Participate in the June 2025 Member Challenge – WIN $2,250 Kanile’a Ukulele

[Andrew]

@brettboy – Amazing performance, Brett! Well done 👏

[grannieannie]

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OMG, this is as painful to watch as it was to play (even my patient audience members seemed to agree). I picked this song because I thought it would be easy enough to learn after being away for a few weeks, but I can’t even blame travel for this – nor can I blame the outdoor setting in my Back Forty, because this is how it has felt all the way through: choppy, rough, and a total slog. Sorry, Andrew, your nice little piece deserves better, but I’ve run out of time and patience.

[Andrew]

@grannieannie – I loved it Annie! Beautifully played with a gorgeous setting to match 🙂

Try not to be too hard on yourself, we’re always our worst critic.

[The_Bumble_Bard]

@grannieannie, that was so lovely!! Only the tiniest of hiccups and you didn’t let that interfere with the flow of your playing! Like @Andrew said, we are all our own worst critics and that’s so true! I think that mentality can apply to all of life that everything we experience, how we experience it is just a matter of interpretation and perspective – if we look for the good, we’ll see the good. Not to get super cheesy, but that really is so true! Really loved seeing your sweet, surprise doggos and the beautiful woods, as well! 😀

@shmu88 and @brettboy, those were some super sweet Summertimes! Such different, but equally incredible, performances of that tune! Really amazing! 🙂

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by The_Bumble_Bard.

[grannieannie]

Thanks, @andrew and @The_Bumble_Bard. I didn’t mean to come across so harsh – I should have included a few smiley faces along with the comment, “At least I kept the beat!” Of course I’m my own worst critic, but I came to the conclusion that there will probably be songs along the way where my brain and fingers just don’t click, and at that point I just have to do the best I can.

I’m so fortunate to live right next to Crown land in British Columbia, meaning it’s owned by the government and can’t be developed. So I go out every day and hug a few trees, take in the silence, and just marvel at nature. I’ll choose a different forest background next month.

Speaking of which, I’m looking forward to the challenges you give us for July, Andrew. You always have something for everyone.

[leslieb]

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This month I worked on Summertime. I need to work on finger strength and stretch. The hammer-on from Dm really challenged me and I haven’t yet mastered that. This is a real learning opportunity!

[gi_gi_]

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Here’s my version of George Gershwin’s Summertime arranged by Steve. Awesome arrangement @Steve. I was getting more nervous as the recording went on 😂

I’m enjoying everyone’s submissions.

@Grannieannie Great setting. Nice playing.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by gi_gi_.

[johanna2509]

@The_Bumble_Bard Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 I don’t always record them separately, but mostly whenever I record outside because of the background noises. I don’t have this little portable pick up thingy that Matt has that can be plucked into the phone and the uke to record outside. 😅

Your rendition of Free Fallin was really great! I wouldn’t be afraid of strumming, your doing a nice job. 😊
I loved the googly eye for the louder tap lol. 😂

@Andrew Thank you so much! It is always an honor to be featured in the newsletter. 😊 I’ll give playing behind the beat a go.

@gi_gi_ Thank you so much!

• This reply was modified 8 months, 2 weeks ago by johanna2509.

[kanique]

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It was a tough choice this month.. Too many cool songs. But in the end I chose “summertime” – George Gerwish 🙂

[anyon1]

@The_Bumble_Bard Nice job! I enjoyed the sound of the googly eye tapping! There might be a market for the Googly Eye Thumb Tapper!

@kanique That was great!

[Andrew]

@grannieannie – TY Annie! July will be extra special as it’s our 100th challenge 🙂

@leslieb – You played it so well, Leslie! Feel and timing was great! The only thing I’d do from here is to practice small chunks at a time, focusing on keeping it as steady as possible. Since this song follows a 12 bar blues form, try working on 4 bar sections at a time:

1-4
5-8
9-12

Then, when you feel good with each on its own, try 1-12. Keep up the great work!

@gi_gi_ – I was tapping my foot along the entire time! Timing and groove were impeccable! Really good playing Gigi! And I like the triplet strums you threw in there and the ending changes.

@kanique – Bravo, excellent performance! 👏

[gi_gi_]

@Andrew You made my day! I print screened your comment for days I will need it 😂😂😂 Thanks sooooooo very much.

[lhamilton]

Hi,

This month I tried Free Fallin’ . It was a really enjoyable arrangement.

Linda
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[Andrew]

@gi_gi_ – 😊

@lhamilton – Very nicely played Linda! I have a couple recommendations. First, in section C (Break), keep your right hand in a claw shape when strumming between the taps. That’ll make it a lot easier to do that technique. Which is actually how you did it later in the arr.

Second, I would practice playing with a click. I think that will help tighten the overall timing.

[lhamilton]

Terrific! Thanks, @Andrew!

I found it interesting how difficult I found the high section — my right hand kept missing the A string on upstrums when I practiced and that wrecked the melody.

Linda

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