3 Chord Thursday Let It Go!

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Anne Ku

Thursday 23rd June 2022 is Let It Go Day. Guess what? We will celebrate with songs about letting go and moving on, which might require you to say no to let go. It could also be about decluttering to become a minimalist, saying good-bye, not worrying, and not letting something annoy you. Are you ready?

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3 Chord Thursday Father’s Day

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Anne Ku

In anticipation of Father’s Day, we are celebrating ours on Thursday 16th June 2022. We welcome your suggestions as it’s a new theme. Songs can range from songs about fathers or a song your father loves or loved, or songs you sang together with your dad.

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Mother of Mine

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Anne Ku

Every Mother’s Day, a sticky melody flows into my year. It’s a song I heard on Okinawa, where I spent eleven years of my childhood. Young Agnes Chan’s version of “Mother of Mine” is ever so poignant many decades later.

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Waltzes by Carulli for ukulele

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Anne Ku

How many waltzes did Ferdinando Carulli write? I keep discovering new waltzes arranged for the ukulele by those who have played them on the guitar. I am the newest of the lot, for my fingers remember a waltz I played on my first nylon string guitar when I was a teenager on Okinawa.

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Vocal exercise with ukulele as warm-up

Posted on April 23, 2022 by Anne Ku

Warming up is essential before you play your instrument and even more so before you sing. I asked two vocal coaches how they instruct their students on breathing, singing and other topics.

Here’s what they have to say.

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SPECIAL OFFER: Physical exercise in Zoom

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Anne Ku

Going to Jen’s 9 AM exercise class in Zoom not only gets me out of bed every week day morning but also gets me fit. Besides cardio, weights, stretches, she gets us to do flexibility and balance training. Jen programs her music to the themes of 3 Chord Thursday so that we ukulele players can look forward to the next thematic song session. It’s comforting to see familiar faces at a time when the pandemic has cut off socialization and social activity.

I’d like to encourage more people to take Jen’s fitness classes in Zoom. How?

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3 Chord Thursday Beach Boys near naked beach party

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Anne Ku

On Thursday 6/9/2022, we visit the beach with the songs of the Beach Boys or songs about the beach, surf, ocean, and watersports. As such, we will be “almost naked” in Zoom in our swimming costumes and other beach wear. To protect the privacy of our participants in Zoom, the session will NOT be publicly livestreamed. Register to participate.

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3 Chord Thursday: lullabies to put you to sleep

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Anne Ku

On Thursday June 2, 2022, we lower the tempo to sing lullabies to put you to sleep. It may seem unusual that we choose this theme because we usually play upbeat songs on our ukuleles. During the pandemic, we discovered that the ukulele can sound beautiful when played softly and slowly. The gentle sound of a mother singing to her baby or a husband singing to his wife can rock you into a deep slumber.

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The power of zero expectations

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Anne Ku

Early in 2021, my sister Frances Ku self-published a new book called”The Power of Zero Expectations: Seven Steps to Freedom from Disappointment.” The title made me curious. In my line of work, it’s all about expectations. How can no expectations be possible?

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The Joy of Ode to Joy

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Anne Ku

A chord melody arrangement is an instrumental piece that includes both melody and harmony. The notes can be arranged for solo, duo, or any number of instrumentalists. Usually we refer to one person (a soloist) playing all parts.

One of the things I enjoy in playing Beethoven’s famous Ode to Joy as a chord melody arrangement is sliding my left hand fingers up and down the fret board of the ukulele. However, it’s a lot more fun to just play one part in an ensemble. That’s the joy of Ode to Joy.

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