March 4, 2016
Former Member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt has a new love in her life. So does her husband Tony.
The couple have both fallen in love with the ukulele after a Pacific cruise introduced them to the joys of this often-overlooked (and sometimes maligned) musical instrument.
As Dolly tells it, Tony purchased a ukulele on one of their island stop-overs because there were some ukulele players on the cruise ship offering free lessons.
It turned out to be so much fun that she bought a ukulele of her own when their cruise ship stopped at the next port of call.
“It’s an absolutely brilliant instrument,” Dolly said.
“You can learn three chords and be playing in under an hour – no kidding!”
In fact, that was how she and Tony learned. Fellow cruise passengers showed them three simple chords the first day; then another three the next day; and then, at a slower pace, several more as the cruise progressed.
And after each lesson the whole group – learners and experts alike – played and sang together.
Tony said he received his first tuition from an expert player.
“He was a very big guy, and he looked a bit funny holding a small ukulele. But boy, could he play!”
His tutor showed him how to get started, and Tony was amazed at how quickly he picked things up.
There are four main types of ukuleles, which range from the smallest (a soprano) through to concert, tenor and the biggest size, a bass.
Dolly and Tony have three of them, and may consider getting a bass ukulele one day to complete the set.
“A ukulele is one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play, a lot easier than guitar. And they’re also one of the most inexpensive. You can pick up a quality ukulele for less than $100,” Dolly said.
Over the last six months since the couple returned from their trip, Dolly has formed a small group of fellow enthusiasts who meet once a week at her Kingaroy home to play together and learn from one another.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re any good or not,” Dolly said.
“We all have lots to learn, so we play and sing together and just have fun doing it.”
Dolly has also put together a music book containing 500 tunes she’s already mastered, or is currently working to master.
“I can’t play all of them perfectly, but I can play them so the tune is recognisable,” she laughed.
Her ambition is to one day be able to play The Blue Danube, though she admits she may be a little way off achieving that just yet.
Recently two of her group of six announced they will be moving to the coast, so now Dolly is looking for new members to replace them.
“It doesn’t matter if players are experienced or not. We’re happy to teach anyone and we’re not critical,” Dolly said.
“The whole aim of our group is just to get together, make some music and have fun doing it.”
Interested? Give Dolly a call on 0419-778-015.
(forward to 1:15 to skip the intro if you’re in a hurry)
