On Top of Spaghetti in C for high G ukulele

The first thing I read after I got up this morning was whatever was on the dining table. It threw a curve ball at me. Instantly, the tune entered my head. The only way to get rid of that ear worm was to write it down. January 4th is National Spaghetti Day.

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Left Hand Techniques for ukulele

Left hand techniques refer to the different ways to produce sound with the fretting hand. In addition to preparing the pitch, these left hand fingers can also be employed to produce sound by sliding, bending, hammering on, and pulling off. We explore exercises for the high G ukulele, as applied to Auld Lang Syne for high G ukulele.

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Auld Lang Syne for high G ukulele

Between New Year’s Eve and Burn’s Night is the best time of the year for Auld Lang Syne. This time last year I ran several workshops in Zoom to explore different ways to play and accompany this popular song. Revisiting what I had arranged, I discovered even more, if not, better ways to play it — for high G ukulele specifically.

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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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