My Ukuleles and me!

The ukulele is an excellent musical instrument to introduce to anyone who wishes to learn how to strum, play and sing a song. Once you have mastered a few simple ukulele chords and know how to apply them to the tune of the song...you're on the way!
Young or old can pick up the skills easily under the guidance of a ukulele maestro. You can also learn to play it by yourself especially with the easy availability of beginners video clips on Youtube.
However and speaking from long experience, I know that many who adopt a self-teaching/learning approach do start enthusiastically but usually fizzle out in no time at all. How come? Why does this usually happen? Anyone who wants to learn by himself must realise that he has to figure out everything by himself. You read or watch the instructions and understand, then try it out..it works, it sounds ok, Good! But if you do the same but "don't get it, just cannot get it"...you still try, it doesn't work, sounds like rubbish....then it is not just, NO GOOD. You begin to lose INTEREST and therefore PATIENCE is also ebbing away slowly. You make a final attempt at picking up playing but you get frustrated and upset with yourself when you don't like the sounds produced...etc. Some years later, you realised you once had a ukulele but can't recall where you kept it....probably gathering dust and mould in the storeroom. It's a common enough scenario. I have been given at least 4 guitars, most in good condition, by friends who told me their daughters or sons have " lost interest"in learning to play. And when I asked," why are you giving this to me?" The Truth>

• " Because we know you will make good use of it as we have enjoyed the good music and fun you provided with the guitar and the ukulele."
  So, here's my humble advice to all beginners.

First, develop your INTEREST...by starting a songbook of songs YOU LIKE. Choose easy, catchy tunes and songs to learn. Leave out the tough ones for much later when you are more adapt. Make your own notes..no need to always play to the original, do it in your own way or style.

Next, develop PATIENCE with yourself. Rome was not built in a day. Learning to play the uke is a skill much like fishing. It takes time to be a competent fisherman and even more time to fish like the kampong fishermen [ their livelihood depends on it!].

Lastly, do not be shy! Show your new found skills at simple family gatherings or just among a few close friends who won't scold you anyway! Their encouragement will surely spur you on. Those who are shy will NEVER develop to their full potential.

Unk Dicko's Confirmed Music Background:
1. Never attended any formal music lesson/course.
2. Never had any coach for ukulele or guitar.
3. Never went for singing lessons all my life.
4. NEVER, No Money, Not picked, whatever..

Yet, none of the 4 points above have ever STOPPED me from doing what I did and ACHIEVING what I have accomplished!
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