Progress

Off the Wall School of Music

Wallingford

I've started ukulele lessons again with a new instructor.  Emily is only 20-something, and she already plays piano, classical guitar, violin, fiddle, flute, and of course, the ukulele. Imagine being so accomplished at such a young age?  She loves the Seattle Symphony and studies under one of their violinists. She collects old records and likes jazz standards. Best of all, she can easily switch between teaching pre-schoolers and senior citizens.  Maybe there isn't that much difference!

I haven't taken lessons since last summer, and spent the year practicing from books and learning the handful of songs my old instructor Matt had transcribed: Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, Oh Susanna, Little Brown Jug and Simple Gifts.  Over and over and over. This might not sound like much, but my progress was so painfully slow. Throw in some hand surgery.  Plus I needed to build up a little confidence before starting lessons again. It was pretty humiliating at first.  But when I started plinking away at that Bach Prelude and getting nowhere, it was time to look for outside help again.

Why would anyone want to play Bach on a humble, four-string instrument known for catchy Island tunes?  Well, there's something about it that challenges some players to take on unexpected material. Plus, there's the sly pleasure of surprising an audience. And in the right hands, the ukulele is as worthy as any fretted instrument.  Just listen to John King (sadly, now deceased.) He is considered the king of classical ukulele, and his playing is described as "flawless, effortless and sublime." He sets the highest bar for aspiring classical ukulele players.