Preparing For the Bi-Monthly Ukulele Jam for Beginners

Twice a month the BUG (Bytown Ukulele Group) holds singalongs (and play-alongs) for novice ukulele players, like me.

A few days before the jam, an email arrives listing the songs we will be playing - my signal to begin practicing. Often we are only given the chords and strum pattern. In that case, I try to find the words online - especially if I don't know the song.

I also try to listen to a ukulele version of the song on You Tube. This time one was provided.

Occasionally the words and chords are provided in a format I can print up.

There never seems to be enough time to practice! But never mind! The first time I attended, a ukulele player sitting nearby told me he simply pretends to play if the chords are too difficult or the song is too fast!

Nobody notices. All are too busy trying to keep up themselves!

Jamming - a fun way to learn!

Ukulele Update

Playing the ukulele is one of my more recent interests. A free introductory lesson in Hawaii last winter hooked me in! Who'd have known it was so much fun to play?!

In April (back home) I bought an inexpensive ukulele and had a few more classes. I've also learned a bit more from instructional You Tube videos... (There are a lot online.)

I haven't found time to take any more classes, but I do attend a twice-monthly jam session for beginners whenever possible - held in the basement of a downtown pub.

Not sure what my next step will be... but in the meantime, I've bought some music books, a ukulele stand and a neck strap to help hold my uke stable when I'm switching chords...

Is ukulele music the new rock and roll?!! one of my sons wondered when I told him about my latest passion.

He did some research...and discovered that the ukulele has quietly been making a comeback. Ukulele sales aren't currently growing in Canada, but they are holding their own. His article "Is the Ukulele really, truly, honestly here to stay this time?" summarizes his findings.

Is the ukulele a toy or a serious musical instrument? 

I think it's a little of both! That's what makes it so much fun to play! As instruments go, it's not expensive. And it's not that hard to learn. But the sounds it can produce are amazing, especially if you're as skilled as this Ted Talk musician!

(And to think that if I hadn't gone to that free lesson in Hawaii last winter, I probably wouldn't have known any of this!)