Creative Ukulele in the Time of COVID

by | Aug 20, 2020 | Improvisation and song writing

During these trying times when many people are angry and frustrated, we try to cope by learning creative ukulele in the time of COVID.

Humans Like Order

We like our routines and we like to think we are in control. In reality, we don’t know what the future holds, but we like to think that we do.

This Covid 19 pandemic has brought many changes to our lives and we do not like it. We do not like having to wear masks, shelter in place, get sick, or lose our jobs. The restrictions on our freedoms and the fear that is all around us makes us sad. We do not like the loss we see and feel.

That’s why you see so many people who are angry. Who are unkind. Who are acting out. It’s a way to express our deep frustration and lack of power.

But what if there is a better way? What if we learn and model resilience to help us in troubling times? What better way to do that, than to learn creative ukulele in the time of Covid?

That’s why Rebecca and I have developed our Ukulele Sisters materials. To help you to learn creativity, fun and resilience.

And when you’re involved in something creative, you are better able to pivot and try something new. Because music is creative, it prepares us to consider alternatives when things are tough. Below I give you the stories of five musicians I know who have been able to pivot in this time.

Case #1 – Rebecca

Rebecca Bogart, one half of the Ukulele Sisters, also teaches piano. When California shut down, she was out of income. She pivoted and built a studio for teaching lessons via Zoom. As a self-employed person, she needed the money. Necessity became the mother of invention. She now has a beautiful set-up for lessons and more people are coming her way.

Case #2 – Lil Rev

Lil Rev was looking at a banner year for traveling and teaching ukulele. On March 12, his planned year of income vanished. What has he done? He has taught and concertized on many online platforms. He is writing new ukulele books and he is building an online music school. Visit lilrev.com to learn more.

Case #3 – Matt Cantlon

Matt Cantlon, the owner of Aloha City Ukes, left the gig economy in time. He started his brick and mortar store about a year ago. Thank goodness he has an online component. His store is one of the few music stores in our area that is poised to do well through this pandemic. Visit Aloha City Ukes to learn more.

Case #4 – Alison Fujito

Alison Fujito is a violinist in the Pittsburgh Symphony. She and her colleagues performed at a concert in the park this summer. They wore masks and socially distanced as they performed. They played works for strings and percussion, the instruments that are safest now. Click on the link to enjoy the concert. Summer in the Parks Concert.

Case #5 – Jenny Peters

I have been teaching socially distanced ukulele on my patio all summer. It’s been great to connect with students in person but outside where it feels safer.

Focus on Something Happy

The musicians I talked to are aware of the difficulties around us. We know there are so many who have suffered during this time of the pandemic. We are thankful for the music that sustains us.

Many of the folks who have used our products are thankful for the focus, the fun and the creative outlet. They are thrilled to focus on something happy, rather than the doom and gloom we sell all around.

As our world changes, we need to use creative and new ways to deliver our ideas. So that we can build resilience in our children, ourselves, and our future. Humans need healthy distractions, community and creativity. Music nurtures these skills. And ukulele is one of the most fun ways to do this!

Are you struggling with strumming?

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Writing More Readable Ukulele Tab: Evolution of Sakura Chord Melody Staying Home Due to the Coronavirus Outbreak Do You Want to Learn to Improvise with Lonely Blues?
  1. Teach a Rest Position

Create a standard position players use whenever they are listening:

  • Place the ukulele flat against the body.
  • Rest the strumming hand gently on the strings.
  • Keep both hands still.
  • Look toward the leader.

Call it “rest position” and demonstrate it at the group’s first meeting. Use the same phrase consistently: “Ukuleles in rest position, please.”

This physically mutes the strings and gives everyone a clear visual signal that playing has stopped.

  1. Use One Attention Signal

Choose a signal that can be seen or heard across the room. Possibilities include:

  • Raising one hand
  • Playing a short, distinctive chord
  • Saying, “Rest position”

Explain the signal before rehearsal begins: “When you see my hand raised, finish the chord you are playing, mute your strings, and look up.”

Avoid competing with the group by repeatedly talking over the instruments. Give the signal, pause, and wait until everyone is ready.

  1. Set a Clear “No Noodling” Expectation

Many players noodle because they are excited, nervous, practicing a difficult chord, or unaware that it is distracting. Address the behavior without embarrassing anyone.

Try saying:

“Between songs, please mute your strings so everyone can hear the instructions. We’ll always give you a moment to check chords before we begin.”

Then build short, intentional practice windows into the session:

  • “Take 20 seconds to find the opening chord.”
  • “Quietly check the change from C to G7.”
  • “Let’s try that strum together once.”

Players are more likely to stop playing at random when they know when practice is welcome.

  1. Amplify the Leader, Not the Entire Room

In larger groups, a small microphone, portable speaker, or amplified ukulele can save the leader’s voice and make directions easier to follow. Amplification should provide clarity—not to overpower the players.

Test the equipment before the session, position the speaker where everyone can hear it, and keep spoken instructions short. A microphone cannot replace an attention routine, but it makes a good routine much more effective.

  1. Create Predictable Transitions

Noodling often fills uncertainty. Tell players exactly what is happening next:

    1. “Finish the final chord.”
    2. “Rest position.”
    3. “Turn to page 14.”
    4. “Find a C chord.”
    5. “Watch for my count-in.”

Use a visible or audible count-in before every song. Once players learn that nothing begins until the leader counts them in, spontaneous starts become less common.

6. Operate iPads for music.

Many ukulele groups read off iPads, and everyone buys the same app. forScore is one of the common ones, but don’t get anything until the group leader tells you which one they use. From there, the leader or the singer/songwriter shares the music by AirDrop, so everyone is reading off the same page. Corrections land with the whole group at once, and nobody is working from an outdated copy.

 

A Simple Group Agreement

At the beginning of a session, say:

“To help everyone hear and learn, we use rest position whenever someone is speaking. When I raise my hand, please mute your strings and look up. You’ll have time to check chords before each song, and we’ll always start together on the count-in.”

The goal is not silence for its own sake. It is to create a group in which instructions are brief, rehearsals move smoothly, and everyone gets more time to make music together.

 

Here’s a list of etiquette expectations from ukulele group members to make the group learning more effective and fruitful for everyone. 

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