Ukulele For Beginners In Kalispell

In 2017, approximately 1.75 million ukuleles were sold in the U.S. That number has more than tripled since 2009, when only 501 thousand were sold.

Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t play – or at least own – a ukulele. And you don’t have to look (or listen) hard to come across someone who does. The diminutive instrument is taking over live music sessions at coffee shops, selling out concert halls and finding its way into the hands of nearly every resident of America.

So what’s the appeal? Well, for starters, the baby of the string instrument family is easy to carry, even easier to learn, and extremely fun to play. But more than that, the ukulele has become more than just a cute starter instrument - it’s flourished into an entire community.

Ukulele clubs are popping up all over the U.S., and those like the one in Kalispell are showing us how the mighty little uke can really bring people together.

You don’t have to be a professional – or even musically inclined – to join this group. Despite the sheets of notes and the flowing stream of voices echoing throughout the library (their weekly meeting place), no one here is a musician. In fact, most members come just for the companionship.

The group, called Kaz-Uke-Eeeef, meet every Tuesday at the Imagineif Library in Kalispell. According to a local article, the club is welcoming new members and those interested can contact organizer Peggy Grafe (who also runs a beginner ukulele class at Flathead Valley Community College) at denimlace@montanaskylink.com for more information.

In addition to the weekly ukulele club and beginner classes, Grafe also organizes a ukulele jam session, Uke-a-Spell, twice a month at Snappy Sport Senter.

All of Grafe’s groups are open to men and women of all ages and skill levels, although participants are expected to supply their own ukulele. As Kaz-Uke-Eeeef is a group made up of mostly beginners, prospective members must also be willing to laugh, at themselves, at each other, and the instrument in their hands.

If you’re looking to ride the wave of popularity the ukulele is currently riding, and are just starting out, there’s no better place to begin your uke journey in Montana than Kalispell.