Tunes and Dreams: Ukulele Lessons and New Beginnings

Today, June 19, 2024, the once determined Atlanta heatwave took the morning off. And it’s a good thing too because I’d had my fill of hot, oppressive weather. Today was as perfect as it could possibly have been. The Frank Hamilton School of Music partnered with Paint Love, both dedicated to community enrichment, to host an extraordinary day where music, art and learning intertwined.

My friend Julie and I arrived at the park with excitement and have to admit a bit of apprehension. At 62, the idea of learning something like stringing and tuning a ukulele, felt beyond my ablilities. But the thought of helping kids paint their own instruments, my learning how to string and tune them and observing their first lesson compelled me to give it a try. For years, I have admired musicians and the sense of belonging and connectedness they share when they play. I’ve long held a secret yearning to be part of that vibrant community.

Seasoned musicians, volunteers, and eager novices like myself gathered under the shade of a large oak tree. Tables were set up with ukuleles, paint supplies, and tuning equipment. The ukuleles lay bare, their strings coiled neatly beside them, waiting to be brought to life. Nearby, children sat with paint markers in hand, their faces lit with focused creativity as they transformed their instruments into beautiful works of art.

Jim, a kind-faced man had made the Ukuleles and introduced himself as one of the volunteers from the Frank Hamilton School of Music. His calm demeanor and warm smile immediately put me at ease. He hold up a ukulele and demonstrated how to string it. 4 Strings, each of varying widths, were waiting to be threaded, knotted and tightend before tuning. It felt daunting at first, but after watching a few being made gave me the confidence to give it a try. Like any new skill, I was slow at first and quickly became better. With each string I attached, a sense of accomplishment grew.

Once the ukuleles were strung, it was time to tune them. This part seemed more challenging; finding the perfect pitch felt like trying to capture a fleeting moment of harmony. But Jim introduced me to a digital tuner, a small device that clipped onto the ukulele’s headstock. He explained and demonstrated how to use it, and soon the once discordant sounds were transformed.

As I plucked the strings, testing the tuning, I felt wave of accomplishment. My musical fail fears began to dissapait and I kept going. The ukulele in my hands felt like a bridge to a new world. Around me, the other novices were also finding their rhythm, their faces lighting up with the same elation I felt. The musicians scattered among us, offered tips and shared their passion for music. Laughter and conversation filled the air, mingling with the gentle strumming of newly tuned ukuleles.

The children from Paint Love proudly showed us their painted ukuleles, each one a unique and as beautiful as the last. All musicians and volunteers admired the colorful designs, and engaged with the young artists about their inspirations and techniques. It was heartwarming to see the blend of generations, each learning from the other and finding joy in the creative process.

As the morning came to an end, Julie and I realized everyone had left but us, Jim and his wife Joey. We were talking about how we might help one of Jim’s “crazy ideas” become a reality.

As we left, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment. Learning to string and tune an instrument had been more than just a new skill; it was a reminder that no matter my age, there's always room for growth and new experiences. The partnership between the Frank Hamilton School of Music and Paint Love had not only brought music to our lives but had also strengthened the bonds within our community and I made new friends that I hope to see again.

This day will stay with me, a beautiful, breezy June day when I, along with others, had taken the first steps on a musical journey. Inspired by the experience, I am committing to take lessons and I hope to become a part of those community jam sessions I had long admired from afar.