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@Andrew Thank you for the encouragement . 😅
Premium member
This is two versions of April Smiles. I really liked the solo version slower. It sounds like a romantic waltz. The strum/solo version is faster, more like a jig. I like how the same song can have different feelings depending on how it’s played.
@planetfink – I too love how it has a completely different feel played slow/solo vs. fast/duet. You nailed the feels of each performance! Excellent playing, Kathy!
Hello uke friends! 😁
Here is my take on “April Smiles” with my special little guest, Mowgli! I love her. 😉 😂
This tune is so dang lovely. Andrew, you have a way with writing melodies that are very memorable, unique, sweet, and uplifting. I really enjoyed this one and the challenge of recording with the backing track (I didn’t record the rhythm part myself). I also am extremely pleased that I managed to learn this is in basically two days. That’s why there are still a few pauses because I kept forgetting what came next, but still. I also am missing the 14th and 15th fret and the low G string, but I feel like I made it work reasonably well for high G. 😂 I did try a clawhammer version and it is promising but didn’t get to finish it. Plus, it is fully a different song, then, with that technique and I wanted to experience the beauty of the original. 😊
Side note, I have been having some somewhat serious dental issues the last two weeks that still are not yet resolved (though I’m working on it – it’s hard to get appointments these days, which is very unfortunate) so I didn’t know if I’d get to record this or not. Thankfully the pain isn’t that bad right now and I was able to learn it / record this tune pretty efficiently. 😊
This might be my favorite video that I’ve gotten to make for RC101. 😂😂😂
I also want to say thank you so much for the lovely comments people left for me last month that I didn’t get to reply to. I always appreciate that so much, but the last couple of months have been absolutely insane for me.
Now I get to go back and listen to all the entries I missed! No doubt they are all amazing with this lot! Much love to all and a belated Happy Easter! 😍
@The_Bumble_Bard – I love the changes you added to the solo chord melody version. It gave it a beautiful flowing feel 🙂
Duet was awesome too, as well as, Mowgli’s contribution 🙂
I hope you get that apt. and are able to resolve the dental issues. They are no fun! And TY for the kind words.
@Andrew, thank you so much! I’ve said it before but it seriously means so much when you like changes like that. I felt like I had to compensate for my uke not being low G somehow because that makes such a difference with the sound. 😅
Haha! Well, the melody has been in my head since I heard it and I thought it went really well with how Mowgli plays, which is very sweet and spirited, like the music. 😊
Thank you about the dental issues, I won’t lie to you, it’s incredibly stressful on multiple levels. 😅 Unfortunately it’s also very painful at times (like it is again now) while I’m trying to sort out everything. So praying I can get an appointment very soon. But yes thank you so much for your kind words, Andrew, they mean a lot! 😊
Just got done listening to all the performances and WOW! Y’all’s really brought it this time! Ya done brunked it! Brung… 😂🥺
Seriously, so many incredible performances, each so unique and impressive in different ways! Each challenge the playing gets more amazing. Thanks to everyone for sharing!! 😊🥰
@Andrew
Thank you for your kind words.
I have been playing and strumming (mostly guitar) for many years, very basic strumming patterns though and very often, when I play a song, I kinda find a strumming pattern that fits the song. Again very basic. I enjoyed this lesson very much and I will continue to explore other strumming patterns as well. Thank you for this fantastic challenge! I really enjoy being a member here and I get very inspired by everybody’s performances.
The monthly challenges are great, to learn a new song or a new technique within a reasonable time frame works really well for me. 🙂@shmu88 Excellent job on the Blues Drill. I have been working on this lesson but will not complete for this month. Too busy getting ready for a couple of group performances this coming Friday and Sunday. Thanks for setting the bar high on EP15.
Aloha Ukulele Family! This month I took on the concept lesson “Rhythm Blues” – It was a great challenge and fun piece to play. Here’s my best take 🙂
I am a PREMIUM member
I worked on “April Smiles” this month. Loved this song – it was fun to play and learn – thanks @Andrew & @Evan!
I liked how the lesson combined chord melody, lead, and rhythm to help with music theory. I’m still wanting to write a song (someday) and this type of song helps again with concepts. I appreciate how the videos always give fingering suggestions. I found that I experimented a bit on tricky bits and ended up with a slightly different fingering that worked a little better for me in places. A few notes here and there are a little muted, but heh, for me – I’m still happy with it :-).
I also get a tiny bit smarter on recording, Garage Band and iMovie every time I record, so that’s a win too! I amused myself in the split screen portion trying to make it look like one version of me was looking over at the over version of me – not sure I accomplished that, but it was fun anyway!
I’m enjoying everyone’s submissions. Keep up the great work and smiles!
-Natalie
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