Definitive meeting times for the current month are shown in the Monthly Calendar.
This ukulele group was formed in April 2018 aimed at beginners, with the emphasis on having fun through playing and singing a variety of music on this versatile instrument.
The sessions soon evolved as members wanted to know more about the technical side of the instrument, such as types of instruments, woods used, and types of strings. From the basics of how to tune, the group has progressed to learn different styles of playing, using both strummed chord patterns and finger picking as accompaniments to songs. To enhance understanding, some musical theory, how to read ukulele tablature and basic standard musical notation, are taught.
In November 2018, we took part in our first performance as part of “U3A in the Afternoon”. This was a most enjoyable collaboration with other U3A performing groups. Also in that November, some of us went to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and came away wondering if we could ever be that good!
During the Covid lockdowns this group continued to meet over Zoom. As the tutor, I was amazed at how much confidence everyone had gained when we returned to the United Reformed Church.
We continue to develop our musical skills, both theory and playing. The group is now trying to master a variety of new chords, such as moveable barre chords further up the fretboard, in order to create a more interesting accompaniment sound. Between us, we now play all the different sizes of ukulele, from soprano to bass.
Since the end of lockdown, we have performed several times, for instance at All Saints Church, Streetly, Christmas Tree Festival, and in the Gracechurch Shopping Centre to celebrate forty years of the u3a.
Playing the ukulele is a wonderful way to have fun and make new friends, while giving your brain a jolly good workout!
To join this group, you will need a ukulele, tuner and music stand. You should be able
to play the basic chords and perhaps know how to finger pick as well as strum the
instrument.
There is also a
Beginners group. Please see the information about it on this website.