I've had a dream for almost 8 years of starting a ukulele band at our church. I know it's a little crazy. I get amused looks from friends when I talk about it. They weren't exactly knocking at our door to sign up...until NOW! You see there's always been one problem, I actually have no talent for singing or playing the ukulele. Yeah, that's kind of important you might say.
I love my friend Ruth. She always has a smile on her face. Ruth understood my dream. She bought a ukulele of her own two years ago. Ruth was ready to join the band! She even learned to play Swing Low Sweet Chariot. But what we really needed was a leader. Somebody who could play the ukulele like a pro...but most importantly...somebody who knew how to have a good time.
That person turned out to be under our nose all along. She was Ruth's sister, Judy. Judy is a guitar teacher in Roanoke. I never dreamed she would consider coming all the way to Chatham to lead our band. But one day I asked her... and low and behold...she said YES!! She's perfect! She's a talented teacher. She loves God. And she has a huge notebook of old hymns and silly songs!
So, a couple of Sundays ago we had the very first practice of the Chatham Baptist Church Ukulele Band in our den. We had 8 people come(Chuck's taking the picture)! Judy taught us Rock-a-My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham and we laughed a lot as we tried to make our fingers land on the right spot! Judy wants us to not just strum down like we're chopping wood. She she says we also need to strum up... so we'll sound more melodious.
I'm having a problem on my upstroke. I keep accidentally sticking my finger in the hole of my ukulele. Judy says I'm going to be trouble!! You know, I think I'm really going to enjoy this ukulele band!!
Stumble It!
