I’ve played my way from orchestras to rock groups
and everything in between, looking for my musical home. I’ve played violin and viola in symphony orchestras; fiddle in folk and bluegrass groups; drums, bass and keyboards in rock bands.
A few years ago, I found my way back to my first love, the ukulele, and it was just as much fun as I’d always remembered.
I’ve been in love with the ukulele since I was six years old. My mother taught me three chords and three songs.
I remember the amazing feeling of joy. I thought, “This is so much fun! This is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life!”
But it wasn’t that straightforward. Soon after that, I was sent off to violin lessons, which weren’t joyful or fun.
Finally, I learned how to create my own musical space in the world. With the ukulele.
I love helping others get to the happy highs of music-making as enjoyably and speedily as possible. That’s why I love teaching people like you to play the ukulele.
You may have tried to play other instruments, but it just wasn’t fun. Or you stopped because you didn’t feel like you were any good at it.
I’m usually thinking about food.
I can’t play the trumpet and saxophone (but my sons can).
Actually, the only wind instrument I can play is the recorder.
I’m married to a musician.
My husband Matthew Bannister is in my favourite New Zealand band, Sneaky Feelings. Our 20-something sons, Tom and Albert, are both musicians too. Here they were many years ago.
I love the Beatles.
My favourite Beatles album is Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Years ago I used to write for a fashion magazine.
It’s absolutely the fastest way that exists to get your musical groove going.
With the ukulele. . .
You can go from zero to playing your favourite songs in a matter of weeks. Not years.
Making music is about expressing who you are directly through sound.
You’ll be doing something that’s just for yourself and not for anyone else.
You don’t have to be able to read music.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a ukulele.
You don’t even have to practice for hours and hours (unless you want to, of course).
You’ll be able to turn up to parties and jam with other musicians!
Learn ukulele with me – here’s where you can start. I offer online and in real life 1:1 lessons as well as group classes. Also, I am available to speak at your event. I love talking about the benefits of music.
Alice Bulmer is an online ukulele teacher. She works with people in New Zealand and all over the world.
After nearly 50 years of playing in everything from orchestras to rock bands she’s come full circle and now teaches ukulele to people aged from 4 to 94.
Alice is also a specialist in music for wellbeing, having trained in expressive therapies at AUT University.
Check out my Strum for Fun Youtube channel, for lots of free ukulele tutorials.
Sign up to my list here and strum your way to fun!
Strum your way to fun! Play along with my ukulele videos.
All levels are welcome, from never touched an instrument before to those who are already musicians. I’ll show you how to quickly and easily start playing the ukulele.