Tag Archives: guitar

Read Rotate Repeat

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Anne Ku

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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Wanted: ukulele players for guitar orchestra

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Anne Ku

The New England Guitar Orchestra invites ukulele players to join us this season. The unique characteristic of the ukulele makes a huge difference to the overall sound. Three hour rehearsals (with break) are scheduled for Saturday mornings 6/1, 6/15, and … Continue reading →

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Pachelbel Birthday Party

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Anne Ku

Johann Pachelbel’s exact date of birth is not recorded. Born in Nürnberg (Nuremberg), he was baptized on 1st September 1653, which means his 370th birthday is either happening soon or has already happened. We celebrated his greatest gift to the … Continue reading →

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Correct fingering for error-free execution with ease

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Anne Ku

“Pencil in your fingering for both hands. Use a pencil in case you want to erase later. Decide on the fingering. Practice with the fingering you wrote in the score.” Why? The students in piano and ukulele classes ask. Why … Continue reading →

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Pachelbel Progression

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Anne Ku

When I learn of a musician’s departure, I instantly hear his or her music in my head. Last week, I checked my phone and read “RIP George Winston” in my Facebook feed. His Pachelbel Canon Variations entered my sound space … Continue reading →

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Chord Choreography

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Anne Ku

Fingering and switching chords on the ukulele (or the guitar) is akin to the way a pianist changes fingers to play different chords on the left hand. It’s easier to stay in the same position (that part of the keyboard) … Continue reading →

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Morning Has Broken

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Anne Ku

The song I played on the guitar and piano as a teenager on Okinawa was fun because of the catchy piano introduction that’s also used between verses. It starts in the key of D but modulates to C for the … Continue reading →

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Guitar transcriptions for ukulele

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Anne Ku

Is there a one stop shop for ukulele arrangements and transcriptions of guitar music? Given the right transposition and pitch range, what was originally written for the classical guitar can now be replicated and experienced on a smaller instrument such … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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3 Chord Thursday: multi-instrumentalists

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Anne Ku

On Thursday 17th February 2022, after Valentine’s Day and a month before St Patrick’s Day, we celebrate songs with many different instruments. Can you say “multi-instrumentalists” without stopping to take a breath? Here’s the opportunity to accompany yourself with something … Continue reading →

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