No sooner had I posted “Major Minor Menagerie” than a new idea surfaced. What if I remove the third and sixth degrees from the C major melody? How would that affect the harmonic possibilities? This thinking is akin to baking a cake and asking if I could get away with fewer ingredients. Which notes are essential? Which notes are not? In “More Major Minor Menagerie” I explore the piece that emerges from such contemplation.
I invite you to compare the two pieces. How is “More Major Minor Menagerie” different from “Major Minor Menagerie” ? Is it easy to spot?
It almost sounds and feels pentatonic. After all, there are only five melodic notes. But there is a half-step between the B and the C notes.
By adding the missing notes, I find more harmonic possibilities.
I’m curious which piece is more interesting to play. Which piece is easier?
Pick! Pluck! Play!
I would love to include “More Major Minor Menagerie” in the first level of the book “Pick! Pluck! Play!” certainly the melody can but the chords may be level two.
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.
