Today, I had my first ukulele lesson with Bob Warren, a well-known singer, composer, and music teacher who lives just about 15 minutes away. He was patient, clear, and very supportive.
He knows what he is doing. He exudes confidence and calm.
My Dyslexia makes it very difficult for me to learn things like chords and finger positioning and remember them. I’m wary of teaching things like that, but I want to do this.
Bob was patient and creative in teaching me the G and C chords, two of which were necessary for learning our first song, “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie. I’m a big Guthrie fan; I even visited the Woody Guthrie museum in Oklahoma and have a woody Guthrie cap around.
I’ve been practicing at home to see if I can remember it, and I’m doing well. Bob insists I’ll be playing the ukelele in a few weeks, well enough to join his ukelele and guitar club which meets once a month.
I’d love to be able to play with that group and will work hard at it. I warned him it might take me a little longer. He said he saw no signs of that. I played it for Maria when I got home, and she said she liked the sound.
The ukelele is a sometimes goofy, sometimes silly starter instrument for people who want to have fun and are perhaps too old to learn a more complex tool. I’m in both categories.
Many music teachers start people out with the ukelele and move on to guitars. I think I’ll be happy to stay with the ukulele.
It’s recently become wildly popular; it’s caught on with young musicians and older people. There are ukelele clubs all over the country. Lady Gaga and Betty Midler are ukelelu players.
It seems to me not to be as easy as everyone says, but that might mean it’s not going to be that easy for me.
There is a lot to learn, but even if I master just a few chords, I can play a thousand songs on the ukelele, which would be enough for me, especially to start with.
Bob was teaching me chords as simple as they get, but I was sweating it a bit. I admit to being nervous.
I was very comfortable working with Bob in his garage, which doubles as a music studio. He is easy to talk to and gentle in his teaching. I told him I didn’t have much good luck with teachers, but I was okay with him.
He never seemed to mind going over it again and again and again.
I almost had fun.
(My homework)
Bob and I are becoming friends. In addition to his music, he and his wife Bonnie have launched their very successful food cart, “A Little Paris,” making delicious crepes in Paris style. We only met a few weeks ago at his food cart.
We just hit it off.
He insists I’ll have no trouble picking up on playing the ukelele.
I’m excited about it and am taking it seriously.
I’ve always loved listening to music, and I very much love the idea of making some, even if it isn’t worthy of the New York Philharmonic or Billboard.
My will is strong, my goals are modest, and I will be rehearsing over the next week and will keep you all posted.
I’ve never really been a good student, but it’s never too late to try. Working with Bob is an excellent way to start.
George Harrison was famous for having Ukulele sessions with all his musician friends at his house :). Fun stuff, good for you!!!
I love the idea, I’ll play for the donkeys…
The donkeys will sing along!! I can almost guarantee it!! Glad you’re doing this and he’s a great, patient teacher.
That’s a thought…:)
Ha! Excellent!!
Hope you persevere and have fun with the Uke! I taught myself (to a VERY limited degree) to play piano…….. but I was never able to read music. I played by ear only. My brain doesn’t *do* math, or read and comprehend sheet music…….but my ear is good. Perhaps you are the same? Creating music comes from the heart and soul…….you will do well, I think. Sadly, I had to sell my spinet piano when we moved here 28 yrs. ago…..house foundation not strong enough to support its weight, so I sold it…………but I still play it in my head
Susan M
Thanks I’ll stick with it..
I’m hoping for a video around the flower beds of Tip Toe Through The Tulips or substitute your flower of choice.
You can do this.
Just a thought Jon…you might enjoy playing the spoons…or perhaps Maria would so that she can accompany you. I tried for years to find “my” instrument! Findally found it i n my kitchen drawer!
Thanks Susan, I don’t think the spoons are for me, but if the ukelele doesn’t work out, it’s worth a try..
Stop making excuses for character flaws. There is excellent recovery training for dyslexia.
Oh my god, Cade, you sound like some of the nightmare teachers I had; chills down my spine. If you knew a thing about Dyslexia, you would know that this is the absolutely worst thing you could say to a dyslexic or anybody with a learning disability; it’s just a way of shaming people with a problem. Shame on you.
That’s just like telling somebody with ADD or autism that they should stop whining and take some magical “excellent” programs.
Dyslexia has prevented me from doing absolutely nothing (they told me I could never have a blog), and I’ve been in an excellent recovery program that has helped me tremendously. Unlike you, they are very supportive of me and my approach to it. Learning to deal with it has been the gift of a lifetime.
I posted this message hoping it would stop you or anyone else from sending this insensitive – think Archie Bunker – message to someone you don’t know a thing about. You have absolutely no idea how I have or have not handled my Dyslexia; I can’t imagine why you are bloviating about it.
In my very excellent workshop, I also learned to stop hiding it, which I did for most of my life, and come out into the open; that’s the first thing my very fine program taught me. Let people know. Presumably, that keeps insensitive people like you from writing things like this.
I guess it doesn’t always work. My wish for you is that you find better things to do than intrude into some stranger’s life in this thoughtless way. Aside from me, people with learning disorders deserve better.
I am glad I stopped hiding it and that I refer to it when appropriate. I’ll learn the ukelele in my own way and be honest bout it every step of the way, making explanations for my bumps honestly and openly. Best to you, I don’t recall asking for your opinion. Didn’t your mother teach you that? jon