learn to play the ukulele

I can play some songs now. I can play New Slang and Just Pretend by The Bens. I don’t quite rock yet, but I’m getting there.

For inspiration I use Julia Nunes’ Youtube vids.

For more practical help I use the phenomenal video lessons on http://ukuleleunderground.com

Incidentally, I’m also learning some basic music theory, like chord structures and stuff. Way handy.

Lat night I was at my friend Heidi’s place and her little brother came out and sang “Somewhere beyond the sea” to us on his Ukulele. Now I’m totally inspired. I’m going to buy a uke with my tax money and learn some Ben Folds covers.

so me and my neighbor can jam

Planning to go Wednesday with Albini to buy one in Claremont. So excited!

which I liked a lot :) It’s pretty similar to the guitar, so once I learned the tuning I could pretty much figure out the rest. Will have to get myself one some day :)

I’ve learned the basic chords! Right now, I’m learning to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Bruddah Iz =) But I’m not that good at strumming or changing chords smoothly yet. Still need a lot more practice.

Always loved music, especially island music.

I bought a ukulele and I’m going to practice everyday! It’s harder than I thought it would be, but I won’t give up.

Since I’m done with my comprehensive exams and the end of the semester grading rush, I can return to the ukulele. I’ll have to start over again, I think, because I didn’t get far enough before having to take a break, but I also have developed some specific goals.

One of the things I’m going to plan on doing is working up to learning and playing a specific song. I have a list of possibilities. I just have to choose one and go for it.

Once I’m comfortable enough with the instrument to play a song or two, I’ll consider this goal basically accomplished (though obviously I’ll still want to keep improving).

I finally found the Uke training DVD that I got from my mom. I need to start popping that sucker in on a regular basis!