Andalusian Cadence

The chord progression that accompanies the first section of Greensleeves (What Child Is This) is a common chord progression known as the Andalusian Cadence. You might have heard or played it in the song “Hit the Road Jack.” Can you think of other songs that use it?

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Greensleeves or What Child Is This for ukulele

What if …. What if I were to arrange or compose something every single day? A tune a day keeps the …. at bay. A tune a day keeps the …. away. The tune takes over and infests like an ear worm until it’s done. A new tune replaces the old. a tune a day keeps the earworm at bay. Or even away. Such is the story of how I revisited Greensleeves on New Year’s Eve.

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Read Rotate Repeat

Playing in an ensemble is a sonic jigsaw puzzle. Until you play with other members of the ensemble, you’re never quite sure what it sounds like. Even better, rotate and play other parts. Repeat. It’s that simple and fun!

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Instrumental Halloween tunes for ukulele

As soon as the warm summer wanes and the leaves start to change color, I see Halloween decorations appear. Some families cover their houses and front gardens with skeletons and cobwebs as early as September. Costumes and wigs get posted for sale in Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. This is also the time of the year to watch horror films. Can the ukulele be used to play instrumental Halloween tunes instead of accompanying the trick-or-treaters?

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Ukulele Fall 2024 Course

The six-week Ukulele Course this season gives the option of online participation in Zoom as well as in-person in Boston, Massachusetts. This hybrid course begins in the third week of October with weekly 80-minute class sessions, ending in November 2024, with two additional optional classes pending agreement (just before Thanksgiving and 18th December, no extra charge).

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Ukulele Exercises Series (books)

How do you get your practice on the ukulele? Go to a jam session? What do you play? A song? An etude? A strum pattern? A chord progression? Are you able to play everything you want to play? Watch YouTube and learn by yourself? Join the 100 Days Ukulele Challenge? Or simply, take a course on the ukulele.

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Nutmeg Ukulele Festival 2024

Join me in Simsbury, Connecticut for the annual all-day festival on Saturday 14th September 2024 with three to four workshops going on simultaneously (i.e. four parallel sessions) from 9 AM to 5 PM (US$100 includes lunch!)

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3 Chord Thursday Rest of the Year Pass

Don’t miss any more 3 Chord Thursdays! Subscribe by the 5th of September 2024 to take advantage of the first session “Hooked on Classics” and receive a chord switching exercise to warm up and practice.

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3 Chord Thursday Hunter’s Full Moon

The moon turns full on Thursday 17th October 2024. It’s called Hunter’s Moon. Once again, we share songs about the moon, for it symbolizes union and reunion. The session includes an introduction to the famous Japanese Song “Moon Over Ruined Castle.” [Changed on 9th October 2024]

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