Ukuleles
itizens of Britain. We are at war. We are facing a clear and present danger, and we must rise up and fight. With around 39 closures a week, the Great British Pub is under attack and must be defended. Let every pub in the land march in the footsteps of the High Brooms Tavern, whose brave troops occupy it every inch of it on alternate Monday nights, armed with that deadliest of weapons - the Ukulele.
My friend Lesley's been going to the now legendary High Brooms Tavern Ukulele Night Thingy since Dave "It's Not How You Strum It, Just As Long As You Enjoy It" Kinder started it last May, so I went along with her. Not to play, but just to sit and watch. Fat chance. The first tune had barely finished before a lovely chap called Matthew handed me a ukulele to strum - not just any ukulele, but his beautiful Bruko, which demonstrates just how warm and friendly these ukelele types are. I wouldn't let a beginner within a yard of my grenadilla recorder. Alternatively, there are kazoos, whistles and strange egg-shaped rattles to shake in time to the music.
If you've never ever tried to play an instrument, then you'll never find an easier or more fun chance than this to learn. I picked a chord I quite liked the look of (C, being a one finger job, was the obvious choice), and gently strummed it whenever it came up in a song, gradually working up to the odd F when I felt up to it. I even managed a bar chord. But just the one. A lot of people who come here only picked up a ukelele when this event started, and are now pretty nifty.
There's no tune which can't be enhanced by a ukulele. From a very quick, jaunty Nothing Compares 2 U, to an enthusiastic Reach For The Stars, to a mean and moody Eye Of The Tiger, to a hearty rendition of the Jim'll Fix It theme, to a frankly bonkers Creep by Radiohead. My favourite by far was Sloop John B, mainly because the chord progressions are very slow and manageable. For a full shufty of the sheet music, click here.
The beauty of the Ukulele is that you can pick one up for under twenty quid. As well as the shops around town, or, of course, Amazon, Carole Noakes has got a nice collection of rather attractive vintage ones. And Lesley and me quite fancy the idea of a pilgrimage to the Duke of Uke in London.
Please note, though: if for some strange reason the Ukulele night does not appeal to you, I thoroughly recommend you visit the High Brooms Tavern for a cheeky pint anyway, it really is a marvellous place.
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