THE sweet harmonies of Hawaii will fill the air on Sunday with the arrival of Community Music Victoria in Wangaratta.
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Novices and maestros, young and old alike, are encouraged to converge on the CWA Hall on Templetone Street for the Ukulele and Marimba Gathering Day.
With only four strings and a little enthusiasm, teacher Trisha Scott said just about anyone could learn to play the ukulele.
“They’re small and inexpensive and people can learn to play a one or two-chord song pretty easily, even children,” she said.
“I’ve been teaching primary schools for a few years now but I also teach people up to 80 years old as well.”
Teaching a carers group in Wangaratta, Scott and husband Bill Plant have taught more than 1000 people to play in the past six years.
They published two books in the US last year on playing and making a ukuleles and did a promotional tour.
Run by Community Music Victoria there will be workshops in both ukuleles and marimbas, including beginners’ classes.
Participation costs $33, $22 concession, under-16s free, and will culminate in a big performance with everyone showing off what they have learnt.
“They’ll learn songs in common with the marimbas and get together and do a big performance,” Scott said.
“It should be a lot of fun for families and anyone who wants to come along.”
But don’t let the humble uke fool you.
“Sometimes you’re listening to music and wondering if that’s a guitar or a ukulele,” Scott said.
“The top players play anything from jazz to blues to rock and sometimes it’s hard to decipher.
“It’s versatile — it’s a simple instrument but it can be quite complex.
“But the overall thing is that there’s something forgiving and fun about a ukulele.”
Scott said she hoped the event would be a sign of things to come with more music making sessions in the future.
To book phone (03) 9662 1162 or 0429 439 609 for information visit cmv.customer.netspace.net.au