Don't ever again say there are better uke channels than yours!! YOU are the person that got me started. You are the person I enjoy learning from the most. There are other channels that are DIFFERENT than yours. That's all. I am sorry that I don't post more and am not more involved. But know that I watch every video you put up and look forward to your content. You are my ukulele teacher. It was so great to see your attitude change as you were talking about the Ukelele Bible. I look forward to seeing it. This was a tough year for you but you got through it. You learned and you grew. Always keep in mind all the people YOU helped grow and learn, how YOU spread the joy of playing the ukulele. And my accomplishment for this year? I started playing the ukulele!
This is exactly how I feel too! I've watched the other channels and I always come back to you. You taught me how to play the uku! Never played a string instrument or took music in school, so you taught me from the start in a way that it made sense to me. I thought if she can teach little kids to play, then shes the one who can teach me. I follow you on here, and insta, and all the others that you have played with too along the way. It's my uku family.
Don't ever think you don't make a difference. Your 30 day challenge has become the go to recommendation for beginners on both reddit and uke underground. That's really something.
Thank you for helping me to learn how to play Ukulele. My beautiful wife passed away on 30 May 2019 after 50 years of happy marriage and I needed something to fill my life. I cannot read music and have never played a musical instrument in my life. I bought a Ukulele and checked CZcams channels and discovered your channel. I found the method you used to teach was easy enough to get me playing and I now enjoy and look forward to learning something new. Thank you Bernadette for helping me through a bad time in my life. I am sorry to hear that you have also gone through a challenging time, both emotionally and physically. Please, continue doing what you do. Love and best wishes from me in Yorkshire, UK. xx
oh B!! you are amazing to share your life and very human struggles. much love and hugs, and i look forward to seeing you at NAMM ❤️❤️❤️ps. come visit me in Hawaii!!
i also know the feeling of "video block" and feeling like, "i could have done that way better." but this whole journey is a process, and we all just keep growing. excited to talk more about this in person!
I'm 70 years young, a trained classical pianist and former music teacher (private & public schools) and on a whim just decided I wanted to learn to play the ukulele last month. Part of the motivation was the fact that we have been raising our now 6 year old grand daughter and she loves learning about music. I was searching for CZcams Ukulele lessons for her as a child beginner and found your delightful, calm and beautiful smiling face demonstrating and teaching exactly how I would love to learn, therefore, great for her also. So thank you for your channel, your efforts, your sharing and your spirit so we can enjoy playing. I just received my Enya tenor Nova U Pro with acoustic plus in graphite (don't know how I ended up choosing that one?) but I love everything about it! I ordered her the 23" concert Enya in pink, her favorite color - should have it this weekend. How much fun we can have, along with piano lessons. So, we live in SOUTH FLORIDA; perfect warm climate to strum outside in the sunshine (when I can remember more than 3 chords) and will look into a ukulele group locally as I progress. My only ailment is my very sore fingertips! OUCH! Love you and so happy to have found you!
Hi Linda!! ❤️ Did your granddaughter's ukulele arrive? Are y'all having a blast playing together? If you have continued playing, I think the sore fingertips are not so sore anymore. Just like with piano, the more you play, the more the fingers harden a bit at the fingertips. The same part of the finger you use for piano should be used for the ukulele, so you have that advantage.. you understand the importance of hand placement and finger placement! :) I am so glad you said that you'll be looking into playing in a ukulele group. That really helps in learning and enjoying the instrument. There are lots of ukulele players in Florida, which is also nice. I was going to go to Florida this year for an event, but it got canceled :( hopefully next year it will be back on schedule! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I hope to hear more from you and your granddaughter soon! ❤️
We had so much fun on our journeys! I am so glad it all happened. And yes, sometimes life can be tough and it is not easy to deal with this when you are in a content creation schedule. But look at all the people here. They all get that and support you for your good and helping spirit. Don't forget that. I would not encourage to 100% ignore the negative voices, because they give you the urge to get better. I am hearing these voices too. You are not alone. But also - do not allow them to be louder than the hundreds and hundreds of people who feel inspired by you. You are giving SO MUCH to the ukulele community... Just keep on going! Please! Much love from Bulgaria ❤️ Vasko
I cannot comprehend, even for a moment, that anyone would let you go without an immense struggle, you appear to be an absolute delight. I am certain that there will be dozens of suitable suitors clamoring to be near you, and you will probably have to beat them all off with a stick. If I were a hundred years younger I would walk bare foot 1/2 a mile over broken glass just you hear you pluck a "A" string. By the way, I noticed that you play the Ukulele pretty well too, so you were already in the top 1% of our species. Keep smiling
There is no need to apoligize. Life happens and it is up to you on what happens next. You are an awesome person and an amazing teacher! As for the negative talk/thought/voice... Come up with a positve thought right after that. "What do I even have to give to the ukulele community..." Here is one thought to save for later. I did not know how to play the ukulele two years ago. This past week, my ukulele club (12 students) made their 1st performance debut at our school Christmas program. They played YOUR version of Jingle Bells. They did so well and I was so very proud of them. My principal told me parents were giving her compliments about my ukulele club's performance. YOU have a way of teaching the ukulele. I was able to learn from YOU, MY TEACHER. Now, I am able to teach my students the ukulele. After Christmas break, there will 10 other students who will join the ukulele club. If you think about it, this is just me. You have over 100,000 subscribers on CZcams alone. You also have your FB, instagram and Patreon followers. You do have a lot to offer to the ukulele community! ❤ 🤗
Sister! You got me started and inspired. Long story short. I promised my wife years ago (29 to be exact, we've been together 36 years) that one day I would sing to her on a beach in Hawaii and it never happened. My wife is now over a year cancer free and I thank God that she is still with me and realized that it's time to "go do" instead of wishing we had. I'm now 54 and earlier this year we decide that we would go to Hawaii in 2020. It's set, game on. I had to get an ukulele. I had to find an inspiration and I came across your channel. You were clear and upbeat and have a beautiful spirit. I knew that I needed to start with you. Thank you so much. I am now playing and singing and loving my new skills. You know, God has a plan for allllllllllllllll things. I have seen it and we have lived it. My prayer for you is that God will calm your heart and bring you peace. That you will continue to teach and share your God given talent to enhance, inspire and touch the lives of others. So, for you, a giant cyber hug or whatever it is we do here when we can't give a real hug. I will continue watching and learning. God bless you always. From the big island of Idaho, USA, Mahalo nui loa. I love you, Papa D
Bernadette, that voice in your head is so wrong. You are litteraly such a big inspiration to all of us. Please dont blame yourself. Life has a way of beating you down and how you are getting up is so incredible. We all love you. Happy holidays and the bedt new year to you❤️
Bernadette, I am so sorry that this year was not great for you. Divorce is so hard when nobody is wrong. My students know who you are, we use your videos in my classroom all the time. I really wish you would write a curriculum for elementary students...I would snatch that up in a second! Looking forward to seeing the Ukulele Bible! I hope 2020 is amazing for you.
If you see this, I just want you to share with you that I am brand new to the ukelele. I've wanted to play an instrument my entire life. My husband is giving me one for Christmas. I've been searching for well made tutorials and I was so happy when I found your 30 day challenge last night. It's perfect! I can't wait for Christmas morning! I'll be starting my lessons with your videos right away! You're an amazing teacher! I'm also an artist and I know how rough that inner critic can be. We are harder on ourselves than anyone else. I'm so glad to hear that you are pushing past that critic and still creating! I'm so thankful I found you, you teach in a way that makes it so easy for me to understand!
Dear Bernadette, a little more than a year ago I didn’t think I could learn to play ukulele by myself without a music school.... and then I came across your Chanel. And I keep practicing, with every new video, new challenge I get motivated again and ...... I keep improving :) I can see how much more I know, understand and what I can do. And this is thanks to you! The parents in the kindergarten I am teaching even asked if I can do a ukulele club with the children. I haven’t imagined this in my wildest dreams. Thank you! I am super grateful. I love how open you are about everything and it is an honor to watch you learn and grow and be so strong. Sending best wishes for the new year and lots of love from Slovakia! You are the best! ❤️🌺🌸🌺🌞🌈 Danka
No apologies needed. Just the fact you make resources available for everyone is such a generous gesture. Thanks for showing us how important it is to talk things through and that you care about us here to express it to us! To a much happier and peaceful 2020 to you and your family! 🍸
This year I came out from a very dark place and I have a lot to thank you because I started from your inspiration, an IG/YT account which opened doors to play my heart out and meet wonderful people!
Bernadette you are a wonderful teacher and never believe that you are not good enough. It takes guts, a huge amount of enthusiasm and love for what you believe in to do what you do. Please never give up; what you do is so encouraging for new ukulele players. Thank you for all the lessons on CZcams you’ve put up and don’t forget that there are a load of people who love and support you; you are never alone. Lots of love and hugs for 2020.
Lady Bernadette, you are so Brave 🙏 You are showing up here So Real. Divorce is s legal word for life plans that have not come thru and often heart break. Many of us have been thru this. You are working thru it and coming thru beautiful. I don't think any of us expect you to be perfect. But we do want you to show up. I feel like you do. Thank you for sharing and know we are here soaking up your teaching and enjoy sharing your life with you. And in return you learn of our lives. We have become a new version of family/community. BTW I didn't see a funk. I saw transitions. I get that for sure!! Here's hoping we meet face to face over Sakura celebrations 🙏🤗
Bernadette, you keep doing you. Yes you can be down, but don’t let that define you. You can’t imagine the inspiration that you pour out! For example; I’ve play guitar, I recently had a accident, can’t walk, I can’t hold a guitar right now, but, I have a ukulele that I can hold and play. (Somewhat), your enthusiasm made me want to get better! So I’m doing just that! Life throws us all a curve ball, it’s how you hit that ball and react is what defines us. You have a beautiful heart. Let your light shine on! We all love you, so in a word, your never alone. Our thoughts and prayers are always with you!
Ms. B, We all love you. You were in so much pain and still managed to do all the things you've done this year. Be proud You were always smiling in your videos. 2020 will be a great year for you. Send my best wishes to mom and dad and the kitties.
Bernadette, I rarely comment on videos but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you being the way you are. You are such a kind, caring and beautiful person - inside and outside. Thanks to you and your channel I've gotten a much better control over my panic attacks because you helped me to find inner peace in playing the ukulele. You are an amazing teacher. For 2020 I wish you all the best and may all your wishes come true!
This is the first vid you posted where I couldn't press the like button, simply because it might imply that I like how you had a rough year. Instead I feel the need to express respect, and a big thank you, not just for what you do, but the graceful and inspiring way in which you do it. Wishing you many blessings for a new year, Ronald.
Hello my lovely. i haven't commented on your channel for sometime but seeing this, felt I must! After watching this video, I so, so wish I could sit down with you and hold your hand and tell you how much you mean, not just to me, but to all of us. Reading the comments, I so hope you feel the love! If it wasn't for your channel I would never have even picked up a Ukulele. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument .. I have tried a few .. unsuccessfully. But then I found you!!! You made me feel like, "I can do this!!" And so I did my research and went Ukulele shopping. Not really knowing what I was doing but incidentally, the first Uke I bought is still my favourite Uke to play! Then I started your Uke lessons. Don't you dare apologise! Ever! Your lessons have been priceless!
Hi Bernadette, I am from Singapore. I have been following your youtube tutorial recently to improve the playing of my ukulele. I think you are the best uke teacher. I feel with you and am sorry to hear what happened to you in 2019. It must be very painful for you. Be assured that you are in my prayers. I must say that you are really gifted both in music and in teaching music. Take care and stay safe. God bless.
Hi Bernadette, I’m so happy to have found you! My husband and I are newly retired and we decided to take a road trip through Mexico. He really wanted to visit a small town called Paracho known for their luthiers. We visited a few shops and I spotted a couple of ukuleles at the store where my husband had chosen his guitar. The luthier had made 2 ukeleles and he chose the one that would be good to learn on. Since then, I have been following your 30 day challenge while “ on the road” and enjoying it very much. I come from a teaching background and appreciate that your lessons are well paced and very thorough. All the best to you 🎼❤️
This is super brave of you. I was a divorce attorney for awhile and man I'm super sorry for what you're going through. I started playing ukulele because my job is gross. Then my mom started playing. And we watch your videos. I use my diy uke strap that I learned from you. You've taught me a lot. Thanks for helping us, especially with everything that's going on
I have recently bought a ukulele.... having played no musical instruments since piano lessons as a kid - 60 years ago !!!! I looked and looked around CZcams for a teacher that I felt comfortable with.... and I found YOU !!! You are so reassuring and understanding and you explain things so well. I love your videos !!! Thank you. You contribute so much to those of us who want to learn to play the ukulele - at whatever level we are currently at. I understand what you went through in 2019. I have experienced the same.... and you will be okay. You are a strong and caring woman and you will get through this..... it takes time...... Be good to yourself.... mentally, physically and emotionally !!! You have over 200K subscribers !!! That shows just how much you DO contribute to all of us who love your channel !!!
For the record - when I bought my ukulele I tried to watch others but you’re the best teacher! The best! Even my toddler watches and is glued. You’re the best, B. 💕 COME TO NYC!!!
So sorry that this year has been such a bummer. Divorce is a tsunami, but the shock will pass eventually. As I tell people, Every day above ground is a good day. You will be okay as long as you keep moving forward. .I’ll be excited to see the ukulele bible when it makes it’s debut. Please keep us posted on you tube of your progress. Your vids are wonderful and something I search out routinely when I want to play music. Blessings to you and your kitties.
Dear Bernadette, I temporarily balked watching this when I saw how long your post was, but I'm so glad I decided to slow down, sit down, and watch. This exercise was a good reflection. Look where you were and how successfully you transitioned through some very difficult times. I am almost double your age, and I'm still surprised at the way life flows for me and those I know. The adage "there is no constant but change" is true. Keep on keeping on. You have family that supports you - biological as well as the uke community, and your talent and ability to organize content is fab (from one music educator to another). I live in the Chicago area, and would love it you came for a visit. The kitties would be welcome as well! your fan, brigid
Sending lots of hugs your way. Sitting down and talking about all of this must not have been easy ❤️ This community loves you and we are with you in this journey 💗 I have been going through stuff for a while.. and I just wanted you to know that your contents bring a lot of joy. There were days when I have been really down, but you inspired me to pick up my uke and just play. 30 day uke course made me really push myself, so thanks again 🙂 Hope 2020 brings you all the love, peace and success ❤️❤️
My Dear Bernadette, although I am late to your channel, we have walked similar paths. I too was divorced in my early 30's because my then spouse did not want to have a family. I too needed to get away to cleanse my soul, and spent a couple years on the island of Oahu doing just that. I have since remarried to a wonderful wife and been blessed with two children. Life can be a roller coaster, enjoy the ride. I returned to Oahu last month and was gifted a Ukulele from my nephew. I came upon your channel and completed the 30 day challenge in a week. You teach with love and patience. Keep up the good work and I am excited for the next challenge❤
Bernadette your private life is yours and yours alone, people who judge you on your life choices are not your true friends. I’ve only been watching your channel for a couple of months and from what I’ve seen you have built up a unique family community on here, which I have not seen surpassed or expect to be surpassed. You are very brave for making the decision to go your own way, it’s one of the hardest decisions of your life, but you have to live your life for you and no one else. Three months ago my 2yr old grandson walked in with a cheap ukulele and that stirred my interest in learning how to play the uke. Your channel had me hooked to learn more, so I’m getting a ukulele for Christmas and my wife of 36yrs is flabbergasted as I’ve started to grow my nails in readiness. I have never made new year resolutions, this year is the exception because of you and your beautiful heart and your unique style in teaching as if you’re in the room teaching. I look forward to 2023 and becoming a Patreon member. You’ve studied hard and you should be rewarded for that. A plumber doesn’t fix your pipes for free, so why should you teach people for free.
I love everything you do. Because of your videos I have been able to learn the basics...started in late Oct. 2018 and then wrote 2 grants and got 36 ukuleles for my school as well as 4 guitars for the guitar program. I am a tech facilitator at my school who will be starting a ukulele club in 2020. I love all your resources and patreon page. I cannot wait for 2020. Filled with ukulele love. I have a school webpage where I have featured your videos. You are awesome. My favorite ukulele teacher ....love the others but you are one of a kind. Much happiness and success to you in 2020.
Wow after watching you video I just wanted to give you a big hug, you are a strong young woman who will rebuild your life and happiness. Very best wishes for 2020.
Awwwww Ms. B!!! We love you so much! I went through a divorce this year too. Mines was finalized Dec. 3rd. Going through one sucks. LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH!
You are an inspiration my friend. I have had my ukalele for 10 yrs and never touched it. I came across one of your videos and I am now hooked. I am a working mom and have a 17 month old toddler who keeps me busy but I have found that practicing play my ukulele has been giving me the tranquility that has been much needed in the middle of this crazy pandemic. The best thing that happened in 2019 was the birth of our daughter. I am super happy that you soon too will have your daughter. Maybe she will be born on Christmas. I am going to continue to practice my ukulele in the hopes I can play a couple of songs here and there. You are so gifted, talented, sweet and beautiful. God Bless you always Greetings from Austin, Texas
Thank you so much for this very personal video you have shared. I myself was going through a divorce at the very same time you were. (42yrs!!) I was in an inexplainable emotional state and living with my brother and sister-in-law; I will always be grateful for their support!! Part of my "detox" and "get busy living again" strategy was to learn to play the ukulele using your videos!! I have come a long way (watching today 10/14/22), I can play so many songs now and I LOVE IT!! It's a great release for me in all ways. Thank you so much for your courage to do this video and share with the world!
Warm hugs from Canada. Thank you for sharing your story. I spent 2018 and 2019 sailing around the world with my husband. Before the trip I bought a small ukulele, which I have left on the shelf until I came across your CZcams channel by fluke. My first song was Hallelujah. Then I downloaded 15 days of your ukulele 30 day challenge in Rio and got though all lessons between Brazil and Grenada. Captain and I are also going separate ways after this adventure, but as Leonard sings that there is a crack in everything and there is where the light comes in.... You are such an amazing and gorgeous young lady.... Like Harry, I have never played an instrument before. Your enthusiasm and wonderful teaching techniques were my companion during my night watches. Looking forward to the Ukulele Bible...
First of all, thank you Bernadette for sharing your gifts and your heart. Your 2019 story starts out sad and difficult, but the latter part reads like a checklist of things you've been wanting to do but were being held back from. You've chosen to live life on your own terms and I couldn't be happier for you. Maybe the pain you went through this year is a little like building up callouses on your chord fingers. It hurts for a while, but brings pleasure for the rest of your life. I'm excited to see how the seeds you've planted in 2019 continue to grow and thrive.
Wishing you the best for 2020 and beyond! You have been instrumental (no pun intended) in helping me learn to play. I started learning the uke only a few months ago (at 64 years young). Your teaching style and teaching energy has been a huge help in learning. Thank you very much. PS: Being an animal lover too, it was nice to hear how you took care of your kits through all life's changes. They are a blessing, aren't they?
I wish you all the strength and health, both mental and physical, for 2020 ❤️ I hope all your dreams and plans for the year will come true and you'll be loved and supported in everything you do!
Bernadette, thank you for sharing your life with us. Making this video took a lot of courage. What you have gone through is very difficult. I survived it many years ago and I know you will too. Uke wise, the best thing that happened to me this year was discovering your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your music knowledge in such a joyous way! Your teaching method has helped me tremendously. I will be retiring in a few months and improving my uke skills is a high priority for me. You are a beautiful soul who brings such joy to the world. Despite the hard times this year, I wish you a Merry Christmas full of the love of our savior in the manger. God bless you!
I’m so sorry that your marriage ended. That is very traumatic but you kept working and smiling and inspiring everyone. You are one strong woman!! And believe me when I tell you this: YOU’RE CHANNEL IS THE BEST. NO QUESTION. HANDS DOWN.
Bernadette, I hope you truly know and understand how loved you are. It sucks that you are going through such a hard time but you are an amazingly strong and talented person. I wish both you and Jose the very best moving forward and pray that each of you finds what your hearts desire. On a different note, thank you so much for doing what you do. I grew up with a terrible music teacher who made me feel like I had no place singing or playing any instrument. I’m now in my mid-thirties and learning the ukulele through your videos and absolutely regretting all those years I allowed myself to think that music was not for me. I’m a school librarian and I’ve started playing my ukulele for my students and they love it. Just know that what you do through your channel touches not only those of us watching, but the people we touch with music in turn. It’s a ripple effect and it all starts with you. Thanks for sharing your heart and your music with us.
Also had to say, after hearing how helpful Patreons are for you, I went ahead and signed up on your Patreon page. The value of what you offer for free is worth more than the $5 a month I will pay, and if it helps you to continue to do what you are doing, it’s $5 a month I am happy to part with. All the best!
Bernadette you are a special lady. Your heart is kind and loving. You are a wonderful teacher. I spend time with you almost every day and sometimes most off my day. You've saved my life during this shut down and moving across country.
Along with your beautiful smile you have an equally beautiful heart. Thank you for all you have shared both with your music and the events of 2019. I wish you all the best for you in your personal and professional lives - you are a treasure!
One of my fav "teachers". Love your colabs.. keep them and your own work coming. We are a better community WITH you Bernadette. Thanks for all you give. Be safe and Happy Holidays!
Thanks for sharing and being open. This took a lot of courage and you are very brave. I just recently started playing ukulele 3 months ago and look forward to getting better. Your videos and materials have been very helpful. Your hard work keeps me motivated to have fun while learning.
Thank you Bernadette for sharing this with us. You have been and will always be an enormous gift to the ukulele community and I can't imagine it without you. I'm so proud of everything you have done this year and how you chose to never give up. 2020 will be your year and I can't wait to see what 2020 will have to offer to you. Thank you for being such a big inspiration for me since the start. I am so so grateful for you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We love you Bernadette! Praying you have a fantastic year starting 2020. Thanks for all you do! You are an inspiration to me and all your fans. Blessings 🙏♥️🎶
You have provided us much sunshine with your music and your passion in teaching. And it is time that we reflect a bit of the sunshine you gave us back to you at times when you need it... hence sending you hugs. Hang in there whenever you have a tough day, that too shall pass. Thank u for what u do... merry Xmas and wishing u a happy year ahead!
Thanks so much for sharing your life changing 2019. You went through so much this year. Sending great thoughts your way to stay consistent with yourself as you are. Per your request in your video message - big news this year for me: I just started the Uke in 2019. It was a huge life changer for me. You were one of the first teachers online that I began to seek out to learn in a really fun way. Thank you very very much for continuing to teach and to share in such a positive way. I wish you a wonderful 2020, more smiles and fewer tears, and I plan to keep following you as a cornerstone of our amazing social Uke community. Merry Christmas.
I can only imagine how tough 2019 was for you, but you handled it with such grace. We (your uke family) are here for ya and looking forward to 2020! Big hug!
I was so sorry to hear that you’re life has been very difficult, you do so much to lift us all up and make learning as easy as it can be. Thank you and good. luck for the next year, I appreciate what you do.
I'm so sorry you went through this, and it was brave of you to share such a personal experience. I love your videos and am so inspired by your teaching methods. I hope you can feel the affection and support of your subscribers.
You are amazing. I love how you ended the year on such an upbeat note. I found your channel back in March when I decided, more or less on a whim, to try to learn how to play ukulele. Your 30 Day Uke Challenge got me going and I continued to follow your various videos and Uke challenges. You have also provided great advice both directly and indirectly leading me to find some ukuleles that I love. Responding to messages from a random person was very impressive. Thank you! I hope you have nothing but joy and happiness in the next year!
Watching this in 2020. Best luck to you in 2020 and coming years. My two kids and I love your channel enormously! Well done and keep up the amazing work!
Dear Bernadette, I’m glad to see that you’ve managed to pull through all the difficulties life presented to you this year, and came out stronger at the other end. You’re inspirational and much loved in our community. Keep going, keep breathing, teach that inner voice to speak kinder words to you and move forward as you do. You are my favourite CZcams uke teacher and I wish you a less challenging, more fabulous 2020! 🎉🎊❤️
Thank you so much for talking to us, I ha e watched you from your early days in Japan and feel like a friend watching your life unfold but wondering what is really happening behind brave smiles, you have been looking better and better lately and happy 😊 which makes me happy watching you. You are a wonderful person xxx
Aloha from Hawaii! 2019 hasn't been a rough year for me too. I went through something similar this year. Finding your channel has brought me out of that low point and also reunited me with my passion for ukulele. Now I play on my old ukulele (from elementary school) everyday and try to learn new things by watching your videos. And I thank you for that! I look forward to seeing all of your 2020 plans come to life! And please take any positive opportunities that come your way. I'm 32 too and wish I could have the opportunities you have! I know you hear this alot, but honestly keep up the awesome work!
Very brave and smart of you to own what happened in the past year. Speaking the truth out loud has a way of taking the power back from negative self chatter. It's a good way to step forward with self acceptance. I could tell for a while that something was off even before you moved back to the US and had pretty well figured out what was going on with you and sorry for your loss. No matter what a divorce is a grief process because it represents the death of all those dreams and expectations you had about what your life was going to look like and who would be in the journey with you. People don't always understand that even a "necessary" divorce will still be a grief process. I have so much respect for you as a ukulele teacher. Its funny how the learning is not linear but often coming back to things you have moved past can be a smart way to continue the learning journey so for a little while now I have thought that revisiting scales would be the best use of my time right now as I move forward into new skills and one of the first online tutorial purchases I ever made when I got my ukulele was to buy your scales from the Teachers Pay Teachers page. It meant something different to me then but just as important. I was looking around for it last night and finally remembered where I got it so I could print off a new copy. It's often that way for me with your videos or other offerings. I come back when they have new meanings to me. Thank you for all you bring to the Ukulele community.
Ms B As beginner with ukelele, i learned more with your video than other channels , the 1st song I've master from your video can't stop loving you elvis ❤❤❤ your the best stay strong stay for us..you are beautiful block all those negative thought...love u so much will always support you ❤❤❤ all the way from 🇧🇳🇧🇳
I’ve been with you for 2 years-love watching your channel, you have helped me more than you’ll ever know-I know 2020 will be a great year for you, hopefully I’ll see you in L A next year
I just found you a few months ago, and I love you!!!! I’m so sorry for all you have gone through. You really do deserve the best in life, you have such a giving heart. I’m glad you are getting to travel some.
Bernadette, you are such an amazing person, and don't listen to those voices! You are the only ukulele youtuber I watch! I chose you over everyone else! You handled this year so well, and that was probably a very hard thing to do. I want to thank you as well, because one amazing thing that happened to me this year is that I started playing the ukulele. It is now my passion, and I have to thank you for that hugely! Your 30 day uke challenge encouraged me to keep playing and got me really into the ukulele! You taught me all the basics, like how to hold your uke and how to play basic chords, but those are the most important things! Learning the basics is what made me fall in love with the uke, so really I have you to thank for that. The ukulele has made me find meaning within myself ( I know that sounds cheesy ) and it has made me feel wonderful inside. Thank you Bernadette, for being such an amazing person! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I'm so happy you can move past the negative thoughts. There is so much love in this community and I think everybody loves you! I'm happy to be able to help you by supporting on patreon and am gratefull for everything you give back.
I am so sorry to hear about all you have gone through this year. You have been beat down emotionally by this but you have many people here who support you and care. It was so good to see the change come over you when you started to talk about your ukulele bible. Can’t wait to see how this evolves!
Thank you for sharing, I can feel that your heart is broken. Don't listen to all the negative chatter in your head. We learn from our past experiences and the love of your life is out there somewhere. I just recently found your Site and I am happy that I did. Love your teaching and the sun will come up tomorrow and you will find lots of happiness. Be strong and it will get better. Merry Christmas and I am so happy that you have your family's support. Blessings and hugs from affar.
Thank you for inspiring and teaching me to play my new uke. Your style of teaching and warmth really work and by the comments below have really touch a lot of people.
Bernadette, I’m sending you all the love and light in the world ❤️ you are a strong and wonderful woman who can turn her weaknesses into strengths and I admire that so much about you. wishing you the best going into the new year ✨
Cuando de pronto tu cara cambió al hablar de tus viajes y lo bien que te habían hecho, recordando todo lo bueno, esa es la expresión que debes mantener siempre Miss❤️No existen mejores canales que el tuyo y todos los que seguimos el canal lo hacemos por el gran empeño que pones y sobretodo el cariño y amor por enseñar que se ve reflejado en cada clase. Créeme que todos los que buscábamos aprender a tocar ukulele pasamos por muchos canales y nos quedamos en el tuyo, por lo completo que es y por lo que transmites al enseñar que no sólo es conocimiento sino también muy buena energía. Gracias por la oportunidad que nos das de aprender. Un inmenso abrazo! Y ya pronto la vida te dirá donde debe ser el próximo destino pero por ahora sé feliz y disfruta de tus padres y de la tranquilidad de estar contigo misma. Tranquila, mereces ser muy feliz y lo lograrás. Te queremos mucho y agradecemos tus enseñanzas. Psdt: Me identifico mucho porque mi sueño es tener una familia con hijos, amo con locura a los gatos y desde hace un tiempo compré mi Uke💛 y conocí el gran trabajo que haces.
You are one of the best teachers I have ever met. Your way of teaching is very easy to understand. You are the one who taught me my first ukulele song. I still have you on my ukulele journey.Thank you so much, my wonderful teacher!!!
Sounds like I wasn’t the only one to have a crazy 2019! I started a new job this year that allows me to travel where and when I want, so that was a change for the better. This past Black Friday, I was in the local music store, and on a whim, I bought my first ukulele. I knew nothing about the ukulele, so I immediately went online and was fortunate to find this channel. I play every day, and I absolutely love it. Thank you!!!
I found you through the “how to tune your ukulele” video. That’s the best tuning tutorial I found. It helped me set my foot in the ukulele world. I appreciate your hard work so much
Way back when I first reached out to you and you did not hesitate to respond, and the helpful and caring way you responded I knew you had to be a very special person. There is nothing I could say that has not already been said to try to ease your pain. Please know that you have touched so many lives in a positive way. You are a wonderful role model. With your talent, and kindness and willingness to help others your future is going to be bright! I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I know the new year is going to be is going to be better for you. This world is a better place because of people like you.❤
Thank you for all you do, Bernadette. You are inspiring and a beautiful person inside & out. I picked up the ukulele in September and stumbled onto your videos. My 73 year old mother is now learning, too! You touch many lives world wide.
I have followed you since Japan, I always think of you as my ukulele teacher, and you are the reason I fell in love with this instrument and want to share it with my students. We know that your personal life has changed, know that we understand and appreciate all you share with the world. You are a blessing to us. Hope you have a wonderful 2020.
Bernadette, You are such a blessing to me!! I love the way you teach, I love your passion, I love how you care for people. You are the one that made me love ukulele. Thank you.... BEST TEACHER EVER! ❤️
Hi from the island Guam. I just watched your 2019 review video. I’ve been away for a few months but am back. I know you’ll probably never read this but I just wanted to say I enjoyed the video. Thanks for explaining more about the divorce which I was sorry to hear about. When you talked about it at the beginning of the year I was shocked and had wondered what really hapoened. Thanks for explaining. I disagree about your comment that there are better uke channels out there. That’s baloney! YOUR CHANNEL IS THE BEST BAR NONE. I’ve learned so much from you. You’re such a great teacher! I could also stare at you all day. Your such a beautiful person with a great personality with so much passion for what you do and give to us fans. You and what you give is what has motivated me to learn the ukelele. I would love to meet you one day and play with you (after I improve more first). Please don’t stop what you seem to passionately love doing. Your fans care what happens to you. Thanks for opening up to us. It makes us feel a personal connection to you which we love and which the other channels fail to do. All I can say is YOU ARE GREAT! I look forward to learning from you and following you. Take Care and Si Yu’us Ma asi (Thank you in my native Chamorro language). David
Wow, you are a special lady! You’re are real, honest, open, caring and many more things. It’s why I have always liked you from the beginning while you were in Japan. You’re still my favorite teacher and I’m looking forward to seeing what 2020 brings your way. Merry Christmas!
Bernadette, you have been such an inspiration to me through this year, my first ukulele year, I am even playing barre chords now. I hate to hear you talk like this and get emotional but we all love you dearly and hope everything works out for you in the new year.
Bernadette your a great teacher and huge inspiration to me! I have loved your circle of 5ths videos there awesome. Definitely want to meet you I didn’t get to go to the LA ukulele festival but plan on going in 2020! Keep up the great work and always remember Music takes you on a journey!
Don't ever again say there are better uke channels than yours!! YOU are the person that got me started. You are the person I enjoy learning from the most. There are other channels that are DIFFERENT than yours. That's all. I am sorry that I don't post more and am not more involved. But know that I watch every video you put up and look forward to your content. You are my ukulele teacher.
It was so great to see your attitude change as you were talking about the Ukelele Bible. I look forward to seeing it. This was a tough year for you but you got through it. You learned and you grew. Always keep in mind all the people YOU helped grow and learn, how YOU spread the joy of playing the ukulele.
And my accomplishment for this year? I started playing the ukulele!
This is exactly how I feel too! I've watched the other channels and I always come back to you. You taught me how to play the uku! Never played a string instrument or took music in school, so you taught me from the start in a way that it made sense to me. I thought if she can teach little kids to play, then shes the one who can teach me. I follow you on here, and insta, and all the others that you have played with too along the way. It's my uku family.
Well said Ed. Yep, agreed.
I think we could start a Guinesss Record for the worlds biggest group hug for the amazing Bernadette 💞
Dont worry Bernadette, you are the best!😁
miss B, you are one of the best teacher i've ever had!
I agree 100%
Don't ever think you don't make a difference. Your 30 day challenge has become the go to recommendation for beginners on both reddit and uke underground. That's really something.
Thank you for helping me to learn how to play Ukulele. My beautiful wife passed away on 30 May 2019 after 50 years of happy marriage and I needed something to fill my life.
I cannot read music and have never played a musical instrument in my life.
I bought a Ukulele and checked CZcams channels and discovered your channel. I found the method you used to teach was easy enough to get me playing and I now enjoy and look forward to learning something new.
Thank you Bernadette for helping me through a bad time in my life.
I am sorry to hear that you have also gone through a challenging time, both emotionally and physically.
Please, continue doing what you do.
Love and best wishes from me in Yorkshire, UK. xx
I'm so happy for you! :)
oh B!! you are amazing to share your life and very human struggles. much love and hugs, and i look forward to seeing you at NAMM ❤️❤️❤️ps. come visit me in Hawaii!!
i also know the feeling of "video block" and feeling like, "i could have done that way better." but this whole journey is a process, and we all just keep growing. excited to talk more about this in person!
I'm 70 years young, a trained classical pianist and former music teacher (private & public schools) and on a whim just decided I wanted to learn to play the ukulele last month. Part of the motivation was the fact that we have been raising our now 6 year old grand daughter and she loves learning about music. I was searching for CZcams Ukulele lessons for her as a child beginner and found your delightful, calm and beautiful smiling face demonstrating and teaching exactly how I would love to learn, therefore, great for her also. So thank you for your channel, your efforts, your sharing and your spirit so we can enjoy playing. I just received my Enya tenor Nova U Pro with acoustic plus in graphite (don't know how I ended up choosing that one?) but I love everything about it! I ordered her the 23" concert Enya in pink, her favorite color - should have it this weekend. How much fun we can have, along with piano lessons. So, we live in SOUTH FLORIDA; perfect warm climate to strum outside in the sunshine (when I can remember more than 3 chords) and will look into a ukulele group locally as I progress. My only ailment is my very sore fingertips! OUCH! Love you and so happy to have found you!
Hi Linda!! ❤️
Did your granddaughter's ukulele arrive? Are y'all having a blast playing together? If you have continued playing, I think the sore fingertips are not so sore anymore. Just like with piano, the more you play, the more the fingers harden a bit at the fingertips. The same part of the finger you use for piano should be used for the ukulele, so you have that advantage.. you understand the importance of hand placement and finger placement! :)
I am so glad you said that you'll be looking into playing in a ukulele group. That really helps in learning and enjoying the instrument. There are lots of ukulele players in Florida, which is also nice. I was going to go to Florida this year for an event, but it got canceled :( hopefully next year it will be back on schedule!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I hope to hear more from you and your granddaughter soon! ❤️
We had so much fun on our journeys! I am so glad it all happened. And yes, sometimes life can be tough and it is not easy to deal with this when you are in a content creation schedule. But look at all the people here. They all get that and support you for your good and helping spirit. Don't forget that. I would not encourage to 100% ignore the negative voices, because they give you the urge to get better. I am hearing these voices too. You are not alone. But also - do not allow them to be louder than the hundreds and hundreds of people who feel inspired by you. You are giving SO MUCH to the ukulele community... Just keep on going! Please!
Much love from Bulgaria ❤️
Vasko
One of the best things that happened in 2019 was I found you on CZcams. Wishing you the best for 2020!
Maureen Wood me too! Love her training and her!
Ouch, that line aged badly.
I cannot comprehend, even for a moment, that anyone would let you go without an immense struggle, you appear to be an absolute delight. I am certain that there will be dozens of suitable suitors clamoring to be near you, and you will probably have to beat them all off with a stick. If I were a hundred years younger I would walk bare foot 1/2 a mile over broken glass just you hear you pluck a "A" string. By the way, I noticed that you play the Ukulele pretty well too, so you were already in the top 1% of our species. Keep smiling
There is no need to apoligize. Life happens and it is up to you on what happens next. You are an awesome person and an amazing teacher! As for the negative talk/thought/voice... Come up with a positve thought right after that. "What do I even have to give to the ukulele community..." Here is one thought to save for later. I did not know how to play the ukulele two years ago. This past week, my ukulele club (12 students) made their 1st performance debut at our school Christmas program. They played YOUR version of Jingle Bells. They did so well and I was so very proud of them. My principal told me parents were giving her compliments about my ukulele club's performance. YOU have a way of teaching the ukulele. I was able to learn from YOU, MY TEACHER. Now, I am able to teach my students the ukulele. After Christmas break, there will 10 other students who will join the ukulele club. If you think about it, this is just me. You have over 100,000 subscribers on CZcams alone. You also have your FB, instagram and Patreon followers. You do have a lot to offer to the ukulele community! ❤ 🤗
Sister! You got me started and inspired. Long story short. I promised my wife years ago (29 to be exact, we've been together 36 years) that one day I would sing to her on a beach in Hawaii and it never happened. My wife is now over a year cancer free and I thank God that she is still with me and realized that it's time to "go do" instead of wishing we had. I'm now 54 and earlier this year we decide that we would go to Hawaii in 2020. It's set, game on. I had to get an ukulele. I had to find an inspiration and I came across your channel. You were clear and upbeat and have a beautiful spirit. I knew that I needed to start with you. Thank you so much. I am now playing and singing and loving my new skills. You know, God has a plan for allllllllllllllll things. I have seen it and we have lived it. My prayer for you is that God will calm your heart and bring you peace. That you will continue to teach and share your God given talent to enhance, inspire and touch the lives of others. So, for you, a giant cyber hug or whatever it is we do here when we can't give a real hug. I will continue watching and learning. God bless you always. From the big island of Idaho, USA, Mahalo nui loa. I love you, Papa D
Life goes on. You are a wonderful, strong woman. You will survive.
Bernadette, that voice in your head is so wrong. You are litteraly such a big inspiration to all of us. Please dont blame yourself. Life has a way of beating you down and how you are getting up is so incredible. We all love you. Happy holidays and the bedt new year to you❤️
Yea ms. B dont feel bad about yourself
Yes! We all agree!
Bernadette, I am so sorry that this year was not great for you. Divorce is so hard when nobody is wrong. My students know who you are, we use your videos in my classroom all the time. I really wish you would write a curriculum for elementary students...I would snatch that up in a second! Looking forward to seeing the Ukulele Bible! I hope 2020 is amazing for you.
If you see this, I just want you to share with you that I am brand new to the ukelele. I've wanted to play an instrument my entire life. My husband is giving me one for Christmas. I've been searching for well made tutorials and I was so happy when I found your 30 day challenge last night. It's perfect! I can't wait for Christmas morning! I'll be starting my lessons with your videos right away! You're an amazing teacher! I'm also an artist and I know how rough that inner critic can be. We are harder on ourselves than anyone else. I'm so glad to hear that you are pushing past that critic and still creating! I'm so thankful I found you, you teach in a way that makes it so easy for me to understand!
Dear Bernadette, a little more than a year ago I didn’t think I could learn to play ukulele by myself without a music school.... and then I came across your Chanel. And I keep practicing, with every new video, new challenge I get motivated again and ...... I keep improving :) I can see how much more I know, understand and what I can do. And this is thanks to you! The parents in the kindergarten I am teaching even asked if I can do a ukulele club with the children. I haven’t imagined this in my wildest dreams. Thank you! I am super grateful. I love how open you are about everything and it is an honor to watch you learn and grow and be so strong. Sending best wishes for the new year and lots of love from Slovakia! You are the best! ❤️🌺🌸🌺🌞🌈 Danka
No apologies needed. Just the fact you make resources available for everyone is such a generous gesture. Thanks for showing us how important it is to talk things through and that you care about us here to express it to us! To a much happier and peaceful 2020 to you and your family! 🍸
This year I came out from a very dark place and I have a lot to thank you because I started from your inspiration, an IG/YT account which opened doors to play my heart out and meet wonderful people!
Bernadette you are a wonderful teacher and never believe that you are not good enough. It takes guts, a huge amount of enthusiasm and love for what you believe in to do what you do. Please never give up; what you do is so encouraging for new ukulele players. Thank you for all the lessons on CZcams you’ve put up and don’t forget that there are a load of people who love and support you; you are never alone. Lots of love and hugs for 2020.
Lady Bernadette, you are so Brave 🙏 You are showing up here So Real. Divorce is s legal word for life plans that have not come thru and often heart break. Many of us have been thru this. You are working thru it and coming thru beautiful. I don't think any of us expect you to be perfect. But we do want you to show up. I feel like you do. Thank you for sharing and know we are here soaking up your teaching and enjoy sharing your life with you. And in return you learn of our lives. We have become a new version of family/community. BTW I didn't see a funk. I saw transitions. I get that for sure!! Here's hoping we meet face to face over Sakura celebrations 🙏🤗
Bernadette, you keep doing you. Yes you can be down, but don’t let that define you. You can’t imagine the inspiration that you pour out! For example; I’ve play guitar, I recently had a accident, can’t walk, I can’t hold a guitar right now, but, I have a ukulele that I can hold and play. (Somewhat), your enthusiasm made me want to get better! So I’m doing just that!
Life throws us all a curve ball, it’s how you hit that ball and react is what defines us. You have a beautiful heart. Let your light shine on! We all love you, so in a word, your never alone. Our thoughts and prayers are always with you!
I'm a 66 year young disabled vet and lady you are the best. I have learned so much from you. KEEP IT UP.🐣
Ms. B,
We all love you.
You were in so much pain and still managed to do all the things you've done this year. Be proud
You were always smiling in your videos.
2020 will be a great year for you.
Send my best wishes to mom and dad and the kitties.
Bless you Bernadette! May God speed be with you.
Bernadette, I rarely comment on videos but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you being the way you are. You are such a kind, caring and beautiful person - inside and outside.
Thanks to you and your channel I've gotten a much better control over my panic attacks because you helped me to find inner peace in playing the ukulele. You are an amazing teacher.
For 2020 I wish you all the best and may all your wishes come true!
This is the first vid you posted where I couldn't press the like button, simply because it might imply that I like how you had a rough year. Instead I feel the need to express respect, and a big thank you, not just for what you do, but the graceful and inspiring way in which you do it. Wishing you many blessings for a new year, Ronald.
Totally agree with you
Hello my lovely. i haven't commented on your channel for sometime but seeing this, felt I must! After watching this video, I so, so wish I could sit down with you and hold your hand and tell you how much you mean, not just to me, but to all of us. Reading the comments, I so hope you feel the love! If it wasn't for your channel I would never have even picked up a Ukulele. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument .. I have tried a few .. unsuccessfully. But then I found you!!! You made me feel like, "I can do this!!" And so I did my research and went Ukulele shopping. Not really knowing what I was doing but incidentally, the first Uke I bought is still my favourite Uke to play! Then I started your Uke lessons. Don't you dare apologise! Ever! Your lessons have been priceless!
Wendy Young Me too! My grandson is doing it with me. Thank you Bernadette.
@@carwai How lovely that your Grandson is learning to play Ukulele with you. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas! xx
Hi Bernadette, I am from Singapore. I have been following your youtube tutorial recently to improve the playing of my ukulele. I think you are the best uke teacher. I feel with you and am sorry to hear what happened to you in 2019. It must be very painful for you. Be assured that you are in my prayers. I must say that you are really gifted both in music and in teaching music. Take care and stay safe. God bless.
Hi Bernadette, I’m so happy to have found you! My husband and I are newly retired and we decided to take a road trip through Mexico. He really wanted to visit a small town called Paracho known for their luthiers. We visited a few shops and I spotted a couple of ukuleles at the store where my husband had chosen his guitar. The luthier had made 2 ukeleles and he chose the one that would be good to learn on. Since then, I have been following your 30 day challenge while “ on the road” and enjoying it very much. I come from a teaching background and appreciate that your lessons are well paced and very thorough. All the best to you 🎼❤️
This is super brave of you.
I was a divorce attorney for awhile and man I'm super sorry for what you're going through.
I started playing ukulele because my job is gross. Then my mom started playing. And we watch your videos. I use my diy uke strap that I learned from you. You've taught me a lot. Thanks for helping us, especially with everything that's going on
I have recently bought a ukulele.... having played no musical instruments since piano lessons as a kid - 60 years ago !!!! I looked and looked around CZcams for a teacher that I felt comfortable with.... and I found YOU !!! You are so reassuring and understanding and you explain things so well. I love your videos !!! Thank you. You contribute so much to those of us who want to learn to play the ukulele - at whatever level we are currently at. I understand what you went through in 2019. I have experienced the same.... and you will be okay. You are a strong and caring woman and you will get through this..... it takes time...... Be good to yourself.... mentally, physically and emotionally !!! You have over 200K subscribers !!! That shows just how much you DO contribute to all of us who love your channel !!!
You are my favorite online teacher and this is my favorite ukulele channel. Please, PLEASE keep at it. You excel at this.
For the record - when I bought my ukulele I tried to watch others but you’re the best teacher! The best! Even my toddler watches and is glued.
You’re the best, B. 💕
COME TO NYC!!!
Thank you, Bernadette, for being genuine! Wishing you the best! God bless you as you continue on your new journey.💕
So sorry that this year has been such a bummer. Divorce is a tsunami, but the shock will pass eventually. As I tell people, Every day above ground is a good day. You will be okay as long as you keep moving forward.
.I’ll be excited to see the ukulele bible when it makes it’s debut. Please keep us posted on you tube of your progress. Your vids are wonderful and something I search out routinely when I want to play music. Blessings to you and your kitties.
Dear Bernadette,
I temporarily balked watching this when I saw how long your post was, but I'm so glad I decided to slow down, sit down, and watch. This exercise was a good reflection. Look where you were and how successfully you transitioned through some very difficult times. I am almost double your age, and I'm still surprised at the way life flows for me and those I know. The adage "there is no constant but change" is true. Keep on keeping on. You have family that supports you - biological as well as the uke community, and your talent and ability to organize content is fab (from one music educator to another). I live in the Chicago area, and would love it you came for a visit. The kitties would be welcome as well! your fan, brigid
Sending lots of hugs your way. Sitting down and talking about all of this must not have been easy ❤️ This community loves you and we are with you in this journey 💗
I have been going through stuff for a while.. and I just wanted you to know that your contents bring a lot of joy. There were days when I have been really down, but you inspired me to pick up my uke and just play. 30 day uke course made me really push myself, so thanks again 🙂
Hope 2020 brings you all the love, peace and success ❤️❤️
My Dear Bernadette, although I am late to your channel, we have walked similar paths. I too was divorced in my early 30's because my then spouse did not want to have a family. I too needed to get away to cleanse my soul, and spent a couple years on the island of Oahu doing just that. I have since remarried to a wonderful wife and been blessed with two children. Life can be a roller coaster, enjoy the ride. I returned to Oahu last month and was gifted a Ukulele from my nephew. I came upon your channel and completed the 30 day challenge in a week. You teach with love and patience. Keep up the good work and I am excited for the next challenge❤
Bernadette your private life is yours and yours alone, people who judge you on your life choices are not your true friends.
I’ve only been watching your channel for a couple of months and from what I’ve seen you have built up a unique family community on here, which I have not seen surpassed or expect to be surpassed.
You are very brave for making the decision to go your own way, it’s one of the hardest decisions of your life, but you have to live your life for you and no one else.
Three months ago my 2yr old grandson walked in with a cheap ukulele and that stirred my interest in learning how to play the uke. Your channel had me hooked to learn more, so I’m getting a ukulele for Christmas and my wife of 36yrs is flabbergasted as I’ve started to grow my nails in readiness.
I have never made new year resolutions, this year is the exception because of you and your beautiful heart and your unique style in teaching as if you’re in the room teaching.
I look forward to 2023 and becoming a Patreon member. You’ve studied hard and you should be rewarded for that. A plumber doesn’t fix your pipes for free, so why should you teach people for free.
I love everything you do. Because of your videos I have been able to learn the basics...started in late Oct. 2018 and then wrote 2 grants and got 36 ukuleles for my school as well as 4 guitars for the guitar program. I am a tech facilitator at my school who will be starting a ukulele club in 2020. I love all your resources and patreon page. I cannot wait for 2020. Filled with ukulele love. I have a school webpage where I have featured your videos. You are awesome. My favorite ukulele teacher ....love the others but you are one of a kind. Much happiness and success to you in 2020.
All the best. Thanks for your amazing ukulele lessons: they’re getting me through these times
Wow after watching you video I just wanted to give you a big hug, you are a strong young woman who will rebuild your life and happiness. Very best wishes for 2020.
Awwwww Ms. B!!! We love you so much! I went through a divorce this year too. Mines was finalized Dec. 3rd. Going through one sucks. LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH!
Sending good thoughts and blessings your way. Thank you or a wonderful channel. Here’s to a successful and happy 2020. 💕💕
You are an inspiration my friend. I have had my ukalele for 10 yrs and never touched it. I came across one of your videos and I am now hooked. I am a working mom and have a 17 month old toddler who keeps me busy but I have found that practicing play my ukulele has been giving me the tranquility that has been much needed in the middle of this crazy pandemic.
The best thing that happened in 2019 was the birth of our daughter. I am super happy that you soon too will have your daughter. Maybe she will be born on Christmas.
I am going to continue to practice my ukulele in the hopes I can play a couple of songs here and there.
You are so gifted, talented, sweet and beautiful.
God Bless you always
Greetings from Austin, Texas
Thank you so much for this very personal video you have shared. I myself was going through a divorce at the very same time you were. (42yrs!!) I was in an inexplainable emotional state and living with my brother and sister-in-law; I will always be grateful for their support!! Part of my "detox" and "get busy living again" strategy was to learn to play the ukulele using your videos!! I have come a long way (watching today 10/14/22), I can play so many songs now and I LOVE IT!! It's a great release for me in all ways. Thank you so much for your courage to do this video and share with the world!
Warm hugs from Canada. Thank you for sharing your story. I spent 2018 and 2019 sailing around the world with my husband. Before the trip I bought a small ukulele, which I have left on the shelf until I came across your CZcams channel by fluke. My first song was Hallelujah. Then I downloaded 15 days of your ukulele 30 day challenge in Rio and got though all lessons between Brazil and Grenada. Captain and I are also going separate ways after this adventure, but as Leonard sings that there is a crack in everything and there is where the light comes in.... You are such an amazing and gorgeous young lady....
Like Harry, I have never played an instrument before. Your enthusiasm and wonderful teaching techniques were my companion during my night watches.
Looking forward to the Ukulele Bible...
First of all, thank you Bernadette for sharing your gifts and your heart. Your 2019 story starts out sad and difficult, but the latter part reads like a checklist of things you've been wanting to do but were being held back from. You've chosen to live life on your own terms and I couldn't be happier for you. Maybe the pain you went through this year is a little like building up callouses on your chord fingers. It hurts for a while, but brings pleasure for the rest of your life. I'm excited to see how the seeds you've planted in 2019 continue to grow and thrive.
I learned a lot from you. Thank you and I wish you the best for 2020 !
Wishing you the best for 2020 and beyond! You have been instrumental (no pun intended) in helping me learn to play. I started learning the uke only a few months ago (at 64 years young). Your teaching style and teaching energy has been a huge help in learning. Thank you very much. PS: Being an animal lover too, it was nice to hear how you took care of your kits through all life's changes. They are a blessing, aren't they?
I wish you all the strength and health, both mental and physical, for 2020 ❤️ I hope all your dreams and plans for the year will come true and you'll be loved and supported in everything you do!
Thank you for sharing this !!!
Thank you for continuing to do what you do. Had you not, I would not have found you ! And you're my favorite 😍
Bernadette, thank you for sharing your life with us. Making this video took a lot of courage. What you have gone through is very difficult. I survived it many years ago and I know you will too. Uke wise, the best thing that happened to me this year was discovering your channel. Thank you so much for sharing your music knowledge in such a joyous way! Your teaching method has helped me tremendously. I will be retiring in a few months and improving my uke skills is a high priority for me. You are a beautiful soul who brings such joy to the world. Despite the hard times this year, I wish you a Merry Christmas full of the love of our savior in the manger. God bless you!
I’m so sorry that your marriage ended. That is very traumatic but you kept working and smiling and inspiring everyone. You are one strong woman!! And believe me when I tell you this: YOU’RE CHANNEL IS THE BEST. NO QUESTION. HANDS DOWN.
Bernadette, I hope you truly know and understand how loved you are. It sucks that you are going through such a hard time but you are an amazingly strong and talented person. I wish both you and Jose the very best moving forward and pray that each of you finds what your hearts desire. On a different note, thank you so much for doing what you do. I grew up with a terrible music teacher who made me feel like I had no place singing or playing any instrument. I’m now in my mid-thirties and learning the ukulele through your videos and absolutely regretting all those years I allowed myself to think that music was not for me. I’m a school librarian and I’ve started playing my ukulele for my students and they love it. Just know that what you do through your channel touches not only those of us watching, but the people we touch with music in turn. It’s a ripple effect and it all starts with you. Thanks for sharing your heart and your music with us.
Also had to say, after hearing how helpful Patreons are for you, I went ahead and signed up on your Patreon page. The value of what you offer for free is worth more than the $5 a month I will pay, and if it helps you to continue to do what you are doing, it’s $5 a month I am happy to part with. All the best!
Thank you for the sincerity and honesty! We love you!
Bernadette you are a special lady. Your heart is kind and loving. You are a wonderful teacher. I spend time with you almost every day and sometimes most off my day. You've saved my life during this shut down and moving across country.
Thanks for sharing. That sounds so painful. Way to be strong! Keep it up. Love your honest and straightforward videos!
I watch and play along when I am able - so sorry for your personal life, I'm certain you will get through this and be stronger.
Along with your beautiful smile you have an equally beautiful heart. Thank you for all you have shared both with your music and the events of 2019. I wish you all the best for you in your personal and professional lives - you are a treasure!
One of my fav "teachers". Love your colabs.. keep them and your own work coming. We are a better community WITH you Bernadette. Thanks for all you give. Be safe and Happy Holidays!
Thanks for sharing and being open. This took a lot of courage and you are very brave. I just recently started playing ukulele 3 months ago and look forward to getting better. Your videos and materials have been very helpful. Your hard work keeps me motivated to have fun while learning.
Thank you Bernadette for sharing this with us. You have been and will always be an enormous gift to the ukulele community and I can't imagine it without you. I'm so proud of everything you have done this year and how you chose to never give up. 2020 will be your year and I can't wait to see what 2020 will have to offer to you. Thank you for being such a big inspiration for me since the start. I am so so grateful for you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We love you Bernadette! Praying you have a fantastic year starting 2020. Thanks for all you do! You are an inspiration to me and all your fans. Blessings 🙏♥️🎶
You have provided us much sunshine with your music and your passion in teaching. And it is time that we reflect a bit of the sunshine you gave us back to you at times when you need it... hence sending you hugs. Hang in there whenever you have a tough day, that too shall pass. Thank u for what u do... merry Xmas and wishing u a happy year ahead!
Be strong and keep on keeping. You are a great person I just found your channel yesterday , I am a beginner
Thanks so much for sharing your life changing 2019. You went through so much this year. Sending great thoughts your way to stay consistent with yourself as you are. Per your request in your video message - big news this year for me: I just started the Uke in 2019. It was a huge life changer for me. You were one of the first teachers online that I began to seek out to learn in a really fun way. Thank you very very much for continuing to teach and to share in such a positive way. I wish you a wonderful 2020, more smiles and fewer tears, and I plan to keep following you as a cornerstone of our amazing social Uke community. Merry Christmas.
I can only imagine how tough 2019 was for you, but you handled it with such grace. We (your uke family) are here for ya and looking forward to 2020! Big hug!
I was so sorry to hear that you’re life has been very difficult, you do so much to lift us all up and make learning as easy as it can be. Thank you and good. luck for the next year, I appreciate what you do.
I'm so sorry you went through this, and it was brave of you to share such a personal experience. I love your videos and am so inspired by your teaching methods. I hope you can feel the affection and support of your subscribers.
You are amazing. I love how you ended the year on such an upbeat note. I found your channel back in March when I decided, more or less on a whim, to try to learn how to play ukulele. Your 30 Day Uke Challenge got me going and I continued to follow your various videos and Uke challenges. You have also provided great advice both directly and indirectly leading me to find some ukuleles that I love. Responding to messages from a random person was very impressive. Thank you! I hope you have nothing but joy and happiness in the next year!
Watching this in 2020. Best luck to you in 2020 and coming years. My two kids and I love your channel enormously! Well done and keep up the amazing work!
Dear Bernadette, I’m glad to see that you’ve managed to pull through all the difficulties life presented to you this year, and came out stronger at the other end. You’re inspirational and much loved in our community. Keep going, keep breathing, teach that inner voice to speak kinder words to you and move forward as you do. You are my favourite CZcams uke teacher and I wish you a less challenging, more fabulous 2020! 🎉🎊❤️
Thank you so much for talking to us, I ha e watched you from your early days in Japan and feel like a friend watching your life unfold but wondering what is really happening behind brave smiles, you have been looking better and better lately and happy 😊 which makes me happy watching you.
You are a wonderful person xxx
Aloha from Hawaii! 2019 hasn't been a rough year for me too. I went through something similar this year. Finding your channel has brought me out of that low point and also reunited me with my passion for ukulele. Now I play on my old ukulele (from elementary school) everyday and try to learn new things by watching your videos. And I thank you for that!
I look forward to seeing all of your 2020 plans come to life! And please take any positive opportunities that come your way. I'm 32 too and wish I could have the opportunities you have! I know you hear this alot, but honestly keep up the awesome work!
Very brave and smart of you to own what happened in the past year. Speaking the truth out loud has a way of taking the power back from negative self chatter. It's a good way to step forward with self acceptance. I could tell for a while that something was off even before you moved back to the US and had pretty well figured out what was going on with you and sorry for your loss. No matter what a divorce is a grief process because it represents the death of all those dreams and expectations you had about what your life was going to look like and who would be in the journey with you. People don't always understand that even a "necessary" divorce will still be a grief process. I have so much respect for you as a ukulele teacher. Its funny how the learning is not linear but often coming back to things you have moved past can be a smart way to continue the learning journey so for a little while now I have thought that revisiting scales would be the best use of my time right now as I move forward into new skills and one of the first online tutorial purchases I ever made when I got my ukulele was to buy your scales from the Teachers Pay Teachers page. It meant something different to me then but just as important. I was looking around for it last night and finally remembered where I got it so I could print off a new copy. It's often that way for me with your videos or other offerings. I come back when they have new meanings to me. Thank you for all you bring to the Ukulele community.
You are the first ukulele channel I subscribe to. I have learned so much from you. I am so grateful for this🙏 best wishes for you this new year ❤️
Watching your LIVE Quarantine Lesson & Jam. I'm happy you are moving on. Take care and be healthy.
Ms B
As beginner with ukelele, i learned more with your video than other channels , the 1st song I've master from your video can't stop loving you elvis ❤❤❤ your the best stay strong stay for us..you are beautiful block all those negative thought...love u so much will always support you ❤❤❤ all the way from 🇧🇳🇧🇳
I’ve been with you for 2 years-love watching your channel, you have helped me more than you’ll ever know-I know 2020 will be a great year for you, hopefully I’ll see you in L A next year
I just found you a few months ago, and I love you!!!! I’m so sorry for all you have gone through. You really do deserve the best in life, you have such a giving heart. I’m glad you are getting to travel some.
Bernadette, you are such an amazing person, and don't listen to those voices! You are the only ukulele youtuber I watch! I chose you over everyone else! You handled this year so well, and that was probably a very hard thing to do. I want to thank you as well, because one amazing thing that happened to me this year is that I started playing the ukulele. It is now my passion, and I have to thank you for that hugely! Your 30 day uke challenge encouraged me to keep playing and got me really into the ukulele! You taught me all the basics, like how to hold your uke and how to play basic chords, but those are the most important things! Learning the basics is what made me fall in love with the uke, so really I have you to thank for that. The ukulele has made me find meaning within myself ( I know that sounds cheesy ) and it has made me feel wonderful inside. Thank you Bernadette, for being such an amazing person! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I'm so happy you can move past the negative thoughts. There is so much love in this community and I think everybody loves you! I'm happy to be able to help you by supporting on patreon and am gratefull for everything you give back.
I am so sorry to hear about all you have gone through this year. You have been beat down emotionally by this but you have many people here who support you and care. It was so good to see the change come over you when you started to talk about your ukulele bible. Can’t wait to see how this evolves!
Thank you for sharing, I can feel that your heart is broken. Don't listen to all the negative chatter in your head. We learn from our past experiences and the love of your life is out there somewhere. I just recently found your Site and I am happy that I did. Love your teaching and the sun will come up tomorrow and you will find lots of happiness. Be strong and it will get better. Merry Christmas and I am so happy that you have your family's support. Blessings and hugs from affar.
Your videos are WONDERFUL! Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
Thank you for inspiring and teaching me to play my new uke. Your style of teaching and warmth really work and by the comments below have really touch a lot of people.
Bernadette, I’m sending you all the love and light in the world ❤️ you are a strong and wonderful woman who can turn her weaknesses into strengths and I admire that so much about you. wishing you the best going into the new year ✨
Cuando de pronto tu cara cambió al hablar de tus viajes y lo bien que te habían hecho, recordando todo lo bueno, esa es la expresión que debes mantener siempre Miss❤️No existen mejores canales que el tuyo y todos los que seguimos el canal lo hacemos por el gran empeño que pones y sobretodo el cariño y amor por enseñar que se ve reflejado en cada clase. Créeme que todos los que buscábamos aprender a tocar ukulele pasamos por muchos canales y nos quedamos en el tuyo, por lo completo que es y por lo que transmites al enseñar que no sólo es conocimiento sino también muy buena energía. Gracias por la oportunidad que nos das de aprender. Un inmenso abrazo! Y ya pronto la vida te dirá donde debe ser el próximo destino pero por ahora sé feliz y disfruta de tus padres y de la tranquilidad de estar contigo misma. Tranquila, mereces ser muy feliz y lo lograrás. Te queremos mucho y agradecemos tus enseñanzas.
Psdt: Me identifico mucho porque mi sueño es tener una familia con hijos, amo con locura a los gatos y desde hace un tiempo compré mi Uke💛 y conocí el gran trabajo que haces.
Thank you for being so real to us!
You are one of the best teachers I have ever met. Your way of teaching is very easy to understand. You are the one who taught me my first ukulele song. I still have you on my ukulele journey.Thank you so much, my wonderful teacher!!!
Sounds like I wasn’t the only one to have a crazy 2019! I started a new job this year that allows me to travel where and when I want, so that was a change for the better. This past Black Friday, I was in the local music store, and on a whim, I bought my first ukulele. I knew nothing about the ukulele, so I immediately went online and was fortunate to find this channel. I play every day, and I absolutely love it. Thank you!!!
I found you through the “how to tune your ukulele” video. That’s the best tuning tutorial I found. It helped me set my foot in the ukulele world. I appreciate your hard work so much
Way back when I first reached out to you and you did not hesitate to respond, and the helpful and caring way you responded I knew you had to be a very special person. There is nothing I could say that has not already been said to try to ease your pain. Please know that you have touched so many lives in a positive way. You are a wonderful role model. With your talent, and kindness and willingness to help others your future is going to be bright! I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I know the new year is going to be is going to be better for you. This world is a better place because of people like you.❤
Thank you for all you do, Bernadette. You are inspiring and a beautiful person inside & out. I picked up the ukulele in September and stumbled onto your videos. My 73 year old mother is now learning, too! You touch many lives world wide.
I have followed you since Japan, I always think of you as my ukulele teacher, and you are the reason I fell in love with this instrument and want to share it with my students. We know that your personal life has changed, know that we understand and appreciate all you share with the world. You are a blessing to us. Hope you have a wonderful 2020.
Bernadette, You are such a blessing to me!! I love the way you teach, I love your passion, I love how you care for people. You are the one that made me love ukulele. Thank you.... BEST TEACHER EVER! ❤️
Hi from the island Guam. I just watched your 2019 review video. I’ve been away for a few months but am back. I know you’ll probably never read this but I just wanted to say I enjoyed the video. Thanks for explaining more about the divorce which I was sorry to hear about. When you talked about it at the beginning of the year I was shocked and had wondered what really hapoened. Thanks for explaining. I disagree about your comment that there are better uke channels out there. That’s baloney! YOUR CHANNEL IS THE BEST BAR NONE. I’ve learned so much from you. You’re such a great teacher! I could also stare at you all day. Your such a beautiful person with a great personality with so much passion for what you do and give to us fans. You and what you give is what has motivated me to learn the ukelele. I would love to meet you one day and play with you (after I improve more first). Please don’t stop what you seem to passionately love doing. Your fans care what happens to you. Thanks for opening up to us. It makes us feel a personal connection to you which we love and which the other channels fail to do. All I can say is YOU ARE GREAT! I look forward to learning from you and following you. Take Care and Si Yu’us Ma asi (Thank you in my native Chamorro language). David
Miss B!🤗
It's unbelievable how much you've done this year, despite how rough it's been for you! This hard work will surely pay off! THANK YOU!♥️
Wow, you are a special lady! You’re are real, honest, open, caring and many more things. It’s why I have always liked you from the beginning while you were in Japan. You’re still my favorite teacher and I’m looking forward to seeing what 2020 brings your way. Merry Christmas!
Bernadette, you have been such an inspiration to me through this year, my first ukulele year, I am even playing barre chords now. I hate to hear you talk like this and get emotional but we all love you dearly and hope everything works out for you in the new year.
Bernadette your a great teacher and huge inspiration to me! I have loved your circle of 5ths videos there awesome. Definitely want to meet you I didn’t get to go to the LA ukulele festival but plan on going in 2020! Keep up the great work and always remember Music takes you on a journey!