kanikapila-mondays-drop-dead-…

Tonight folks!! We’re back. 6pm UK time.

On my YouTube channel. Links on my site too. LearnUkulele com

Kanikapila Mondays - Drop Dead (Olivia Rodrigo) & Just Like Heaven (The Cure) - Easy Fretboard Chords & Soloing in G

Join us for this week’s Kanikapila — a relaxed, musical get-together where we learn, play, and explore together.
This session has a lovely connection running through it…
We’ll be playing:

Drop Dead – Olivia Rodrigo
Just Like Heaven – The Cure
(The Cure classic is even referenced in the lyrics of Drop Dead — so we’ll bring the two together in one session.)

What you’ll learn

Easy ways to play chords up the fretboard
How to find new shapes beyond open position
How to solo in the key of G
Connecting chords and melody across the neck
Hearing the relationship between harmony and melody

Musical focus

We’ll explore how:
- chords can be moved and simplified higher up the neck
- familiar shapes open up new musical possibilities
- simple solo ideas can sit beautifully over chord progressions

Join the session
Date: Monday 11th May
Time: 6pm (UK time)

6 days ago | [YT] | 24

Learn ukulele with Matt

How To Get a Beautiful Ukulele Tone - Fingerstyle Workshop (Sigh Waltz)

A great tone can completely transform your playing.
In this live workshop, we’ll explore how to get a warm, clear, expressive sound from your ukulele — using my chord melody arrangement of Sigh Waltz as our guide.

For the Live Link, Worksheets and more…
bio.learnukulele.com/tone-workshop

What you’ll learn
How to improve your fingerstyle tone
Fingers vs thumb — when and why to use each
Introduction to PIMA technique
Nail shaping for a clean, consistent sound
How your ukulele (wood & size) affects tone
How strings influence warmth and clarity
Small adjustments that make a big difference

The musical focus
We’ll use Sigh Waltz as a practical example — one of my most popular chord melodies that really responds to touch, tone, and control.

This is all about:
- getting more out of the instrument you already have
- playing with confidence and intention
- making your ukulele sing

Join the workshop
Wednesday 13th May
3:30pm (UK time)
On my YouTube Channel Live: Ukulele Teacher Matt Stead

1 week ago | [YT] | 14

Learn ukulele with Matt

Sometimes the best songs are the simplest…

https://youtu.be/BQX4Ee_JLok

Today I’m teaching “Drop Dead” by Olivia Rodrigo on ukulele using just 3 chords: G, C and D.

Perfect for beginners…

…but if you’ve been playing a while, I’ll also show you some fun extras like:

✨ Straight 8 strumming
✨ Dynamic shakes
✨ Groove variations

Which modern pop song should I teach next?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 20

Learn ukulele with Matt

Kanikapila Mondays - Drop Dead (Olivia Rodrigo) & Just Like Heaven (The Cure) - Easy Fretboard Chords & Soloing in G

Join us for this week’s Kanikapila — a relaxed, musical get-together where we learn, play, and explore together.
This session has a lovely connection running through it…
We’ll be playing:

Drop Dead – Olivia Rodrigo
Just Like Heaven – The Cure
(The Cure classic is even referenced in the lyrics of Drop Dead — so we’ll bring the two together in one session.)

What you’ll learn

Easy ways to play chords up the fretboard
How to find new shapes beyond open position
How to solo in the key of G
Connecting chords and melody across the neck
Hearing the relationship between harmony and melody

Musical focus

We’ll explore how:
⁃ chords can be moved and simplified higher up the neck
⁃ familiar shapes open up new musical possibilities
⁃ simple solo ideas can sit beautifully over chord progressions

Join the session
Date: Monday 11th May (away on the 4th - UK bank holiday)
Time: 6pm (UK time)

Click here for worksheets, tip jar and more: bio.learnukulele.com/kanikapila-mondays-drop-dead-…

Want more like this?
Visit my website for 10 fully structured courses:
learnukulele.com/

Question for you
Have you ever tried playing chords higher up the neck before — or do you usually stay in open position?

If you’d like to join in, bring your uke and come play with us next week.Because kanikapila simply means “play music together.”

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 22

Learn ukulele with Matt

Don’t forget it’s our Fortnightly Live Lesson today! 3:30pm UK time (replay available)

Take Me Home Country Roads – 2 Ukulele Versions (John Denver vs IZ)

Learn how to play “Take Me Home, Country Roads” on ukulele in two completely different styles — and discover how the same song can take on a whole new feel.

Live Lesson: Wednesday 29th AprilTime: 3:30pm (UK)

Gold members get all worksheets at no cost, as part of their subscription.

In this live workshop, we’ll start with the classic version by Take Me Home, Country Roads, made famous by John Denver. You’ll learn a flowing country-style picking pattern that brings out the warmth and movement of the original.
Then we’ll explore the beautiful island-style interpretation by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, with:
– A different key– Different chords– A more relaxed groove– Subtle lyric variations

This is a brilliant way to deepen your musical understanding — and to see how arrangement choices shape the feel of a song.

What you’ll learn:
A steady, musical country picking patternHow to adapt chord shapes between keysHow groove changes the feel of a songThe differences between original and cover versionsHow to approach arranging songs on ukulele


For the worksheets, live link, tip jar and much more please visit:
bio.learnukulele.com/take-me-home-country-roads

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 11

Learn ukulele with Matt

Tonight peeps! A tribute to John Lennon:

Kanikapila Mondays - Imagine & Jealous Guy - Parallel Minor, D Dorian & Easy E Chord

Join us for this week’s Kanikapila Mondays as we explore two beautiful songs by John Lennon — Imagine and Jealous Guy.

Monday 27th April – 6pm UK time

We’ll enjoy a relaxed, musical jam together while also diving into some really powerful (but accessible!) theory ideas that can transform your playing.

What you’ll learn:

How to play Imagine and Jealous Guy in a simple, musical way
How chords from the parallel minor add emotional colour
How D Dorian works (and why it sounds so great)
The easiest way to play the dreaded E chord
How to move between chords more smoothly in real songs

Whether you’re here to strum along or deepen your understanding, this session is all about making music together in a relaxed, supportive space.

Free song sheets, live link and more: bio.learnukulele.com/kanikapila-mondays-imagine-an…

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 9