Ukulele Tricks Online Ukulele Lessons
  • Lessons
    • How to Play Ukulele
    • Free Lessons
    • Books
  • Courses
  • Songs
  • Tools
    • Online Ukulele Tuner
    • Ukulele Chord Library
    • Baritone Chord Library
  • Blog
  • More
    • About
    • Ukulele Buying Guide
    • Contact
  • Log In
  • Log In
  • Sign Up

The Day I Took My Ukulele to Central Park

by Brett McQueen

If you follow Ukulele Tricks on Twitter, or if you are friends with us on Facebook, you probably saw a video I posted earlier this week of me playing my ukulele in Central Park.

A couple weeks ago, I went to New York City for the Do Something Awards kickoff party hosted by Kevin Jonas. The Do Something Awards recognizes young people who are making a difference in the world we live in. I was their representing my friend Morgan’s awesome organization Bands That Jam For Africa.

While I was there, I took my ukulele to Central Park to record some videos just for fun. Out of the blue, an older gentlemen came up to me and told me he wanted to sing the song “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” while I played it. I figured, “Why not?!”

The funny thing was that I didn’t even know Julian’s name until AFTER we were done playing the song. He literally asked to sing with me 10 seconds before we recorded this video.

I was really taken aback by the whole experience. It showed me how powerful of a bond music can be. I didn’t know anything about Julian and he didn’t know anything about me, but here we are sharing in the pure joy of music together. It was a priceless experience.

The cool thing is that you and I don’t have to go far to have these sorts of experiences. We just have to be willing to step out a little bit. Don’t be afraid to step into those unknown places. In my case, it was playing music with someone I just met. I’m glad I did it.

Not sure where to go next? Grab the free ukulele lesson book.

Your First Ukulele Lesson And Then Some Book

Join over 50,000 people and get our free ukulele lesson book Your First Ukulele Lesson and Then Some. Learn new tricks like:

  • How to properly tune, hold, and strum your ukulele
  • The most essential "must-know" ukulele chords
  • How to play 3 extremely versatile strumming patterns
  • How to play "I've Been Working On the Railroad"

To get a free copy of the digital lesson book delivered to your inbox, enter your email below:

    29 Comments

    1. suzalele

      This is what it’s all about! Great video.

      Reply
      • Brett

        That’s the exact feeling I had!

        Reply
    2. Stan

      That is very cool. Nice job!

      Reply
      • Brett

        Thanks, Stan!

        Reply
    3. Fernando

      Great man, you can really feel the good spirit of music, i’ll try this if someday i go to USA, cheers!

      Reply
      • Brett

        Fernando, it really is cool to be able to play music in Central Park. However, I will say I learned something else from this experience. You don’t need to go to the USA to have moments like this. I’m sure there are a lot of people around you right now that would enjoy your ukulele playing. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    4. Judi Gant

      Had a similar experience with Five Foot Two. I am just learning the ukulele and mostly play for myself. However, I played that song and several other “simple songs” for a 92 year old gentleman to whom I deliver Meals on Wheels. It didn’t matter if we sang flat, or I missed a chord, or strummed out of sync…we both had a ball!! This is a “friendly” instrument. People always smile when they see someone playing the ukulele. Works better than a puppy or a baby!!! Strum on!!!

      Reply
      • Brett

        That’s so cool!

        Reply
    5. Malissa

      I love that song. My friend’s mom would play her uke and intrduced us to all of these “old” songs that we didn’t know. Well done sir.

      Reply
      • Brett

        Thanks, Malissa. It’s an oldie but a goodie!

        Reply
    6. peter

      Wounderfull,the young and not so young playing together. If only I could fingers to find the cords again.

      Reply
      • Ken

        Hi Peter,

        This song with chords and many others are available at http://www.ukulelesongs.com

        Cheers,

        Ken

        Reply
    7. Ross

      Thanks Brett for sharing the beautiful video of you, playing the Uke with Julian, singing Five Foot Two at Central Park!!! I recognized that song, it’s a boogie/jive/rock ‘n roll song that was very popular during the Big Band era.
      Well, it proves once again that “music is a universal language”! In addition, with music one can easily make friends, old and young alike, even of total strangers!
      Keep on playing!!!
      Ross

      Reply
      • Brett

        Very true!

        Reply
    8. Chris Shorter

      Very nice Brett!

      Reply
    9. Alan Senior

      Hi, Brett,

      Great little cameo!!

      We sing a Barbershopr version of that over here in the UK at Milton Keynes, MK Acapella, but I just look forward to the day that I can strum an impromptu accompaniment to a new-found friend.

      I am just getting to grips with my tenor instrument.

      C, F and G are nearly approaching mediocre standard.

      I need moral support.

      Alan S

      Reply
      • Brett

        Hey Alan, you will get there! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
      • Me

        DA
        There is always one person you can rely on for moral support!!

        Reply
    10. Lynn

      That’s so funny. That’s the only song I remember the chords to, from when I played the ukulele 30 years ago!

      Reply
      • Brett

        It’s always interesting to me the songs that stick with us. There are songs in my childhood I just can’t get out of my head. I love that music has that effect on us.

        Reply
    11. Cynthia

      Delightful! Thanks for sharing. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    12. Kawatapurangi

      Kia ora bro! Great video, thanks to sites like this I’m happily learning to play on my uke. And still enjoying the experience and learning something new each day! Thanks for the inspiration that you give others. Arohanui

      Reply
    13. vanmeerbeeck freddy

      Hello Brett, this is wonderfull, things like this make’s my day.Fantastic!!! Freddy

      Reply
    14. Ross

      P.S.: Forgot to ask you Brett! What are the chords you used to accompany Julian’s Five Foot Two song? Thanks and have a wonderful day!!!

      Reply
      • Brett

        Ken posted a good link up above. I’d check that out! Right now, I don’t have any chords posted for the song on Ukulele Tricks.

        Reply
    15. Hamish M

      About a month and a half ago I went to visit NYC with some friends. As we walked through Central Park (southeast corner) on bright sunny day I saw a young man about my age (early 20s) playing his Ukulele and singing along. We had just bought lunch from a street vendor, so as I ate my food I went and put some money in the case at his feet, and stood there to listen. After he finished his song he shook my hand and thanked me. We had a great conversation. I told him how I was learning the Ukulele. We shared a few tips. He told me he was just a college student, the Ukulele had been a gift, and he usually played in the park on weekends to earn some extra grocery money.

      I don’t remember his name. But it was wonderful experience. Like you said the bond of music can bring two complete strangers together. It’s great!

      Reply
      • Brett

        This is a great story! Thanks so much for sharing, Hamish.

        Reply
    16. a snowsprite

      Oh, I love this!
      My friends and I were by the beach once and this little girl started dancing to my uke, so I played the Teddybear’s picnic
      for her. She was super sweet!

      Reply
      • Brett McQueen

        Awh, how nice!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Start Here

    Join over 50,000 people and get the free ukulele lesson book

    Your First Ukulele Lesson And Then Some

      100% privacy. We promise to keep your
      email safe. Learn more.

      Courses

      Strumming Tricks course

      Perfect for beginners. Become proficient in strumming, rhythm and chord changes on the ukulele, improving your skills while learning actual songs.

      Fingerpicking Tricks course

      For players beyond the basics. Take your fingerpicking skills to the next level on the ukulele, learning fingerpicking pieces in four distinct styles.

      View More Courses โ†’

      Books

      Ukulele Exercises For Dummies by Brett McQueen

      Written by Brett McQueen, founder of UkuleleTricks.com.

      Learn More

      View More Books โ†’

      Popular

      • Ukulele Sizes: Soprano, Concert, Tenor & Baritone
      • Somewhere Over the Rainbow Ukulele Chords & Lesson
      • How to Play Ukulele: The Ultimate Guide to Learn to Play Ukulele Today
      • 3 Best Ways to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele
      • Tuning Your Ukulele to Low G
      • How to Play the E Major Chord on Ukulele the Easy Way
      • 5 Effective Strumming Patterns for Beginners
      • How to Play a C Major Scale on Ukulele
      • Ukulele vs. Guitar: Complete Guide to Decide Which to Learn
      • 5 Best Ukuleles to Buy for Beginners
      • Master the Bb Chord on Ukulele With These 3 Easy Steps
      • Ukulele Blues Fingerpicking Lesson for Beginners: Pattern #1
      • Ukulele Tuning: The Ultimate Guide For How to Tune Your Ukulele
      • My Free Ukulele Lesson Book is Finished!
      • Start Reading Music in 30 Minutes or Less

      About

      Brett McQueen
      Brett McQueen is the founder of Ukulele Tricks and author of the internationally-published book Ukulele Exercises For Dummies. He teaches thousands of people from around the world to play ukulele in a non-intimidating, easy-to-follow style. Read more.

      Copyright © 2025 Ukulele Tricks โ€“ a McQueen Machine, LLC website.
      Privacy Policy ยท Terms of Service ยท Links