“This is wonderful, Matthew. EVERY Formby-style player who has trouble bridging learning the basic strokes and playing polished solos should study this. It’s what we’ve all been after. Heading to your Paypal tip jar to say “thank you”. Still only a third of the way through but it’s already invaluable.”
Simon Rose, on Matthew’s George Formby YouTube video workshop, May 2020
Perfect for ukulele clubs
Matthew can deliver a 1 hour workshop on a topic, before participating in a jam afterwards to apply some of the new ideas and material.
A highlight at ukulele festivals
Treat your festival attendees to an entertaining yet thought-provoking workshop on any topic. Participants always leave wanting more, eager to practice!
ideal for team-building sessions
Let Matthew help your corporate team bond over a fun, accessible and collaborative ukulele-learning journey. Start from nothing and play a song by the end! Single sessions or short courses available.
“I have learnt more with you in the last hour than I have in my five years of playing ukulele!”
Workshop attendee, about Matthew’s Focus on Expression workshop at the Bracklesham Ukulele Weekend, 2023
Browse popular workshop topics…
…or request your own!
Strumming Supplement – beginner
Inject some variety, energy and individuality in to your strumming. Break out of a reliance on patterns and make each song unique.
How to Jam – beginner/intermediate
Unpack how musicians can use the fundamental building blocks of a song to confidently jam for hours without the songbook.
Get Your Jazz Hands Out – intermediate
Those already familiar with the building blocks of jazz can explore new chords further up the neck and learn how to create unique arrangements of popular jazz tunes.
Classical Corner – intermediate/advanced
Develop a solid-right hand picking technique to allow for crisp & clean sounds, balancing multiple parts and a healthy posture.
History of the Ukulele – all levels
A musical journey through the ukulele’s legacy. Learn a piece from four distinct eras and meet some of the most influential players.
Absolute Beginner – beginner
Start the workshop with nothing and end by playing a song! Kick-start your musical journey of discovery and fun!
Focus on Expression – intermediate
Go beyond playing every song in the songbook the same, by adding new control, variation and emotions to solo and ensemble performances.
From Start to Finish – intermediate
First and last impressions matter. Master the art of hooking an audience in and impressing them with some simple yet effective fancy ways of beginning and ending songs.
Play Like George Formby – advanced
An in-depth exploration of the unique and influential rhythmic techniques that made a star out of George Formby used.
It’s Not Rocket Science – all levels
Music theory is an incredibly useful topic to understand. Demystify how it can be applied to the ukulele and discover how it’s not so daunting after all…
Chord-Melody – beginner/intermediate
Unleash your potential with this elegant and impressive playing style, where you’ll learn how to play melody and chords at the same time.
Ukulele Band Booster – intermediate
Perfect for ukulele groups and clubs. Learn how to fully utilise the forces of your band to effectively deliver stronger performances.
Hawaii, Hawaii – intermediate/advanced
Discover new ways of making your ukulele sing and sound beautiful by uncovering the ways of the early Hawaiian ukulele masters.
Bass Workshop – all levels
Discover the power of bass and how it can make all the difference to a ukulele band or group. Applicable to bass ukulele or guitar players.
Party Tricks – all levels
Learn how the great masters show off their amazing skills by picking up a few of their showboating tricks. Great for impressing your friends!
“Thanks once again for an excellent delivery of the workshop today … I thought you ‘helicoptered’ very well on content to cater both for the beginners and those that may have more experience“
Workshop attendee, about Matthew’s George Formby workshop at the Isle of Wight Ukulele Festival 2021
Key:
Beginner
Great for those who have recently started their journey on the ukulele, providing a solid foundation for growth and achievement
aDVANCED
Dive into the more complex and challenging techniques and strengthen your individuality as a player and performer
INTERMEDIATE
Perfect for those who are comfortable with the instrument and now ready for their next challenge
MIXED
Separate workshops on the same topic available to different levels of ability, or designed to help bridge the transition from one to the next.
all levels
Not to be confused with beginners’ workshops, these topics apply to players of all levels, designed to benefit and compliment whatever stage of development
“The future of the ukulele”
Giovanni Albini, Professor of Ukulele, Conservatorio Antonio Vivaldi, Italy, 2022
“One day soon, you’ll be up there with the greats of the ukulele”
Peter Moss, international professional ukulele player, 2021
“You’re going to be the top guy”
Aaron Crowell, Hawaii Music School, 2020
“one of the most hard working, adaptive, versitile and complete ukulele players on the scene“
Samantha Muir, ukulele PhD doctorate, 2023
A fresh new talent on the ukulele, already making a huge impression.
Sometime in mid-2011, a young boy picked up his first ukulele, quickly becoming fascinated with the instrument. 12 years later and Matthew Quilliam became the first person to use the ukulele for an entire music degree, graduating in 2023 with first class honours.
Thanks to his life-long connection and expertise with the instrument, he has developed a wide skill set and a popular range of shows, whilst showing no signs of slowing down.
Versatility is in abundance when it comes to Matthew’s capabilities. With his boundless energy and his trademark smile, Matthew is sure to leave any audience wanting more.
Based in southern UK, his travels have brought him to appear at Grand Northern, Bracklesham, Isle of Wight, Yeovil and Shrewkfest Ukulele Festivals, Chichester Jazz Club, Concorde Club Eastleigh, Princess Hall Aldershot, Oktoberfest Swindon, Didcot Railway Centre, Weyfest, Abbey Road Studios & internationally in Italy, France, Germany and Poland.
On top of that, he has composed for a handful of albums and films, educational and examined ukulele material for the London College of Music and the London Ukulele Project, as well as written live pit band music for Chichester Festival Theatre.
Matthew Quilliam Music 