Chicks with Picks Melbourne

Goodness - it's the end of term already. So much as happened in our classes this short term:

* We welcomed some new and returning Chicks with Picks Melbourne students to our groups and private classes.

*In Surrey Hills, we learnt some lovely tunes including Moreton Bay and Rakes of Mallow using our major and mixolydian scales.

*The advanced guitar group in Brunswick learned three songs in Double Drop D.

*At Surrey Hills, we had two combined strum/sing/tune playing sessions during the term where we experimented with harmony singing to the 60's folk song 500 miles.

*My lovely daytime Doncaster beginner students are coming along and nailing some great chord progressions.

*I added another baritone ukulele student to the baritone crew this term.

*I've started seeing some younger students in Doncaster in the evening again which is lovely.

I have also decided to deepen my teaching practice by starting a Masters in Applied Learning and Teaching at Deakin. It's a big learning curve and an enormous workload. But it is fascinating and satisfying and already enriching my way of thinking about teaching.

Enjoy your Easter break. I hope you can join us for Term 2 starting the week of April 15th 2024.

Contact Helen: [email protected]
https://www.chickswithpicksmelbourne.com/

What a fun night in Brunswick! Our guitar group discovered the big sound of Double Drop D tuning. It is used in Bob Dylan's song, "Ballad of Hollis Brown" and Neil Young's, "Cinnamon Girl". We are now learning both those songs.

See links to songs in the comments.

The uke group welcomed some new Brunswick Chicks and we hopped into the Fugees version of "Killing me Softly". The plan is to play the chords over the drum track next week. We used a simple soul strum to sound out each chord.

If you'd like to join either group, private message us or contact Helen at [email protected]

[photo taken in West Brunswick by Adrian Wood]

Chicks with Picks Melbourne starts back this week. We have some spots in our Brunswick guitar and ukulele groups. Women's Guitar group at 7pm on Wednesday and Women's Ukulele group at 8pm on Wednesday.

We welcome new players to both groups with a free tryout class any Wednesday during term. Some playing experience essential. Drop us a line at [email protected] to book a class.

For Phoebe Bridgers fans, my niece, Marion, (who is American from Vermont) is presenting a new radio program on her local community station, Royalton Community Radio. Her show is called "Into the Phoebe-verse" and features Phoebe Bridgers music, her influences, her cohort and the artists who have played with her, for her or supported her.

You can stream Marions' lastest "Into the Phoebe-Verse" podcast here: https://royaltonradio.dreamhosters.com/podcasts/Phoebeverse/stream.mp3

Or check out Vermont's very own community radio station website here. If you're ever in Vermont, USA, (it shares a border with Canada) there are lots of open mikes and community music evenings around this beautiful little state: https://www.royaltonradio.org/

Royalton Community Radio Royalton Community Radio WFVR 96.5 FM South Royalton, VT New RCR Gear Available! Support Royalton Community Radio by wearing our unique t-shirt. Visit the Royalton Community Radio Store! Support Royalton Community Radio! Jim Rooney, Todd Tyson and Ralph Molinario “onstage” at this year’s Jenny...

Chicks with Picks Melbourne is now in DONCASTER! Our new guitar and ukulele beginner classes for women begin on Thursday 5th October in Doncaster. Enrol and become part of a lovely musical community. Find out more: https://www.chickswithpicksmelbourne.com

The NEW CHICKS WITH PICKS MELBOURNE WEBSITE is here! Click through for information on lessons, group classes, events, blog posts. There's lots of buttons and links to press on; each one is a portal into a new adventure. Enjoy!

Home | Chicks With Picks Melbourne|Guitar and Ukulele Lessons for Women Chicks with Picks Melbourne provides guitar and ukulele lessons for women across Melbourne. Learn privately or with other women at our sites in Doncaster, St Kilda, Brunswick and Surrey Hills.

What happened at Winter School hosted by Chicks with Picks Melbourne and Women's Guitar Group besides musical breakthroughs, new friendships and gorgeous big group playing on guitars and ukes? Read about here:

WHAT HAPPENED AT WINTER SCHOOL 2023? .......a brilliant weekend. Musical breakthrough's were made, new friendships formed, new skills were learned and tried, and inspiring music

Just a reminder that Winter School is this weekend. Saturday 12th August in Surrey Hills and Sunday 13th August in Brunswick.

If you haven't bought your tickets, there's still time. Day tickets are available if you can't make the weekend

Here's the ticket link: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

Hope to see you there,

Yours in strumming,

Helen

Disappointing news - Women's Guitar Group and Chicks with Picks Melbourne have to cancel Winter School this weekend. I've(Helen) tested positive to Covid last night and won't be out of isolation until Sunday.

Good news - we have moved the weekend to the 12th/13th August. What promises to be a fantastic weekend will still go ahead! We hope you can join us then.

Countdown to Winter School. It's this Saturday so if haven't enrolled. Now is the time. Tix: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

Here's a Winter School Pick Pattern. This is one of the patterns we'll be using on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of July.

Tix and more information: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

https://youtu.be/bF1XVp2euQQ

Winter School Picking Pattern Come to Winter School.....1st/2nd July 2023. For more info and tickets : https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

A Winter School strum pattern. Hope you can make it to Winter School for the song reveal! 1st/2nd July in Melbourne.
For more information and tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

https://youtu.be/EiqwNTVO-90

Winter School Strum Pattern One of the strum patterns you'll learn at Winter School. 1st and 2nd July, 2023. For more info and tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT

We're excited to launch our first ever Weekend Winter School in partnership with Women's Guitar Group. Two days of ukulele, guitar and singing ensembles and workshops on the first weekend in July. Held at two venues, in two suburbs with two teachers, Helen Begley from Chicks with Picks Melbourne and Rachel Wilson from Women's Guitar Group. Singers welcome.
To book or for more information:
Tix: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWUT
Contact : [email protected]

Chicks with Picks Melbourne “Chicks with Picks Melbourne” is a community of women and girls (and the occasional bloke) who l

Chicks with Picks Melbourne has set up lessons in Doncaster!
I'm excited to announce that I have started teaching guitar and ukulele from my music room in Doncaster (Melbourne). I love my music room space. It's warm and friendly, and a great space to make music in the North Eastern suburbs accompanied by the Parrots and Currawongs and the family of magpies that hang out in the backyard.

I do hope you can join me and the birds for a strum and a warble.
Contact Helen: [email protected]

We have two shows at The Melbourne Uke Festival this year!

Sat 18th March
Open Studio at 12.30pm
Helen's Solo Show featuring songs from her album "West Brunswick"

Sun 19th March
Wesley Anne 11.30am
Chicks with Picks Melbourne
Ukes and Guitars and 1 banjo

Bring your ukuleles to both shows to join in the fun.

I've been busy preparing the wall of sound in the new Doncaster(Melbourne) teaching space. Every Thursday evening, you can sit and learn guitar, ukulele or work on your original songs in this room. Alongside me(Helen), your teacher and/or songwriting mentor. Message me via messenger or Whatsapp for more info or email [email protected]

Waiting for the plane with paper and pen; thinking! I'm thinking about starting two new 5 week group courses. Introduction to Ukulele for Women and Introduction to Guitar for Women. Thursday evenings in Doncaster(Melbourne). What do YOU think?

The happy faces of Chicks with Picks Melbourne Summer School. Joined by the men from MOMMA - Men of Mystical Musical Ability Ukulele Group

We had a ball today. We played through the repertoire we'd worked on during the week. We sang, we strummed, and we picked. We even talked about dancing. Then we had cups of tea and caught up before more playing and singing. A top week!

Term 1 starts next week. If you'd like to join a group or have private tuition in Surrey Hills, St Kilda, Doncaster or Brunswick private message Helen or email [email protected]

Waiting for Summer School students. It's a combined ukulele/guitar session tonight.

Thanks to my Mum for the embroidered notebook cover. It's such a cheerful addition to my teaching tools. Made by an embroiderer from the Bendigo Branch of the Victorian Embroidery Guild.

If you'd like to book in for some ukulele or guitar lessons direct message me. Our teaching term starts next week. Message me(Helen) for the details.

We're baaaaack! It's time to enrol for Term 1, 2023. We have a wonderful, musical term planned to ease you into the New Year.
Classes in ukulele and guitar. Groups or Private tuition. For those interested in performance we have a planned local festival performance in March. Classes in Surrey Hills on Monday, St Kilda on Tuesday, Brunswick on Wednesday and Doncaster on Thursday - Yes, that's right! Doncaster!

Starts Monday 6th February.

Book here: https://www.musicteacher.com.au/helen-begley/

Merry Christmas everyone. Here's a cheeky Christmas song for the season. Written by myself and my friend Emily Hayes a number of years ago....I think it still has legs. It's dedicated to my friend, Rachae,l who doesn't like Christmas Carols.

Have a wonderful season. Stay tuned for info about our Summer School 31st January to 4th February 2023.

Helen x

Give me the Strength (A Christmas Song)....by Helen Begley and Emily Hayes Link to the words and chords for anyone who'd like to play along: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kapXzDlJTvNTVVXCxX8yJn0i8mQ_dSyU/view?usp=share_linkDedica...

I had a brilliant chat with Melanie Long and Jade Tinkler from WomenFolk about this folk life and what it's been like to move through it as a song writer, performer, teacher, sole parent and now a grandparent. Hope you get a chance to listen to it. I also highly recommend their interview with Ruth HazLeton - it's a brilliant conversation. Thanks WomenFolk

Women Folk • A podcast on Anchor Create, distribute, host, and monetize your podcast, 100% free.

Today, Cass tells us why she keeps coming back to class.

Let Helen know if you'd like to join Cass at one of Chicks with Picks Melbourne classes. We have lots of ukulele classes and a guitar and baritone ukulele small group class on a Monday in Surrey Hills( at 6pm. Contact Helen at [email protected] for more information.

What keeps you coming back to music classes, Cass?

It's time to knock off for the week. I wasn't a huge Prince fan at the time this song came out. But, on second listen, he is a master producer and arranger. The way this song is put together is simple, clean and brilliant. We've tried to replicate it on ukulele and guitar. It's super fun to play. Here's Prince showing us how!

Prince & The Revolution - Kiss (Official Music Video) "Kiss" from 'Parade' (1986)☔️ Listen to more Prince here https://lnk.to/PrinceStream📺 Watch all the official Prince videos here http://bit.ly/PrinceVideogra...

Saviour Complex is a gorgeous song by Phoebe Bridgers. Here's how you play it on guitar. Enjoy!

Saviour Complex Guitar by Phoebe Bridgers Sheet Music link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xS2yE2hgdd8uE6W0q6Ds8NcA5z_uz503/view?usp=sharing