Strumming along
The ukulele may look like a miniature guitar, but Rich Patsios and Tami Dalton know it’s more than a toy instrument.
Patsios and Dalton, both Trussville residents, started the Trussville Ukulele Strummers in June to offer a chance for locals to learn the instrument and play as part of a group.
“It’s very exciting to see people getting to know their ukulele and realizing what a wonderful, bright, interesting instrument this is, and I have yet to put this in the hands of somebody who didn’t get all excited and have an immediate smile,” Dalton said.
Patsios started playing the small, four-stringed instrument about two years ago and found ukulele clubs in Homewood and Odenville.
“I said, you know, ‘We need to have one of these in Trussville,’” Patsios said. “Mainly, I just want a group to play in.”
He got in touch with the Trussville Public Library, which offered to host the group “jam sessions,” and Guitar Pro’s on Main Street donated six ukuleles to the library for newcomers to try out the instrument before they purchase one of their own.
Dalton is a music teacher at Guitar Pro’s and played guitar for many years. She picked up the ukulele a couple years ago as well, to try something new that she could play well despite arthritis. It started with a baritone ukulele, then she quickly bought tenor and soprano ones as well as ukuleles for her grandchildren.
“There’s such a short learning curve between learning and playing the guitar and the ukulele. It’s the same shapes, different voicings,” Dalton said.
Patsios started off the Ukulele Strummers with a group lesson to teach people the basics of chords and strumming. This was followed by the first club meeting June 12. About 20 people showed up for the free club, from young children and teens to seniors.
“While we’re mostly an adult group, kids are welcome if they’re accompanied by a parent,” Patsios said.
The Ukulele Strummers have a book of songs to work from, but members are also welcome to bring songs of their own to share. Dalton helps lead the group through new songs, but the learning is more casual and collaborative than a typical lesson.
“I think the community meet ups offer new friendships, fellow musicians learning from each other. I think, as a teacher, I find that most intriguing,” Dalton said. “In this particular environment, people are learning from each other.”
As the group develops, Patsios said he’d love to find opportunities for them to perform together, from restaurants to nursing homes.
“Our ultimate plan is to go out and perform,” Patsios said. “We’ll provide free entertainment, because we’re not professionals.”
But at the twice-monthly meetings at the library, the main focus is creativity and enjoyment of an uncommon instrument.
“There’s just something about a ukulele that takes you to a happy place,” Dalton said.
The Trussville Ukulele Strummers meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the library, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Ukuleles are available to borrow for the class, and all experience levels are welcome.
Learn more about upcoming meetings at facebook.com/groups/trussvilleUkulelestrummers or by emailing trussvillestrummerukulele@gmail.com.