Moved to California

Tigeralum2001 · Jul 10, 2010

Hi everyone,
I just moved from South Carolina (where our uke fests had zero people of Hawaiian decent) to Silicon Valley, California (where they have genuine Hawaiian drive-ins). Can any one make a recommendation about where to take some uke lessons?

It's nice having some shops in the area with nice ukes! Sure beats the Cordoba & Oscar Schmidt collections I was used to. I went to Gryphon String in Palo Alto and played some Kanile'a, Maui Music, Flea, Fluke, and a few classic Martins. Now if I could only truly play...

RyanMFT · Jul 10, 2010

Welcome to the left coast. You are in luck, check out Ukulele Source in San Jose's Japan Town. A great little uke shop and there are lessons just around the corner I think, a local uke pro who teaches group classes and gives individual lessons. Gryphon is a great shop, as you know. I wish I lived closer and I would hang out at both shops more. By the way, nice collection of ukes!

Here are a couple links:

Ukulele Source
http://www.ukulelesource.com/index.html

Ukulele Jams (Lessons)
http://www.ukulelejams.com/

Skottoman · Jul 10, 2010

Welcome to CA!

If you feel like taking a drive on a Sat morning, you could pop over Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz, and go to the harbor. There is a Ukulele club full of a variety of ages who play outside the Kind Grind Coffee Shop starting around 10am-ish. I've gone down and played along with them a few times. Great fun, sometimes 50-60 people or so!

Here's a couple vids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnABqLYElpU&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8QUm_qPn04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP4KtMQ41bA&feature=related

Cheers,
Skottoman

Gillian · Jul 11, 2010

Hey! I live in New Almaden, south of San Jose and have been wanting to start a ukulele club for the South Bay.

As for lessons, also check out Guitar Showcase on South Bascom which offers group and private lessons.

To illustrate the demand for ukulele instructors in our area, Smiley and Janet at ]Ukulele Source(very nice people) sent out an email to their customers asking if anyone knew of any ukulele teachers to please contact them. (By the way, Herb Ohta Jr, will be there Aug. 1, conducting workshops)

I called Music Village in San Jose about lessons two weeks ago and no-one has returned my calls so either their uke teacher is on vacation or he/she is fully booked.

mds725 · Jul 12, 2010

Here's some information about a monthy class for Hawai'ian ukulele music:

http://www.kapalakiko.org/

WEEKLY SOUTH BAY ‘UKULELE CLASSES
•Basic 'ukulele class - Thursday nights, 6PM-7:30PM at Historic Hoover Theatre Studio C, 1635 Park Avenue, San Jose.
•Intermediate 'ukulele class - Thursday nights, 7:30-9PM at Historic Hoover Theatre Studio C, 1635 Park Avenue, San Jose.

I've been taking the same classes in San Francisco and I've learned quite a bit.

Gillian · Jul 12, 2010

Thanks for that link to the Kapalakiko site, mds725. I'd really like to take that class.

wickedwahine11 · Jul 12, 2010

Hey dude, welcome to CA!

Since I'm SoCal, I'm not sure about the NorCal scene, but I think I heard there is an ukulele get-together in Berkeley. If I'm not mistaken, it was at Mike DaSilva's place.

jehicks87 · Jul 12, 2010

Tigeralum2001 said:
Hi everyone,
I just moved from South Carolina (where our uke fests had zero people of Hawaiian decent) to Silicon Valley, California (where they have genuine Hawaiian drive-ins). Can any one make a recommendation about where to take some uke lessons?

It's nice having some shops in the area with nice ukes! Sure beats the Cordoba & Oscar Schmidt collections I was used to. I went to Gryphon String in Palo Alto and played some Kanile'a, Maui Music, Flea, Fluke, and a few classic Martins. Now if I could only truly play...

Mike Pereira builds really nice and very reasonably priced ukes out in Shandon, CA. PM me if you want to get in touch with him, or look him up on here

mds725 · Jul 12, 2010

wickedwahine11 said:
I think I heard there is an ukulele get-together in Berkeley. If I'm not mistaken, it was at Mike DaSilva's place.

There's usually something going on at Mike DaSilva's studio in Berkeley every Wednesday night, unless he's on vacation or traveling.

Berkeley Ukulele Club
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
6:00pm - Beginner session (Instruction for beginners)
7:00 pm - Regular session

Group Ukulele Lessons
1st, 3rd and 5th (when there is one) Wednesday of each month.
6:30 pm - 8:30pm, $10

For more information, and to download sheet music from the Club's songbook, visit http://www.ukemaker.com/ukeclub. You can also email Mike at mike@ukemaker.com.

SailingUke · Jul 12, 2010

Definitely look up the Santa Cruz club. They have a great gathering (Buring Uke) in the Fall near Big Sur.
And a spring gathering (Smoldering Uke) near Monterey.

Gillian · Jul 13, 2010

SailingUke said:
Definitely look up the Santa Cruz club. They have a great gathering (Buring Uke) in the Fall near Big Sur.
And a spring gathering (Smoldering Uke) near Monterey.

My hubby and I are going to the monthly meeting this Thursday night (July 15th). It should be a fun evening.

Moved to California

Tigeralum2001

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RyanMFT

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Skottoman

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Gillian

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mds725

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Gillian

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wickedwahine11

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jehicks87

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mds725

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SailingUke

Uke legend in my own mind

Gillian

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