Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Roots Independence Week: All ukes, all the time
Posted by Miss Joni on Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Just when I thought that first week of July couldn’t get any more exciting, it did. As far as ukulele weeks go in Central Indiana, this might not be the Big One, but it’s pretty darn close. From meet ups to workshops to an all-uke open mic night in Noblesville, it’s going to be an entire week of all ukes, all the time.
First, I’ve been pretty excited about getting back to the ukulele group at Sam Ash in Castleton. Sales Manager Jon Martin, who has owned a uke since he was about 2 years old, decided a few months ago that the time was right to start a ukulele meet up in his store. I went to the meeting in May, and had a marvelous time. There were more than dozen ukulele players there; some were brand new, others had been playing for years. The selection of instruments was a diverse as the players themselves. I saw brand new ukes, a beautiful handmade ukulele and a vintage Vita Uke, just like Roy Smeck used to play. There were ukes of every size, too, from soprano to tenor. All levels were welcome; beginners found themselves in a supportive group, where long-time players were more than happy to help them try a new chord and offer suggestions. Folks shared strumming techniques and a handful of people brought along new songs for the group to try.
The Sam Ash Ukulele Group meets the first Saturday of each month, at 10 AM. The next meet up is this Saturday, July 3. You can get more information by joining the group Indianapolis Ukulele Fans on Facebook.
If you’re wondering what a little ukulele group meet up can lead to, check out this video from New Zealand’s Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. While you’re at it, see if you can recognize Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie among the strummers.
If that isn’t enough to get your month of July started, ukulele style, I’ve just been informed that there are still two spaces left in the Blue Stone Folk School’s Meat ‘n Taters Ukulele Intensive Ukulele Building Workshop. This is the class to beat all classes—and something that I am dying to do. Under the guidance of Blue Stone Folk School Director and luthier, Geoff Davis, participants will get to build their very own solid mahogany ukulele with a Spanish heel. According to Geoff, the construction method utilizes jigs and fixtures to ensure that student’s are able to build a high quality instrument. He says, “This ukulele’s design is not a copy of a period uke, but is based upon the best of several great 1920s instruments including Martin, Gretsch and Indiana’s own, Frank Bremerman. “ The class has been so successful, that many alumni have gone on to construct more ukuleles on their own. Students end up with a high-quality, handmade, solid wood ukulele—a dream come true for most ukulele players.
The workshop, which takes place in Noblesville, lasts all day long, from about 9 AM to 4:30 PM, July 5-9. The cost is $500. Here’s a link to the online registration form:
http://www.bluestonefolkschool.org/BlueStoneUkeBuilding-1.pdf
While I don’t have a video showing the actually uke that folks will be making next week, I can show you another Davis Uke, just to give you an idea of what you could be building. This one is his Old Crow Resonator Ukulele. It’s concert-sized, and it is a loud thing.
In addition to hosting the Meat ‘n Taters workshop this week, The Blue Stone Folk School’s Ukulele Society will be hosting their bi-monthly meet up, on Thursday, July 8 from 7-9 PM in Noblesville. This is another great opportunity for ukulele players to get together with like-minded people. The meeting is very informal, and very friendly. All levels are welcome; there is often a brief lesson before the real jamming begins. The group typically plays from a song book assembled by the Folk School, but members are encouraged to bring new songs to add to the book as well. Any style of music is welcome. We’ve been known to play a Beatles tune one minute, and a Hoosier Hot Shots number the next.
For more information about the Blue Stone Folk School Ukulele Society, join the group on Facebook.
People who want to make a long ukulele weekend of it will be pleased to know that a ukulele-only open mic is being planned for Friday night, July 9, in Noblesville. I’m pretty sure the folks who’ve made ukes during the past week are going to be pretty excited to show off their fabulous new instruments, but I also have high hopes that other uking friends will decide to join the fun. I am so excited about the prospects, that I am declaring a uke in/uke out for July 8-10. Geoff even says that folks who come to town just to play are welcome to observe the ukulele construction workshop.
I will give you the low-down on the July 9 Meat ‘n Taters Open Mic Night in Noblesville next week.
Until then, here’s a little something from the Dulwich Ukulele Club in England for everyone who’s been neglecting their ukes or spouses in favor of watching the World Cup matches. Enjoy the singer's moustache.
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