Tag Archives: arrangement

My Country, ‘Tis of Thee or God Save the King

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Anne Ku

On an American air base in the island of Okinawa, I grew up singing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” before I learned that the same tune was known as “God Save the Queen” or “God Save the King” depending on … Continue reading →

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America the Beautiful

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Anne Ku

A parishioner requested “America the Beautiful” to include in the programme on the weekend before Independence Day. For Catholic mass, I played it as a recessional hymn on the organ while the young cantor lead the congregation who sang more … Continue reading →

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God Bless America

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Anne Ku

Irving Berlin initially penned the words to “God Bless America” while serving as a sergeant at an army camp in 1918. As typical of many of his songs which didn’t fit the occasion at the time, it was put away … Continue reading →

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Pachelbel Progression

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Anne Ku

When I learn of a musician’s departure, I instantly hear his or her music in my head. Last week, I checked my phone and read “RIP George Winston” in my Facebook feed. His Pachelbel Canon Variations entered my sound space … Continue reading →

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Omoide 思ひで for ukulele, theme from Midnight Diner

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Anne Ku

One occupational hazard of being a musician is the susceptibility to ear worms. Certain tunes creep into your existence and take over your sound space. You can’t get rid of it until you’ve written it down, performed, recorded, published it, … Continue reading →

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The Moon Represents My Heart 月亮代表我的心

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Anne Ku

The moon will turn full tomorrow, so-named “Beaver Moon”, becoming a blood moon and a lunar eclipse. Called “beaver blood moon lunar eclipse”, it will be visible between 4:10 am and 7:49 am EST. An early night is in order … Continue reading →

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Guitar transcriptions for ukulele

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Anne Ku

Guitar transcriptions for ukulele by Anne Ku Continue reading →

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Waltzes by Carulli for ukulele

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Anne Ku

How many waltzes did Ferdinando Carulli write? I keep discovering new waltzes arranged for the ukulele by those who have played them on the guitar. I am the newest of the lot, for my fingers remember a waltz I played … Continue reading →

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How to memorize music (part 1) an instrumental piece

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Anne Ku

How does one memorize an instrumental piece of music? Part 1 of a series Continue reading →

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Ukuleles in the hall of the mountain king

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Anne Ku

It’s that time of the year when ukulele players play songs from the Halloween set list. Although Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” is purely instrumental, it works well for the ukulele. It can be played as … Continue reading →

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