How do you turn a melody into an arrangement that gives every player something meaningful to play? In the Ukulele Arranging Lab, we’ll explore what happens when you change the harmony, give the bass line a direction of its own, or bring an inner voice forward.

You’ll build those skills one musical decision at a time. We’ll start with melodies and the chords that support them, then work toward fuller arrangements with parts that listen and respond to one another.

What we’ll study

Quarter 1 · Major Melody & Harmony
Work with major and pentatonic melodies, I–IV–V harmony, and the harmonized major scale. Harmonize melodies in thirds and hear how chord choices and voice leading shape a phrase.

Quarter 2 · The Minor World
Explore natural, harmonic, and melodic minor. Hear what each offers and how those differences affect the melodies and harmonies you write.

Quarter 3 · Bass, Counterpoint & Harmonic Movement
Write bass lines that give the music direction. Explore contrary motion, counterpoint, voice leading, chord substitutions, and selected ideas from jazz harmony.

Quarter 4 · Putting It All Together
Develop fuller arrangements by shaping texture, dynamics, inner voices, and form. Try adding, thinning out, or reworking parts to hear how each change affects the ensemble.

Throughout the year, we’ll listen across styles, from Baroque to blues, jazz, and pop. A choice that sounds right in one style can change the character of a piece in another. We’ll listen for those differences and use them to make more intentional choices.

How the Lab works

Expect assignments between meetings and come ready to share what you’ve tried. Our live Zoom sessions will give us time to listen to work in progress, compare approaches, ask questions, and give feedback. Worksheets, exercises, and short prerecorded lessons may support the work between meetings.

Guitar Pro is strongly preferred. If you need a copy, I can extend my half-price student offer to you.

Join the 2027 founding cohort

Pay in full · $750 for the year
Pay in two installments · $395 each ($790 total)