Message from David McDonald, Band Leader
I have played with Ukulele Groups across the Central belt of Scotland and with many experienced and talented players, the Ukulele allowed me access to music again after suffering multiple strokes.
The Ukulele is a wonderful instrument which in its various forms gives individuals the possibility of playing and providing enjoyment to and with any age group.
I have however often thought that this enjoyable instrument is underrated and undervalued by so many and primarily because its flexibility is not explored. Too often groups have been content to simply play and sing together and all together and while there is undoubtedly a demand for these groups it can be guilty of stifling creativity.
On Sunday, the 4th of August 2024 circumstances gave me the opportunity to do something to explore my beliefs and I took the decision to create a Ukelele Band which would willingly incorporate other instruments often ignored by others. On that day, the idea behind The Clackmannanshire Ukelele Band came to fruition and work began to realise that ambition.
The journey being embarked on by the Founder members of this band will lay the foundations for a different entertainment band but still an overall Ukelele performance group, the band will grow and through that process will support, entertain and take part in the local Communities throughout Clackmannanshire and beyond.
These are the lovely ukueles for loan
Tuition Overview
Please be aware that tuition is for Band Members only
Many people own a Ukelele, and have it secreted away within their home, whether an impulse buy or an unexpected gift they have never had the opportunity to learn how to play until now.
CUB’s will be offering free tuition to new members from 6.30-7.30pm on Monday evening to help them learn how to play the Ukelele as it should be played, students will then be able to sit with the band as full members and learn through interaction with the experienced players from 7.30-9.30pm.
It is also intended to allocate resources to teach intermediate classes for current players wishing to improve on their technique though this is yet to be resourced.
Teaching styles will involve the simple chord sheets we use to play through our songs and after each lesson a new song will have been learned, unlike the older style of learning which involves chord diagrams and music structure, the newer method enables progress by building chord knowledge as we go.
Instruments will be made available for students and full members they will be able to take these home as home practice is required, once a reasonable standard has been achieved students must return the instrument and purchase one of their own and advice is available for them.
If you require to loan out an instrument, please click here to complete this form.
We would like to thank Jim Rintoul of Joannies Music for his help in sourcing and procuring the instruments we use for our teaching class.