Nui Ukulele Newsletter March 11, 2008 First Anniversary, CAKE presentation, Most Common Music Problem #2, Software Review
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
--Mohandas Gandhi
“You got two lives. The one we’re given, and the one we make.”
--Kobe Yamada
Annoucements
Learning Corner
Software Review
Ukeaholics Blog
Events
March 20, 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the Nui Ukulele Club. We have been going strong, and our outreach efforts are growing. I had the honor and a privilege of playing for the Chicago Area Kodaly Educators (cake.oake.org). They are music educators in the Chicagoland area committed to the Kodaly teaching methods. The wealth of music knowledge is incredible, and they enjoy sharing their curriculum, and games that focus on music fundamentals. I gave a short seminar on the ukulele, demonstrated how easy the chords are to learn, and why the ukulele is the best learning instrument. They really enjoyed playing, and I think I have some ukulele converts.
I completed the “Most Common Music Problems and their Solutions (Part 2) under the Class Subjects section of the Nui Ukulele web site.
The Monthly Nui Ukulele club meeting is this Sunday, March 16th. This is an open jam session from 1 PM to 3 PM at 1077 W. Polk Store Front, Chicago IL 60607. This is not a formal session, and you can just relax, sing and play.
I created the new Blog (Ukeaholics) http://ukeaholics.nuiukulele.org The motto is:
“This is where ukeaholics meet to help foster their addiction. No one wants to be CURED.” Send email to nuiukulele@pobox.com if you want a login and password.
Learning Corner
One of the
problems in early uke playing is a fear of the lower part of the fret board, or
down towards the sound hole. I equate this to going into the deep end of the
pool, even after you have learned how to swim. I can assure you. You won’t
drown. I promise. I think the main problem is the way the fret board is looked
at and how the “pretty” chords are represented. The chord names are confusing,
and how the chords are formed seems complicated. In reality there are about 50
chord shapes, just double the number of letters in the alphabet. So, if you just
look at or work with these unique chord shapes, you will be able to play about
500 chords without having to look each one up. This will allow you to play just
about any song. Because once you understand the relationship to how these chords
families are related to the individual strings, you can use the chord shape and
just move it to the proper place on the fret board. For example, say you are
looking at the 1st string, the A string with GCEA tuned uke. If you form a Bb
shape, you can move this down the fret board one fret at a time for a new major
chord. The big issue is what are the notes on the A string. The note on the A
string that the barr finger is on will be the name of the new chord. The same
can be done with the B7 chord shape. Each fret down is a new 7th chord. Also,
the Bm chord shape has the same relationship. Each fret down the fret board is a
new minor chord. Once you have learned a few of these 4-finger/barr chord
shapes. You will be able to explore a whole new world of sounds.
I recommend you get the book “Ukulele Breakthrough” by Calvin Chin. The method
of introduction is very good. The songs gives you practice after you learn the
chord formations. I like the methodology. He also tackles the diminished,
augmented chords, suspended chords, and other fancy 4-finger chords.
Software Review
I got the chance to review the software Guitar-Pro 5. This software allows you to construct sheet music with tablature for the ukulele, and many other instruments. I have to admit at first the task seemed daunting, and it took awhile to get familiar with the controls that help you construct ukulele sheet music. But once you get the hang of it. The results are clean and professional. I like that you can have all the notes of the chord printed on the staff. The program can also play the music that you compose.
You can take it for a test run for 15 day evaluation. There is a Windows and a MAC version.
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Events for
March and some of April
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Regular Nui Ukulele Meeting
Tuesday, March 11
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sheridan Park 2nd floor
910 S. Aberdeen
Chicago IL 60607
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Maria Balducii, Concert Pianist
Hayden Opera "Il Mando della Luna"
Wednesday, March 12
7:30 PM
Harris Theatre @ Millenium Park
downtown Chicago
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Capture the Child's Energy, Imagination, and Mind
with the 3 P's to Early Music Literacy Skills
by Jo Kirk
Saturday,
March 15th
9 AM to 1 PM
Prairie Oak School
1427 S. Oak Park Ave.
Berwyn IL
www.gcaosa.org
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Faculty Solo Recital
Flautist, Erin Murphy
Saturday, March 15th
2 PM
www.peoplesmusicschool.org
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Monthly Nui
Ukulele Jam Session
Sunday,
March 16th
1:00 PM to 3 PM approx.
1077 W. Polk Store Front
Chicago IL 60607
312-491-9928
www.nuiukulele.org
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Faculty Solo Recital
Clarinetist, Teresa Reilly
Tuesday, March 18th
6PM
www.peoplesmusicschool.org
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Kodaly in Colorado
Music with Altitude
Organization of American Kodaly Educators
34th National Conference
March 27-29,
2008
Adam's Mark Hotel
Denver CO
www.oake.org
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New York Uke Fest 2008
April 3rd - 6th, 2008
Presented by
The Theater for the New City, NY UkeFest 2008
is the largest ukulele music festival in the continental
U.S. Last year’s festival drew 3,000 concertgoers, workshop
attendees, performers and uke buyers from throughout the
U.S. and Canada, with many visitors hailing from the U.K.,
Denmark and Australia. This year’s festival promises to be
even bigger and better, so mark your calendar for NY UkeFest
2008, April 3-6, 2008!
www.nyukefest.com
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24th Annual Performathon
Saturday, April 5th
10 AM
www.peoplesmusicschool.org
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Northern California Ukulele Festival
Sunday, April 27, 2008. 10:30am - 5:00pm
http://www.pica-org.org/ukulele/
15th Annual Celebration of the `Ukulele!
Keeping the Legacy Alive
A Tribute to `Ukulele Festival Founders Hollis Baker & John Ogao
Sunday, April 27, 2008. 10:30am - 5:00pm
Where: Hayward Adult School, 22100 Princeton Street, Hayward, CA, 94541
Entrance Donation: $5.00 Adults, children under 5yrs. free
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