Ukulelear

A little waltz

2012-02-18T07:37:00.003-05:00

The band director at our school has created a piece that has really been a hit with the ukulele club kids. It is a beautiful number that is very fun to play, and introduces many kids to a style of music with which they have had little exposure.

Here is the tutorial video by Tom:

The plucking pattern is 1st and 3rd once followed by the 2nd and 4th twice

1920s Supertone Rebuild

2012-01-20T21:32:00.001-05:00

Well, the old Supertone has been hanging on the wall for a couple years now, and I though I'd better do something with it - so it would stop looking at me. It does have a few problems to overcome before it will be playable.

Remove and re-glue bridge into proper position so it can be tuned
Fix four cracks in the top
Fix one small crack in back
Fix broken brace
Reposition neck because it is 1/16" lower than top
Remove polyurethane
French polish to replace finish

I'll post a recording of how it sounds after I get it all done.

Video Christmas song with chords and music

2011-12-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to think of a way to get a song with the old "bouncing ball" video so kids could play along and not loose their place. I think I came close by capturing multiple images of a Word document with chords and words. I used the free software of Chordette to create the chords, and some screen capture software to take pictures of the document. Then I dumped them in the correct order into Movie Maker. An hour later... or was it two hours...? Well, here is the song, I Wanna Go To Hawai'i:

Easy to play along :)

Lesson One: Brother John

2011-10-10T13:27:00.002-04:00

Starting back with the Cal-Mum Ukulele Club this last week and decided I needed a practice book with companion videos. I'm not getting as much contact time with the club members, so I'm putting up the videos and searching for those self-starters to help get the uke tunes rolling.

Life is busy, and I have to capture these videos in one take - as you can see.
Oh, also, I switched the blog format back to the original - much easier to edit.

Toyama Celebrates

2011-09-16T21:47:00.003-04:00

Link to Toyama's Channel:

As a band and instrument instructor he has brought music to countless students at Cal-Mum Elementary School. Now, T. Toyama captures the pure joy of the birth of his grand-dauaghter "Grace" in a musical piece for ukulele that he has aptly entitled "Celebrate".

Toyama recorded the beautiful number on his Kamaka tenor ukulele that was purchased last summer on a trip home to Hawaii. The tenor was added to his Kamaka collection that he started while in 6th grade when his parents purchased a brand new Kamaka soprano for him for $25...

You can follow him on his new YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/tmuse2010

Carol Anne McGowan's "The Humming Song"

2011-08-24T06:50:00.004-04:00

Well, for my taste she has done it again. Carol Anne has created a dreamy uke song that is in the same realm as her earlier song "I'll be Seeing You". This one is called "The Humming Song". I know it wouldn't be a song for everyone, but I watch the video transfixed on the visual imagery as the song lulls me into the past - a nostalgia for a time I never knew and people I've never met.
More of her music is available at: http://carolannemcgowan.bandcamp.com/

Link to McGowan's Channel

Buzzo Music - Geneseo, NY

2011-07-08T11:31:00.019-04:00

Buzzo (Al Bruno) at Buzzo Music, 106 Main St. Geneseo, NY, is the main supplier for ukuleles for the Cal-Mum Uke Club. He attended SUNY Geneseo from 1967-70 and has operated his music store for over forty years. local people know that Al had a near-death experience on a motorcycle that left him in a coma for nearly two weeks, and that probably changed the course of his life. Prior to this accident he was the greatest wrestler that SUNY Geneseo had ever had and to this day he still holds this honor. (see video of Al below receiving wrestling honor)

Al has put together a great price on a package that includes a Savannah ukulele, Aquila strings, and a Snark clip on tuner, all for the low price of $50.00 if paying with cash or check (add $4.00 if paying by card)

Al "Buzzo" Bruno gets his due:

Ukulele Spring Concert

2011-05-26T17:41:00.004-04:00

Fun final song for the end of elementary school for these wonderful 5th grade uke club kids. These song that have an infectious appeal for students really make practice an easy and enjoyable experience.

Grunge Grows Up - Finds a Uke

2011-05-26T06:14:00.000-04:00

Ukulele Songs isn't a novelty record; it's a statement of truth. Made calm and open by the ukulele's intimacy, Vedder sounds like someone getting out of his own way and discovering what really matters within his art. Vedder has taken up one of the most useful creative tools available: limitation. It's embodied in a little finger-strummed thing that the Pearl Jam singer picked up during a beer run in Hawaii nearly 15 years ago, an instrument whose limits he never pushes...
by Ann Powers of NPR Music

Full article and song files at NPR Music:
Link to music at NPR Music

Martin at Kure Beach, NC

2011-04-18T18:01:00.001-04:00

Finally made it to Easter break at Kure Beach. The weather is beautiful after driving through some of the sadness that was caused by the recent storm. I'm taking a break to think about my teaching assignment for next year - third grade. I'll keep teaching ukulele, it just will be to a younger crowd. I put my Martin in the dune for this shot; then a bit of iPhone photo magic. Looks pretty cool there.

Decemberists "January Hymn" Video

2011-03-15T03:00:00.006-04:00

I had to go one step further and make the video of the Decemberists' song. This band has very vivid, poetic, and intellectual lyrics in their songs that take the listener on a journey. Whenever a song is copied by someone (me in this instance) it is almost always degraded from its original by any number of degrees. I know that I have, in no possible way added to the beauty of this song, but it is like reciting poetry - it begs to be done. And, so...

Decemberists "January Hymn" Cover

2011-03-13T01:10:00.002-05:00

It is still cold here. As I walked out of the school it was late and I captured the sunlight that was no longer offering any amount of warmth. The Decemberist capture the mood in this cover of their song January Hymn that I recorded on my Martin "0".

Mr. Sandman

2011-03-10T20:52:00.003-05:00

This is a beautifully made tutorial of the timeless classic "Mr. Sandman". After the kids go to bed I'm going to give it a try...

Such a Nice Guy

2011-02-28T22:29:00.001-05:00

The Cal-Mum Ukulele Club was Invited to Penfield High School near Rochester, NY, to watch Jake practice with the orchestra prior to the 41st Jazz Fundraiser. The music was sensational. I had no idea that the orchestra would perform as beautifully as they did. Jake was fantastic to watch and listen to, and the uke club kids stayed back and had their t-shirts signed by one amazingly nice guy...

A review of the performance by a viewer I happen to know is posted here at Ukulele Underground.

Fun at UkuZoo

2011-02-22T19:03:00.002-05:00

The UkuZoo site has been around for a while and has not been advertised very much as far as I have noticed, but a lot gets by me with so much ukulele stuff going on. I just posted my two vintage ukuleles to Terry's web site because I want them to be part of the ukulele record. I think this site has the potential to become the place to research and enjoy the beauty of the vintage ukulele.

Another cool thing that Terry does is to send out a tweet for every uke that is added to the site. I dropped out of Twitter a while back but just might sign up again to see what happens over at UkuZoo...

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/UkuZooKeeper
Web Site: http://ukuzoo.com/

Terry's bio from his web pages:

The Keeper of UkuZoo is Terry Tucker. No chops as a musician, no money as a collector, he keeps his hand in the ukulele game by writing about it. UkuZoo is the only ukulele database on the internet! Brought to you by Terry Tucker, in beautiful SouthBay, San Jose.

Blue Valentine

2011-02-10T06:09:00.008-05:00

I'm trying to get out and see this movie, but life has a way of getting in the way...

You always hurt the ones you love...

Big Muffin Serious Band - pdf music

2011-02-10T06:05:00.003-05:00

http://www.muffin.net.nz/muffin/Printable_Ukulele_Music.html

Great Site with links to a lot of pdf sheet music.

Xtranormal: Just to See if I Could

2011-02-02T15:54:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought this might be an interesting way to teach kids how their written dialog might sound when spoken. But, I got suckered into it, and had to make one myself. The only problem comes when you want the xtranormal characters to say odd words like ukulele. I had to play around with the spelling and finally found that "yewkah laylee" sounded pretty good when the electronic voices reproduced the sounds. This is not really all that interesting a video unless you are a kid in my Cal-Mum Uke Club. If you happen to make a xtranormal ukulele video please share it with me - I would love to see it.

This is called: I Need a Ukulele

Neil Armstrong the Ukulele Player

2011-01-18T21:36:00.003-05:00

Without the amazing photographs by journalist Don Blair, the world may never have known that a ukulele was present at the moment these brave men, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin returned to Earth. As a kid growing up in the mid-70s I was part of the generation that had the beauty and fun of the ukulele stolen from us. Had I known of these pictures, I would have had a much different feeling about the little instrument. I am happy to be able to play and enjoy my ukulele today, but I'm a bit saddened to think of the fun I could have had as a kid pretending to be an astronaut with a uke.

Panic

2011-01-13T20:46:00.000-05:00

Well the new year has come and I find that I'm still in a bit of a panic trying to get New York State curriculum covered while also having time to work with students on their ukulele skills. My skills have fallen by the wayside as the year has progressed and that is a shame.
So, anyway, the song de jure is Hey Soul Sister. It's the kind of song you either love or hate - thank goodness I love this tune or i would be in a bad way. Here are a couple of my students having a go at recording this during their lunch break:

In Between Days

2010-10-19T22:34:00.004-04:00

I remember spending nights out dancing to this song - black sport coat, black jeans, and penny loafers. Those times are not anywhere as near as good as life today. Now the song tells me to cherish the moments with my family and children...
In Between Days by The Cure cover:

Lullaby for my daughter.

Hanging Out With Jim D'Ville

2010-10-08T00:16:00.001-04:00


Link to Jim D'Ville's website

Jim stopped by the Rochester area last week and I was able to spend some time just listening to him talk about his passion for ukulele and the water; they seem to go together so naturally. I think Jim would agree they both bring a sense of calm and serenity. I listened to him talk about the fish he had made from driftwood and then saw his video that made it all so much clearer; and below you can witness Jim D'Ville's other artistic abilities.

Link to Jim's art.

As Jim's visit to our ukulele club at Cal-Mum got closer and closer I was filled with trepidation about my lack of real playing skills on the ukulele. I have to admit to being rather star-struck when meeting Jim for the first time. I don't have many music heroes in my life; I guess I'm most impressed by someone like Jim who can play a thoughtful melody that makes me feel… something. His playing caries with it the passion that he has for the ukulele, paralleled by his ability to nurture and encourage others to do and feel the same.

I was able hear how Jim came to compose and his "Columbia Galop" tune in the video below. I was also able to watch him play it about four times while he was here. I can't seem to get this fantastic sound out of my head. Getting it into my hands is a bit harder.

One memorable moment from Jim's workshop at Bernunzio Uptown Music in Rochester was his advice for us to forget all the other failed musical attempts we may have made in our lives. His advice was to stop listening to negative voice in our head and to start listening to the music. He went on to show us all how much we could do if we just became aware of the connectiveness of music.

Photo of Jim from his website playukulelebyear.blogspot.com

Jim ended his stay in the Rochester, N.Y. area by giving the Cal-Mum Ukulele Club a few lessons on how to just strum and enjoy music. He held the attention of more than forty fifth-graders during that hour, which is no small feat. We all walked away better for having the opportunity to meet him and play along.

From my family, the kids in the uke club, and me,
Thank you Jim D'ville.

The Hole Thing

2010-09-01T18:45:00.000-04:00

Tom came into school today and shared his experience touring the
Kamaka factory with Fred Kamaka. His tenor uke is beautiful and sounds
wonderful.
He didn't forget his uke buddy. He gave me a genuine Kamaka koa sound
hole disc! My own cool-little piece of Hawaii.

Signature

2010-08-25T06:47:00.001-04:00

Tom just sent me a picture of his uke signed by Fred Kamaka. I hope I
get to touch it when he brings it to school in September.

Emulous

2010-08-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

So...
I receive an email from our band instructor Tom, who happens to be
vacationing in Hawaii. Tom also happens to be from Hawaii but has been
living in Upstate New York for more than a quarter century. Tom has
mentioned on several occasions that he would like to get a koa Kamaka
tenor ukulele some day... Today seems to be the day, and he sent me a
picture from his Blackberry to prove it.

He already has a Kamaka soprano that he bought in sixth grade for $25.
That was a few years ago.

Congratulations Tom!

Sailing and Ukulele 85 Years Ago

2010-08-09T10:19:00.001-04:00

This is a combination of my two favorite activities. At first glance I
thought that the girl was playing a ukulele, on closer inspection I
see that it is a banjolele or banjo uke. They must have been very
popular and appear in a lot of photographs from this era. I've never
had a chance to try one.
Next week I will be sending out letters to all incoming fifth graders
to see how many are interested in joining the Cal-Mum Uke Club. I'm
not really ready to give up on summer vacation yet...

Gearing Up

2010-07-07T15:07:00.001-04:00

Summer is here and time for me to start thinking about how to manage
next year's uke club. I was stretched a bit thin last year and felt
like I hadn't been able to give 100% to the kids in the club.

We are in a very small town with a pretty active downtown - two
antique shops, cafe, library, and a coffee shop. I'm hoping that the
coffee shop could play a role in getting kids to have fun playing
their ukuleles. I'm going to see if we can set one night a month aside
for an open mic. It would be great for the kids and the coffee shop.

I also received an email from Jim D'Ville telling me that he was
coming to see our club in October. That is really a special event.
It's great timing for the kids because they will have only had their
ukes for a couple weeks prior to Jim's visit. Their minds will be open
to the great information Jim can share. I am so excited about this
that it has really motivated me to start preparing early for next
year's group.

I'm thinking that we have to get t-shirts with our club logo like we
have had in the past - nothing like a shirt to make one feel they are
part of something special (I always feel special in a club t-shirt).
I'm trying to come up with a slogan for our club. If you happen to
read this post and know of a good one that you could share, please let
me know. Right now I'm thinking I might use a play-on-words like
"Where Uke Can Be You" maybe. That one may be used already, I'll have
to Google it to see.

I'm off to read playukulelebyear.blogspot.com

Photo by allanimitchell flickr
Awarded Nikon Flickr Best Photo 5/1310

End of the School Year Song

2010-06-19T10:09:00.002-04:00

Thanks J for suggesting I create an end of the year song. One day I'll have to see what kind of music I could produce if I wasn't strapped for time. My classroom is torn apart with boxes and books everywhere, but I was able to clean a spot of on my desk to record this quickly written song.

Image by rcvernors "Ghosts os Schoolyears Past" Flickr

Falling Fast

2010-06-13T05:18:00.001-04:00

The end of the school year is fast approaching. Not really the best
time to reflect on the year because it will be an emotional time. As
in the past, I have witnessed young ukulele players' fledgling
attempts blossom into real musical abilities. I have also watched the
day-to-day learning of math and language arts taking place. But, these
practices require much effort from teacher and student. It is really
the natural attraction we all seem to have, to greater and lesser
degrees, to and for art, that reveals a clear self motivation in
people. When I see kids working on anything without a constant
prodding by me, I know that magic is taking place - the perpetual
thinking machine - the mind - is aggregating information and making
conections without the restriction of my lens. The world opens up. If
there is said to be "an art" to anything, it implies a measure of
mystery and magic. I'm not sure I can teach that, just as a farmer
doesn't teach the wheat to grow. As in teaching, farming is the art of
keeping fertile ground where the stage is set for growth. I'll think
some more on this as I go play my uke.

Poem for the Class of 2017

2010-06-12T15:23:00.006-04:00

Class of 2017

Our classroom at the top of the stairs
messy desks and busy minds
with questions to answer
ukuleles to play
lessons to recall in future times.

We made our history together
although the records won't tell
of the small moments
and quiet triumphs
that in our minds will dwell.

With warming of days has brought a sign
our parting is ever near
the closing of books
and saying goodbye
bringing an ending to our year.

In the spanning of eternity
this time we will call our own
however far
or ever near
to Caledonia, our home.

By Kyle Leonard
Grade 5 teacher

I was inspired by my students to try and capture the bittersweet emotion that takes place every spring in the hearts of all teachers and students at Caledonia-Mumford Elementary School.

Image by kawasu29 Flickr

The Brown Ukulele

2010-05-23T12:57:00.001-04:00

This poem was handed to me neatly folded just before lunch on Friday
without a word spoken - a gift. Working on poetry that
describes a place or thing, one student took the time to make
everything in school feel all the more special. I'm as flattered by these
words as anyone would be, but more than my flattery is my awe in the
deeper concepts of life that can be expressed in the words of one who
is only ten years old. The power of music and thought.

Poetry and Ukulele

2010-05-19T06:02:00.001-04:00

In the waning days of the school year I have been invited to have my class work on a project that will combine student poetry with the accompaniment of ukulele music. If you are a teacher you may know what the end of a school year is like. I think of it as a runaway train heading down a steep mountain. There will be a wreck at the end, but the pieces will all be picked up and put in a box. When I open the box in September I will be mad at the "me" that threw it all in there in June.

Info about the poetry/ukulele project: http://buylocalbuildafuture.com/amylv/

The ukulele club will be playing the blues along with the band for our Spring Concert. I hope to have a decent recording to post here.

The Night Owls

All of Me

2010-05-12T05:18:00.000-04:00

The Boswell Sisters

Old songs are alive and well in my classroom as can be heard in this recording of "All of Me" by a couple of my students. The recording was made during snack time, in between math and reading.

Columbia Chainless

2010-04-17T23:16:00.006-04:00

Columbia Chainless

The steps take us happy
And We breath
Antibelum heart, warm summer night
We climb under palmetto banner

Dreams of great generations
Be mine lovely
We will make all the right choices
And feel the tug of our destiny

Need we find the stars bolted down
Memories of hard times
The rockets have long gone quiet
The lights now of traffic in our time

You a perfect rose and tea
Me cordovan tips of wings and free
And all is mixed with clove
With no idea what it would be
© 2010 KL

The Columbia Chainless:
My grandfather's 1898 Columbia shaft drive bicycle was given to me by my mom when my grandfather passed away in 1980. The name is forever etched in my mind. Years later my yet-to-be wife and I would spend chainless nights in downtown Columbia, SC; also forever etched in my mind.

Poetry From the Soul

2010-04-17T06:38:00.009-04:00

Two of my students put this video together for a video festival during National Poetry Writing Month; the melding of ukulele with poetry has produced a really beautiful effect.

If interested, you can read the entire interview with these students at:
http://poemfarm.blogspot.com/2010/04/poetry-friday-poetry-from-soul-16.html

Practice in the Gym

2010-04-16T17:45:00.004-04:00

We ran out of places at school to practice with thirty-five students

due to schedule changes during the year. So, the gym seems like a big
enough place to spread out and work on some tunes.
I'm still looking foreward to making some changes next year using
ideas from Jim D'Ville.
With the days getting warmer, it's starting to feel more like ukulele
weather.

Uke Evangelist

2010-04-05T06:44:00.000-04:00

Evangelist is kind of a strong word, but it beats "ukulele pusher"
because of its more reverent tone. So, uke evangelist seems fitting
when it comes to getting others to love the ukulele because one thinks
their life would be richer and more meaningful if only they would find
their way to "the uke".
I'm sure my friend Seth will find some humor in the idea of
enlightenment through ukulele, but in a small way it does bring a
measure of joy to anyone who finds it to be something worth pursuing.
I think I may now add my friend Seth to the growing number of ukulele
players in the world. My family and I were able to spend the weekend
at his house while heading down to Carolina Beach for vacation. The
nights were warm, and our kids were happily playing as the backyard
fire glowed. A perfect opportunity to strum and catch up on life. Seth
was a "quick study" on the C Am F and G7. He really picked up the
strumming patterns quickly, and in no time was playing very well. I
hope the new uke will prove to be a fun and fulfilling diversion.

Mail Call

2010-03-19T18:23:00.001-04:00

I just got my "Play Ukulele By Ear" DVD from Jim D'Ville in the mail
this afternoon. I've really been looking foreward to watching what Jim
has to offer so I can start passing this information along to my 5th
grade uke club kids.
I kept thinking about ordering Jim's lessons, but kept putting it off.
After following all his success in Australia I knew it was time to
order. However, after being contacted by Jim in regards to his fall
tour of the North-East, Jim sent me a complimentary DVD to get the
ball rolling - what a great guy.
I'll be posting more about my attempts to use Jim's method with my 5th
graders.

You in Shadows (ukulele song)

2010-03-13T19:57:00.003-05:00

Just another song I wrote and recorded at the end of the school day.

Conquest of 50 (a uke Odyssey)

2010-03-02T04:20:00.003-05:00

About five days ago Terry Hardy signed up on Twitter as 50StateUke, and I thought that is seemed like an interesting moniker. So, I followed his tweets and told him I thought the idea of playing ukulele in all 50 states was an ambitious one; because I was having trouble just playing my ukulele at home. He contacted me to clarify and share the broader scope of, what already seemed to be a monumental task.

Terry Hardy:

My plan is actually a little more complicated than I can state in 140 characters. I am planning on learning every state song (or at least one - some states have more than one) and play them on ukulele at each state capitol. I researched the songs, and have transcribed them for uke. I have played so far in Phoenix and Honolulu...only 48 more to go :) I am going to do it in pieces, with multiple road trips. Some trips will be this year here in the west (I live in Denver). I have pictures to document it, and have some video from Hawaii (I plan to video each one). A web site will be forthcoming with me playing these songs once I learn them, and documentation as it comes along. I hope to play on my Pono concert uke (for work I take my Risa travel uke).
Anyway, that is the crazy plan.

Whoa! The word ambitious just doesn't seem to apply well to Terry's monumental plan. If you're on Twitter, I would suggest signing up to follow 50StatesUke, and become part of the Corps of Discovery in state songs on the uke.

Good luck and Godspeed Terry!

Doing wonderful things for people.
Check out: http://terryhardymusic.com/

StarGirl

2010-02-24T22:20:00.003-05:00

So, I did it. I wrote one song for FAWM. I had high hopes that I would come up with fourteen songs, but like so many things, life got in the way. The best part is that life is good, and I really wouldn't want to change a thing. And this diversion of blogging about the coolest little instrument - one that brings happiness to anyone - is helping me keep track of some of the nicest people...

Liner Notes to StarGirl:

I am running out of time and I feel it…
I tried to write some lyrics a couple weeks back thinking I was smart to get the poetic lines down first. But little did I know, I don't make songs that way. All the other songs I have written were created simultaneously with the chords that gave rise to the words. Nothing seemed to mesh.

So, I wrote "StarGirl" in a big rush this afternoon because I was getting frantic about seeing February slip by with nothing to show for it.

At about 2:10 today I thought to myself – I have to get one song together.
I stopped and talked with some other teachers, nervously waiting until the end of the school day at 3:00.

Then... the start:

3:00 - I sit at my desk and make sure my uke is tuned - I start strumming some chords and realize I have to wait.
At 3:15 every day the blowers on the heater in my classroom turn off automatically, so I know I the recording will be really bad if I don't wait.
So, at this point I know I want to write a song about my wife, and I know it's going to be called "StarGirl" – that's all I got.
The blowers shut down and the quiet sounds strange: I record a couple takes with Audacity and my Samson mic and feel a sinking feeling as nothing worthwhile is being created – sadness.
It's now 3:30 and I know I have to pick up my son at the sitter by 4:00.
A fellow teacher stops in and talks to me for ten minutes.

Now it is 3:40.

Frantic, I try and remember the song I was working on before the interruption.
3:50 - something seems to be working, probably hoping more than believing – I try again.
3:55 - I have a song that I might want my wife to hear.
4:00 - convert to mp3 and upload to box.net and run for the door.

I'm 15 minutes late to the sitter, but have one song.

Amass

2010-02-22T23:17:00.007-05:00

It is very hard to not collect ukuleles; I have only three - one was a

gift from a student, the other I traded for a dinghy, and another was

a gift from my wonderful wife. But, I guess in furthering my

collection it might come down to disposable income; something I never

had the pleasure to worry about. And then looking at the line-up of

ukuleles in the picture above it just makes me want to take them all

home, but then... I don't get to practice that much. so for now I'll dream of

conspicuous consumption and more hours in a day.

Photo by Elisabethp Flickr

L.M.'s Koa

2010-02-20T10:12:00.002-05:00

My sister-in-law is having a replica of the Martin 3K made for her by a
friend who builds guitars - for the most part. This is a picture of
the uke in the process of having the finish applied. I'll have more
pictures soon, I hope.
I started this ukulele blog as a way of watching my children play
while I type out uke stuff on my iPhone. I'm replacing my ukulele
playing with just writing about the ukulele. Maybe people out there
can kind-of understand how hard it is to play the ukulele when your
kids don't really want to hear it. They're too young to have any
interest in it yet. So, in these in-between-days I'll just surf around
and live vicariously through other people's ukulele exploits. The live-
feed of ukulele blogs on the left side of this blog is a testiment, I
think, to the growth of the uke; I'll just keep adding my "two cents"
because it is a wonderful diversion - a way to practice writing and
stay in touch.
I wish all the best to anyone who takes an interest in the ukulele
because, really it just adds joy to the world.

My Vote

2010-02-19T21:34:00.001-05:00

Every time I visit Jim's web page I can't seem to get over the
fantastic banner art. This really sets the tone for the page - just a
timeless classic image for the ukulele instructor of today. And, all
the best to Jim while in Australia.

In Art

2010-02-16T22:42:00.005-05:00

Shelley Rickey chose one of the most famous ships in the history of music to adorn this Bruko Archback Ukulele No.4 made in Germany. She, along with artist Quin de Vrede, Marc Kolle, Rene Verberne, Guido de Groot, Johan Xtra, Daniel van Nes, have created a new on-line shop The Jumping Flea Market to bring their unique brand of "outsider art" to the public.

Shelley comments on her art:

Artist?...I don't know. People that call themselves an 'Artist' usually give me the creeps. But, I am a graphic designer & I create stuff, all kinds of stuff. I'm crazy about taking something 'worthless' and turning it into something 'priceless'. I'm also crazy about the Ukulele and try to introduce as many people as possible to this wonderful instrument. Turn off your TV and play Ukulele!

Shelley's response to how she started playing ukulele:

My mom played. Still does, once in a Blue Moon. She was a singer in Biloxi, Mississippi during the 60's. "Miss Tonda Kae". It was during the folk revival, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez....

She played a Favilla Baritone (still has two of them) and there were always a couple of Harmony ukes at home.

I'm guessing mom was teaching me chords as soon as i could hold it. But growing up i was mostly interested in using it to accompanying my singing. Didn't give the uke much thought in particular.

I continued with music in school, sang in a choir with 72 voices, madrigal group with 16, and a girls barbershop quartet (bass!) Also played the flute for 7 years. Had many musical adventures in between - and then about 6 years ago...i picked the uke back up.

It has brought so much joy to my life.
Through the uke i've met so many incredible people, traveled to amazing places... It's been incredibly inspiring.

Shelley's always captivating ukulele blog: Selley Rickey

Shelley and her team of artist reside in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

No Coincidence

2010-02-15T20:57:00.001-05:00

So, I've gone through most of my life being mildly interested, amused,
and sometimes astonished by things that seem coincidental. Although,
lately I have been entertaining the thought that nothing is
coincidence. To me, this is starting to seem like a much more
interesting way to look at life - a lens that makes everything seem
meaningful and special. I've always listened to people who say that
everything happens for a reason, and in the past I've smiled and
quietly dismissed this saying as being just words to help get us
through one moment and on to the next. Now I'm thinking everything,
every-single-thing has a purposeful meaning; every word, every breath,
every thought. While trying to conceive of how this might all work I
also must take into consideration that not everyone has an equal lot
in life - for me a truly confounding part of the equation.
(Photo: Art Deco Lamp w/ Ukulele)

Silence

2010-02-12T22:55:00.001-05:00

For me the beauty of the ukulele is not completely held in its
liltings, but part of the allure comes from the perfection of its
design. I find myself starring at the lines of my ukulele like I do
with those of a six-meter sailboat; an example of the height of beauty
in the sailboat world. There is something inexplicable about the
aethetics of perfection. With so many contemporary designs around us
that seem to find use in the awkward trapazoid, I believe it is the
beauty born of the French curve that we truly desire.
(Photo by Morburg Flickr)

Skype

2010-02-11T17:55:00.002-05:00

We had a lot of fun in fifth grade today - I have Skype unblocked on my
classroom computer so I can videoconference with one of my students
who is out of school for a long-term medical reasons. She watches the
math lessons from her bed at home (not quite as bad as it might
sound). We can all see her and talk, ask questions and make her feel
like she is part of the classroom again.

I had a teacher gift card I won from Walmart so I ordered a HP webcam
a couple of weeks ago, and now we are connected to the world.
We went ahead and Skyped a school down in Alabama who wanted to
partner read a book. We found out that kids in New York are just like
kids in Alabama. They have a unicycle club and we have a ukulele club,
so one of my uke kids went home and got a unicycle on eBay. School is
cool again.

Penumbra

2010-02-08T05:57:00.003-05:00

Songwriter: a lyricist and composer, and then possibly a musician and singer all rolled up in one. I understand why the great ones only come along once in a while. This takes a lot of processing power. Then, of course, there is the life experiences that drive the direction of the song and music - and the style. Fourteen songs in twenty-eight days is feeling a bit illusive.

I have to admit that this challenge has been tremendously fun already. I fill all the empty moments with thoughts of shadowy memories that could be worked into some lyrics and then possibly a song. And, while the ukulele has a bright sound for the most part, it can be played as a back drop to some sad lyrics, but I'm not sure I want to go in that direction.

And what rhymes with shadow?

Just Because

2010-02-05T06:24:00.001-05:00

And even if everyone in the world is better at it than you.
Make your mark.
Just because.

Inspiration Club

2010-02-02T05:18:00.005-05:00

So, February is going by fast as I try and write some lyrics to fourteen song. This really makes February much more exciting up here in the cold North. Maybe like this pictured uke I should have my T.V. Pal with me while relaxing with my daughter watching Dora the Explorer.

The first uke song I listened to was a wonderful song entitled Emotions of the Snow by artist Whispered Candles. She was kind enough to give us all a glimpse into her late-night song writing process:

Liner Notes:12:05 AM, February 1st:
Whispered Candles picks up her ukulele and decides to write a song that mentions the cold weather. She begins to strum around with some different chords and makes up some lyrics to go along with it.

12:30 AM, February 1st:
She picks up a piece of paper, and begins to write down the lyrics she has been singing with her new chords and rhythm in mind. Then she practices the song a couple more times, becoming familiar with her newly written down lyrics.

Shortly before 1 AM, February 1st:
She opens garageband, and tests levels of the computer mic and their ability to pick up the ukulele.

Around 1 AM, February 1st:
She begins recording, scrutinizing, nervously messing up, re-recording, etc.

Shortly before 1:30 AM:
She has a complete demo recorded.
Then she decides to see if she can record a second vocal track in one take so the lyrics are more easily understood.

1:30 AM:
Vocal take was successful, and she watches with pleasure as it converts her first demo of FAWM 2010 convert to an mp3 format.

2:00 AM:
Whispered Candles had fallen asleep by this point, and likely dreamed of all the other songs she has yet to write for FAWM 2010.

Lyrics:

I looked outside and saw the cloud
I hoped it'd be warm enough to rain
But then I called you on the phone
And you assured me that it would snow

It is so cold today
And I can't tell if it's the weather or your mood
But the chill in here is almost unbearable

We sit by the fire sipping hot chocolates and teas
I beg you not to leave
But you tell me you have work
Even though the offices are closed

It has gotten so cold here
And by now I'm sure I'm more affected by that you don't care
Well maybe I'll just disappear I can become one with the snow

A month's gone by and you are knocking at my door
But I've moved on and I don't need you anymore
You ask if you can step inside
Warm your fingers by the fire
Before you go home

Oh, and now you are so cold
But I'm happy and warm and I'll have you know
You missed your chance it's time to go I'm going outside to enjoy the snow

http://fawm.org/

Magnitude of Rhyme

2010-01-29T05:53:00.001-05:00

I noticed a post from Ukulele Perspective about FAWM.org and checked it out because I am out-of-the-loop on a majority of topics that have to do with music. Then I signed up because I was captured by the quote from Jack London that sums up the purpose: "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." I've just been reading recently about Jack's love for surfing and the ukulele and his connection with Hawaii and I thought it was an interesting coincidence; but some would say their are no coincidences, so here I go.

What I have found is a community of wonderful people all working towards the common goal of writing fourteen songs in the shortest month of the year. I've written about three in the past year so this should pick up the pace a bit.

Two of the songs I wrote I posted to YouTube, and I listened to them and thought, if it wasn't me singing and playing them, would I ever listen to them more than once. This is a very hard question. It is difficult trying to not be yourself with a critical ear for music written by... yourself.

The Wordle above was created from a lengthy thread on a FAWM post about whether or not rhyme was important in song writing. If you're into song writing, sign up the conversation is wonderful.

The Aquila Effect

2010-01-24T00:12:00.000-05:00

When I first thought that I might like to play the ukulele I found myself searching the web for information, and somehow I kept missing the fact that there was such a thing as re-entrant tuning. When I pulled the ukulele out of the closet at my parents' cottage, I thought that whoever had strung it was somewhat confused. The bridge was detached and hanging free while still attached to the strings, but clearly the string size seemed intuitively in the wrong order.

After a while I somehow figured out what was going on - I pieced the uke back together and fell in love with the sound it/I made.

Back then, in 2005, Flea Market Music Bulletin Board was the place to be for uke-talk and I became an addict. I kept reading about how great Aquila strings were; I had to get a set so I could experience what others were talking about. I found I could get them shipped to me for about $10 from Hana-Lima 'Ia in Honolulu. The envelope arrived within a week with postmarks from paradise. I was in awe of the beautiful packaging from Italy - from Italy to Hawaii to me... I had a hard time getting the number of windings on the tuning pegs right - I had no idea they would stretch that much. I was really not fully prepared for sound that came out of that Roy Smeck. I would play it for a few seconds and it would go flat. I'd tune it back up and it would go flat again - over and over. And then it stopped, they didn't stretch anymore. It was one of those moments when you want to run and tell somebody, but you realize that the best you'll get is insincere interest.

Every once in a while one of my students will get a set of Aquilas to put on a Mahalo and I'll get a chance to relive the experience, "I told you... didn't I... didn't I tell you these things are great?". And we'll both kind-of nod in quiet amazment. The Aquila Effect.

Danielle Live

2010-01-20T06:10:00.000-05:00

Danielle Anderson on beauty:

Beauty, to me, can be anything. Things that make me happy or that make me sad. Anything that brings about strong and powerful emotions can be really lovely. It's simple and complicated, obviously. I like a good song during the sunset on a summer day. I like beer with chinese food. I like laughing at an inside joke that doesn't make any sense to anyone else, but me and the people laughing. I like watching giraffes run in slow motion. I think that is really beautiful.

For those interested, a new YouTube channel DeanRichards44 has live video from L.A. of Danielle performing some of her popular ukulele songs.

Link to article from Denver Music

Our Time

2010-01-16T20:38:00.001-05:00

And the week has slowly continued as I think about all that is important to me. I type this post on my iPhone as I hold my daughter while she sleeps and watch my son as he plays with his trucks. I've seen the pictures this week and I can't turn away, not out of some grim curiosity, but out of the strong feeling that I need to look at the faces and feel, and connect. I'm never going to make sense out of disaster and don't try. I find that my hopes, for all I hold dear, are held fast by the outpouring from the better angles of our nature.

Thank you Photocritic.org for the beautiful photo and Mr. Lincoln for the clarity of your words.

On Record

2010-01-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

When I first started the Cal-Mum Uke Club it was a small group of about eight students and myself just having fun learning songs like Five Foot Two and plucking Wipe Out. But, as things go, the idea of a fifth grader with a uke looked pretty cool to anyone in a younger grade. So, the next year kids wanted to be in my class because it was cool-uke-school. I had parents asking how their child could get into uke class. Today I look at my teaching career as life before the uke and life after.

I really think a lot of the fun came from the purchase of one item for our club, and lead to the creation of a recording studio in my classroom that began to motivated kids to sing and play.

I was so surprised by the effect of this microphone - even with quiet kids. I keep the mic out at all times on a boom-stand ready to record the impromptu songs that happen during breaks in lessons. The Samson Q1U Dynamic USB Microphone, a $69.95 mic I purchased from Zzounds, changed the club forever. Since the purchase three years ago I've recorded all the songs on our page with this mic along with my songs Simple Life and Garden Rambles. I just plugged the USB right into my computer at school and began recording - so simple. With free Audacity recording software and a subscription to Box.net I've recorded and stored tons of kid's songs on our web page - all for $69.95.

If you're not recording yourself - you don't know what your missing.

Review of the Q1U at About.com

Noticed

2010-01-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

As a school teacher I try to make sure that I notice things that my students do that makes them who they are, and makes the world a little better. If they do something that would make their parents proud - I stop and try to point out what it is and why it is appreciated. I know that being noticed for even little things is very important for every individual.

So, I just want to say thank you Ukulelia, it means a lot.

Jacob Borshard

2010-01-03T10:03:00.000-05:00

I started playing in 2005 and while putting a website together for my ukulele club I discovered one of the great ukulele stories of our time. If you have been a fan of the ukulele for a while you will probably recognize Jacob Borshard. But, back in 2007 when the whole uke scene was new to me I tripped across his story and his affection for Drew Barrymore. I knew I would like this guy if I ever had the chance to meet him. He really comes across a very genuine person.

Jacob in his own words from an interview on Indieblips

"I was obsessed with Drew Barrymore starting in about 10th grade when she was a Guess Jeans model. One of my early songs was called 'Drew' and was about her kissing E.T. I went to see all her bad movies and let it be known that I would one day meet her. Fast forward to 2007 - I was watching TV with Sarah (girlfriend?) and we saw a commercial advertising a songwriting/music video contest where the winner would be flown to Hollywood to walk the red carpet for Drew's new movie. It seemed like the contest was made for me. I went back to Portland and got to work on a video for 'Grass Stains'. At the end of the shoot, I was getting some shots outside a seafoam colored elementary school in Portland when the cops showed up. They believed that I was trying to lure children, and it didn't help that I was wearing a cape and filming video with a webcam. They abused me a bit and gave me a trespass warning which banned me from Portland Public School property for a year. Of course I ended up winning the video contest. Sarah and I flew to Hollywood and walked the red carpet. I finally met Drew at the cast and crew after-party and she was a total sweetheart. She graciously carved her name into my uke, and that was that."

The Artist:
Jacob is not confined to music as his only artistic outlet. You can see some of his colection on his website www.creebody.com . Here is a peek inside his head with a piece entitled: Clans of the Great Pony Rebellion:

http://www.youtube.com/user/creebobby
http://www.myspace.com/jacob
http://www.flickr.com/photos/creebobby

8 oz.

2009-12-29T14:42:00.001-05:00

Back in the early 70's my grandfather had a Buick dealership. Out
where the guys worked on the cars was a Coke machine with a long door
on the left that had about six bottles lined up. You had to read the
cap to see what was in the bottle. I remember 7UP and Orange Crush,
but all I ever wanted was a Coke.
They were small bottles back then, 8 oz., but the taste on a hot day
was incredible. They made that stuff with real cane sugar - I can
remember the taste, you can tell it was cane sugar when your teeth rub
together, a unique texture.
Today I stop and get a Coke, it's not the same as it once was; plastic
bottle, 20 oz. - more than twice what I had as a kid - more than twice
I need. There is always some left in the bottle; we've become a nation
of not finishing our drinks.
So, after finding the ukulele about five years ago I find that my
electric guitar is the Big Gulp I don't seem to need anymore. It
sits and gathers dust as I happily play my little soprano - the 8 oz.
ice-cold Coke-in-a-glass-bottle I ever really wanted.

Joy in Mudville

2009-12-20T06:10:00.000-05:00

Okay, where did this guy come from?
Luckily for me I was checking out the blog Ukulele & Languages and an interview with Casey Chandler was featured. He sounded like an interesting guy, and as I played his music I knew that this was the uke gold I'm always looking for. I contacted him and found out he is a very interesting guy and this is what he had to say:

My parents bought me a Schmidt Washburn concert uke for my last birthday probably because I kept talking about this great band I saw when I visited Texas called Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - it's funny but the song that inspired me to want to get a uke was this song I'm An Alcoholic by them. I remember singing that song the whole rest of the trip and I still play it at every bar show since. They are by far my favorite ukulele band. My parents know me very well, so I'm sure they knew I was gonna end up using it for good. I actually didn't even take it out of the box until a month after I got it. I just kept it in the packaging for a whole month just sitting there collecting dust. Maybe I was just secretly afraid that we were soon gonna be bff's after we were introduced to each other.

I have to say the "wow" moment that I had with my ukulele was definitely over the summer when I went to North Carolina for a week for vacation with my family and my girlfriend. It was about 3 months after I had gotten the ukulele,and I brought it on the trip with me because I told myself I was gonna teach myself it in a week. It's only 4 strings, so how hard could it be to learn? My girlfriend asked me to serenade her to sleep every day when she took a nap and that was pretty much how I taught myself. It was one of those afternoons that I randomly started playing the progression that became Goodnight Moon. I didn't think anything of it until my girlfriend said "wow. I really like that a lot, you NEED to write a song with that." It was at that moment that I realized that the ukulele rules. (Listen)

Yeah, Goodnight Moon is inspired by the children's story, but it's actually a song that I wrote to myself as a kid. Its just about how fast I'm growing up and how complicated life is getting, yet I'm still trying to keep that little kid Casey alive in me. I'm just slowly forgetting who that person is and this was just my outlet for remembering. Lost Generation is the first really serious song I wrote on ukulele. As you can guess it's all about me being angry at how the system has really screwed over my whole graduating class and yet we're the ones who are expected to just take it and change everything.

Virginia is the only song on the EP that was not recorded in my bedroom here in Queens. It was actually written in the summer of 2008 and recorded in December of 2008. The song is actually about my dear friend that I lived with for a little while that died in a terribly tragic fire along with her entire family in the summer of 2008. Sorry for anyone out there that thought it was just a simple love song.

The song Smile is me venting my anger - the not so secret underlying theme of the EP is about where I work and all the under appreciated employees that I work with. They say to write what you know and the whole EP is all that I know about life for recent graduates, and of course longing for love songs thrown in the mix.

I don't think I'll ever get another ukulele, unless I strike it rich with my music and can fill my whole wall with different ukes. My uke plays beautifully though and I'm sure it's a top of the line one. It's also an acoustic/eletralele, which is nice for playing shows because a ukulele is a bit hard to mic since it's so small. I do secretly want the flying V uke, though. I've been eying it on Amazon for the past month. Maybe my parents will surprise me with it for my 23rd birthday.

Our Lost Generation EP available at Amazon
Casey's songs and review on Ukulele & Languages blog
On Myspace
On Facebook

This Message

2009-12-16T00:25:00.000-05:00

There are a few ukulele songs out there that I can return to time after time and "This Message" by Mike, aka Krabbers, is one of them. This is ukulele the way I love to hear it - simple and true. The words are haunting and beautiful. Mike's vocals are superb, refreshingly clean and inspiring.

On Mike's YouTube channel he tells a bit about himself:

"I love the sound of an acoustic guitar. I play guitar and ukulele (badly), love sharks, dolphins, monkeys, snakes, stars, noise, silence, laughter, accents, hammocks, beer, trees, bees, not wasps, birds, penguins, magpies cos they look like flying penguins, spiders..."

Insight into his psyche?

Link: Krabbers' Channel

Real Music

2009-12-15T06:08:00.000-05:00

The following post was on Ukulele Underground in response to the idea that some see the ukulele as a lesser instrument. Grammy's words below helped me to happily move on:

Don't worry that its not good enough for anyone else but you.

To play uke, or anything else for that matter, because it is cool is silly, to play because it is uncool is equally silly. to even worry about popularity or fame or your audience or what anyone thinks, or what instruments are better or worse like there is some kind of pecking order is just plain stupid. To be impressed or offended by the opinion of anyone is vanity, and vanity is for shallow people. You simply need to express yourself. Play what you want to, how you want to and from your heart everything else is just so much fluff in the belly button of life.... in the end, inside you is where art comes from, so...make art for arts sake, for the joy of your soul. Nothing, but nothing, else matters.

Ask Jake, or Julia or Brudder Iz or Eric Clapton or Jimmy Paige or Paul McCartney or anyone who really is a musical artist, they will tell you the same thing.

Posted by: Ukulele Underground member: Grammy, Budapest, Hungary

Russell Sails

2009-12-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

I've just started to float around on YouTube and am finding some cool sounds like this David Gray cover by russbuss415. I really like the original song by Gray, but the effortless playing and singing in this video has made me love the song all over again. Russell claims that he is "Just Makin' Some Noise!", but it is clearly more than just that.

russbuss415's Channel

Skylark

2009-12-06T07:33:00.000-05:00

My memories are probably clouded by nostalgia, but I think the part of me that wants to write ukulele songs was nourished during the endless hours I spent riding in the back seat of my parent's Buicks; the Wildcats, Skylarks, and Electra 225s. Those countless hours were spent traveling, sitting on the backseat hump, chin on crossed arms resting along the top of the front seat. Watching the speedometer hardly ever pass much above 55 mph, my dad drove with precision. I was only nervous on those snowy nights when I couldn't see the road ahead.
I had time to think. It was an hour's drive to our lake cottage and we went often. Roads and drivers seem different back then. I don't remember too much aggression on the roads. I don't remember people passing us often, or us passing them. Just enjoying the travel and the view - much like a ukulele song.

The Koa

2009-12-01T06:05:00.000-05:00

Koa... Just the sound of the word seems to imply some magical properties. A tree from Hawaiian legends and modern over cultivation. For many, myself included, it is the holy grail of tone woods for the ukulele. A part of me though, hears the voice of the Lorax whispering in my ear that I am part of the problem. A part of me just wants to have and hold something of such signifigence as a koa uke. It would be like having a part of the island, the culture, the history, the beauty and depth of the wood is beyond compare - a talisman. For now I will wait and consider wether or not I'm worthy or foolish to want to possess koa.

Photo by Forest and Kim Star

Practice

2009-11-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

Sitting on the beach house steps at Kure Beach, NC. In the sunshine
with soothing sounds of waves breaking on shore, I remember practicing
songs on my first ukulele. The 1950's Roy Smeck I found in my parent's
cottage closet needed the bridge glued back on and the tuning pegs
loosened up; then it needed a trip to the beach. The best place in the
whole wide world to practice.

Season

2009-11-27T07:51:00.000-05:00

Dusting off the chords for Mele Kalikimaka and a few other holiday
songs.
Pictured on our tree is a 1920's Supertone Ukulele made for the Sears
Roebuck Company by unknown builders - possibly in Chicago or New York
City. Someone glued the bridge on fractions of an inch from its
rightful location rendering this uke untunable for now.

The Lights

2009-11-26T07:38:00.001-05:00

On Thanks Giving:
Thank you Mom and Dad for life, and Jenny for the world. Thank you
Steve for helping me survive high school with some dignity, Bruce for
the clarity your friendship gave me during and after college, Seth for
your sandy shores of friendship I washed up on during some of the most
stressful teaching I hope I'll ever experience, and Peter for your
insight into the calm beauty and power of wind, water, and wood.

Own Thoughts

2009-11-25T08:49:00.000-05:00

As I watch my children grow
Explore their world.
I find
They are not becoming little pieces of me.
I'm little pieces of them.

Ode to Michelle

2009-11-23T06:46:00.000-05:00

I feel I owe Michelle Kiba a big mahalo for providing me with a tremendous resource. About five years ago when I was searching, somewhat frantically on the web, for chord diagrams, I tripped across her page. I remember the surprise I had when I saw her chart available in pdf. I contacted her and was given permission to post the chart on my student's uke club page. The chart has attracted visitors from all around the globe to our little uke club page.

I was able to use Michelle's chart to produce a Left-handed Uke Chord Chart. I have had a few left-handed players and some look so forlorn when I try to get them to play "right" that I had to restring their ukes. Lefty: http://www.box.net/shared/pgspan1w84

Michelle's web page:http://www.ukalady.com/

Michelle's chord chart:http://www.ukalady.com/Images/UkeChart.pdf

Michelle Kiba, the Ukulele Lady

Simple Life

2009-11-21T05:57:00.000-05:00

I imagine if I Google "Simple Life" I would find that there are a lot of songs by this title. Yes, but I guess that the song I wrote is so simple I couldn't really title it anything else.
This is my first attempt at a song with a video. I wrote and recorded the song in one sitting during my half-hour lunch break. I wouldn't call it polished by any stretch. But it was nice enough for me to go back and listen to, so I combined it with some surf video - not that it's a perfect match for the song, but it does share some elements.
I equate surfing to a simple enjoyment of life. I always thought, while growing up in Upstate New York, that I would be a surfer, living in some warm climate near the beach. Funny how the feeling never really goes away.
Three chords and a surfboard - Simple Life.

Carol Anne McGowan

2009-11-19T05:23:00.000-05:00

"Carol Ann's ethereal sound was particularly special; a truly beautiful vocalist.", wrote The Stephen's Green Preservation Society back in August. I have to admit that I'm a pushover for music set to old vintage film. In her song I'll Be Seeing You, her voice floats along as images of days-gone-by remind you of things... It seems a perfect mix of film, ukulele and Carol Anne's lovely voice that draw us in with feelings of longing and nostalgia.

Carol Anne noted on her MySpace page that the chords for the song are simple: G6 A9 Am7 G6. Sometimes the simpleness of music is freeing. We can overlay our own crafted inner melodies and thoughts to experience the music in a kind of multi-emotional landscape. Like her picture below, we alow ourselves to fill in the blanks and quiet places with our selves.

Her influences are:The sea, Stina Nordenstam, Nancy Sinatra, Natalie Merchant, Kate Bush

Location: Donegal, Dublin Ireland

From: http://www.myspace.com/carolannemcgowan

Rising Stars

2009-11-18T05:35:00.000-05:00

NYS 5th grade social studies tests ended today. One student asked if we we're going to celebrate. After sitting quietly for 90 minutes kids will tend to celebrate whether I agree to it or not. I usually join right in the festivities of "test completed". It turned into a mini-ukulele jam fest. We ended up recording a few kids playing and singing the song Be Friends.

The Star rising up the side of our school has never been caught in a photo before, and I have always just imagined it magically appearing. I was lucky to be out on the playground and witnessed the start of the holiday season.

Danielle's Bribes

2009-11-16T06:11:00.000-05:00

If you are familiar with the artist Danielle of Danielle Ate the Sandwich YouTube fame, then you know she has a tendency to start her videos with some self deprecating humor. It seems to be an attempt by her to let her audience see the juxtaposition of two feelings; a little genuine humor and then a heart melting song. Bribes is a good example of her method. For me, I like the style - she has carved out her own niche.

She still sells her CD in a handmade felt pouch at http://danielleatethesandwich.net/page-store.html

Emeraude

2009-11-15T22:12:00.000-05:00

I keep coming back to this beautiful picture taken by Alpana Aras of her son standing by a neighbor's trailer.

The photo reads like a short story; so many elements in such narrow space. A moment in childhood. And how will the story go? As parents we know that in the blink of an eye the world changes, the shorts become too small, the ukulele is neglected, and the shiny trailer looses its emerald luster. But, in this short moment all the world seems to stop for the boy with the ukulele.

(Photo by permission: Alpana Aras, www.storyboxart.com)

Possibility's Wall

2009-11-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Ukes parked on the wall.
Kids keep their ukes insight as they wait for a math lesson to end. When break time comes there will be a rush for the wall to pull their uke down and start strumming - a life with music.

In the picture are a few of the twelve black Mahalo ukes donated by Geoffrey Rezek, founder the Ukulele Society of Connecticut. The ukes were donated a few years ago by Geoffrey in an effort to get ukuleles into the hands of as many kids as possible. Many students buy their own uke, but for those who can't there is always one available. Thanks Geoffrey.

Kantoi by Zee Avi

2009-11-13T04:13:00.000-05:00

This song is a beautiful ukulele song that has gotten a lot of play. Here is a little background from her MySpace page that makes the song all that much more ethereal:

Zee Avi is from the unlikely birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia which remains an untouched, natural paradise, an apt description of her songs. “I get my melodic feel from the simplicity of classic jazz, people singing what they felt with straightforward lyrics and not too many harmonies,” Zee says. “Just a lot of honesty. My stuff is pretty dark,” Zee admits. “Most of my songs are about the reality side of romance, outlets to vent my emotions.”

Moments

2009-11-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

And years go by while we search.
We record the moments.
We ponder.
And then...
We realize that all those moments we want to erase make us who we are.

Eleventh Hour

2009-11-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest
appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." JFK
(Photo courtesy of KylePix at Photobucket.com)

Country

2009-11-10T06:02:00.001-05:00

Growing up is different these days. Every generation has its unique
distractions. My parents grew up in the generation that would gather
'round the piano at parties. Music of today's generation, for the most
part is something you listen to - not partake in. Something is lost when
only superstars can sing.

Enchanted

2009-11-09T22:27:00.000-05:00

I sat quietly with my five year-old son and took a picture of trees I
had seen when I was his age. No sounds but the echoes of the years.

Catching on.

2009-11-09T22:07:00.000-05:00

The enchanted wonders the ukulele holds for children is no little thing. The memories of my youth remind me that magic was everywhere. If I had been lucky enough to have had a(n) ukulele I would have thought the gods had crafted it out of some special tree just for me.
Today I know the gods at Martin made mine - just for me - eighty years
ago. Magic...

Just a Start

2009-11-08T07:41:00.000-05:00

Just starting to put together some ideas related to ukulele and its instruction along with the lifestyle that goes with the uke. It seems to attract a complementary lifestyle, one of thoughtful reflection, the idea that as long as you strum and sing along you are happy.