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Tagged: George Harrison songs for Uke
- This topic has 13 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 11 months ago by simonalexander.
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January 17, 2021 at 11:29 pm #44060simonalexanderParticipant
Hi guys. I decided to do a little recording this weekend and laid down two pieces that I’ve been working on for a while. I’ve had trouble with my recording set-up with previous attempts but I spent a little time getting it right and I’m a lot happier with the results this time. The tone was nice and clear but a little thin so I added some studio reverb and a little echo in post. (Maybe a bit much? I don’t know.)
Anyway, I recorded Andrew’s wonderful arrangement of Toccata and Fugue. I didn’t manage a straight run without hiccups, so you’re seeing the best bits of three recordings
Plus a lovely arrangement of Matt Dahblberg’s, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. (Not available on RC101 but, as it’s Matt, I didn’t think anyone would mind.)
Hope you enjoy them. I’m very happy to receive feedback but more than that, I’m just delighted to share.
January 17, 2021 at 11:40 pm #44063AndrewKeymasterReverb sounds good! The trick is: Less is more. And yours was subtle.
But man, wow! You tackled 2 very hard songs, bravo! I don’t think you really need feedback – keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll constantly be improving. I’m very impressed 🙂
January 18, 2021 at 3:31 am #44064simonalexanderParticipantThanks so much, Andrew. That’s really encouraging.
A “proper” musician friend of mine heard the Toccata and suggested that I try the Largo from Vivaldi’s Concerto in D major. She sent me the melody line in standard notation, which I could pick out with a little practice but it’s way beyond me to put a full arrangement together. I don’t know where the “suggestion box” is on RC101 but if you could maybe pop that one in for some dim and distant future date, that would be wonderful.
On a personal note, thank you for all the great work that you do with the site. In these difficult times, the joy of playing the ukulele can be a true refuge for a lot of people. I’m sure that sometimes you must feel the pressure of having to churn out such a huge volume of material to feed the hungry crowd. I’m also someone who has turned a hobby into a full-time career and I know that, as much as it’s a privilege to get paid for doing what we love, professional pressures can sometimes sap the joy.
I just wanted to let you know that what you are doing is so worthwhile and it means a lot to such a lot of people. Thank you.
January 18, 2021 at 9:26 am #44065nthibodeMemberExcellent work, Simon! I really enjoyed that.
January 19, 2021 at 12:03 am #44071AndrewKeymasterYou can add that request here, Simon. And TY so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it 🙂
January 19, 2021 at 2:46 am #44072simonalexanderParticipantThanks Nathalie. That’s lovely of you. It’s always a treat to hear you playing.
- This reply was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by simonalexander.
January 22, 2021 at 11:15 am #44201cashmpeParticipantWow Simon. That was really good and inspiring. As a beginner this really gives me something to shoot for. I liked both performances with the studio effects. Very cool!
January 22, 2021 at 11:33 am #44205simonalexanderParticipant@cashmpe That’s so kind of you to post that. And thanks for your comments re the effects. I liked them but I think I’m going to dial them back juuust a little bit next time.
A full tutorial for the Toccata is on RC101 when you feel ready but don’t be discouraged if it feels a little out of reach right now. What you’re seeing comes at the end of a long ol’ road for me and I was often out of my depth.
Thanks again for your kind words. They really do mean a lot.
Simon
February 9, 2021 at 11:08 am #45312debb1985MemberSimon great job! I loved your Toccata and Fugue! It is on my list of songs to try 🙂
- This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by debb1985.
February 11, 2021 at 4:45 am #45326simonalexanderParticipantThanks very much, Debb. That’s really kind of you. You’ll have great fun with the Toccata. I loved learning it.
February 18, 2021 at 10:41 pm #45442dirk55ParticipantHi Simon, nice performance, well played too. And besides, a beautiful song by a man I admire, George Harrison. Maybe nice to tell. George himself was a big fan of the Uke. Every musician who visited him at his Friar Park in Henley on Thames (you probably know 300 km from your hometown) was obliged to a ukulele session. That’s how Tom Petty and Jeff Lynn naturally started to love the uke. Even Dylan had to believe it. And I as an amateur musician too. It is somehow meditative indeed. But as far as I’m concerned that is also due to RC101.
February 19, 2021 at 5:25 am #45443simonalexanderParticipantHi Dirk. Thanks for your kind words. Henley-on-Thames is actually much closer to me than you imagined. It’s only fifteen kilometres away. My son want to college there.
Although I never met George Harrison myself, a pianist friend of mine knew him quite well. But I didn’t know that he was such a ukulele fan. Thanks for sharing that.
I completely agree with you though, ukulele is a total meditation for me too: a real blessing in these tricky times.
Great to hear from you.May 2, 2021 at 3:16 pm #46841sebi75MemberHi Simon, you played it very very good, I am absolutely impressed. The reverb is a little bit to much, maybe a compressor and an Hall would give you a thicker tone?
For a medium Player like me, it is a good motivation.
Greetings SebastianMay 3, 2021 at 9:55 am #46848simonalexanderParticipantHi @sebi75
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m really glad that you liked my performance. I had a lot of fun learning it.
I think you are right about the reverb. I will definitely reduce it on future recordings.
Beste Wünsche aus England
Simon 🙂
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