Tag Archives: uke

3 Chord Thursday: Pop Music Charts

Our first session of the year fell on Thursday 4th January 2024 which is Pop Music Chart Day. Seriously! It’s the first time we held the song session of 3 Chord Thursday WITHOUT a webpage or an advance notice of … Continue reading

Posted in ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 3 Chord Thursday: Pop Music Charts

Sightreading, the art of reading music

Sightreading, also known as prima vista playing, refers to playing the correct notes on a musical instrument while reading the notation at first sight or glance (at the tempo written). It is a skill that can be learned but requires … Continue reading

Posted in course, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Workshop: Auld Lang Syne

It’s THAT time of the year when everyone bursts out singing “Auld Lang Syne.” This popular tune is also sung on Burns’ Night. Here’s an opportunity to explore different ways to make this song interesting, a useful skill applicable to … Continue reading

Posted in sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fun with Uke & Wild Chocolate

Posted in travel, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Uke with Ku: Ukulele Bootcamp

Why take a music course me if you can grab what you need from YouTube video tutorials and jam sessions? My students tell me that they benefit from interacting with others in a small focussed group and practice my exercises … Continue reading

Posted in course, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Uke with Ku: Ukulele Bootcamp

Spooky & scary tune for Halloween

Halloween is a big deal in the United States. As soon as the leaves start changing color, houses get decorated with witches, cobwebs, skeletons, and ghosts. Do you know a spooky and scary tune for this occasion? What makes a … Continue reading

Posted in course, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Brown Eyed Girl double stops in Margaritaville

Catchy instrumental introductions hook you in, especially if they return as an instrumental interlude later in the song. Without these intros and interludes, the song seems incomplete. Such is the case of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Jimmy Buffett’s … Continue reading

Posted in ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Brown Eyed Girl double stops in Margaritaville

Puff, the Magic Dragon

An instrumental introduction sets the tempo, establishes the rhythm, and anticipates the starting note of the melody for a song. Here’s my attempt to capture Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Puff, the Magic Dragon” in a key I can … Continue reading

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

Canon for a Wedding

Why did Pachelbel write the Canon in D? He was an organist not a violinist. Yet he wrote the Canon and the Gigue for three violins, later accompanied by basso continuo (e.g. harpsichord, lute, or cello). One speculation is that … Continue reading

Posted in ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

3 Chord Thursday Songs of Faith

On Thursday 21st December 2023, the last time we meet this year, we will celebrate the festive season with songs of faith and worship such as hymns, carols, meditations, chants, and songs of any faith. What’s the most rousing hymn … Continue reading

Posted in ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 3 Chord Thursday Songs of Faith