Sense the Sicilienne for high G ukulele

Lately, I have been waking up with a tune or idea every morning. I can’t wait to jot it down and/or record it for fear of losing it. Such was the case last Friday 4th April. I felt a pulse in 6/8 time. It felt like a dance. Before I could name it, I remembered a house concert I gave to celebrate my search for the sicilienne. I could sense it. But I first wrote “Cede to the Sicilienne” as in giving into my impulses. Then I transposed to an easier key for the high G ukulele and called it “Sense the Sicilienne.”

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sense the Sicilienne for high G ukulele

Err on the G String

While trying to find melodies on the high G string of the ukulele, I thought of this title “Err on the G string.” Why not begin as if it is JS Bach’s famous “Air on the G String” and then free myself to finger gymnastics? My new instrumental solo piece also ends on the famous descending bassline, without the octaves in a different key. Can you hear it?

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Err on the G String

Melody in the Mosaic

The last step in making a mosaic piece is grouting. Though a dirty and messy process, grouting is required to fill the gaps between the tiles. In the short time left in the third session of the mosaic workshop, I used already cut tiles, mainly leftovers, to produce an abstract mosaic of blues and greens. In my rush to finish, I wasn’t sure what the result would look like. Only when I finished grouting did I see the melody in the mosaic.

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rein in the Rain for high G ukulele

I wake up to a new tune in my head. I rush to the piano to find the notes. Afraid the tune will vanish, I record it on my iPhone. I scribble down the chords as it’s faster than writing down the notes. I go to my laptop and open the music program. It’s a new piece. That’s how it begins.

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rein in the Rain for high G ukulele

Waltz Down the C Again for high G ukulele

A single melody can generate many pieces of music. Likewise, a chord progression can spawn many melodies. Changing a few chords in the “Waltz Down the C” I get a different piece. Can you spot the difference?

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Waltz Down the C Again for high G ukulele

3 Chord Thursday Sixties

On the first Thursday in June 2025, we celebrate songs of the sixties. On Thursday 5th June 2025 at our usual time of 3 PM EDT (20:00 BST), let’s return to this golden era of our favorite songs. It’s by far the most popular era for songs we know and love. See you in Zoom!

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 3 Chord Thursday Sixties

3 Chord Thursday 2025 Spanish

On the first Thursday in May 2025, we meet with a Spanish theme, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in 3 Chord Thursday. Songs in Spanish. Mother’s Day. April showers bring May flowers. Music in 5/8 or 5/4 time. Anything pentatonic. Join us in Zoom for our once a month sharing of the music we love. See you on Thursday 1st May 2025 at 3 PM EDT!

Continue reading
Posted in personal development, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

123 Ready Set Go for high G ukulele

Sometimes the first title that pops up sticks. No matter how you try to fix it, you can’t get a better title. “123 Ready Set Go” was what came up when I thought about the order of the left hand fingers needed to play this piece. When you say “123” the next thing that comes up is “Ready, Set, Go.” Because it sounds eerie, I have renamed it “Fretful Fingers.”

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 123 Ready Set Go for high G ukulele

B-A-C-H in a Waltz for high G ukulele

On the last day of March, I recall the six BACH organ concerts I attended this month. It’s a wonderful annual tradition to celebrate the work of Johann Sebastian Bach on his birthday. JS Bach not only composed and performed, also actively transcribed and arranged. And then there are works inspired by him — that others composed, arranged, transcribed, and performed. In that vein, I spent my day writing “B-A-C-H in a Waltz” for the ukulele.

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on B-A-C-H in a Waltz for high G ukulele

Waltz for Chief Noda for high G ukulele

It’s possible to get to know someone after he has or she has gone. Whether the person has left your life or this earth, you can get to know that person through his music and friends. That’s the case with Chief Noda. Today is his birthday. I wrote a short waltz for the short time I got to know him. I posted the one-page score on Facebook immediately.

Continue reading
Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment