Student Spotlight

​​How long have you been playing the ukulele, and what got you started?

 

I decided to try ukulele because I had started playing guitar. I found this too difficult and thought ukulele may be a little easier and more fun to learn.

 

I'd say I've been learning properly since this July. I initially playing I started about five years but stopped and started several times because I was not able to find a way of learning that suited me. I often became discouraged but was somehow always drawn back to trying again. I took lessons last year in night school which helped to a degree but again did not feel that I was making progress so I stopped again. Last Christmas I decided to have one last try. I bought myself a ukulele I had been looking at for some while and made a determined effort to learn properly. I spent some time looking for the best way to learn which leads nicely into answering the next question!

 

What drew you to Matt’s courses or the Learn Ukulele community?

 

It was through research on line and by watching lessons on You Tube. I was immediately attracted to the way Matt taught and how he seemed to enjoy teaching as much as his students would enjoy learning! I'm the sort of learner who needs feedback, structure and variety to my learning. Matt's lessons provide all of this. They offer staged progression with signposts along the way to show how you are getting on. The regular reminders to be kind to yourself and to be patient help as well. The video submissions for feedback are fantastic and really make you feel that you're not learning on your own. I've yet to take advantage of all the live sessions but when I do I'm looking forward to meeting lots of other players who are part of the community Matt has built up.

 

Do you remember your very first song on the uke?

 

Yes, the first one I played which I thought sounded like it should was The Beatles 'Octopus' Garden'.

 

Which of Matt’s courses have you taken so far, and which one helped you the most?

 

I have taken the Beginner's course and have started both the Uke Theory course and Intermediate course. I have done the Beginner's course twice and it has been a revelation in improving my playing. I've watched some videos several times and pick up or remember some valuable top tip every time. A fantastic course. 

 

What’s been your proudest ukulele moment so far?

 

I would say it was when I had my feedback from Matt after my first video submission. I was delighted with the positive comments he made as well as the constructive ideas for improvement. On a par with that would be how much better my chord changes have become and my grasp of music theory which Matt has made accessible for me.

 

Have you faced any challenges in your playing journey — and how did you overcome them?

 

I'm my own harshest critic and I can get frustrated if I don't feel I am doing well. For example, playing 'Shotgun' by George Ezra is proving tricky when trying to fit in different strumming techniques but I just remind myself not to stress or become tense. I practice something else and come back to it after a break and find that helps.

 

Is there a particular technique, tip, or “lightbulb moment” that really made things click for you?

 

There were two key ones for me. The first was, in a word 'angles'. It may sound an odd one to choose given all the techniques the courses cover but even being taught how to hold the ukulele properly and how to strum correctly were 'lightbulb moments' for me since no one else had ever taught this or corrected what I was doing. Changing the way I held the ukulele made everything else fall into place. The second was not to have a slavish adherence to learning strumming patterns when you first start. I can't recall how many times I became frustrated when trying to learn songs following a rigid pattern of up and down strums prescribed by someone else as I found it really stifling. Learning dynamics and strumming techniques first really was exciting and liberating!  

 

What does playing the ukulele mean to you personally?

 

It has very quickly become my main interest and it means the world to me. Time flies when I'm practising. I look forward to playing and learning something new every day. It helps me de-stress after work, provides focus on learning something new, keeps my mind active, and always gives me something to look forward as well as a standard to aspire to. It's the best 'pick me up' I can think of. Of course no interest can make all your problems disappear but this little instrument has become my way of being able to deal with them because it has such a positive impact on my mood.  

 

Do you have a favourite song or style to play?

 

I like to play in common time and enjoy playing most songs by The Beatles.

 

When and where do you usually practise — any special routines or habits? 

 

I practice every day! Usually for about 40 to 45 minutes. Sometimes longer when I have more time. My music stand and laptop is in the living room and my ukulele is in its case in the same room to make it easy for me to set up easily in minutes in either the lounge or kitchen. On work days I practice as soon as I get home and on weekends I find  time either in the morning or late afternoon.

 

How has being part of the Learn Ukulele with Matt community helped or inspired you? 

 

Immensely. Having regular contact with Matt makes you feel you are not learning in isolation and it will only improve once I feel more competent and can join in on live sessions where I can meet other players from across the world. 

 

Do you have any advice for new players just starting out?

 

Find a course and tutor that you sense is a great fit for you as a learner. I've found mine but whoever you choose start from the very beginning and re-learn or fine tune the basics. I've done this and it helps massively in correcting previous bad habits and having a solid foundation upon which everything else can be built on with confidence.

 

If you could play with any musician (past or present), who would it be and why?

 

I would say George Harrison. I like all of his work not just with the Beatles but also his solo work and in particular his collaboration with the Traveling Wilburys. I could easily have chosen Steve Perry, Jeff Lynne or Roger Waters but George gets the nod because he was also such a big fan of ukuleles.

 

Quickfire

 

Soprano, concert, tenor, or baritone? Soprano

 

Favourite uke brand or string type? Pono

 

Dream song to learn next? Hey, Soul Sister by Train

 

One word that describes your ukulele journey so far? Pleasure

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