Category Archives: ukulele

Songs from Ireland: Ride On

Tonight we will be playing and singing songs from Ireland at the local library and going to a nearby pub afterwards — in Historic Lower Mills, a unique part of Boston, Massachusetts. One of these Irish songs is “Ride On” — … Continue reading

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Charlie on the MTA for ukulele

Newcomers to Boston will soon learn that nearly every Bostonian knows the song “Charlie on the MTA.” There will be an aha moment when they realise that the card they use to enter the metro system is the Charlie Card. … Continue reading

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Do Wah Diddy for ukulele – video tutorial

At the request of my ukulele students, I recorded my first video tutorial. The song “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” is ideal for beginners as it gets them to practise frequent switching between the easy chords of C and F. It … Continue reading

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Ukulele: ticket to ride

Little did I know that buying my first ukulele and learning to play it would change the direction of my life.

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It’s so easy to fall in love but breaking up

During the four hour mash-up medley marathon, I conferred with six other ukulele players that mash-ups shouldn’t just be about songs that have similar chords or rhythms. There has to be a rhyme and reason to choosing songs for a … Continue reading

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Songs I lead

I’m building a playlist of songs I can confidently and competently lead a ukulele group. The secret to successful song leading is to do it in a key with the entire melody falling within my most comfortable vocal range. In … Continue reading

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Autumn Leaves in G minor with French

Autumn: leaves are falling and turning colour. The summer has ended, and soon my stay in London will, too. My research into the paradox of simplicity that commands the sound of 3,000 voices and instruments (Irish Hooley, Dun Laoghaire, August … Continue reading

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Mamma Mia II: here I go again!

Won’t it be great to sing ABBA songs and see the new Mamma Mia movie? That seed of intention was planted back in April when my ukulele group in Boston dedicated one of our weekly jam sessions to songs from … Continue reading

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Set list: menu for music making

The way a musician prepares a programme for a solo concert has similarities with the way a chef puts together a menu for his guests, be it a private event or daily menu in a restaurant. Both are thinking about … Continue reading

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Ukulele repertoire: song sheets for amateur music making

Ever since getting introduced to the ukulele on Maui, I have been curiously witnessing and participating the rituals of ukulele groups and clubs in Maui, Boston, London, and Amsterdam. The ukulele allows self-accompaniment for singing without a conductor or leader. … Continue reading

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