Chicks with Picks Melbourne

Last Wednesday, we had our first celtic ukulele session. Our aim is to learn tunes from the celtic tradition and play them together on the non-traditional ukulele. We chose three tunes; The Butterfly, Mari's wedding and Inisheer. We played, we listened to different versions and set ourselves the task of learning the tunes by heart so that we can directly connect with each other.

Our goal is to visit a slow session and join in as tune players when we feel confident enough.

Our next session will be on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30pm. Contact Helen at [email protected] if you'd like to join us. Instruments other than ukulele very welcome but please bear in mind we are beginner session players.

The sessions are free.

Please note: This is for intermediate to advanced players who can read tab and/or music. It is not a teaching session so the expectation is that you will do the tune learning outside of the group. Tunes are supplied through a shared google folder.

Goodness - it's the end of term already. So much as happened in our classes this short term:

* We welcomed some new and returning Chicks with Picks Melbourne students to our groups and private classes.

*In Surrey Hills, we learnt some lovely tunes including Moreton Bay and Rakes of Mallow using our major and mixolydian scales.

*The advanced guitar group in Brunswick learned three songs in Double Drop D.

*At Surrey Hills, we had two combined strum/sing/tune playing sessions during the term where we experimented with harmony singing to the 60's folk song 500 miles.

*My lovely daytime Doncaster beginner students are coming along and nailing some great chord progressions.

*I added another baritone ukulele student to the baritone crew this term.

*I've started seeing some younger students in Doncaster in the evening again which is lovely.

I have also decided to deepen my teaching practice by starting a Masters in Applied Learning and Teaching at Deakin. It's a big learning curve and an enormous workload. But it is fascinating and satisfying and already enriching my way of thinking about teaching.

Enjoy your Easter break. I hope you can join us for Term 2 starting the week of April 15th 2024.

Contact Helen: [email protected]
https://www.chickswithpicksmelbourne.com/

What a fun night in Brunswick! Our guitar group discovered the big sound of Double Drop D tuning. It is used in Bob Dylan's song, "Ballad of Hollis Brown" and Neil Young's, "Cinnamon Girl". We are now learning both those songs.

See links to songs in the comments.

The uke group welcomed some new Brunswick Chicks and we hopped into the Fugees version of "Killing me Softly". The plan is to play the chords over the drum track next week. We used a simple soul strum to sound out each chord.

If you'd like to join either group, private message us or contact Helen at [email protected]

[photo taken in West Brunswick by Adrian Wood]

Chicks with Picks Melbourne starts back this week. We have some spots in our Brunswick guitar and ukulele groups. Women's Guitar group at 7pm on Wednesday and Women's Ukulele group at 8pm on Wednesday.

We welcome new players to both groups with a free tryout class any Wednesday during term. Some playing experience essential. Drop us a line at [email protected] to book a class.

For Phoebe Bridgers fans, my niece, Marion, (who is American from Vermont) is presenting a new radio program on her local community station, Royalton Community Radio. Her show is called "Into the Phoebe-verse" and features Phoebe Bridgers music, her influences, her cohort and the artists who have played with her, for her or supported her.

You can stream Marions' lastest "Into the Phoebe-Verse" podcast here: https://royaltonradio.dreamhosters.com/podcasts/Phoebeverse/stream.mp3

Or check out Vermont's very own community radio station website here. If you're ever in Vermont, USA, (it shares a border with Canada) there are lots of open mikes and community music evenings around this beautiful little state: https://www.royaltonradio.org/

Royalton Community Radio Royalton Community Radio WFVR 96.5 FM South Royalton, VT New RCR Gear Available! Support Royalton Community Radio by wearing our unique t-shirt. Visit the Royalton Community Radio Store! Support Royalton Community Radio! Jim Rooney, Todd Tyson and Ralph Molinario “onstage” at this year’s Jenny...

Chicks with Picks Melbourne is now in DONCASTER! Our new guitar and ukulele beginner classes for women begin on Thursday 5th October in Doncaster. Enrol and become part of a lovely musical community. Find out more: https://www.chickswithpicksmelbourne.com

The NEW CHICKS WITH PICKS MELBOURNE WEBSITE is here! Click through for information on lessons, group classes, events, blog posts. There's lots of buttons and links to press on; each one is a portal into a new adventure. Enjoy!

Home | Chicks With Picks Melbourne|Guitar and Ukulele Lessons for Women Chicks with Picks Melbourne provides guitar and ukulele lessons for women across Melbourne. Learn privately or with other women at our sites in Doncaster, St Kilda, Brunswick and Surrey Hills.

What happened at Winter School hosted by Chicks with Picks Melbourne and Women's Guitar Group besides musical breakthroughs, new friendships and gorgeous big group playing on guitars and ukes? Read about here:

WHAT HAPPENED AT WINTER SCHOOL 2023? .......a brilliant weekend. Musical breakthrough's were made, new friendships formed, new skills were learned and tried, and inspiring music

Just a reminder that Winter School is this weekend. Saturday 12th August in Surrey Hills and Sunday 13th August in Brunswick.

If you haven't bought your tickets, there's still time. Day tickets are available if you can't make the weekend

Here's the ticket link: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

Hope to see you there,

Yours in strumming,

Helen

Disappointing news - Women's Guitar Group and Chicks with Picks Melbourne have to cancel Winter School this weekend. I've(Helen) tested positive to Covid last night and won't be out of isolation until Sunday.

Good news - we have moved the weekend to the 12th/13th August. What promises to be a fantastic weekend will still go ahead! We hope you can join us then.

Countdown to Winter School. It's this Saturday so if haven't enrolled. Now is the time. Tix: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT