Tag Archives: songs

Nine ukulele strum patterns for four beat songs

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Anne Ku

One of the most often asked questions by my ukulele students is “how do you know which strum pattern to use?” There are many possibilities which I show in my video. Deciding which is the most appropriate depends on the … Continue reading →

Posted in course, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Nine ukulele strum patterns for four beat songs

Ukulele: ticket to ride

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Anne Ku

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

Songs I lead

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Anne Ku

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

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Anne Ku

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

Remembering dad on Father’s Day

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Anne Ku

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

Selecting songs for a select audience: eighties extravaganza

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Anne Ku

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

Easy Beatles Jam Session

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Anne Ku

As I explore music for ukulele jam sessions, I keep discovering Beatles songs I’ve never heard of before. In London, I chuckled at the politically incorrect “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” and the funny “Octopus’s Garden.” George Harrison’s “I’ll Follow the Sun” … Continue reading →

Posted in sheet music, ukulele, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

April 15: ex’s of evil in Texas

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Anne Ku

In my quest for songs to fit thematic jam sessions and repertoire for thematic concerts, I came across two things that perplex me. Axes of Evil and Exes of Evil. Maybe it’s a play on words, but it made me … Continue reading →

Posted in review, self, travel, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on April 15: ex’s of evil in Texas

Annie’s Song in C for ukulele

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Anne Ku

When I was growing up on the island of Okinawa, I listened to John Denver whose songs of love, nature, and beauty described my childhood. I took a personal interest in “Annie’s Song” identifying myself with the name. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in personal development, review, sheet music, ukulele | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Annie’s Song in C for ukulele