How do you guys find other players in your area?

Ive been looking for awhile now for another uke player in my area, and it appears Im the only one around. It would be nice to have a local jam partner to play open mics around here, Ive tried jamming with guitar players, banjo players (too loud!) and even a fiddle player, but it never seems to mesh up well, and honestly people seem to have a sort of hold your nose up attitude towards the uke sometimes like its not a real instrument or something. How do you guys find people to jam with?
Ive searched for Toledo area uke groups with no success, the closest Ive found was a group that was affiliated with Elderly up in Lansing, which is almost 3 hours from me. Ive tried posting musician wanted ads on Clist, no luck there either. Any insight? Also if youre a Toledo area uker reading this, give me a shout....I cant be the only one? can I?
Im considering attending a guitar center lesson in my area just to see if I can meet anyone.....

try searching for "ukulele" on meetup.com... if there aren't any specific uke meetups near you, there might be some acoustic meetup groups. otherwise, you could always start one. that's what i did.

Meetup is a good source, as mentioned. Look for some acoustic music jams or song circles -- most will willingly accept ukes if you enjoy their preferred style of music and can participate. My local one likes country and gospel numbers.

Now if you want to put forth some effort, here are some ideas I have/am using:

- Put an announcement in the CraigsList community section, announcing a ukulele club. This lists for 45 days so you need to redo it frequently.

- Start some form of a Social Network link. A Facebook link or a Blog is free (Meetup is better, but has a fee.) Log on frequently to get the "hit count" up so any search engine will find you quickly.

- Make up some posters and get them to the local music shops. They all have some form of a bulletin board for announcements.

- Make up a good business card design and have them printed -- $20 gets 500 at Internet print shops. Get them to shops to give out to folks interested in a uke, to give out with every uke sale.

- Respond to all CraigsList ad's for ukes for sale, asking them to, when they are sold, to tell the new owner about contacting you for some jams.

- Find a spot to gather, such as a restaurant or coffee shop or maybe an appropriate home.

All this takes effort, but it does pay off over time. Just don't expect instant results.

Your local Guitar Centers have been holding ukulele workshops every Saturday morning in the month of October. Call the one in:

1578 Spring Meadows
Holland, OH 43528
Phone: (419) 868-8779

to get in on the last class and meetup with other ukulele players. You can also e-mail locals at these links:

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=36

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=23

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=16

An hour drive from you:

http://www.meetup.com/ukulele-85/

Maybe these folks can help?

http://www.reverbnation.com/theleles

All great info. I had never heard of that meetup site
Thanks much everyone!

I put a post on craiglist. I found one other uke player, and we've emailed, so far we haven't jammed yet, but maybe soon. I also met a uke player randomly, I saw one in his office, and he, a guitar player and I got together and jammed for 3 hours on Sat. it was a blasst. they are going to play for the local [Savannah] Alzheimers walk next Sat, and invited me to play with them. My first public gig. whoo, hoo. maybe the exposure will dray\w other ukers or uke wanna bees! to meet up.

ricdoug said:

Your local Guitar Centers have been holding ukulele workshops every Saturday morning in the month of October. Call the one in:

1578 Spring Meadows
Holland, OH 43528
Phone: (419) 868-8779

to get in on the last class and meetup with other ukulele players. You can also e-mail locals at these links:

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=36

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=23

https://www.fleamarketmusic.com/directory/state.asp?ID=16

An hour drive from you:

http://www.meetup.com/ukulele-85/

Click to expand...

real good stuff there, I always like an excuse to visit Ann Arbor, one of my favorite cities! thanks!

I take group music lessons - but it is not a jam session - it is a lesson.

I do 2 things
1. Started a group and plastered the area with flyers
2. wonder the streets with a uke in hand and wait for people to talk to you about it. (make sure to have said flyers with you)

I just stand on a busy street corner playing my Fluke and take email addys from everyone that stops to ask what kind of strings I'm using.


Scooter

Fill out your profile so people know where you are from.

Start a ukulele club...and they will come. ;-)

hoosierhiver said:

Fill out your profile so people know where you are from.

Click to expand...

Ha good idea, better?

There's a group by Detroit.

MOTOR CITY UKES
* 2nd Tuesday of the month
* (It's an office building) – 23434 Industrial Park Court, Farmington Hills
* http://www.meetup.com/MotorCityUkes/
* http://www.motorcityukes.com/
* https://www.facebook.com/pages/MotorCityUkes/176893749046711

But the AA/Ypsi group is probably closer to you.

ANN ARBOR/YPSILANTI UKULELE GROUP
* 4th Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm
* Oz’s Music – 1920 Packard, Ann Arbor
* https://www.facebook.com/groups/157276427672930/
* http://www.meetup.com/ukulele-85


Here's the Michigan uke info: http://kalamazukes.blogspot.com/p/michigan-uke-clubs.html

I met up with a member on here that came from the same area and we set up our own ukulele club in our town we now boast more than 70 members of all ages and abilities

I publish ukulele club listings in every issue of Ukulele Player Magazine. The link to the magazine is in my sig line.

Go to Ukulele World Congress. Wear a shirt that says, "Toledo" I met the Cincinnati uke people by attending UWC in 2011. Also hang out in the "Regional Get Togethers" forum here on UU.