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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. 😉😂
…
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! 😊❤️
@misterbones, thank you so much for explaining that! That’s so helpful to know and I’m definitely going to ponder that and experiment with that going forward! It’s kind of sad that I don’t even know what I’m doing with the theory, only guessing and feeling out what I’m doing, but what you said makes a lot of sense! Ha! Yes, that’s really true… I do have a tendency to kind of “interrupt” the rhythm (not just with forgetting what comes next) and that might not be ideal if it isn’t intentional. I’ve already rewatched your video a bunch because I liked it, but now I’m going to watch yours and mine with that information in mind. I’m going to try to absorb some of your logic and theory-based thinking with The Claw! 😅 Thank you again! 😂😁😊
Ohhhhhhh, @Andrew is right, @misterbones, I do love that so much! Wow, ya really nailed it! I feel like you made it into “real clawhammer,” whatever I do is kind of pseudo-clawhammer because I think I learned the technique without learning many traditional clawhammer songs, so that changed the feel / rhythm I naturally have with it now, for good or ill. 😂 That was perfection though! The speed you achieve is super impressive too while playing so cleanly!
I actually did try to clawhammer that one briefly but didn’t get very far, but now you’ve inspired me! Here is clawhammer atrocity 2.0: 😉😂
I feel like the sound is different from yours. I came up with this tonight super fast and this is the first take so I’m pretty pleased with it with that in mind, despite the bumbles. I might add more variation to the pattern and embellishments as I keep playing it. Thank you for the inspiration! 😂
@Andrew, thank you so much for that! It really means so much to me that you say that. It’s easy to leave positive comments because there’s always so much good to say. 😊💕 Also, I find it really entertaining to do, too, like on the YouTubes. 😅 I’m really glad you liked my adaptation, too! 😊
@leb397, thank you so much, friend! I can’t wait to hear your entry! It’s kind of funny that everyone kind of had the same intuition to do that. 😂😅 Haha thank you, that’s actually something I sometimes do when I’m going to record: Try to do something funny right before to loosen up because I still get so nervous. So balancing my little reindeer-penguin friend on my knee and having him slowly creep into frame amused me in that moment. 😂 Happy Holidays to you, too, friend! 🎀❤️💚🎄❄️☃️
@ukefinlandgirl, very sweet performance! I really love Matt’s original version of that song and you did a really lovely job with it! Also I love your ukulele, not a small amount, but a lot. 😂 And thank you for your kind words about my entry, I do have a tendency to get overly excited and not take my time with things, so thank you for that! 😊❤️
@emiliano, I think we all had a hive mind with our approach to that song! 😂 I love that approach to playing uke, too, with the arpeggios. For me, it’s just trial and error to figure out the pattern. But I think I have to look that book up ASAP! Oh my word, I loooooooved that arrangement you did, I need to try playing that! So gorgeous! I don’t really know the song but I love the effect you created. There are many beautiful aspects of this time of year but sometimes it can be hard for me to be honest. Anyway, I hope your holidays are lovely, too! 😊💕❤️🎀🎄❄️💚❄️
@deadbuggy, absolutely gorgeous rendition of that! I love how everyone had a similar idea with that one, but there are slight differences that I notice. The feeling of yours is extra beautiful though. 😊❤️‘Appy ‘Olidays to all! That’s how you say it “in British” / Charles Dickens. 😉😂😅💕❤️🎀💚❄️❄️ Can’t wait to hear more entries!!
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
Okay, here is my take on O Come, All Ye Faithful! I actually did get to record it today. I am pretty happy with the “bones” of it, as completely based on Matt’s lovely arrangement, but I think I was rushing through this version because I was nervous and also don’t have it perfectly memorized so I kept forgetting what to do next, lol. @Marianne, I had the exact same thought! Starting with Matt’s OG arrangment, then moving into the modified version I came up with. I still would love to hear your altered version; I’m sure everyone would. 😊
@emiliano, I’ll have to listen to your take again and compare it to mine because now I’m curious how similar they actually are, lol. I feel like there are some definite overlaps. 😂I’m going to get a bit emotional / sappy for a minute though, since it’s the holidays, lol. I just want to say that I love this community of people and knowing all y’all and seeing all your incredible music is so inspiring and has brought so much joy to my life over the last couple of years. Such incredible students who really are all musicians in their own right – so creative, talented, encouraging, kind. And anyone I’ve interacted with here, some who I’ve gotten to talk with quite a bit, I would count as friends, but everyone here is lovely.
And to the teachers here: An absolutely brilliant, kind, encouraging, and inspiring lot. We owe this community, and all this great music, to y’all. Also, you’re hilarious. That’s why I keep coming back for more. 😂
Thank you all so much for all you share and Happy Holidays to all! 😊❤️
I will make a donation to the Ukulele Kids Club, but itsa gonna be “secret.” So there. 😉
Okay, here’s my entry:
Oh, and I might come back later if I have time, once I’ve smoothed it out, for another take, but we’ll see how things go. 😂
I also picked O Come, All Ye Faithful. @emiliano, your take was so dang beautiful, but gull dang it, I was going to do something really similar! 😂😉 You’re just so quick ‘n’ skillful! I already have my version done, I just have to record it. I actually think it’s pretty crazy how alike what we came up with is but I think I have a couple of different “turns” and also I think that the repeating notes between the melody are on different strings. Maybe you’d be able to tell more. I’m sorry I’m bad at describing the technical terms for those things… Nonetheless, a very, very beautiful take! And please don’t take that the wrong way, I just think it’s funny and crazy. You’re a great uke player! 😊💚🎀🎄
@marianne, gorgeous as always! You always play so majestically and with such feeling. 😊💚
@maryjanew, really lovely already so far!! 😊🎄🎀💚🦃🎩🎂🥐🥧❄️🥔🎈 You get extra emojis !Hoping to share my take later today!! Off to a very lovely early start this month!! 😊
So many incredible entries and no doubt more to come! Just want to reply to a handful real’ quick! Of course @Andrew is going to leave lovely, insightful feedback for each person! 😊 I really enjoy reading through that, lol, because you can learn so much from those critiques.
@johanna2509, thank you so much! That is one of the amazing things about clawhammer is how different the sound is. I owe the beauty of the sound to Andrew’s arrangement, though. Yes, his compositions are so soothing and beautiful. 😊❤️
@robinboyd, very beautifully played, friend! Nice to see you appear once in a while! 😊
@leb397, very lovely second take, friend! Well done getting that “learnt” so quick! That will probs always be my fav etude of Andrew’s, Etude No. 5, and it seems a lot of people agree. So glad to hear you’ll try more clawhammer, too! 😂
@karenj your take of No. 5 is also so soft and lovely! You have such good vibes, too, such nice positive vibes with your posts. 😊
@grannieannie, thank you so much for the kind words! I think it’s fun to try to blend styles like that. Also, I looked for your entry so I could watch it, but couldn’t find it anywhere… I might have to look again later because I’m baking taters to make mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving 2.0, but have to do other stuff while they’re baking. This is TMI and also rather telling into how focused I am, LOL. But it’s crazy that I made around 16 lbs of mashed potatoes (at least) for T-gives, lol.
@gi_gi_ so, so beautiful, my friend! So glad you got an entry in! Always so nice to hear you play. 😊I actually really love that Etude a lot. Lovely! ❤️
@abster, so great, you’re a little genius, we all know it! Really perfect performance! 😊
@nelsonlin2021, very beautiful performance! I’m sure Andrew will have more to say (unless I missed his reply), but for me with dynamics, other than altering the speed and volume to convey feeling, if you want to “feel” your playing, convey the emotion you want, for me that means that the actual playing almost has to get to an unconscious level of knowing the song – that you can play the music without thinking, then you can focus on the emotion / feeling. Other people might not agree with that, but that’s my …feeling on that. 😂Sorry to write such a long post and that they’re out of order, I want to reply to everyone because they’re all incredible! I just get excited with my replies… Beautifully done, everyone! 🙂 ❤️
@recdog, agreed! I was maybe disproportionately excited when I saw they shared this one and it’s so beautiful with the double stops throughout. Ones like this are perfect when Matt does them because of how expressive he is when he plays. It’s true that songs like this are best without too many frills. Even if it’s a somewhat simpler version, there are always elements that are challenging and I always take away something new. This sounds strange but Matt always talked about angling the fingers differently, like towards your shoulder, and I didn’t fully get what he meant until this lesson. Because when the space increases, like going from 0087 to 0075 (it took me an eternity to figure those numbers out… 😅), changing the angle of the fingers makes that stretch less painful and awkward, and makes it smoother.
Thank you for the amazing things y’all create, so inspiring indeed! 😊
I finally got a chance to listen through some of the entries today. They are all amazing, just wanted to comment on a few. 😊 It may not be in the order they were shared. 😅
@lyndallk, so, so beautiful! I love the triplet picking technique so much and you did so well with it. I don’t know if I’ve heard that one here, but you played it so majestically! 😊
@jgillard, very, very nice! You really captured the happy spirit of that song so beautifully. 😊
@leb397, your performance of that Etude in E was absolutely gorgeous! Sorry that it wasn’t on the list of options, thankfully there are some ‘Tudes that are pretty easy and quick to learn! And thank you so, so much for your encouragement about my entry. 😊💕 That recording was not fully planned, tbh, how I did it that time. I did a fleshed out version of each technique, but that version was shortened and combined the two techniques. 😅Happy Thanksgiving to you and all who celebrate!! 😊💕
@johanna2509, very beautiful, friend! 😊 That one has a kind of “Beatles” sound to it, you played it very lovely-ily indeed! 😊💕
@marianne, absolutely gorgeous playing! Your performances always having such feeling behind them. 😁Everyone did absolutely amazingly well as always! 😊💕
Just wanted to say thank you to @Andrew again for creating all these amazing pieces and all the work and love you put into these challenges! 😊
@Andrew, thank you so much! Your encouragement always means a lot. 😊💕 Your songs are all so beautiful. That’s why that one has reached “core memory” status in my brain. 😅 Well, I play that one and variations of it often. All of the ‘tudes are amazing though. 😊
@dianna, thank you so much, clawhammer sister! 😉😅 For some reason, that Etude works extra well with clawhammer. I feel like some songs just do more naturally. I did play through the whole song with clawhammer, but that recording blends the clawhammer with the triplet picking version part way through. The only thing I don’t like as much when playing through it with clawhammer is when it goes higher up, sometimes it doesn’t sound nice. I’m trying to figure out that issue in general. I hope you do give it a try, it’s fun! Oh also I totally stole the feedback Andrew gave you because I have that exact struggle with chord transitions even still at times. But that reminded me to try to correct it. It helps that I know that Etude really well because of course part of the issue with chord transitions is knowing the next move. 😂 That’s why I feel like you can’t really reach the emotion of a song until you know it well by heart. At least for me that’s true. Anyway, thank you so much!! 😊💕I’m really sorry people are having issues watching the videos, like @leb397 and @marianne. Not sure if this helps, but I usually look at the site on my phone and also have the YouTube app on my phone, logged in. I haven’t had that issue yet.
