Unfortunately both Heather and Dorothy are unwell, leading to the late cancellation of today's class.  Emails have been sent out - we do hope you received yours.  Hopefully Heather will be well enough next week to lead the session.  Fingers crossed!

Bev Lee
Website Manager

​There has been a good response to this course, which covers learning to play the Ukulele from scratch, though there are a few people who have played this instrument previously.     A few of the Ukuleles have been sitting at the back of the wardrobe for a number of years.
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We have been following a 10-week course available on You Tube which commences from the very beginning, how to tune, how to hold the ukulele, and basic chords.    We even learnt “You are my Sunshine”

The following sessions have been a review of the first week, followed by learning one of the strumming patterns.    We are also learning to use our chords to play some songs, it is so good to hear the group playing and singing together.    We will be learning further strumming patterns in the coming weeks and when to use these patterns.

​We have also found that the best way to learn the ukulele is to have regular practice sessions at home, where we can learn to move from one chord to another with ease, without looking at the strings.  

  
Heather Wallace

Just a reminder to click on CC at the bottom of the screen  if you'd like to follow the subtitles.  Another hint - you can slow the video down a little by clicking on settings then changing the speed from Normal to .75. 

Here's the link to the class resource for the first four sessions or so - 

Weekly sessions of Ukes4Fun commence on Monday 6th February at 12.45pm to 1.45pm in the Seniors Auditorium.    

Remember to bring along your Ukes, stands (recipe stand, music stand, Ipad cushion), tuners (if you have them), and most importantly yourself.    It is a fun course, with lots of laughter and eventually lots of singing and the tapping of feet.   

Just a suggestion, do not use hand lotion before you play your Uke.   It will affect the strings and you will eventually have residue up and down the fretboard.  
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Aldi have music stands and tuners in the Specials area on Wednesday 1st February.   They also have advertised other accessories, so it may be handy to have a look.
 
Until we all get confident in our Ukes (and have practiced), there will be handouts each week.   Also, there will be song sheets given out for you to practice prior to our next activity so that we can build up our own song books to bring along each week.    

​I am so looking forward to meeting you all and having an enjoyable hour together.

Heather Wallace

​​“Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument?  Perhaps you have played a ukulele, guitar or banjo in the past and have always wanted to get back to playing music?

The ukulele is simple to learn and lots of fun as an activity with others.  Using ‘Uke3A Introduction to learning the ukulele’ as a guide you will learn how to hold, tune and play simple chords on your ukulele, with a variety of strumming patterns. 

You will get lots of support and will have fun learning together.  Before you know it, you’ll be accompanying songs. 

You will need a ukulele of reasonable quality, a music stand, and a tuner.”

Heather Wallace and Bev Lee recently visited U3A Goulburn Valley's Uke Group in Shepparton.  The group meets every Monday from 12.15 to 1.15 'sharp', however smaller 'breakout' groups were playing in different parts of the building before and after the meeting. 
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We were made so welcome!  Greeted warmly and encouraged to sit in with the group, we watched as retired teacher and 'rock' guitarist John Canty worked with his class, ourselves supported by Geoff Holland, who is being mentored by John to become an alternative group leader. ​

It wasn't long before Heather, who has agreed to be the convenor and 'guide' to our soon to be established Ukes4Fun' group, was sharing a music stand with Geoff and playing along with the group.

​John and Geoff willingly shared information about the establishment and operation of the group with us, and are happy to provide us with support in future. 
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Thank you so much to John, Geoff, Elizabeth (Secretary of U3A Goulburn Valley) and members of Shepparton's Uke3A group, for making us so welcome!

Bev Lee

We're in the early planning stages and have been inspired by – videos of performances by U3A Goulburn Valley in Shepparton – well worth watching and definitely inspirational!

We've also come across-

After a while it will all come together...