THERE'S a lot more to ukuleles than Tiny Tim playing Tip-Toe Through the Tulips.
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Just ask Dubbo singing teacher Brenda Lesueur who is enjoying being part of a worldwide resurgence of interest in the small guitar-like instrument chiefly associated with Hawaiian music.
"The ukulele is the happiest instrument in the world... and the most addictive," she said.
"Ukuleles come in various shapes and sizes and are not expensive to buy or difficult to learn how to play.
"There's something special about the sound they make and the smiles they produce in both players and listeners."
Brenda is part of Red Earth Ukes, a local group operating under the umbrella of the University of the Third Age in Dubbo.
Last week the 'Ukes' performed at Dubbo RSL Memorial Club as support act for visiting folk duo Putty Road.
"We had a wonderful time - everyone had so much fun and there was a real buzz in the room," Brenda said.
The ukulele group started when music enthusiasts Marie Kelly and Di Clifford got together to play in Di's lounge room.
Now there are about 20 members and rehearsals are held on Saturdays at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. Beginners practice from 10am to 11am. The main group runs from 11.30am to 1pm.
"People are drawn to ukuleles because of the sound they make and the fact that you don't need to be able to read music," Brenda said.
"We work with printed pages of the words of songs. On the side of each page are pictures of what players need to do with their fingers.
"It is all extremely accessible. People who have a musical background can learn to read tablature and are able to play melodies and chords in a more complicated way."
Tablature is often used for fretted stringed instruments and was common during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. It is still used for notating rock, pop, folk, ragtime, bluegrass and blues music.
The Red Earth Ukes are conducted by Dennis Wilson, a trumpet player with extensive band experience.
"Dennis had never played a stringed instrument before he took up the ukulele," Brenda said.
"He plays an electric bass uke which gives us a great rhythm. When we play together we sound like a little orchestra.
"Dennis has spent time training in Newcastle with community music group Sum of the Parts. That education has given him great strategies for moulding Red Earth Ukes. We are doing more than strumming four beats and singing. The group is working on interesting rhythms and developing a wide repertoire.
"Our members are passionate about making music and several have multiple ukuleles. One lady has five. I have two in different sizes that make different qualities of sound.
"Some of our members are working on jazz, others are drawn to classical music."
Brenda's interest has extended to the Renaissance era as the ukulele is the modern instrument that most closely resembles the lute.
She is inspired by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, a seven-member group featuring ukuleles in different registers.
"They play and sing music from a variety of musical genres, all on the ukulele," Brenda said.
"As a music teacher my goal is to get as many people as possible involved in singing and playing instruments.
"Making music is fantastic for health and helps to counteract conditions like depression and dementia.
"I am a great believer in music as therapy. That's why I am involved in Sing for Life at the University of the Third Age at 10am on Saturdays.
"We meet in the Doug Sadler Room at the back of the cultural centre and sing all sorts of stuff.
"We started off with music from the 1930s and 40s and moved onto popular musicals. Members love to belt out songs like Botany Bay and I Still Call Australia Home.
"Our sessions are reminiscent of the sing-a-longs that were popular entertainment for families and communities in years gone by."
Further information about the ukulele and singing groups can be obtained by telephoning Brenda on 6887 2527.