Tag Archives: guitar

Pachelbel Birthday Party

Johann Pachelbel’s exact date of birth is not recorded. Born in Nürnberg (Nuremberg), he was baptized on 1st September 1653, which means his 370th birthday is either happening soon or has already happened. We celebrated his greatest gift to the … Continue reading

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Correct fingering for error-free execution with ease

“Pencil in your fingering for both hands. Use a pencil in case you want to erase later. Decide on the fingering. Practice with the fingering you wrote in the score.” Why? The students in piano and ukulele classes ask. Why … Continue reading

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Pachelbel Progression

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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Chord Choreography

Fingering and switching chords on the ukulele (or the guitar) is akin to the way a pianist changes fingers to play different chords on the left hand. It’s easier to stay in the same position (that part of the keyboard) … Continue reading

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Morning Has Broken

The song I played on the guitar and piano as a teenager on Okinawa was fun because of the catchy piano introduction that’s also used between verses. It starts in the key of D but modulates to C for the … Continue reading

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Guitar transcriptions for ukulele

Is there a one stop shop for ukulele arrangements and transcriptions of guitar music? Given the right transposition and pitch range, what was originally written for the classical guitar can now be replicated and experienced on a smaller instrument such … Continue reading

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Waltzes by Carulli for ukulele

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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3 Chord Thursday: multi-instrumentalists

On Thursday 17th February 2022, after Valentine’s Day and a month before St Patrick’s Day, we celebrate songs with many different instruments. Can you say “multi-instrumentalists” without stopping to take a breath? Here’s the opportunity to accompany yourself with something … Continue reading

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Homage to Carcassi and Carulli

Music and memory are intricately connected. The last classical guitar solo piece I loved playing in my teenage years was one by Carcassi in 3/4 time in a minor key. The nylon string guitar my mother bought from a music … Continue reading

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Mauro Giuliani Polonoise or Polonaise from Op. 65

Should it be “polonoise” as printed on the title page of the sheet music or “polonaise” as we know it?

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