STARTING A UKULELE GROUP

By Tavit (and the whole In Bed By Ten group!)

I have found (and this is an obvious statement) that marketing is THE most important

factor. Up here (In Rhode Island) we hung up posters for two months in restaurants,

pizza parlors, college campuses, hardware stores... We actually kept posters in the

back seat of the car and hung them anywhere people let us -- and then we would re-

visit those places and replace any old posters. Also, Craigs List was a huge place to

with strangers – who then became new members, and I

always carry business cards that say “You Can Learn

Ukulele” with my contact info on it as well as the web

address of the IBBT website. BTW – Always

emphasize the word “FREE”!

As you can see, I let people know that ALL skill levels were

welcome by advertising “lessons” and a “Jam Session”.

I also tried to generate "hits" on the Internet by posting to as

logo on the bottom of each (you've seen it) with my name. I've had people come up to

me saying that they had played my ("our") music in their groups. It gives our group

recognition.

I firmly believe that people LOVE getting free stuff - thus the customized In Bed By

Ten Kazoos that I purchased at Kazoobie (the best kazoos made).

new chords, or new chord progressions that I find cool. Also, I have changed my way

of handling the first few classes -- and now use a one-chord song, followed by two

two-chord songs, before I go to my Ukulele Circle of Life (C, Am, F, G7) with four

chords. I emphasize the importance of being aware of the

chord “shapes” so people

get comfortable moving the shapes to play a different chord

(ie: The F chord and the C9 – or the G7 and the F#m) (it

also makes playing the uke look a whole lot easier).

Oh... and another thing that I think is important is to hold

projector so I can project the songs against a screen at the front of the class. I recently

used a Viewsonic PJD5134 SVGA DLP 3000 lumen projector (Sears has it for

$292.00). I will STILL have the song packets available on our IBBT website so

people can print and use them if they wish, but I found that people were expecting me

to come with copies and it was costing me $40/week. I didn't mind the cost, but I

realized that the projected songs with chords kept everyone focused ahead (and the

singing was louder also!). Plus, six sessions with me NOT paying for music handouts

pays for the projector!

What else... Oh, breaking up the 2 hour session by having people come to the front

something free!). Some people were too

nervous to perform alone and I either ask

the group to play along, or I offer to play

with them (they still get an award!). Ahh

yes… I also give diplomas at our last

sessions.

THING YOU ARE GOING FOR!!!! Not only have

my groups spawned other groups, but, I've noticed

that people are now coming early and chatting with

each other. They are also spending time after

sessions to talk! (So, get there early, and leave 10 -

15 minutes after each session – give attendees some

space for socializing). I usually introduce people both before and during the sessions

-- most times comically with a joke.

I'm going to keep rambling because I have often thought about posting something

tried it and having written beautiful, and very personal

songs. They were very well received by everyone with

much applause! And the new “songwriters” were very

proud!

Try to find a U-bass player (or simply a bass player --

even a washtub bass player) to add depth to the music.

One guitarist would be nice, and if you are lucky enough

to find one, a good hand percussionist! I always want to

give people the experience of playing in a band.

as the old Armenian saying goes, "If you hear it

once, ignore it. If you hear it twice, consider it. If

you hear it three times, accept it."

The sense of identity and belonging is important.

That's why I tell everyone they are now part of the

the library. Oh… and I pick up every toy uke that I can find in Goodwills and

Salvation Army stores – I give them out as awards and sign the backs! It’s always fun

to hand out a Kermit The Frog or Disney Princess

Uke! We’ve also had our groups sign the backs

of inexpensive “real” ukes to give away!

Hmmmm.. what else? Oh... I know. At a bar up

here records people at open mic night and emails

them the MP3 of them playing, and also gives

them a photo of themselves (another reason to

Here in Rhode Island I ran a contest called

"Take Your Ukulele Out In The World".

People had to take pictures of themselves

"out in the world" and submit them. We had

some very funny pictures! One fellow went

to a farm and took pictures of himself

playing his uke for barn yard animals.

NOT EVER want to restrict my group by skill levels. I have taken a lot of flack about

this, but I'd rather not teach at all, than to make anyone feel that they either aren't good

enough, or can't play, or can't learn, or be too embarrassed to try. I've been in groups

in which - if you didn't know more than 15 chords - you were just left to sit there

feeling out-of-place. That's why I ALWAYS set aside the first 40 minutes or so to go

have found that they are NOT interested in learning how to read music, learn theory,

or learn the history of the instrument. They just want to play and sing as soon as

possible. The sooner you can get someone to learn three chords (usually C, F, and G7

or G), the sooner you have them hooked! Get newbies involved in the joy of making

music as quickly as you can! Add additional chords slowly (depending upon your

newbie’s abilities) – some can learn one chord a week, others can absorb four or

more! Use FAMILIAR songs! Nothing will kill enthusiasm faster than giving

someone a song they’ve never heard before. If the tune isn’t in their head, it won’t be

in their fingers.

Tavit