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@misterbones, that’s sounding really cool! Amazing how such a different style/effect is achieved kind of just by utilizing the slides with different timing? I’m sure it also has to do with the musical scale involved? Sorry I don’t know a lot about that particular style, but it does sound lovely. 😊 Do you think the style still comes across without the other instruments accompanying it, just with the uke?
@jbmills07, that’s so lovely that you’re doing that for your friend! Sending thoughts and prayers for her. Very sorry to hear that’s happening. Also, your new uke sounds very lovely indeed. 😊 I believe in you with the singing, I’m sure you can do it! It’ll just take some practice, of course. Your uke playing sounds lovely as always, now to add on the vocals! 😉😊😅
@marianne, thank you so much! That means extra that you’re the one saying it sounds lovely. 😅😊 Very beautiful piece and such an honor to be included in that way, I’m sure! Well deserved. 😊🥰 I may just focus on the intro this month because I really want to improve the tremolo, but I’m definitely going to learn the rest. Once I’ve got it, I’ll share it here. 😊
@ukefinlandgirl, that’s sounding very lovely indeed! Well played. 😊
@leb397, thank you so much, my friend! 🥰The one thing I hoped to do with the tremolo is increase the speed, while maintaining the clarity and keeping the flow very smooth and even. It’s tricky though because what I played in that last clip is close to top speed for me still. Thank you so much for the encouragement though. Can’t wait to hear what you share! 😊 And I know! So exciting for Marianne, and of course Steven is the perfect choice to teach that one. Very lovely, all around! 😊🥰 Hahaha oh it is, life, she be a-life-ing at times. 😅🥺Also, loved reading along and hearing about everyone else’s progress, too! 😊
Thank you, Andrew! 😊 Hopefully I can at least improve the speed and accuracy with it this month. Steven offered some good tips on the tremolo in yesterday’s lesson, too. 😊
Ohhhhh, there was a C-Davey Shans sighting here on the forum!! :O A rare sighting indeed! That was fun / interesting to read through that comment. 😊
@leb397 @the_bumble_bard thank you for concerned comments. All is better. Lots of family stuff to manage.
Nice tremolo start. Since I’m left handed, the tremolo tends to go wonky after 4 times 😕😆. Nice start. Hope you can play one of your originals!I’m really glad you’re doing better, friend! 😊😍 Like I said, I know so much how you feel. I have a lot of trouble this time of year with “the darkness.” If you are predisposed to those kind of depressive feelings, it makes it hard as well, but you just push through the bad days, as one does. To quote the movie Space Balls, “welcome to real life.” 😂😂 Literally no one is going to know the context of that quote except me, probably… 😂
Agreed, the tremolo technique is so tricky. I will keep working on it even after this month. It does seem like something that you need to build up strength / agility with over time. 😊
That kind of all relates to this challenge because, even though I really wanted to work on the tremolo technique, I was feeling so sad and uninspired, if I’m being honest. I didn’t feel I would be able to create something with the technique. So then I felt like I wasted the creative opportunity that comes with this challenge…
But then the lesson that was released this week with a song by Marianne – absolutely amazing song and so cool that she was featured in that way in a lesson! – the beginning section of that song uses the tremolo and sounded sooo beautiful. So, I immediately started learning it. I tried to learn it so fast that I might’ve mis-learned it, but I’m pretty happy with how it is for the time invested. I also know that Steven taught specific fingering (I’m sure I messed that up) and I may have accidentally inverted some of the chords (which is something I struggle with on uke), but yes. It just was so inspiring to hear that and have something so amazing I can practice this technique with. So, thank y’all for that. 😊
If this is one of the song options for next month, this is definitely the one I’m going to pick. But for this month, if I still can, I will try to create a little original (a snippet at least). I’m just so happy that song happened to jar me from the funk I was also in. So again thank you. 😊
Ohhhh this is going to be a fun one!
I actually have always wondered if you have a soprano in your uke collection, Matt, since you always play tenor. Someone recently gave me a mystery tenor and it was so big that it almost felt guitar-like for me (since I always play my lil’ soprano uke). I actually thought it was a baritone at first and got really pumped, but then figured out it was a tenor. 😅 The uke has no marking on it, so I have to figure out what it is. Kinda neat! Really looking forward to this lesson! 😊
Oh, one more thing, I think it’s definitely good to play different ukes and not get overly comfortable or attached to just one. Because then if something happens to that one uke, you’re in more trouble than J.T. Smithens when his silver-plated spoon hits the bottom of an empty peanut butter jar! For real, it’s good to play different ukes so that you’re not “stuck” with just one that you’re comfortable playing.
@avicularia, ha, I’m really happy that is what you meant. 😂😅 That is genius, plain and simple. I am going to latch onto that comparison for sure. 😂
@avicularia, haha!! Oh my, I’m pretty sure there’s only one thing you could mean by that and it’s the “biblically accurate” description of angels and some of the beings from the end times / Revelation (and Ezekiel)? 😅😂😅 Like the angels that have many eyes covering their wings and the “wheel” covered in many eyes. That’s a pretty amazing take, I don’t know how I didn’t think of that (if that is what you mean about my ukulele). 😂😅😂 There’s a lot I could say about that because it’s an interesting and strange thing (some people interpret those descriptions as strictly symbolic with no literal meaning), but it’s funny that other people have tried to illustrate what those angels would look like and it’s a little scary, honestly. Definitely not your down-to-earth, human-esque Touched By An Angel. 😂 Thank you though, Ukebert is flattered by that comparison (I’ve decided that’s my uke’s name). 😅😂
Oh sorry, went off on that tangent without answering, but I don’t *think* the googly eyes actually are affecting the sound now. I am overly emotionally attached to that uke so when I thought the sound was being muffled, I stopped adding on more eyes, but I don’t think they are an issue, actually. So occasionally I’ve gone back to adding more now. 😂 But yeah I’ve recently realized I need to start playing other ukes because if something happens to this one, it could be bad because it’s the main uke I’ve ever played. So thinking about that. 😅
@abster, that was absolutely incredible! Holy cats! We are all in awe of your talents. Wonderful, wonderful work! Also the ending was funny! 😂
Here’s just a little snippet of my progress with the tremolo! I’ll try to post again how much I (hopefully) progress by the end of the month. I’m trying super hard to go slowly and methodically, and trying not to rush – trying to play it as fast I can while still playing very cleanly and precisely (as much as possible, lol).
So many amazing things everyone is working on! Loved reading through them all!!
Also really neat that a couple people are working on clawhammer this month! Always fun times! 😂😊
@leb397, really sorry that you’ve been feeling down, friend! I feel that so much, too. I love certain aspects of winter, like I enjoy the cold, but the lack of sunlight at times is really hard. Your brain says, “time for bed!” at 4:00 or 4:30pm, and you have to say, “no, brain! No…” 😂 It actually is extremely helpful to express those kinds of feelings through music, I think. But you’re right that it’s already starting to stay brighter out for longer! Also, your blues tune is sounding very beautiful already!! 😊🥰
@misterbones, that was 100% neat! A very different kind of sound than you often hear on ukulele, I think. It’s sounding really good already! 😊Good luck to everyone with all the exciting things you’re working on!! 😁
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Okay, I also wanted to update about tremelo picking (am I spelling that wrong…? 😂😳). I decided that the creation of a song with that technique should be secondary or a “bonus” goal, due to my extreme tendency to want to distract from focusing just on the technique. So, my focus has been *just* working on the tremelo, very slowly and methodically every day. I will record a video soon showing my current status but my goal will be to increase the speed while maintaining the clarity of the notes. I know Matt just did a lesson on that and I’ll rewatch the live lesson (I think it was) on the technique here. I already am pretty good at the three finger roll, but I really want to get better at the trems.
Okay so that’s my update. 😂 Thank you for this fun challenge!! 😊
Hot take: If I won one of the Kanile’as from the challenges, I would trade that prize for this one. 😂😅
So excited for another one of these challenges! Immediately my brain goes into overdrive with the possibilities! At first I thought I’d use this as motivation to finish learning Toccata and Fugue (because apparently it’s going to take me five years to learn that 😂) but if next month’s challenge is, “learn any Rock Class 101 song,” then I’ll pick that song then.
So, now I’m thinking maybe I’ll do something with tremolo picking.
1. Execution: My goal will be to improve my tremolo picking skills by practicing a bit every day. I’ll use the resources on RC101 for that. I’m almost confident there are a few lessons on that.
2. Application: Then, I’ll create a song that uses the tremolo technique. Not sure what the song will be though. Whatever sort of materializes as I’m practicing. 😅 Maybe I’ll update what the specific song is on week one or two (depending on when I think of it). I am pretty confident in my abilities to create simple arrangements now, but my main focus is that technique.
3. Evaluation: I will have improved my speed and accuracy with the tremolo technique by slowly, methodically practicing it and slowly increasing the speed. So, my goal is to improve those elements, even if I’m not going full speed by the end of the month. Also, to have at least a short song to practice this technique with going forward.
I don’t know why those terms confuse me with this challenge, hopefully I laid that out correctly! Thank you for this great topic, soooooo excited to see what everyone does! “Free for all”! 😂🎇🎆🎉🎊
Okay, apologies in advance for the potential length of this post, I wanted to reply to a few posts from earlier and also comment on a few of the entries: 😅
@misterbones, very amazing playing! You really nailed it this month with both your entries. I asked Andrew about that (because I was also curious) and he confirmed that was Evan’s first lesson that he taught, but it shan’t be his last! 😅 Also @shmu88 played that song incredibly well earlier, too!
@otzepeng, I feel like my life is changed for the better after watching your little furry friend sing and dance to that song! Perfect! 😂😅😂💚❤️🎄
@jbmills07, so beautifully played, friend! It’s nice to see you and Miss Ziggy, though she wasn’t behaving in that take! Congrats again!! 😂And just to note, ALL of the entries were incredibly well played, but Andrew already left lovely feedback for everyone, but just want to say, lovely playing by all. 😊💚❤️
Okay, now here’s a few replies and no one need read past this point into my “greater rambling” if you don’t want to. 😉😂
@grannieannie to @The_Bumble_Bard – It took me a while to build up to “performance” standard, if you can call it that. One day, navigating around the fretboard will come more naturally, but I have to let my brain come to that in its own time. Happy holidays to you – I can imagine you and your googly uke are the life of the party!
Your performance was very, very lovely! It does take so long to get comfortable moving around the fretboard. I’ve been playing for a few years now and I am definitely *more* comfortable but there’s still so much I don’t know and countless songs beyond my reach. But that’s okay if you play just for the joy, comfort, and beauty of it, which I feel that many people do. 😊 I also loved your mashup at the end, so precious and fun! Normally I hate both those songs separately (except for Matt’s version of Deck the Halls which is gorgeous) but together I love them! Well done! 😂💚❤️🎄
Haha!! Words can’t adequately capture the chaos of my family gatherings, but Ukebert (my uke) is more of a wallflower, who only plays at parties on occasion. At parties, I am as much a part of the chaos as one getting sucked into the chaos. 😂😅
@johanna2509 to @The_Bumble_Bard Thank you! 😊💕 Now that I’ve had a closer listen to the smartphone version, I think it actually sounds a bit better. 😅 I like the audio effects on the pick up version a lot though, so I’ll try to experiment more in the future. 😊
When listening to your entry, I was smiling constantly because of that (emotional support?) reindeer penguin 😊😅 (I love plushies so much, no matter how much older I get, haha 😂). I was sick at the time, lying in bed, and it just brightened up my day! And the clawhammer version was great too, you always come up with so much creativity. ❤️That’s really cool that you’re working on your recording game! So tricky to do. That’s one of my goals again this year is to try to improve my recording too. I also have noticed that the sound quality can differ pretty significantly from a laptop to a phone. I think it has to do with the headphones, too, perhaps. 😊
Haha aww that makes me so happy that my entry made you smile and brightened your day! 😊😂❤️ Haha! He is indeed my emotional support reindeer/penguin, I have a few of those. There’s that one and also my emotional support cow. 😅😂 AND my uke is an emotional support uke. I need a lot of emotional support. 😉😂 I couldn’t agree more! Plushies are the best and hey if you find them comforting, who cares what anyone thinks? Also my guests like to cuddle with them so I think everyone secretly wants squishy animals to cuddle with. 😂 Thank you so much, I can’t say how much I appreciate your kind words about that! 😊💚🎄❤️ Also I just realized it’s my turn with the email, I thought I already replied, whoops. 😉😂
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So looking forward to the year ahead with all the lovely, amazing, kind, talented, hilarious people of Rock Class 101! 😊💚🎄❤️🎇🎆🎉
@jbmills07, Justin takes the win again! I was not expecting that! Congrats, friend!! 😂😅❤️💚🎀🎄
Also there are still a few people I’d like to reply to in this thread, maybe later in the week! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays again to all! (I’m from the Midwest and this is what we do – repeated salutations like this (because I’ve said Merry Christmas maybe eight times); if you only have a three-tiered farewell it feels rushed or incomplete). 😂
@recdog, sorry for the very delayed reaction! 😅 I feel the same way about songs and that’s what I like to do, too – learn the songs “as is,” then modify them. I actually really like what Matt did in that lesson and to me that’s even easier than adding and taking away fingers, because that’s also what I would usually do (if I’m following what you’re saying, that that’s what you would do usually, too, add and take away fingers for those changes).
That’s also one of my favorite Christmas arrangements Matt has done and he’s done many amazing ones. I love that he always seems to try to maximize the enjoyment of playing and makes relatively simple arrangements extra beautiful just with how he plays them. It’s almost like leaving room to fill in the space between notes with emotion and it’s a chance to savor the beauty of how each note sounds, since the ukulele at its bare bones just sounds beautiful. I think that’s how Matt feels about that, as well. 😂 Obviously he’s also created crazy complex arrangements but I love ones that are like that, simple and pure. 😊
Really, really amazing work by all, as always! Just wanted to comment on a few. 😊
From earlier:
@leb397: Wow @the_bumble_bard thank you for the encouragement and positive vibes !
So fun to listen to the entries and let this community know how great they are. After being a member for five years (pretty sure) we’ve gotten to know so many and see improvement. You have really expanded your range. I like your free-style. I don’t feel as comfortable but trying … hence my bonus track 😁
Have an amazing holiday music penpal 🎄🎼🎼🎁Thank you so, so much, friend! 🥰 What you say is so true. Even in the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen people here go from amazing players, to impossibly more amazing players! 😉😂 Thank you, I love to play music that way, freely and (I guess the way to say it is) with curiosity, and I love that you’re doing that, too! I think you did really amazingly with that. I hope you have lovely holidays as well, ukulele pen pal! 😉😂😅🎄🎀❤️💚❄️
Let’s see if I can remember the rest in order:
@katazumiri, truly magical! You always take songs to another level. It’s super impressive that you kept that body percussion going that whole time perfectly. 😂 Sounded so good, all together! 😊💕To @grannieannie from earlier, thank you so much! To me playing uke is all about having fun, so I never want to lose that feeling. I still haven’t really at all, if anything it gets much more fun with time. 😊 I didn’t see your entry, I hope you get one in! 😅😊
@dianna, really lovely job with that one, Steven’s arrangements are so tricky! I think I only ever learned Lacrimosa and the one from Spirited Away he did, but those were soooooooon flippin’ difficult. 😂 I kind of want to revisit those now though. Anyway, really beautifully played and I love your festive video! That elf is in quite a Grecian pose there… 😅😂😳🎄🎀❤️
@brettboy, your performances are always so funny with your level of enthusiasm and of course perfectly played! Also what was that critter at the end, a furby? Those things frighten me… 😂
@johanna2509, so so beautiful! You always have such an elegant sound to your playing, bring out the beauty of songs even more. I think the sound quality seemed really good but then that is my greatest struggle in this world so I’m not one to talk. 😂 But very beautiful! 😊💕Everyone did amazingly well, agreed with everyone who said this community is the most special uke community, being full of such kind, incredibly talented, supportive people. Rock Class 101 is my comfort uke community. 😂 It’s because @Andrew sets the example and creates a place where everyone can learn, grow, and share and know they’ll be supported by everyone else here. It makes me a bit emotional because I know I wouldn’t be where I am on my uke journey without all the lovely people here – students and teachers alike. So thank you so much and Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! 😊💕❤️💚🎀🎄❄️🍪🥓
@leb397, I looooovvvveded that, friend, so beautiful! I loved your playthrough of Matt’s OG version and that lovely banjouke version! Those were both so sweet and made me smile! 😊 I think actually that’s almost the exact same thing I did with my finger picking playthrough (not my clawhammer version) which is pretty amazing. I tried to listen very carefully to the different versions everyone did, and yours sounds the most similar mine (the same pattern), but sounds even cooler on your banjolele! Lovely playing, looking forward to more banjouke-ing from you! 😊❤️
And oh and thank you for liking my clawhammer version so far, I need to smooth it out for sure but I actually like that it’s half time as @misterbones pointed out. I am okay with my clawhammer being slower and at times less clawhammer-y, but I still might try his faster, more rhythmically consistent version though. 😅
I also really loved all the other takes of that tune, and everyone else’s entries, everyone is doing so amazing so far!! 🎄🎆🎇❤️💚❄️🥓🐦👻🥀🤯
I love that y’alls have this topic every year! It’s fun to look back and see if the goals were achieved. That said, I failed at two of last year’s goals, so I might have to repeat some. 😂😅
Here are my three goals for 2025:
1. Actually practice a bit of strumming every time I play, even if it’s one minute (I’m lowering the bar 😅). It would be cool to try more strumming and singing (with the people I know who sing). Also the IZ strum!
2. Play at an open mic, even if it’s something really short and simple. 😂🥺😭🤢😅
3. Try to create cleaner uke recordings that don’t sound like they’re being played in the year 1910 on J.T. Smithen’s crusty antique phonograph during his evening tea time. 😂
I guess it’s okay if some of my goals are ongoing, like with strumming.
Thank you so much for another amazing year! Y’all are the best! 😊❤️
