General uke discussion

Anthony Whiteoak - I read your message via an email notification, but I can't see your post here. A website glitch, perhaps. I just want you to know that I have been in that same headspace you are in - feeling like I'm stuck, not making progress, self doubt in my abilities. First and foremost, I wouldn't call it a "barren patch" but a "temporary plateau". So how to get past it? I'd say give yourself a few days off. Don't play. Maybe watch some uke videos (Matt's or anyone else's) or listen to uke music. Give your brain and your hands a rest, then get back to it. Pick something to play that you find easiest or are comfortable with. You mentioned lack of tone. That might not be you; it could be the uke. Check the action and get it fixed if it's too high. Change the strings. They can sound dead once they start to wear out. (Which reminds me.... must change the strings on my Moonbird low g tenor. I last changed them in February, and they definitely have lost their oomph.)

Try to get yourself into a regular practice routine and try not to "magpie" too much. (Says the Queen of Magpies, herself.... cough!) Look at your videos from a few months ago. You will see that you have improved. Progress can be slow, so you may not be aware of how well you're doing until you take a look back at where you came from.

Post more to this website or to the Facebook group. Our members are so encouraging and can help you get through the rough patch.

Mistakes will always crop up, but music is fluid and open to interpretation. If we never made mistakes, we'd never improve.

I read that adult learners are hard on themselves; I find that to be true. Think back to when you were a kid. When you learned to ride a bike, you fell off many times. Probably crashed too. Did that stop you? No. You got back on the bike. So, get back on the bike once you've had a rest.

No doubt your arthritis isn't helping the situation. Perhaps a doctor visit or a visit to a physiotherapist will help. (I woke up with sore fingers today too. The knuckles were all swollen in the middle finger of my left hand. I was annoyed, to say the least, but I've soaked them in hot water and I should be able to play later today. It's a bummer, I know!)

And lastly, remember that "comparison is the thief of joy." I read that on a poster somewhere. I tell myself that all the time because, honestly, I want to play as well as Matt, Jeff Peterson and Sam Muir. Probably not realistic, but I got to have goals. In the meantime, I'll keep pedaling my metaphorical bike and hope that you will ride along with me.