Course Title

How to Startand Run aStrum and Drum Program

Rick Carlson & Panel

Moderated by: Rick Carlson, Kala Brand Music

With: Arthur Hopkins, Island BazaarJessica Duarte, Bertrand’s Music

John Fitzgerald, Remo

How to Start and Run a Strum and Drum Program

What is a Strum and Drum?

Why Start a Strum and Drum Program

1. Attract new customers.2. Create a sense of community in your store.3. Create new musicians and increase sales.

4. Generate positive customer experience.5. A low-cost way to create a successful event.

7. A great tool for marketing your store.8. Easy to organize.

9. A great way to encourage repeat customers.10. Effective with both small and large groups.

6. An effective and fun way to teach students of all ages.

Why Start a Strum and Drum Program Cont.

Contact Kala to get information on theirUkulele Circle Starter Kit.

Before Your First Strum and Drum1. Find a Facilitator

• Who is the “right” facilitator? They should:• Keep a steady rhythm• Know a few chords• Enjoy singing• Memorize a few songs

• Where do you look for a facilitator?• Store staff, guitar teachers, uke instructors• Google “ukulele clubs” in your city• Check local schools/colleges for a uke group

2. Promoting the Event

• Where do you promote?• How do you promote?• Who do you invite?• Who promotes? • What role does Social Media play?• Free resources available?

Before Your First Strum and Drum cont.

3. The Plan• Length of meeting?• Only jamming or lesson too? • Make a simple outline of the meet.• How do you combine multiple instruments?• Who does what? • Where do you hold it? • Where do you get the instruments?• How frequent do you hold events?

Before Your First Strum and Drum cont.

• 4. Get Resourced• Ukes and percussion• Facilitator• Songs

• What makes a song a “good” song• What Skill level should you choose? • How many songs? • How often do you repeat songs?• Where can you find music?

• Chord Tabs

Before Your First Strum and Drum cont.

For more information on starting a Strum and Drum program contact:

rmm@namm.org