Dear Mr. KIA, I’ve been a massive fan of Jack Johnson for a while now. Sometimes I imagine him emerging from the ocean like Daniel Craig in James Bond, while I’m sunbathing and eating banana pancakes. So I’ve recently purchased a ukulele in hopes of playing his songs and posting them on YouTube. The sad thing is I’ve been having difficulties mastering this tricky devil of an instrument. I’ve tried teaching myself, except it’s turning out worse than the time I tried to be like Avril Lavigne on the guitar. I was wondering if there are any places that offer ukulele classes or anywhere that I can meet other enthusiasts like myself?­­—Uku Noob
Dear UN, I’m proud to say that my musical ability is limited to banging take-out chopsticks on the coffee table and pretending I’m Meg White. (Though, truth be told, it doesn’t seem like you’re doing much better.) Personally, choosing a ukulele over a guitar is like opting for penis reduction instead of augmentation, but hey, whatever floats your boat. Lucky for you, the ukulele community in Bangkok has been growing exponentially in recent months, with more shops dedicated solely to the love of this tiny stringed instrument.
Uke Cafe (Learning Pad, 4/9 Soi Promsri 1, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 081-8131-350) sells ukuleles and offers lessons. Founded by the famous, Singhto Numchok and friends, they are open to anyone wanting to have a jam session. The place offers a cozy environment for beginners and a space for professional enthusiasts to share their skills. They also hold occasional workshops free of charge. Individual lessons are B700 per hour.
Ribbee Boutique (2/F, Digital Gateway, Rama 1 Rd., 081-985-4005. Open daily 11am-8pm. BTS Siam) pride themselves in being the first and only shop to sell authentic ukuleles and gear. There’s a massive collection of ukuleles for you to choose from. Workshops and regular visits from local ukulele enthusiasts are held regularly at the shop. For private lessons, visit their website http://www.ribbee.com for more information.
Monkey Plum Studio (2/F Chamchuree Square, Phayathai Rd., 084-666-2288. Open daily 10am-8pm. MRT Samyan) provides basic ukulele lessons free of charge for anyone interested. But while you’re there, it’s worth having a look at their collection of imported ukuleles as well as some custom-made ones.
Uku Cafe (1213/51, Lad Phrao Soi 94, 02-530-7432) not only has an impressive collection of ukuleles hanging on its walls, they also do coffee and cakes. If you’re a caffeine junkie, there’s a prize in it for you: Uku Café gives away a complimentary ukulele for every 100 coffees you purchase. With their hands busy at the moment, the cafe will start offering lessons in a few weeks.