Making Music Happen

I live in a rural area and haven't always found the opportunities to join musical groups that there are in towns and cities. But when there's nothing to be found, set something up, is my motto! Just started a ukulele band with the aim of getting people to play and sing who haven't thought of having a go before. It's a case of the blind leading the blind! We meet weekly and although I start each piece off, it's open house as to the arrangements and indeed the songs that we play/sing. Very much a community group. We were out performing yesterday and it's lovely to see people jigging up and down or singing to the music we make. OK, so we don't always get it right and bum chords creep in from time to time, but people love it and it gives us pleasure.

I think if you set up a group stating clearly you're no expert, you will get people along who want to play together or sing together - because they won't feel threatened by your expertise and the fear they'll get it wrong. As for the ukulele - it's so popular. One of the easiest instruments to learn, you don't need to be able to read music, and you can play/sing songs from any era. As for You Tube there are masses of tutorials on there and you can buy an instrument in the morning and be playing a tune and singing by the evening, though best not to buy a plastic one as they go out of tune all the time. Basically buy the best you can afford and get out there and make music. As someone once said - you can't pick up a ukulele without smiling! It's true! It's a fun instrument and music, to my mind, should be fun.