New Patron Welcome Guide / FAQ (Patreon)

{Patron-only post}

Aloha, Cynthia Lin Patrons!  Welcome, and thank you for being here!

Patreon can be a bit tricky to navigate for newcomers, so we’ve collected answers to frequently asked questions here, and we'll keep it updated.

If you're on Facebook, join our private Facebook group for Patrons (be sure you answer BOTH security questions when you request to join, so administrators can verify your Patreon membership) - that's our community gathering place, and your fellow Patrons there will be happy to share advice, support, and encouragement! 

If you have more questions, post in the comments below and we'll incorporate into this document.

A big shoutout to the CL Patron Community Managers for organizing our community with aloha. 🌺🌈Please help us out and answer newbie questions when you can. :)

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Q. How Are Patreon Posts organized?
A. Cynthia uses tags to categorize Patreon Posts. You can use tags to find posts of certain types.

On the Posts page, you'll see a listing of tags and filter across the top.  Click on the tags to filter the posts.

Here are some shortcuts to popular tags:

For All Patrons - check out our monthly calendar of events
For $1 Patrons - check out previous all Patron-only content and available Archived Live Lessons
For $5 Patrons - check out recent Live Lessons
For $10+ Patrons - download the latest Songbooks, and check out the Beginner Live Jam Archives. Each post has a Songbook or Chord Chart packet attached for you to download and play from.
For $20+ Patrons - you have access to almost everything, Check out all Intermediate level material.

Q. How do I find a specific song or lesson?
A. Learn to use the Cynthia Lin Song Index, created and maintained by the amazing CL Community Managers!

Q. Where is "Stairway to Heaven" Part 3?
A. It was originally combined with Part 2 here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/15282462
Cynthia also discusses it in this Live Lesson, around an hour and 24 minutes in. https://www.patreon.com/posts/live-lesson-to-4-11741131

UPDATE: Cynthia taught Part 3 as a standalone lesson in November 2021. Find it here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/november-2021-to-58042954 

Please note that Cynthia does not have plans to teach the solo tab, which can be found elsewhere online.

ALL "Stairway" posts can be found here.

Q. Where do I find the play-through of "Hotel California?"
A. This video gets blocked on YouTube, so Cynthia had to take it down. Use this link to see the play-along video here on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hotel-california-86900697 

Q. How do I edit my pledge/level?
A. The method to change your pledge level on Patreon will depend on whether you are using the Patreon App or going through a browser. 

🚫 Note: How to Avoid Apple App fees if upgrading your level: As Cynthia explained in her July 2025 post about the Voice Intensive, new subscriptions made in the Patreon app after November 2024 are subject to a new Apple "app fee", which results in a 43% markup (!!) on top of the Patreon subscription prices set by Cynthia, all of which goes directly to Apple. If you were subscribed to Cynthia before November 2024, then you shouldn't see any fee markup. If you're a new subscriber, make sure that you upgrade via the Patreon website to avoid this extra markup. You can use the browser on your laptop/computer or even on your mobile device, just as long as you don't go through the Patreon app on your Apple device. More info about this issue in the voice post linked above and, from Patreon, here.

Visit https://www.patreon.com/join/cynthialin and select your desired reward tier.
If that doesnʻt work, please see this helpful page from the Patreon Help Center: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000126286-How-do-I-edit-my-membership-

Q. Why can't I see the posts at my level?
A. You may not have selected the correct "rewards tier." This is not automatically tied to your payment amount. Visit patreon.com/join/cynthialin and join again at your desired level - you won't be charged again, but that should register you at the correct reward tier and give you access. Send the Team a Patreon message if this does not work for you. See also: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026984152-I-m-locked-out-of-posts-I-should-see

Q. How do I cancel my pledge?
A. Neither Cynthia nor her Community Managers are able to cancel pledge payments. Follow the instructions in this link, and contact Patreon Support directly if you are having trouble: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005502572-How-do-I-cancel-my-membership

Q. When are the upcoming Patreon jams/lessons/events?
A. Find all Patron events on our Patron Google Calendar

Q. How do I take voice lessons from Cynthia?
A. As of July 2025, Cynthia's weekly Patron group voice lesson series returns for a month-long intensive. See more on that here. You can also check out her mindbodyvoice channel on YouTube for related videos.

Q. How do I tune in to the Live Lessons/Jams?
A. How to Watch Live

• Click the link given in the Patreon Post for the Lesson you are joining.  The video will have a countdown for your specific timezone.

• You must be logged in to YouTube to join the live chat, where you can post your questions to Cynthia or to the community.

• Please note that some community members have reported difficulty using Live Chat when on an iPad or other tablet. For best functionality, use a laptop or desktop computer.

How to Watch Later

• Watch the video linked in the Patreon Post (it's the same URL as the livestream).

See also these Live Lesson Tips from Patron Mark Pierce: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-guest-for-23871916

Q. Does Cynthia teach private lessons (ukulele, voice, etc.)?
A. Cynthia currently is teaching only through Patreon and is not able to teach private/individual lessons. Any special workshops/events will also be announced here.

Q. Is Cynthia on Instagram?
A. Cynthia’s IG account: https://www.instagram.com/cynthialinmusic (click on “Follow” to subscribe)
CL Uke Squads and Global Community: https://www.instagram.com/clukesquad

Q. What is 5@5?
A. As of 2025, Weekly 5@5 livestreams are currently on hiatus. If this series returns, Cynthia will be sure to announce it to all.

5@5 was a live mini-concert of five songs, which Cynthia shared many Wednesdays at 5pm Pacific Standard Time, on Instagram. In order to access it, you needed to be logged in to Instagram and following Cynthia’s IG account (@cynthialinmusic). If you are subscribed to Cynthia’s IG account and have the Instagram app open, you should get a notification when she is Live. A colored circle will also appear around her avatar/profile pic. both while she is live and while the video is available for playback. If you are watching later (note that the video remains up for just 24 hours), click the colored circle in the “Story” feed at the top of your IG screen, or around Cynthia’s icon on her account page. A “play” button over her icon on her account page also indicates a Live video is available to play back.

For more help viewing IG Live videos, see: https://help.instagram.com/699289326902954

Q. How can I get the special $10 subscription rate for Ukulele Magazine that was offered to Cynthia Lin Patrons? 
A. As long as the offer is still active, you can get that rate here: http://bit.ly/UkuleleMagCLPatrons

Q. Where else can I find Cynthia content?
A. Cynthia on Facebook
Cynthia’s YouTube page
Cynthia’s Website
Cynthia Merch
Cynthia on Gumroad (song sheets and jam packets; enter "$0" for payment amount)
Ukulele 101

Q. I'd like to know more about 100 Days of Ukulele. Where do I look?
A. Check out the 100 Days of Ukulele FAQ: http://bit.ly/100daysukeFAQ

Q. Where do I buy 100 Days of Ukulele Merch?
A. The brand new design for #100DaysUke2025 shirts and merch was released and is now available! Past years' designs are also available on a wide variety of items (not just t-shirts).

Q. Where is the 100 Days online Tracker site?
A. https://100daysuke.com/

Q. Is there a Cynthia Lin Uke Squad located near me?
A. Check out the Groups on Cynthia Lin’s Facebook Page to find the Squads currently in operation. https://www.facebook.com/cynthialinmusic/groups
You may also be able to find other local squads to join by asking in the Patron, Newbie, or All-Levels Facebook groups.

Q. I’m a beginning player and I feel intimidated. What can I do?
A. Cynthia created a space just for Beginner players, designed for those who’ve been playing a year or less. If you’re a new player, join our CL Newbies Facebook group.

You can also check out the Beginner and Beyond Beginner lesson series from Cynthia here: https://www.ukulele101.com/beginner-lessons.html

You might also like this post for new Patrons: How to find the song/lesson you're looking for

New to Live Lessons? Check out this Guest Post from Patron Mark Pierce on tips for your first Live Lesson!

Q. Where can I purchase a Cynthia Lin Signature Ukulele?
A. There have been several models of signature Cynthia Lin Ukuleles sold by Ohana.

These dealers often stock the CL uke or may be able to order it for you:
Bay Area local: Ukulele Source, Acme House of Music
Online:
Mim's Ukes
Uke Republic
Elderly Instruments
Penny Lane 

For other dealers, please visit Ohana's website here.

Q. What ukulele is Cynthia playing in [any one of her YT videos]? Does she play with Low or High G tuning? What strings does she prefer?
A. Sometimes this will be written in the description box, but Cynthia has several different ukuleles she likes to play, strung both Low and High G. You will often see her playing one of her Ohana Signature Ukuleles (see the above Question about where to find them), as well as custom Tyde ukuleles and the Romero Creations Tiny Tenor, to name a few. Her SIgnature Ukuleles come with a string upgrade to Worth Brown strings. Keep your eyes peeled for other brands and models, as her collection changes!

Q. What equipment does Cynthia use for recording and streaming?
A. This will change, but in May 2020, Cynthia shared that for streaming she was using this Apogee mic, natural light, and her Macbook pro webcam.  For tutorials, she sometimes shoots on a camera or her iPhone at 4K.

Q. How does Cynthia make her song sheets?
A. Cynthia worked with a graphic designer to create the distinct look of her chord charts/song sheets and creates them in a program called Pages.

Q. Where did Cynthia buy her multi-ukulele uke stand seen in the background of some videos?
A. Cynthia made this using a mic stand or tripod and screw-on uke hangers that can be purchased separately.

Q. What happened to the "Cynthia Lin App" that we used to have? It's no longer working on my device/I can't find it on the App Store.
A. As of November 2024, The Cynthia Lin App (which Is not the same as the Patreon app), created by Patron Community Manager Rich, has been discontinued and may no longer be supported on your devices. Thank you so much for your work, Rich!

Q. What happened to the monthly vote? Will this feature return?
A. There are not plans to re-instate the monthly vote on the Live Lesson Song. Read about Cynthia's decision to move away from a voting model in the March 2020 Newsletter Post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cl-patron-march-34468629. You are welcome to comment on Live Lesson posts or Monthly Calendar posts to suggest songs.

Q. I still have questions! Where’s the best place to ask something not answered In this post?
A. Join our private Facebook group: In the Facebook group, Patrons can share videos, advice, support, and encouragement!  Be sure to answer both membership questions so that Community Managers can verify your Patron status. If you wish to connect and are not on Facebook, you can share a post on the Community Chats here on Patreon. If you have questions about Patreon or ukulele or otherwise, posting the question to our very helpful and active Community will generate the fastest answer.  For Patreon-platform related questions, please try the Patreon Help Center: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us