PUGZ

If you have a ukulele that stays in tune, are familiar with the Zoom app, and have good internet speed, you qualify for PUGZ!

Open to all skill levels, including brand-new beginners.

PUGZ boosts wellness through learning and playing ukulele. We focus on three main strategies to achieve this. Each strategy not only contributes individually to wellness but works synergistically to amplify the combined benefit.

1. Connecting With Ukulele Friends / Community

Belonging is a universal need that community music satisfies. Most people enjoy playing ukulele with other people far more than alone, regardless of whether they’re outgoing or quiet. In a world that emphasizes independence to the point of isolation, PUGZ offers supportive community as a welcome alternative. We foster an environment where learning and improvement are the outcomes of community, rather than prerequisites for participation.

2. Continuously Learning New Ukulele Skills

Many aspire to learn new skills but find it challenging to make progress. PUGZ employs a variety of methods to help make learning effective and sustainable.

• Collaborative learning through discussion

• Active hands-on learning rather than passive observation

• An assortment of challenge levels to find what’s optimum

• Topics and songs that resonate, chosen by members

We also especially emphasize repetition as described below.

3. Playing Ukulele More Frequently

Frequency has a dramatic effect on learning; playing once per week retains only 2% of new skills relative to playing daily! But traditional methods often rely on willpower, an approach that doesn’t suit most casual ukulele strummers. In PUGZ, we prioritize the joy of playing with others as a strong motivator. Hence, we create opportunities for more frequent, mutually encouraging connections with fellow ukulele enthusiasts, transforming practice into a communal habit rather than a solitary chore.

• 10 mins Topic Intro (L Group) & Check-In (S group)

• 10 mins Demo Activity #1 (L Group)

• 20 mins Do Activity #1 (S Group)

• 10 mins Demo Activity #2 (L Group)

• 20 mins Do Activity #2 (S Group)

• 15 mins Share Your Wisdom (L Group)

• 5 mins Closing Song (L Group)

____________________________

• 90 mins Total

• S Group = 2 to 4 People

• L Group = 20 to 30 People

• Four monthly Zooms, Monday topics repeat Thursdays

• Easier sharing in breakout groups

• Video recordings and text summaries

• Opportunities to connect between Zooms

• Quarterly strum-alongs

• Diverse perspectives as we teach each other

• Topic & song voting

• Selectable challenge levels

• Skilled teacher, facilitator, and community builder

• Group agreements that promote healthy community

You can register or cancel any time using the button above. There are no beginning or ending “class” dates. PUGZ is ongoing.

Before registering, review our calendar above. Some dates have changed.

“Registering” means subscribing to Andrew’s Patreon page. The number of subscribers is limited. If Patreon indicates no spots remaining, check back for cancellations. There is no waiting list.

There are two Patreon tiers. Both allow access to ALL monthly events and materials.

• Standard Tier $20/mo: This tier most accurately reflects PUGZ value.

• Reduced Tier $10/mo: Use if you have limited financial resources, attend infrequently, or our standard tier is full.

Patreon accepts credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay. You’ll be charged the day you subscribe and monthly thereafter. No refunds. Cancel any time.

Enter an active email address into Patreon. We’ll use it to communicate with you. Once subscribed, you’ll receive emails about next steps.

We’re looking forward to co-creating our PUGZ learning community with you :-)