George’s Genius

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Master the playing style that made a star…

This is George’s Genius (George Formby Part 2), the course where we dive head-first into our improver-level Formby course. You’ll expand upon your basic split stroke and begin to incorporate all the little extra flourishes and details to really bring your solos alive!

Along with part 1, this is a first-of-its-kind resource, featuring some of the most in-depth Formby style tutorials available. Featuring over 2 hours of video lessons, along with downloads, song sheets and more. We’ll break down some real solos and walk you through step-by-step how you might approach a wide range of popular songs, before giving you the skills to do this for yourself on any other Formby tune.

These skills cannot only be applied to George Formby’s material, but an endless catalogue of trad./hot/Dixieland jazz, rock and pop soloing and even some classical music. You’ll learn plenty of cool tricks that will impress any audience and even how to play along to a live band or backing track!

During the 1930s and 40s, George Formby was one of the most successful music and film stars in the world. Known for his cheeky persona and his mastery of the ukulele and banjo-ukulele with a heavily rhythmic and jazzy sound that makes full use of a ukulele’s tuning and set up.

“This is a MUST for all Formby style players”

Simon

“I’ve watched many tutorials of the Formby style and this is by far the best”

Nigel

A UKULELE ONLINE COURSE

COURSE DETAILS
OTHER COURSES – learn more about UKULELE ONLINE

Matthew Quilliam’s
UKULELE ONLINE

Providing premium, high-class ukulele online courses covering specialist topics in unprecedented detail, taught only by world-class ukulele experts.

This course is the second of a two-part series on George Formby playing. The first, Formby Fundamentals, is the place to go for starting out on your split stroke journey. Click here to see more.

Why not check out some of our other courses? We’ve got something for everybody and plenty for you to sink your teeth into.

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WHAT YOU WILL NEED – how best to prepare
  • a ukulele OR banjolele/ukulele-banjo, tuned GCEA with a high G string
  • a tuner
  • familiarity with Formby style techniques such as split stroke, fan and triplet
  • confidence in strumming and intermediate chord vocabulary

Optional:

  • sheet music – lead sheets or chord charts
  • printer – downloads accessible online or for printing
  • for custom lead sheets, please get in touch.
FREE TASTER VIDEOS – get a flavour of this course with some free content

Leaning on a Lamppost – Ending

Adding melody into Chinese Laundry Blues

Course Trailer:

MODULE OVERVIEW – see modules and lessons

Modules & Lessons

Explore the what you each module will entail. Rewatch, slow down or speed up each video as many times as you need, and enjoy lots of included downloads and exercises. Get a certificate at the end too!

0. Introduction & Terminology

Start here! Find out how the course will work and recap some of the most important terms and techniques from Formby Fundamentals (George Formby Part 1).

1. Soloing Over Different Songs
  1. What makes a challenging chord progression?
  2. Basic chord progressions – When I’m Cleaning Windows
  3. Longer lasting chords – Leaning on a Lamppost
  4. Slower tempo – TT Races
  5. Busier chords 1 – Out in the Middle East
  6. Busier chords 2 – Mother What’ll I Do Now?
  7. Busier chords 3 – She’s Got Two of Everything
2. Advanced Techniques
  1. Introduction to techniques
  2. Changing up the split stroke rhythm
  3. The shake
  4. Fan as triplet
  5. Half time
  6. The rake
  7. Exercise
3. Narratives & Pacing
  1. Narratives
  2. Starting a solo
  3. Middle of a solo
  4. Climax of a solo
  5. Ending of a solo
  6. Conclusion – Narrative
4. Introducing Melody
  1. Melodic versus non-melodic soloing
  2. Techniques for melodic playing
  3. Melodic possibilities in C
  4. Melodic possibilities in F
  5. Determining a tune 1
  6. Determining a tune 2
  7. Chinese Laundry Blues
5. Passing chords
  1. Role of passing chords
  2. Examples of passing chords
  3. How passing chords work
  4. Practice exercises
6. Alternative Styles
  1. Billy ‘Uke’ Scott Style
  2. Alan Randall Style
  3. Tessie O’Shea Style
7. Live Performance
  1. Roles of instruments
  2. Playing with a backing track
  3. Playing with a band
  4. Preparing for a live performance
  5. Formby-specific performance tips
  6. Conclusion
CONTACT

Please get in touch if you are having issues with the course interface or are stuck on some of the course content. Your course comes with a free 30 minute consultation with the course tutor.

If you are already subscribed, click on a module header to navigate to the relevant module’s content.

George’s Genius

Master the techniques that made a star…

£39.99/year – 2 hours of lessons – 7 modules – 40 lessons – Intermediate level

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You may also be interested in:

Formby Bundle: Formby Fundamentals & George’s Genius

Two courses for a discounted rate! Our best value package

MORE INFO

What’s Next?

Now you’ve completed George’s Genius, you will have a lot of knowledge on how to play Formby solos. But, if you want some further private lessons online, Matthew can help…

Online LEssons

Personal 1-2-1 lessons for any ability of ukulele playing. Explore any weak areas or recap the fundamentals to improve your dexterity.

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