Kathe Merritt was not happy playing her ukulele alone.

So when the retired Sylvania Schools teacher learned that there's a ukulele club in Sylvania, she joined up.

“I used to play it all alone in my living room,” Ms. Merritt said. “Now I can play with friends. This just makes me happy.”

Ms. Merritt was one of a dozen ukulele enthusiasts who attended Toledo Ukesters' jam session Tuesday at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library's King Road Branch in Sylvania.

Sheila Painter, Toledo Ukesters' co-chairman, led the jam session, with the rest of the attendees positioned in a semicircle, facing her. They played musical pieces such as “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson and “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie.

Others in the group shared some of Ms. Merritt's feelings.

“I just really enjoy playing with other people and this is a good setting for learning to play with other people,” Emily Kohler, 26, of Toledo said, adding that she had played the piano for 19 years and then wanted to learn a string instrument to “broaden her horizons.”

She chose the ukulele because “it's a fun instrument to play and you can improve your skills rather quickly,” she said.

Kathy Tashima of Sylvania, another attendee, said she picked up the ukulele for another reason.

“It's relaxing,” she said. “I just love to pick it up and start playing.”

Founded by Sharon Frankel in June, Toledo Ukesters has since grown from about a dozen to about 40 people on the group’s email list, ranging in age from 13 to the mid-80s, Mrs. Painter said.

She said she would like to see more people join in, because “the more-the merrier.”

“It's joyful...,” Mrs. Painter said. “You can master a chord and feel good about it. Coming to these jam sessions has made me a musician. It's fun and it's fulfilling.”

“We believe in the power of the little ukulele... It's easy to play. It's inexpensive. And all ages can play it... You can learn it on YouTube,”  she said, adding that she has played it since she was 10.

The 90-minute sessions are scheduled at least once a month; they are free and open to teens and adults. For schedules and more information, go to the Toledo Ukesters' Facebook page.

“All are welcome to join us...” Mrs. Painter said quoting from the group’s mission statement. “There is no pressure. There is no judgment. We are here to share the love of music and to celebrate the little instrument that can change the world!”

First Published April 12, 2019, 10:00 a.m.