Ukulele
Convenor: John Stafford
Meets: The Mint on alternate Mondays from 10:15 to set up and 10:30 to start playing.
It's essentially a beginners group, with newcomers starting together at two or three sessions a year. There has to be a limit on numbers, so please contact John Stafford to be added to the waiting list. No need to read music or be able to play an instrument or sing.
We will start from the beginning every time there are new members, with other members supporting the new member and reviewing the easy material. It's very easy to start playing the ukulele. You'll be strumming chords and singing along by the end of the first meeting. After that, you practise, preferably for twenty minutes a day. This will harden your sore fingers and also get your ukulele to hold its tuning better.
We won't be using sheet music, but simple sheets with the words of a song and the chords to play. The minimum equipment is a ukulele of any sort. If you can borrow a one from a friend, you can get used to playing before you choose your own. If you are buying, it's best to buy from a shop where you can try them and someone knows about them. Around £50 for nice beginner's instrument. If you can afford more, £70- £100 will buy a uke that you will be satisfied with for years. Ask for a recommendation at the shop. You will also need a chromatic electronic tuner. If you have a tablet or smart phone, you can get a free app instead, just search in the App Store or Play store.
John Stafford is the convenor for the group. He started a similar group when he was in Worcester U3A, which now has 30 members and performs several times a year.