The birth of my Uke

I started playing Ukulele a month before my son was born eighteen years ago. I was a guitar player when I was sixteen, a bass player when I was twenty, and was thinking of trying out something brand new before I would become a Dad. My wife, Clare, a month before giving birth, took me to Mickleburgh’s, opposite the Bear Pit in Bristol, and took me to buy my first ukulele for my birthday. This is the start of my love affair with one of the most important things in my life.

From that day, Thursday 1^st March 2001, I became a Ukulele enthusiast. From taking the plunge in taking up something new, by saying Yes to this, my life changed. I have made the most unlikely friendships, the strangest stories, the most unlikely situations through being able to play a ‘baby guitar’.

I now have some unexpected stories: performing Morrisey songs on a boat at a Christmas charity event, playing Queen in a barn in Upton Cheyney, performing at the opening of a new WI, playing before 8am in Bradley Stoke, entertaining a batchelor/batchelorette party, being a ‘go-to’ interviewee on local radio, making my mother proud, as well as playing at the Ex Cel Centre, the St David’s Hall, The Ritz, and the Colston Hall. This is more than a hobby or a profession: This is a way of life.

I have tutored for nearly a decade, and I have taught classes of thirty on a farm, three generations in one room, with children as young as six and as old as 83. This has been a journey of unexpected proportions.

I keep being surprised by this music world I find myself in. Seeing the self-confidence rise, the ideas grow, the therapeutic effect, even life changes have happened in front of me through making music with people.

I have learnt one lesson: Anything is possible musically. Can you play rock music on the ukulele? Yes. Can I play for my Mum in her care home? Yes. Can you play at my wedding via video? Yes. Can I play without reading music? Yes.

You can do anything with this instrument. No need for doubt, fear, or ridicule. You can do it!

For more of what I do: www.UkuleleWithBen.com