Author Archives: Anne Ku

Workshop: the Hawaiian vamp

Also known as the Hawaiian turnaround, the famous Hawaiian vamp refers to a short chord sequence that can introduce and end a song, intercede between verses and choruses. The chords depend on the destination key.

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3 Chord Thursday Poems & Parodies

Thursday 21st March 2024 is World Poetry Day (and the Vernal Equinox). Can you think of songs that started as poems? Can you put words to music? Explore the world of words, rhyme, alliteration, and more! Parodies included!

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3 Chord Thursday Irish

It’s tradition to share Irish songs in March for St Patrick’s Day. On Thursday 7th March 2024, we celebrate with Irish songs, as we have done previously in 2023, 2022, 2021, and Irish Playlist. Stay after for a workshop on … Continue reading

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3 Chord Thursday Island Tunes

On Thursday 15th February 2024, we celebrate songs of Hawai’i and other islands. Wear something bright and colorful! [This session is in Zoom only; AND there is no workshop afterwards.] The Zoom password has changed. Please re-register and join us … Continue reading

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3 Chord Thursday: World Ukulele Day

The second day of the second month is National Play Your Ukulele Day. This has evolved to World Play Your Ukulele Day, International Ukulele Day, or World Ukulele Day. We celebrate a day early on Thursday 1st February 2024 at … Continue reading

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3 Chord Thursday Thesaurus

It’s National Thesaurus Day on Thursday 18th January 2024! This is a special day for those who love WORDS. We celebrate the theme of THESAURUS in 3 Chord Thursday with a lot of imagination. Is Thesaurus the last dinosaur? Can you … Continue reading

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3 Chord Thursday: Pop Music Charts

Our first session of the year fell on Thursday 4th January 2024 which is Pop Music Chart Day. Seriously! It’s the first time we held the song session of 3 Chord Thursday WITHOUT a webpage or an advance notice of … Continue reading

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Sightreading, the art of reading music

Sightreading, also known as prima vista playing, refers to playing the correct notes on a musical instrument while reading the notation at first sight or glance (at the tempo written). It is a skill that can be learned but requires … Continue reading

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Workshop: Auld Lang Syne

It’s THAT time of the year when everyone bursts out singing “Auld Lang Syne.” This popular tune is also sung on Burns’ Night. Here’s an opportunity to explore different ways to make this song interesting, a useful skill applicable to … Continue reading

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White Christmas for easy piano

For the festive season, my piano students requested Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” along with “Silent Night.” Unlike the famous Christmas carol, “White Christmas” is not a three-chord song. The beauty is in its complex harmony. How does one simplify it … Continue reading

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