Music theory for ukulele

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Anne Ku

When you learn to play an instrument, you learn how and what to play. If you ask why, then you’d want to take Introduction to Music Theory.

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Hum & Strum: sing in tune & in sync

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Anne Ku

The ukulele is an easy to learn instrument that can accompany singing and bring joy. It’s a skill to play and sing at the same time or sing in tune and in sync while playing the ukulele. Seasoned ukulele players have confessed that while they can finger and switch between chords quickly and strum like a pro, they find certain tasks daunting or even impossible to do by themselves.

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Upcoming ukulele classes: technique vs theme-based

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Anne Ku

Describing a class by its skill level, such as beginner, intermediate, and advanced, doesn’t say enough about the content. By naming my courses after technique, e.g. strum, pick, pluck, bootcamp, and fingerstyle, I convey the how of playing the ukulele but not the why. Recently I began naming my classes after themes, such as holiday songs, Chinese songs, and SEUPMK (songs every ukulele player must know). This gives the what but still not the why. To answer any why question, one needs music theory.

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Three Chord Thursday: songs with non-English lyrics

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Anne Ku

We also celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday by ending our session with one of his most famous works. Flashback: this was how we started — at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, a workshop followed by a performance in Zoom.

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Three Chord Thursday: Christmas and holiday songs

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

While you can sing oldies and pop songs any time of the year, Christmas and other holidays songs seem appropriately festive in December. On 10th December 2020 we explore the numerous three chord songs in this category. The final line-up (short list of songs ordered by ascending number of chords) is shown at the bottom of this webpage.

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Three Chord Thursday: eight days a week

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

Now in our last month of the year, don’t you wonder how we managed to get this far with only seven days a week? Join us in Zoom for an hour of singing and playing three chord songs about days of the week on Thursday 3rd December 2020.

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Three Chord Thursday: food glorious food!

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

Thanksgiving falls on November 26, 2020, a day we celebrate with food, wine, and the company of loved ones. Join us with three chord songs about food.

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Three Chord Thursday: animals and pets

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

For 19th November 2020, we explore three chord songs about animals and pets. As this is such a popular tune, we will schedule Part 2 at a later date. Did you know that “A Horse With No Name” can be accompanied by just two chords?

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Three Chord Thursday: colour my world

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

On Thursday 5th November 2020 at 3 pm EST, we will sing and play three chord songs that colour our worlds and wear solid colours in Zoom. Because of the popularity of this theme, we will do part 2 at a future date. See at the bottom of the web page for the line-up (order) of the 15 songs.

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Three Chord Thursday: Halloween songs

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Anne Ku

In anticipation of Halloween, we will explore three chord songs of that theme on Thursday 29th October 2020. Feel free to wear a mask and/or costume and celebrate in Zoom with us. As usual, register in advance to get the Zoom information unless you have already done so previously.

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