Uke Praise Ministry

RevWill

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I am pumped up. Tomorrow the big brown truck arrives at my doorstep with 16 Makala Dolphin ukes. 14 were ordered by church people, and two were donated by Kala.

There are so many people in my congregations who are excited about this ministry opportunity - some of whom haven't played a note of music before. Some are skeptical that we'll be able to have a Christmas song ready for our Christmas program, but I am very hopeful.

Now, if anyone has any tips or (especially) downloads for teaching a group of absolute beginners I'll take any help I can get. I hope to post a picture of this massive dolphin invasion tomorrow. This is gonna be awesome!
 
Rock on, Will! :D :music:
 
I'm the worst one for sending you to a different site because I can't remember them, BUT -- James Hill has a site (I want to say it's UkueleYes!) that gives ukulele teachers info. I read it just for fun. Google will find it, I'm sure.

You can teach them -- easy. My first lessons were on a cruise ship with 39 other people. By the end of the cruise we were playing songs and performed at the talent show on the last night. Start with some easy chords. Then after half an hour of practice, put the chords together to play a song. Easy-peasy first lesson. That should hook 'em. It did on the cruise. Lessons were full every day of the cruise.
 
That's too cool, Will. It makes my head start to get all happy thinking about the possibilities...hmmm....
 
That is completely awesome, Will! Hats off to you for taking the effort to bring ukulele love to your congregation!
 
I'm really hyped up. I can't wait to check out those dolphins. Got 'em from MGM, so they'll be set up great with Aquilas.

Our churches participate in community worship services with other congregations on 5th Sundays and during Lent. Those will be great opportunities to really spread the uke love. Plus if it takes off it will give our churches a distinct identity.

I have strong interest from people between 10 and 70. It's amazing!
 
That is some great stuff will. You even got kala to donate two ukes. Wow. maybe i need to contact them.

Advice for you: Print off a good chord sheet and then either use chordie or some similar site for some songs that are fairly easy to play. I'm using a video this year but it might be too easy for the adults. Good Luck!!!!
 
Will, here's the GOLDMINE Beginners Lesson Book. I've handed out easily over a thousand copies of Tonya's book, with her permission:

http://ukuleletonya.com/files/beginner_lesson_pkg.pdf

http://ukuleletonya.com/blog/files

Tonya's a ukulele sweetheart that loves to share her passion with others. She has no idea how many smiles she's put on faces around the globe. If you want to see a group that performs more than most rock bands:

http://yesterukes.blogspot.com

Unmatched stamina is to be found nowhere else on the globe! Ric
 
what a great idea!

i have four suggestions that i think would really help:

1. here's the best chord chart i have ever found (granted i've only been playing for months, but still!): http://www.kiwiukulele.co.nz/freestuff.html

also, their song template helps me to write my own chord/tab stuff.

2. chordie.com. not that they have every song, esp Christian praise stuff, but they're the only one i've been able to find that have easily transposable chords (just move it up or down as your voices need) and chord charts for the uke

3. so when they get their ukes, what can they do at home to help reinforce what you're going to teach them: http://www.ukeschool.com/
it's a great resource for beginners. i have found it as indispensable as the uke lesson vids on here: http://ukuleleunderground.com/category/ukeminute/ and http://ukuleleunderground.com/category/ukulele-lessons/

4. and here is the most important suggestion--nay requirement--for this endeavor: prayer.
don't attempt such an ambitious project without seeking His blessing and strength to succeed for His honor and glory.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 69:12-13&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans 12:11-12&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians 4:6-7&version=NIV

- - -

keep us posted on how it comes along!

take care!
:shaka:
 
what a great idea!

i have four suggestions that i think would really help:

1. here's the best chord chart i have ever found (granted i've only been playing for months, but still!): http://www.kiwiukulele.co.nz/freestuff.html

also, their song template helps me to write my own chord/tab stuff.

2. chordie.com. not that they have every song, esp Christian praise stuff, but they're the only one i've been able to find that have easily transposable chords (just move it up or down as your voices need) and chord charts for the uke

3. so when they get their ukes, what can they do at home to help reinforce what you're going to teach them: http://www.ukeschool.com/
it's a great resource for beginners. i have found it as indispensable as the uke lesson vids on here: http://ukuleleunderground.com/category/ukeminute/ and http://ukuleleunderground.com/category/ukulele-lessons/

4. and here is the most important suggestion--nay requirement--for this endeavor: prayer.
don't attempt such an ambitious project without seeking His blessing and strength to succeed for His honor and glory.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 69:12-13&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans 12:11-12&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians 4:6-7&version=NIV

- - -

keep us posted on how it comes along!

take care!
:shaka:

Thank you! Those resources will help keep me from reinventing the wheel!
 
another practical thought

get 2-3 clip on tuners (such as the Intelli IMT500 sold on amazon--i got one like this and really like it) and have these readily available in one spot before practice begins. then when ppl come in and mill around and say hello and all, they can be tuning before practice begins.

also, with the ukes you're getting, they may need to be tuned more often. i'm not familiar with that particular one, but one can generally figure the more affordable ones will need more attention to stay in tune--and you don't want half of a 16 member uke troupe being out of tune.

those tuners can tune without being annoying and interfering with each other since they tune with the vibrations sent through the body of the instrument to which they are clipped. they automatically turn off after a while if you forget to turn them off. and they generally cost less than $20 each (best price i've seen lately is less than $16).

again--blessings on this endeavor! it sounds like a great idea! i have yet to break out my tenor uke for our praise band at church. soon & very soon. :)
 
That's great, congratulations!

This time of the year, Christmas songs will work well. Last night I brought christmas songs to the uke club and even the beginners were able to strum quite a few of them. Dr Uke has some good ones on his site (even in different keys) and so does Aligator Boogaloo.

Jumping Jim has a song book with hymns and spirituals you might like.
 
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Dolpins, dolphins everywhere and not a one of them mine!

Hooray!! What a great pic. You must be sitting on a cloud.

What Christmas song are you thinking of doing?
 
Glad you got your colorful delivery, Will!

That's a fine picture. :)
 
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