FREE Online Lessons

FREE online lessons from Curt Sheller Publications for guitar, ukulele and general music

lessons.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:07

Updated and Improved Lesson Pages

Updated and Improved UkuleleLessons by Curt Sheller, me.

The Lessons pages have gone through a massive update and re-organization.

Check out the New, Improved and Updated Chord & Chord Progressions and Essential Scales & Modes Lesson pages

I've added content and video to a few of these lessons to start with and will be added more all the time. If there are any specific lessons topics that you would like me to tackle just drop me an eMail at: curt @ curtsheller.com

Curt Sheller Publications ( Curt Sheller )

Welcome to the FREE & Premium online lessons section of Curt Sheller Publications. We, I, Me is-are a small independent (on purpose) publishing company catering to the needs of musicians, guitar players and ukulele players worldwide. My site includes resources, information and goodies to help you to develop as a musician and enjoy you choosen instrument to the fullest.

Curt Sheller Publications was created by Curt Sheller (me) in 1995 and has been on the web since. I have over 40 years of playing experience, 20 plus years of privaste teaching experience and I'm the author of over 30 books for guitar, ukulele and music. I have peformed and presented concerts, clinics and workshops across the USA.

For instrument specific FREE & Premium online lessons and other great instrument specific information visit these sections:

Instrument Specific

  • Guitar lessons
  • Ukulele lessons

    Feb 2009 Update - Many of the ukulele lessons have been updated and expanded in to what I'm calling "Premium Lessons". These lessons come in a nicely formated PDF file that looks great when printed out. I'll also be adding video and audio examples to many of the lessons.

  • Bass Guitar lessons
  • Music Theory and such

Miscellaneous

Getting Started

Taking a survey of your instrument and music knowledge is a start to creating a well rounded plan for development and furthering your ukulele enjoyment.

Most online lessons on this site are "Get it FREE now and pay later if you like it" type. So if you really like them and have gotten a benefit from them. You can help defray the cost of running this site by buying one of my books or donating whatever you would like.

With the cost of a private lesson anywhere from $15 an half hour to $50 or more for an hour, these lessons are a bargain.

Thanks for your support!

Featured Ukulele Lesson - Using Triads

Triads used to create a melodies or improvised solos. Played melodically they are great way to have you solos sound great right from the get go.

Using Triads

Featured Song - My Favorite Things

Learning this classic song. Video, Play-along, chart with tips and tricks for playing and improvising over My Favorite Things.

This song is a mainstay in my repertoire. I play it on guitar as a solo arrangement, piano duo and it is on my Midnight at the Jazz Cafe CD in a guitar , bass and drums trio setting. I also have a very cool solo ukulele arrangement that I'm hoping to TAB out.

My Favorite Things

The Study of Music

Beginning Music

Many people feel that they cannot begin music after a certain age. This is a common myth. Age proves no obstacle to the enjoyable pursuit of music. The mature person has a better sense of his or her own needs, makes better use of time and understands the value and need for self-expression.

Practice Time

It is commonly thought that the study of music requires hours a day of boring practice. Rather than long, tedious practice, what is needed is a very efficient and interesting lesson plan in which students can develop their musicial ability within the framework of their own available time.

Leisure Time

How does anyone spend their leisure time? There is certainly no shortage of alternatives. The experience of music is a most satisfying pastime. It grows even more satisfying as students begin to develop their abaility to play.

Creative Capacity

Since music provides an opportunity to develop one's creative capacities, it should be part of eveyone's educational experience. The concentration and discipline developed through the study of music is particularly valuable to children or adults who have never been exposed to creative music in the traditional school setting.

Bridge to the Generation Gap

Music, so popular with youth, is an execllent bridge to the so-called "generation gap". Music favors neither male or female, adult or child. It provides a unique opportunity for communication between parents and children. Though few take advantage of it, participation in music is one of the finest possible family activities.

The Study of Music Today

Few people are aware of the many new developments in music education today. It is quite common to identify music lessons with the boring and repetitive exercises of many years ago. In contrast to this, our approach and material are uniquely suited to the needs of the contemporary student.

Relaxation with Music

Anyone who has accepted responsibility in life has unavoidable pressure. It is most necessary to have a way to relax from the pressures of daily life. Music, with its emphasis on the relaxed exploration of sound, provides an excellent opportunity to escape from the tension and pressures of daily responsibility.

For instrument specific FREE online lessons and other info visit these sections:

Thanks to Chuck Anderson for permission to use the above copy

Here are two flyers (PDF files) that I have as handouts for potential students and their parents. These have been very successful in attracting new students.

  • The Study of Music - download [ size: 148 KB ]
  • Curriculum - download [ size: 140 KB ]

Private Lessons, Group Lessons, Workshops and Clinics

For private one-on-one guitar, bass or ukulele lessons in the Philadelphia or Pottstown, PA area contact me at:
610 326 7295

Clinics, Workshops and Concerts anywhere. Visit the Workshops and Concerts page for more information.

Here is what Chuck Anderson says about formal study:

The Value of Formal Music Study

Should you study music with a teacher or should you "wing" it on your own? This question always comes up in this type of discussion about music.

An objective assessment of the two alternative approaches leads me invariably towards the formal route. Why? Because without guidance, there is a tendency to go in circles, What do you practice, when do you move to the next topic? When are you doing something wrong? How do you practice what doesn't exist to you?

Many complain about time as a factor leading to the decision not to study. I would suggest that exactly the opposite is true. Those with less time need the efficiency of study. Without it, there's a tendency to "practice" what you're already good at. Study ensures that you will be working on your weaknesses. The results of self teaching are obvious. A player may get good at one thing but have blatant weaknesses in another.

If you use famous players in the past as your justification for not studying, you'd be wrong! Wes Montgomery was self taught - there's your justification. But is it? Wes was self taught because there were no teachers at that time. I don't mean no qualified teachers. I mean no teachers. Wes told me "Make sure you study. Don't do what I did."

Chuck Anderson - www.ChuckAndersonGuitar.com

Thanks for visiting and checking out my site!

Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

MAY 2009 Now accepting selected advertising.

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Average Visitors to CurtSheller.com

( Total - Unique visitors )
2009 Apr 32,849, 15,183 Mar 37,852, 17,396 Feb 34,900, 16,369 Jan 38,687, 16,966
2008 Dec 35,054, 16,463 Nov 35,273, 16,432 Oct 35,328, 16,494

Averaging over 1000 visitors a day.

For More Information

For more information contact curt@curtsheller.com. For available pages visit the ad rates page.

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“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

“I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent.” - fatveg - Portland