Is this the year you learn how to play the Ukulele?
Maybe you havenβt really thought of it before, or maybe you were just about to fire up an Ukulele tutorial on Youtube and give your new soprano a try. If youβre interested in adding musician to your long list of accomplishments, then read on.
I will try in this small article to convince you that the Ukulele is one of the most charming, whimsical, magical, and magestical little instruments that you could ever hope to find.
I bought my first ukulele in New Zealand over 15 years ago. I was with a hilarious gal I had met at the hostel, and we had a blast walking around the gorgeous town of Mount Maunganui near Tauranga. Somehow we ended up in a music shop and purchased some ukuleles.
I never actually learned to play my ukulele in New Zealand, but I did strum on it for a kind of beat and rhythm while I wrote quite a few songs.
Years later, back in Canada, I taught myself to play chords and, months later, was overwhelmed with pride when I could finally sing and play at the same time. A short time after that, I signed up for private and group lessons, went to a few ukulele jams and then joined an Ukulele Orchestra.
I absolutely adore the ukulele and canβt imagine my life without this perfect little instrument. It has kept me company during lonely times, introduced me to others through clubs and jams, encouraged me to express myself through writing my own music, and helped me experience my favorite artistβs music in a way that listening or singing alone could not do.
For a few years, airlines didnβt charge extra for small musical instruments, so when I traveled, I would buy an ukulele at each of my destinations. A playable souvenir. A little more expensive than a snow globe but a lot more social and fun.
A purple ukulele from Dublin that I actually forgot in the hostel lounge, and the airport shuttle bus driver took me back to getβββso kind. A light wood Tenor(larger than the average soprano or concert ukulele) I bought in Santiago, Chile, and played for days at the backpackers and later on Easter Island sitting on a log looking out at the pacific ocean.
A pineapple-shaped ukulele (see in the picture above) that a friend gave me for my birthday at the airport in Varadero, Cuba. An unbelievably sweet gift indeed. And a tenor that I bought in Barcelona that my future husband also bought for himself (both pictured above) a week or so later. We have more ukuleles, and I donβt think anyone ever buys an ukulele without a sentimental origin story to go along with it.
In some ukulele clubs, it is quite common to christen and name your new ukulele. Itβs quite funny to watch. A ukulele player, usually in some kind of vintage Hawaiian floral shirt and socks with sandals, takes their ukulele to the front of the room where a club leader introduces the ukulele, asks its name, hits some kind of gong and says, for example,
Club leader β βAnd what is the name of this fine ukulele?β
Ukulele player ββ βThis is Thelma, my new Kala tenor, all the way from Hawaii, just in time for the summer season.β
At which point, the whole club yells,
βHi, Thelma!β
And proceeds to clap loudly with some hoops and hollers from some of the more rowdy members.
Thatβs it. Then the ukulele player and Thelma sit down.
Of course, not all clubs are as friendly and organized, but thatβs okay because the ukulele is well suited for beaches, parks, mountain tops, or quiet moments at home. Strumming along to thousands of songs with just a few chords or practicing epic ukulele solos that would make Jimi Hendrix sit up and take notice.
Whether you are in your favorite chair by the fireplace or in front of your computer, there are so many resources to enhance your ukulele experience.
Some of my favorites are Hal Leonard Publishing for great books of chord/sheet music to popular hits and classics, as well as online sites such as Ukutabs and Chordify.
If you canβt find a teacher in your area or youβre looking to become a teacher yourself, look no further then Uketropolis.
Created and run by the world-renowned ukulele player James Hill and his jolly group of ukulele enthusiasts from all over the world. You can buy books, take online courses or make your way through the three levels of Ukulele teacher certification.
As well they have a great online community with regular zoom jams, book clubs, Q and Aβs, and special holiday events. I attended their Halloween event last year and it was so funny, even a little bit spooky.
Well, Iβm not sure if Iβve convinced anyone else but now I feel like jamming!
If you have any questions or want more info about how to get started leave a comment or check back from time to time for more ukulele tales and tunes!
