Why bother posting something that’s unfinished? I don’t want to forget about it. There’s more to be done. But the versions of the waltz I’ve written can be played and recorded. Here’s my story. Like my two-colored scarf, the waltz is unfinished. I ran out of yarn. But it doesn’t mean that I can’t wear it. Similarly, I will play the waltz.
My attempts at writing a simple piece use the chromatic scale led me to writing several LONG pieces that sound like I’m quoting famous pieces such as Habanera (descending chromatic scale), Flight of the Bumble Bee, and Fur Elise.
Dissatisfied, I decided to start from scratch.
My goal is to keep it simple. If I can’t sight read it, then it’s too hard.
I heard the descending bass line in my head but I wasn’t sure if it’s possible to play it on the high G ukulele.
Initially I wrote it in F minor.
Then I changed it to D minor for low G ukulele.
It didn’t sound right. Maybe it’s not meant for the ukulele.
So I tranposed the piece to A minor to make it easy on the piano.
It’s far from easy.
Lots of accidentals, irregular rhythm. The tempo changes, too, for I indicated poco piu mosso (a little faster) and then back to the starting tempo.
There are many possibilities for this.
I changed the chord transitions. At first I modulated from A minor to G minor then to D minor within the piece. I used secondary dominants and enharmonics for chord changes. It got a bit hairy.
After recording it on the piano in A minor, I played the high G ukulele against the recording.
Then I decided to transpose yet again to E minor for the ukulele.
Pick! Pluck! Play!
I wonder if I should replace one of the 12 pieces in level 2 of “Pick! Pluck! Play” book with this waltz, once it’s finished, that is.
The last page “Ukulele Chords” of the new book contains a table of ukulele chord diagrams ordered alphabetically for the chords used in the book.
I’m thrilled about releasing these two books as a precursors (prerequisite) to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Suite, which contains three skill levels.
I am recording all my new compositions in the 100 Days of Ukulele 2025 project. To me, this challenge means uploading a new video recording of a new piece each consecutive day from 1st March to 8th June 2025.
For other recent compositions and arrangements by Anne Ku, please visit the Daily Music Writing Project or scroll through the consecutive blog posts.
