Strum One, Strum All

Our big event Strum One, Strum All that took place in June was a huge success! 

To prepare for this event, YAF ran a two-part educational programme to get Hong Kong playing the ukulele. The first part of the programme was focused on equipping a group of teachers from local schools and youth organisations with both ukulele playing and teaching skills. These teachers, none of whom had ever learnt the ukulele before, then returned to their students for the second part of the programme, passing on their music skills and helping to prepare 100 young people for the performance day. 

Since then, we’ve managed to catch Zoe Mak and her student Lin Hoi Yan to tell us all about their Strum One, Strum All experience. Before this project, neither of them had played the ukulele before.

Zoe Mak (Teacher)
I hope everyone is given the opportunity to enjoy music and learn at least one instrument in their lifetime. Music is influential and is powerful in inspiring one’s character and emotions. I hope this programme can bring everyone, especially the students I worked with, a memorable experience.

What inspired you to learn to play the ukulele?
Ukulele has become more and more popular these past few years and it is so easy to pick up. Even a six year old child can learn a song in one to two lessons! Therefore, the instrument is not limited to those who have musical background. Everyone can enjoy it!

This was your first time learning the ukulele… how was it?
Learning the ukulele is relatively easier than other instruments. We can learn a song within a few lessons and so we can start enjoying the music, without having to first practice a lot.

Is it a challenge teaching the ukulele? 
Learning the ukulele is not a difficult task from an adult’s point of view. However, to teach children how to play is a whole other thing. Since some children’s finger muscles are not well developed yet, they need to exert more energy when strumming the strings. This usually hurts their fingers.

Any tips for those interested in learning and in teaching the ukulele?
​Practice makes perfect. For those who are interested in learning/teaching the ukulele, I highly encourage you to find friends to learn/practice with, as this will enhance your motivation to learn. If you have some favourite songs in mind, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher to teach them to you. It is a lot of fun!

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Lin Hoi Yan, tell us about your Strum One, Strum All experience! 

I love it a lot because the songs we play are nice. Also playing music is a lot of fun!

Learning the ukulele was very difficult in the beginning but it became much easier after practicing at home. I have a music background, but of course, I still had to practice, as practice makes perfect. 

I’ve learned to be patient and hard-working. Sometimes it hurts my fingers, but you get used to it. I keep telling myself to be patient, as I always remember our teacher saying that it is not easy learning a song.