est. 2025
Our Teacher - Manitoba Hal
Manitoba Hal is a Canadian blues artist, ukulele master and singer-songwriter. He has led ukulele workshops at blues and folk festivals around the world for 20 years. Saturday Uke Club is an online ukulele community dedicated to learning roots and blues music. All content is aimed at beginner players to early intermediate players with handouts provided and workshop videos archived for further study. All workshops are on Saturdays at 2pm Atlantic Time/1pm Eastern Time.
Spring/Summer 2026 Workshop Series
MAR 21st - GAMBLER'S BLUES WORKSHOP
A beginner-friendly blues workshop using classic songs about "gamblers and grifters."
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: 12-bar blues, 1 - 4 - 5 chords, simple fingerpicking, blues rhythm
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
MAY 16th - ONE CHORD WORKSHOP
This workshop focuses on a single chord, students can master groove, dynamics, and storytelling without worrying about complex changes.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: Get yer strumming arm in shape
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
APR 18th - HARD LUCK BLUES WORKSHOP
This easy ukulele blues workshop focuses on "hard luck" themes—tales of trouble and woe—using foundational blues techniques.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: 12-bar blues, 7th chords, simple fingerpicking, basic scales
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
JUN 20th - HAPPY BLUES WORKSHOP
This workshop focuses on the "Happy Blues"—upbeat, major-key songs that use the 12-bar blues structure to create a joyful, foot-tapping energy.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: Happy chords, upbeat rhythms and songs
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
All workshops are held on Zoom at 2pm Atlantic Time (1pm Eastern)
Summer/Fall 2026 Workshop Series
JUL 18th - FISHIN' BLUES WORKSHOP
This ukulele blues workshop uses the theme of fishing to explore classic blues forms, storytelling, and rhythmic grooves. It centers on the legendary "Fishin' Blues"—a staple of the early 1900s Piedmont blues style that is ideally suited for the ukulele's bright tone.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: 12-bar blues, 7th chords, Piedmont Bounce, Swing Rhythm
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
OCT 17th - HAUNTED BLUES WORKSHOP
This easy ukulele workshop combines standard blues structures with spooky themes. It is designed for beginners to learn fundamental blues techniques while playing haunting, Halloween-inspired tunes.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: Minor Chord blues, Eerie chords, Ghost Notes, Spooky sounds
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
AUG 15th - LAZY SUMMER BLUES WORKSHOP
This intermediate workshop focuses on the "lazy" side of the blues—slowing down the tempo to explore rich chord voicings, expressive slides, and sophisticated turnarounds that define a relaxed, soulful sound.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: Slow blues, 6/8 Rhythm, Introduction to Slide, Chicago Turnaround
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
NOV 21st - HOLIDAY BLUES WORKSHOP
This workshop focuses on "Zat You, Santa Claus?" alongside similar jazz-inflected holiday blues. The goal is to move beyond standard carols and into a "swing-blues" feel using easy chord substitutions and rhythmic patterns.
Level: Beginner to Early Intermediate
Skills You Will Learn: 7th chords, Diminished Chords, Swing Rhythm, Ornamental tricks
Tuning: Standard ukulele (g-C-E-A)
All workshops are held on Zoom at 2pm Atlantic Time (1pm Eastern)
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I BOOK A SINGLE WORKSHOP?
Short answer? No. These workshops are being offered as a series. If you've just seen this and the series has started, reach out and we'll see what we can do.
WHAT IS STANDARD UKULELE TUNING?
Standard Ukulele Tuning is also known as C6 Tuning. The strings are tuned to the notes g C E A from the string closest to your face to the string closest to the floor.
WHY IS THE 'g' IN g C E A LOWER CASE/WHAT IS REENTRANT TUNING?
The ukulele is tuned in reentrant tuning. That means that the scales starts higher and then returns to a lower note before it progresses higher. This is also talked about by saying high G or low G tuning. In print the high G tuning is denoted by a lower case g while the low G tuning uses the upper case G.
I KEEP SEEING DOCK STREET UKE CAMP. WHAT IS THAT?
Dock Street Uke Camp is a yearly music camp held in Shelburne Nova Scotia on the 3rd weekend in September. The camp was founded by Manitoba Hal and Nicole Colbeck. The workshop series web page is being hosted on the ukulele camp's website and that is why you their menu appears at the top of the page when you register for the workshops.
HOW LONG IS EACH WORKSHOP?
Each workshop is appox 75 mins. After an initial welcome and getting settled period the instruction will last 60 mins.
WILL THERE BE ANY HOMEWORK BETWEEN WORKSHOPS?
There won't be any specific homework however you can revisit the workshop after the workshop to refresh your memory as you practice the skills you learn. You will receive handouts covering the material to add to your own practice routine.
WHY ARE THERE NO WORKSHOPS IN SEPT, DEC, JAN AND FEB?
The pause in September is because the Dock Street Uke Camp happens in September and Manitoba Hal and Nicole Colbeck will be busy hosting that event. There is also a break for the holiday season and early winter. We may expand offerings for the 2027 year. We'll keep you posted.
ARE THERE ANY DISCOUNT CODES AVAILABLE?
Members of Manitoba Hal's Patreon page receive a discount coupon for these workshops as do past attendees of the Dock Street Uke Camp.
Sat, Mar 21Online Workshop SeriesMar 21st - 2:00pm - Gambler's Blues Workshop Apr 18th - 2:00pm - Hard Luck Blues Workshop May 16th - 2:00pm - One Chord Workshop Jun 20th - 2:00pm - Happy Blues Workshop
Sat, Jul 18Online Workshop SeriesJul 18th - 2:00pm - Fishin' Blues Workshop Aug 15th - 2:00pm - Lazy Summer Blues Workshop Oct 17th - 2:00pm - Haunted Blues Workshop Nov 21st - 2:00pm - Holiday Blues Workshop
The Saturday Uke Club webpage is hosted by Dock Street Uke Camp. Workshops are hosted online via Zoom.