Introducing Jon Bennett of Moonrakers
Jon is a member of the Oxford-based band, Moonrakers. They have five commercially produced albums and regularly play in the south of England. If you're interested in traditional & contemporary songs and tunes on harp, cello, bouzouki, guitar, whistles, female & male vocals, go to www.moonrakers.net
STOP PRESS !!
* New Acoustic Music for Folk Ensembles, Vols 1 & 2 (Mel Bay, 2021/2023) are now available as e-book or hard copy from www.melbay.com/Products/30971MEB/new-acoustic-music-for-folk-ensemble.aspx For the hard copy (£12 + pp), contact MoonrakersCelticMusic@gmail.com Each book has traditional tunes alongside those written and arranged by Jon Bennett & Jacqui Johnson. They have three parts (tune, countermelody and bass) plus chords. Each tune is accompanied by an online video of Moonrakers playing the parts. Suitable for intermediate/advanced players.
* 6-part video ukulele course available for ukulele enthusiasts !! The "menu" (listed here) is suitable for intermediate/improver standards, but also for the ambitious beginner. It includes strumming and fingerstyle techniques, how to apply chord theory and how to make special arrangements of songs. What is on offer is years of practice and inspiration to make you an above-average competent player, all explained in very simple terms. It's the equivalent of at least 15 lessons and can be bought (and downloaded) from www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-to-advanced-ukulele/
* The new RGT Ukulele Course Books are out - and they are really good! From absolute beginner to Grade 5, they include online sound samples and easy to follow instructions. They can be used for graded exams or just for your own enjoyment. Go to http://www.rgt.org Also I'm interviewed about this as well as life, the universe and everything at http://www.rgt.org/blog/interview-rgt-uke-teacher-jon-bennett
* New Acoustic Music for Folk Ensembles, Vols 1 & 2 (Mel Bay, 2021/2023) are now available as e-book or hard copy from www.melbay.com/Products/30971MEB/new-acoustic-music-for-folk-ensemble.aspx For the hard copy (£12 + pp), contact MoonrakersCelticMusic@gmail.com Each book has traditional tunes alongside those written and arranged by Jon Bennett & Jacqui Johnson. They have three parts (tune, countermelody and bass) plus chords. Each tune is accompanied by an online video of Moonrakers playing the parts. Suitable for intermediate/advanced players.
* 6-part video ukulele course available for ukulele enthusiasts !! The "menu" (listed here) is suitable for intermediate/improver standards, but also for the ambitious beginner. It includes strumming and fingerstyle techniques, how to apply chord theory and how to make special arrangements of songs. What is on offer is years of practice and inspiration to make you an above-average competent player, all explained in very simple terms. It's the equivalent of at least 15 lessons and can be bought (and downloaded) from www.udemy.com/course/intermediate-to-advanced-ukulele/
* The new RGT Ukulele Course Books are out - and they are really good! From absolute beginner to Grade 5, they include online sound samples and easy to follow instructions. They can be used for graded exams or just for your own enjoyment. Go to http://www.rgt.org Also I'm interviewed about this as well as life, the universe and everything at http://www.rgt.org/blog/interview-rgt-uke-teacher-jon-bennett
Everything you need to know about the ukulele, Folk Orchestra ....and more
Jon - your host for today!
Greetings!
I hope this site provides some useful resources for instrumentalists and ukulele players. Have a look around - video lessons, songs, theory, links, etc. The menu is at the top of this page. I'm based in Oxford UK and apart from running my own 4-piece music group Moonrakers I collaborate with other professional tutors in running multi-instrumental workshops and individuals classes for ukulele, guitar, bouzouki and whistles. If you have any enquiries, email me on moonrakerscelticmusic@gmail.com or call 01865 769206 and we'll set something up.
This is what's on offer:
Individual one-to-one tuition.
We can arrange regular sessions or just a few ad hoc lessons to move you on a little. This is useful for those who want to join the workshop sessions but can't quite keep up - don't worry, we'll sort you out. The lessons are 1 hour at £30 and include a personalised follow-up video of what we did.
Zoom Lessons
Yes, the 21st century means we don't even have to be in the same room for you to enjoy the full benefits of a lesson. From anywhere in the world I can beam into your life through the ether and show you all you wish to know about playing the ukulele. Contact me on moonrakerscelticmusic@gmail.com and we'll set something up for the usual £30, including a follow-up video.
Folk Orchestra & Ukulele workshops
Each year I and other tutors (Jacqui Johnson, Sam Muir, Phil Dolman) hold residential and day workshops across the UK. Go to the Events page for details. They are a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a whole weekend or a day of tuition and group playing.
If you have a corporate event, or just a bunch of enthusiasts, I'm happy to arrange something for you. The session would usually last about 1.5 hours and you’ll learn about:
• Some new chords and ideas on how to spice up your playing
• Strumming techniques suitable for different styles and songs
• Fingerstyle playing as well as strumming
• A little bit of chord theory (but not too much!)
• Advice on purchasing instruments, strings, etc
Email me if you're interested and we'll keep in touch.
To start with, go to the Videos and Theory pages on this site (click on the above) where you'll find a few ideas. Also welcome to contact me any time on 01865 769206.
I hope this site provides some useful resources for instrumentalists and ukulele players. Have a look around - video lessons, songs, theory, links, etc. The menu is at the top of this page. I'm based in Oxford UK and apart from running my own 4-piece music group Moonrakers I collaborate with other professional tutors in running multi-instrumental workshops and individuals classes for ukulele, guitar, bouzouki and whistles. If you have any enquiries, email me on moonrakerscelticmusic@gmail.com or call 01865 769206 and we'll set something up.
This is what's on offer:
Individual one-to-one tuition.
We can arrange regular sessions or just a few ad hoc lessons to move you on a little. This is useful for those who want to join the workshop sessions but can't quite keep up - don't worry, we'll sort you out. The lessons are 1 hour at £30 and include a personalised follow-up video of what we did.
Zoom Lessons
Yes, the 21st century means we don't even have to be in the same room for you to enjoy the full benefits of a lesson. From anywhere in the world I can beam into your life through the ether and show you all you wish to know about playing the ukulele. Contact me on moonrakerscelticmusic@gmail.com and we'll set something up for the usual £30, including a follow-up video.
Folk Orchestra & Ukulele workshops
Each year I and other tutors (Jacqui Johnson, Sam Muir, Phil Dolman) hold residential and day workshops across the UK. Go to the Events page for details. They are a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a whole weekend or a day of tuition and group playing.
If you have a corporate event, or just a bunch of enthusiasts, I'm happy to arrange something for you. The session would usually last about 1.5 hours and you’ll learn about:
• Some new chords and ideas on how to spice up your playing
• Strumming techniques suitable for different styles and songs
• Fingerstyle playing as well as strumming
• A little bit of chord theory (but not too much!)
• Advice on purchasing instruments, strings, etc
Email me if you're interested and we'll keep in touch.
To start with, go to the Videos and Theory pages on this site (click on the above) where you'll find a few ideas. Also welcome to contact me any time on 01865 769206.
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Testimonials
"Thank you so much for another really instructive and enjoyable weekend. It is always interesting to meet and spend time with other players and see how the mix will work, and we think it worked particularly well " Nigel Rea, Benslow Music, Sep 2023. "Thank you so much for such a lovely weekend. It was a small oasis of peace and music and kindness, with a few chuckles along the way." Mick Atkin, Benslow Music, June 2022. "Thanks to you all for a great weekend at Halsway Manor. I have immediately booked again for next year!" Jacki Reason, Halsway Manor, May 2022 "Thank you so very much for an inspiring week with terrific music with Moonrakers Folk Orchestra. I loved it. Just the right level for me - plenty to tax the brain but not so hard I couldn’t participate." Sophie Miller, Halsway Manor, March 2022 Thank you so much for making this such an inspiring week. Your music is absolutely wonderful, and sending out course material beforehand was helpful and much appreciated! Judy, Halsway Manor, 2022 Excellent teaching style; clear and unhurried and utterly lacking in pomposity! Many thanks. Shas Cho, YouTube. I learned so much in a short space of time. The atmosphere was friendly, the tunes were fabulous and the whole experience was very fulfilling. Comment on Benslow Music Folk Orchestra, 2020. Once again, a fabulous weekend of tuition, playing together in an ensemble, and lots of new tunes and ideas. I came away buzzing ! Comment on Benslow Music Folk Orchestra, 2019. It was such an enjoyable and inspiring day (Folk Orchestra in Oxford). Excellent tutors, and the Moonrakers concert at the end was a perfect finale! Comment on the Folk Orchestra day course (Benslow Music) in Oxford, Nov 2019. What a fantastic weekend.! Very stimulating and challenging. I've gone home with a renewed determination to play my various instruments. Roll on next year! Fiona, on the Benslow Folk Orchestra, Sep 2018. Thanks for your skill and enthusiasm to bring us together last weekend. I enjoyed it very much. Margaret at Halsway Manor July 2017 I got a lot out of last weekend. I particularly liked the chord melody introduction you gave and the way we can work this into a song. Mick, on the Benslow Folk Orchestra weekend, 2016 I've sent a glowing review of the weekend to both Stroud and Cheltenham uke groups recommending your course. David, on the Hawkwood weekend 2016 I look forward to the next workshop by Jon Bennett. And now I'm off to rest my brain and ease this obsession with diminished chords. Judy, on the Cheltenham ukulele day course. |
Like so many others, I really enjoyed the weekend at Halsway. You all put so much energy and effort into the weekend it was infectious. I have immediately put my name down for next year. Liz, on Halsway Manor weekend 2015 Superb, with clear communication and lovely easy going attitudes by all the tutors. Well done! Alan, on Halsway Manor 2015 Jon's Intermediate to Advanced Ukulele video course available through Udemy Intermediate to Advanced Ukulele | Udemy has been independently rated as one of the top 2% courses from a sample of almost 100,000 online courses.
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