Dusty Strings has some ways to stay connected, and making music, through the efforts to ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ COVID-19 restrictions. Read-on to find out about on-line private lessons, music meet-ups, and other ways to get your musical needs satisfied through Fremont’s landmark music school and store!
- On-Line Private Lessons – Support the talented teachers of Dusty Strings, while learning new skills as a musician, through Zoom or Skype. Whether an existing student or just exploring new horizons and sounds, now is a great time to access the talent and experience of the DS professionals. Check out the full list of teachers, and look for those with a green asterisk next to their name to indicate they are giving on-line lessons. Teachers offer weekly, bi-weekly, or occasional, one-off lessons with rates starting at $40 for 30 minutes, and lessons available for all ages and levels of experience. Sign-up by e-mail to music@dustystrings.com, and give your phone number and the name of the teacher you want to work with, and someone will contact you as soon as possible with answers to questions and to enroll you in the Dusty Strings school.
- Gather & Sing On-Line – The weekly sign-along, Gather & Sing, now meets virtually. Led by Seattle Song Circle & Rainy Camp organizer Bruce Baker, you can join the Gather & Sing group via Zoom. Participants help pick the songs, and sing along from home while accompanied by Bruce on guitar. For more information about participating, including the Zoom ID, contact songcircle@seafolklore.org. Also visit SeaFolklore.org (click here,) for more information about this and other virtual sing-alongs being organized.
- Uke Jam with The Honeyville Rascals – Join Dusty Strings’ ukulele teacher Sunga Rose on Thursday evenings through May for a virtual uke jam, and an opportunity to donate to local non-profit organizations. Find more information at com or join the Facebook page (click here) for the Zoom information.
- Uke Play-Along with Wes Weddell – Via the King County Library System, Dusty Strings’ mandolin and Living Room Ensemble teacher Wes Weddell is leading free, weekly ukulele classes and play-alongs. The first fifteen minutes of each session reviews the basics of playing the ukulele, with the rest of the time devoted to playing and singing together on-line. Although it is free, and open to all ages, participants must register in advance, and then they will get the Zoom link information. Register, and get more information, through the King County Library website (click here.)
- Purchase Instruments On-line – If you need a new instrument, or simply want to upgrade, take a look at the offerings on the Dusty Strings website. If you are interested in a purchase, contact music@dustystrings.com with your phone number and you will be contacted as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to limited operations, Dusty Strings cannot process orders of small items, including lower-priced ukuleles.
The Dusty Strings team is paying close attention to State, County, and City plans for re-opening businesses, and recommendations for customer and staff safety in retail store environments. They are busy preparing ‘behind the scenes’ to be ready to re-open as soon as the time comes. A great way to support Dusty Strings, and get yourself ready for your future music endeavors, it to purchase gift cards – for yourself and everyone! Gift cards are good for purchases in the store and the school. Visit the Dusty Strings website (click here,) to purchase gift cards – and find out about all the ways you can make music.