3 Chord Thursday: Pop Music Charts

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Anne Ku

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 a line-up. This one-hour gathering was a hybrid session, with five people participating in-person and twelve in Zoom. Use Betty Lou Music website to find the songs listed on the charts. You can tranpose the song sheets, too! 

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Sightreading, the art of reading music

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Anne Ku

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 practice to master.

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Workshop: Auld Lang Syne

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Anne Ku

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 any song. First mentioned in my earlier blog post, I’ve since discovered many different ways to play this song.

If you are not attending in-person but wish to join in Zoom, please register to get the Zoom link. Note: you do NOT need to participate in 3 Chord Thursday to join this workshop.

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White Christmas for easy piano

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Anne Ku

For the festive season, my piano students requested Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” along with “Silent Night.” Unlike the famous Christmas carol, “White Christmas” is not a three-chord song. The beauty is in its complex harmony. How does one simplify it for easy piano without compromise?

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Holiday Songs for Everyone

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Anne Ku

It’s that time of the year when Christmas and Hannukah songs appear on radio. As soon as Thanksgiving ends, holiday songs surface on the sonic horizon. Wouldn’t you like to learn how to play these timeless festive songs? BONUS! Download the free holiday songs crossword puzzle and table of useful chords. (More about ukulele crossword puzzles).

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Simple Gifts of Granola

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Anne Ku

I admire those who make their own granola. It always tastes better than the packaged stuff sold in grocery stores. Furthermore, anything homemade has a story behind it. When I probe further, I learn it’s not mysterious at all. Sometimes it requires a simple gift, such as a comment, to realize I could make it myself. “It’s not that hard. Here’s my recipe.”

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Fun with Uke & Wild Chocolate

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Anne Ku

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Uke with Ku: Ukulele Bootcamp

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Anne Ku

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 and arrangements.

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Write your own song

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Anne Ku

Have you ever dreamed of writing your own song?

Not a re-make of someone else’s, but your original lyrics set to music, your idea. Or a tune that’s been going around your head that you want to put into words…

It’s not as far-fetched as some would have you think.

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Songwriting Course

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Anne Ku

Whether you are already writing songs or you’re curious about the process, join us on an 8-week journey in Zoom. Engage with other music lovers and learn the craft of composition. It’s the first and newest course of its kind! Read more about it.

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