Starting Sept 18, and every second week after, the Comox Valley Uke Jam will happen for a new season.
With a huge thank you to Milo Yakibchuk of Joe's Garage, ukulele players are invited to the Fifth Street venue in Courtenay for a night of picking, strumming and singing.
For those who had dropped by Joe's Garage to play with Richard Thompson before the summer hiatus, you will notice a new format as of the 18th.
Retired music teachers Lynn Hodge and Linda Safford will teach beginner ukulele skills starting at 7 for approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the group's need. This lesson format will teach beginning chords and strumming patterns and encourage singing to old and new favourites. This could be a great warmup for more experienced players.
By 8 each evening, the full ukulele jam should be ready to start swinging. The objective? To play and sing together!
Every effort will be made to have lyrics and chords available to everyone either on the screen or on paper. The beginners will be encouraged to stretch their playing skills and add their voices to the beautiful melodies (and harmonies?). Soloists can share their repertoire, lead a song or two, or just play along.
Linda and Lynn will teach the occasional bar chord and melody picking to spice up the evening. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, maybe even a little challenge.
If there is a beginning bass player out there who would like to get some group playing experience, you will be welcome to join us on Tuesday nights. We'll accept standup or electric.
To help cover Milo's expenses and acknowledge the instruction, a $5 charge will be collected. Only coffee, tea, juice and pop will be available for sale.
For more information, contact Anne Lawrie at anne.lawrie@soundadvice.bc.ca.
— Comox Valley Uke Jam