Ukuleles of the Third Age

When we meet physically it is much easier to keep track of what we’re doing – in lockdown this becomes much more difficult.  We can now have our Zoom meetings but these are separate from the distribution of music and separate again from any videos that Michael or I might prepare.

I hope that this will provide a forum for our material where we will be able to look up what we covered in each meeting together with links to the music and links to the video so instead of having to look in different places there will be one point of reference, here where it is all gathered together.  I haven’t used this particular site for a long time and since I started about a decade ago they now sneak ads in unless you pay more each month.  The original site is called Taxationpodcasts.com and was set up by me when I used to produce these on a regular basis.  This page was called taxationpodcastmusings and originally contained odd and amusing (to an accountant!) bits and pieces.  I have changed the name to Ukulelesofthethirdage so at least you’ll know where to find stuff, you might also find some of those old musings as well if I can’t get rid of them!

You should also be able to leave comments.  I think it will create a series of blogs, one for each main meeting which will run in reverse order so the most recent will be at the top and the others will stretch back in time.

It is possible that some people might find their way here through the main podcast site which I still add to occasionally so remember NEVER put a reference to a Zoom meeting id or password in your comments that would allow others into our Zoom meetings which would be disastrous.  I will still send out individual invitations to those.

15 responses to “Ukuleles of the Third Age

  1. Chris ⋅

    Thanks Paul, well have no excuse now not to be completely ‘with it’ 🙄,
    See you Tuesday,
    Chris

  2. PatH ⋅

    Oh good – yet another thing to master!

    Pat

    • Hi Paul, re Jackies enquiring about ukes etc, I have my old concert that is a very basic Mahalo which I started with. I would be happy to loan out the said uke to any newbie in U3A for a longish period whilst they get started and get the bug. Let me know your / her thoughts. Roger. Ps.This would also create ukulele space at my end, into which I could sneak a new Tenor. Just a thought.

      Sent from my iPad

      >

  3. Susan Coles ⋅

    Hi Paul,
    Managed to log-in but no what? I still can’t see the cords for Somewhere over the Rainbow !! Thanks though for this.

  4. Thanks Paul , I am now connected to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms.

  5. Pingback: Lockdown blog | Welcome to Crouch End & District U3A

  6. Liz Zahedieh ⋅

    I would like to join this group. I tried when you started but you were full. Now it’s on zoom maybe you have room for me?
    I am a member of U3A Crouch End

    • Hi Liz – although I am posting this update the group is still being run by Helen Bembridge – this is just an online presence and record of what we do each fortnight. Can I suggest that you contact Helen Bembridge who is the group convenor. I have thought about starting a new beginners group but that can only work face to face which is impossible at the moment.

  7. Pingback: Uke news | Welcome to Crouch End & District U3A

  8. Jackie Carole Draper ⋅

    Hi Helen,
    i am a member of crouch end U3A and want to take up and initially teach myself the ukilele. Before i buy one i wonder if you have any advice for a beginner on what to buy? i have small hands. Hope you dont mind me asking. Thanks Jackie Draper

    • Hi Jackie, I’m Paul, another member of the group and I have taken over from Helen as convenor. The u3a should update the group page but haven’t done so yet. There is a very good independent review site run by a chap called Barry Maz which reviews ukuleles of all types and price points – https://www.gotaukulele.com/p/ukulele-reviews.html – well worth taking a look. Buying locally Les Aldrich has a range of Makala Classic ukes although they are not specialists. If you get up to town I would recommend Hobgoblin who are a folk and acoustic instrument specialist shop – they have a very wide range and sales staff who can play. Online you could go to a retailer like World of Ukes – https://worldofukes.co.uk/ or Duke of Ukes who also have a shop in Bethnal Green – https://www.dukeofuke.co.uk/ukulele/concert-ukulele/. I would avoid Amazon and Ebay who might have what look like attractive prices but are selling in bulk and sending out instruments without testing or set-up which as a beginner you don’t want to do yourself. Later this year when we return to face to face meeting I shall be starting, if there is sufficient interest, a separate beginners uke course. There is some interest already. Hope this helps – Paul

    • Hi Jackie – -one of our other members, Roger, has a spare concert size Uke which he’d be happy to lend out long term if you want to try before getting the bug like the rest of us. It should be a perfect way to get started… Paul

  9. Liz Zahedieh ⋅

    I tried to join the group before lockdown but it was full. Is it possible to join now?
    I am a member of crouch end U3A.

  10. Liz Zahedieh ⋅

    Further to my last request, I have checked my membership is valid. Membership No 555 and valid.
    I’d like to join the next zoom group.
    I’m not a complete beginner and know the basic chords.

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