Category Archives: sheet music

Do Wah Diddy for ukulele – video tutorial

At the request of my ukulele students, I recorded my first video tutorial. The song “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” is ideal for beginners as it gets them to practise frequent switching between the easy chords of C and F. It … Continue reading

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

Ukulele: ticket to ride

Little did I know that buying my first ukulele and learning to play it would change the direction of my life.

Posted in review, self, sheet music, travel, ukulele, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ukulele: ticket to ride

It’s so easy to fall in love but breaking up

During the four hour mash-up medley marathon, I conferred with six other ukulele players that mash-ups shouldn’t just be about songs that have similar chords or rhythms. There has to be a rhyme and reason to choosing songs for a … Continue reading

Posted in review, sheet music, travel, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s so easy to fall in love but breaking up

Songs I lead

I’m building a playlist of songs I can confidently and competently lead a ukulele group. The secret to successful song leading is to do it in a key with the entire melody falling within my most comfortable vocal range. In … Continue reading

Posted in personal development, review, self, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Songs I lead

Set list: menu for music making

The way a musician prepares a programme for a solo concert has similarities with the way a chef puts together a menu for his guests, be it a private event or daily menu in a restaurant. Both are thinking about … Continue reading

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

Ukulele repertoire: song sheets for amateur music making

Ever since getting introduced to the ukulele on Maui, I have been curiously witnessing and participating the rituals of ukulele groups and clubs in Maui, Boston, London, and Amsterdam. The ukulele allows self-accompaniment for singing without a conductor or leader. … Continue reading

Posted in review, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Remembering dad on Father’s Day

Today may be the first time I’m joining everyone else in cyberspace, to remember my dad on Father’s Day. In Mandarin Chinese, the word for father is “ba ba” which sounds like “eight eight” — thus the eighth day of … Continue reading

Posted in Chinese, feedback, language, personal development, self, sheet music, travel, ukulele, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Remembering dad on Father’s Day

The Handy Man Can

When my friends posted a video of their business called “The Handy Man” on Facebook, I was suddenly reminded of a parody I wrote years ago on the song “The Candy Man” because I was so fascinated by what one … Continue reading

Posted in personal development, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Handy Man Can

Leavin’ on a Jetstream

It’s easy to get sidetracked when you’re in a bathroom store buying your first bath tub together. You just want a no frills tub for two for a small bathroom. Each tub you try not only gets bigger but comes … Continue reading

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

Selecting songs for a select audience: eighties extravaganza

In music, the formal or official term for song selection is “repertoire development.” It sounds sophisticated and significant, and it should be, for it is not trivial at all. Repertoire development refers to creating a balanced portfolio for performers. In … Continue reading

Posted in photos, sheet music, travel, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments