Heather Wallace
Ukes4Fun have been travelling along quietly. John Barry led one of the sessions during the month during Heather’s absence. The group was shown the benefits of using “play along ukulele’ songs, which helps with timing and use of chords, as well as a sing-a-long with the chosen song. This has been a most enjoyable exercise.
Heather Wallace
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Now that we have learnt to strum and have practised our Chord Progressions we are singing songs such as 'Tom Dooley', 'On Top of Old Smokey' and more. If you have 5 minutes watch this clip* of the group singing 'Tom Dooley' in early April. Just six sessions into the course! John Barry conducted a session on playing the same section of music in various keys and how to achieve this through Chord Progression. "Some of us have only been playing for a few weeks!" It is such a pleasure watching group members develop their ukulele skills. Heather Wallace *You will probably find the video needs buffering, is quite short and cuts off quickly... but it's fun. Usually once it's buffered through on a device it will play more quickly on that device next time.
We have learnt the various ways to strum our Ukuleles, the main chords which are used in most songs for the ukulele and have had sing alongs with a few of the easier songs.
The group was invited to attend the weekly Jigarre Uke Session to take part in some jamming sessions to see how they are run, as this is the next stage of our learning process. The Grigarre Convenor also invited the group to the Jammin’ sessions which are held on the 4th Saturday of each month - open to everybody playing a musical instrument to participate, they are attended by musicians from Victoria and NSW. Once we start jamming sessions in Benalla it will be a lot of fun for all. Heather Wallace The Girgarre Ukes group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 1.30 to 4pm at the Supper Hall at the Town hall.
Lynne recently let me know that there is also a monthly group meeting for Ukes and other like instruments on the 4th Saturday of the month in the Girgarre Supper Hall commencing at 10.30am to 4.00pm. BYO lunch, tea and coffee is available at the hall. The cost is $5.00 Songs are sung from Songbooks (supplied) and on screen. On the 4th Saturday of April there is a ‘camp weekend’ where players camp outside the hall and have a weekend of fun playing and singing. They have various sessions during this weekend, they have walk up activities (this is where players/groups prepare a song and walk up and entertain other participants). Players are most welcome to attend on the Saturday and join in the activities that are being held. The camping activity is held twice a year. I realise that Girgarre is 1 1/2 hours from Benalla but it would be a good activity to network etc. Lyn said there are a few people from Wangaratta and Euroa who attend which will give us other groups to visit and invite to play with us on a Monday when we get more settled. If you are interested in attending these activities let me know and we maybe able to arrange to go as a group and have fun playing our ukuleles. Heather 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. 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. 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.” Convenors - Heather Wallace and Dorothy Webber
Times - Weekly on Mondays from 12.45 to 1.45 pm Venue - Auditorium 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. 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. 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... |
Ukes4FunThe two Ukes4Fun groups - 'Getting Started' and 'Just Jammin' have now amalgamated as planned for Term 2. "Just Jamming""A group for uke players who can use basic cords and strumming patterns and enjoy getting together for a weekly jamming session, playing and singing songs, and having fun.
'Pop up' sessions guided by more advanced players will assist players keen to learn more complex strumming patters and chord progressions. Songs played at our 'Just Jamming' sessions may be performed by interested players at U3A and local events during the year. News of learning opportunities at ukulelel musters and other ukes related events which include skills building workshops will be shared." Weekly on Mondays
11.30 am - 1.30 pm U3A Meeting Room 1 ConvenorHeather Wallace
0418 353 244 Instructional GroupElly Smith
Neville Young plus John Barry John Sleinis and guest presenters/mentors including John Canty (Goulburn Valley U3A) ResourcesU3A Goulburn Valley Video Performances for Insipiration!
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