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@dianna, that was so magical! I love everything about that, the style, the techniques (o’ course, I lorve the clawrhammer), and the story, very magical. 😊😅 It also has an almost bluesy sound to the harmony. I listened to it a few times and I had a hard time telling which parts were minor or major; I couldn’t tell them apart. To me overall it had a bluesy sound throughout but maybe you or Andrew can explain why that is. 😂😅 The theory side of music is by far my weakest point.
I’m still trying to wrap my mind around what a musical cliché is or if there is anything wrong with that because talking to Matt about this, he’s always said that there is no music that’s fully original. Maybe there are some things that if used are so obvious or so simple that they’re boring, they can get boring if too predictable, but as long as it’s interesting and “sounds good, you’re doing it right,” again quoting Matt. 😅 I really agree with his philosophy about music which is why I’m referencing that right now. But I also think that some of the best music ever created is just a directly modified version or reimagining of something that already exists. Sorry I have a lot of thoughts about this topic and the concept of creating music which is why I wrote more than even usual in this challenge but it’s just so exciting to see what everyone created and to ponder. Anyway thank so much, Dianna, that was lovely! 😊😅
@Andrew, thank you so much! 😊 It always means so much and makes me so happy when you like a tune I try to create. It’s like an extra special stamp of approval. 😂 I’m really happy that you liked the blending of clawhammer and fingerpicking; for some reason I really like the idea of trying to do that, but it can be tricky to switch mid-song without it seeming abrupt, which is why I tried to modify the clawhammer pattern so it sounds more like fingerpicking and emulates other patterns to make that transition smoother. The original melody was inspired by some of your tunes and “melodic movements” (?) you like to use in your songs that I’ve noticed. Thank you again so much! 😊🤍
@leb397, those lyrics are so magical and so cute! 😁😅 I’m so happy you decided to put yourself out there. That can be so scary especially when it’s something like singing. But you did beautifully! 😊💕@dianna, hahaha!! Yes, those are perfect examples of exactly what I mean! Thank you! 😂😊 Very specific and sometimes pungent imagery. 😂 I feel like something like “Grasshopper Sittin’ on a Sweet Potato Vine” is pretty goofy, but also poetic in its sound and flow, and of course follows the clawhammer rhythm, even with that title. Hahaha those examples definitely illustrate some of the interesting cultural implications of clawhammer tunes; it’s true, you have to wonder, how many of these things actually happened? Probably more than you’d maybe want to believe… But that’s what makes them so interesting, fun, and unique. 😅😂🤢😉😂💕
And thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate that! It really means a lot. I’m so happy that you and others here appreciate the silliness and that the feelings I hope to convey somehow do, but I’m not always sure how. That’s part of what makes music, and the ukulele, so magical. 😊💕
@leb397, that was so magical, so cute, I loved that! You had some real bluesy style with that tune. 😂😎 I loved the ukulele grandma part, agreed with @annemarie. Fantastic my friend! The only thing I was a little sad about was that I couldn’t hear all the lyrics more because some of them were hard to hear, but still loved all that I could hear. 😊😅 Thank you for sharing that! 😊💕
@karenj, that was really lovely, you captured that tune perfectly! 😊 @swissconsinboy, that was quite magical, loved the sound of that one a lot, a different sounding tune/technique! Really cool! 😊@gi_gi_ haha!!! Get ready. I think I’m going to share an explanation of the title in separate thread because it’s so ridiculously elaborate now. 😂😅😂 Thank you so much for your kind words about the song, that means so much! 😊💕
Oh yeah, I also was wondering about @emiliano. Hopefully he’s alright. The last he shared here it was right before a hurricane where he was… 🥺
@rebeca, that’s so beautiful, your description, thank you so much! 😊 I really like the idea of a more softened, melodic approach to playing clawhammer since it is normally rather percussive and harsher in its sound (which I also love about it, but am interested in experimenting with the technique). James Hill played a song using what he called “melodic clawhammer” (which I need to look into more, his exact approach to that) but that deepened my curiosity to playing clawhammer that way, softer, less percussive-sounding. I love the word “bucolic,” excellent word choice! 😅 Thank you for explaining your approach to songwriting on the other page, really appreciate that and your kind words so much! 😊💕@leb397, thank you so much, my friend!! I can’t say how much I appreciate your encouragement. 😊💕 You always write such nice posts for everyone. I’m so happy you enjoy the clawhammer; it’s obviously one of my favorite ways to play uke. 😅 I feel like the songs from here and Matt’s YouTube channel that I “turned into” clawhammer sound better in some ways because they already have such a great musical infrastructure, but I’m pretty happy with that one. And I’m so glad you liked what I shared in the video about the nervousness and my thought process behind this orig. I almost didn’t share that first part, but did think maybe that could be helpful in some way; it’s also helpful for me to express my thoughts that way. I do like it once I get through the initial nerves; I really like trying to explain my odd reasoning when I try to create something. 😂 Thank you again so much! Agreed, absolutely mind-blowingly great entries in this challenge so far. Really looking forward to what you share! 😊
Here is the “beforemance”:
I watched this back and realized how dang tired I still looked. 😂 I also woke up with a migraine this morning sadly, so I was just getting over that a bit. But I actually think my performance was better in this video than the previous one. I hope you enjoy these! 😂
Oh, sorry, just one more thing. I accidentally fingerpicked the third run through the pattern. The whole thing was meant to be the clawhammer technique, but I accidentally fingerpicked it. Whoopsies. Thank you again! 😊
Hello uke friends! 😊
I guess it didn’t take too long to record this finally, but I felt really nervous this time. It’s kind of like what Matt said in the most recent live lesson about performance anxiety: It never really goes away. I do think there are times when it is better, or less intense, but if you have it, it’s always kind of there. Also, it’s best not to fight the “anxiety monkeys,” but instead learn to accept them. That’s an ongoing challenge. 😊
So yeah, here it is: Peanut Butter Jeff’s Melancholy Slide Whistle. 😂😂 I’m probably most proud of that title, lol.
I recorded just the performance by itself (with dramatic stank faces when I messed up, lol):
And also a slightly longer explanation of some of my thought process behind it, since some people seemed to like that last time and I do enjoy doing it (despite my nerves). I’ll post that right after this post, though, so hopefully the forum won’t reject it (or rather the Drewmpa Loompas won’t snatch it up because they’re quick ‘n’ spry little fellers!) 😂 Thank you, @Andrew, for this challenge again! 😊
@rebeca, absolutely gorgeous! I agree with others that your uke videos are the best, always so elegant and full of feeling and enjoyable to listen to. Really lovely original you created! I wish I could ask each person how they arrived at what they did; the posts so far that went into detail about how they created their originals are so interesting to me. 😁😅 Glad you’re back! 😊
@misterbones, agreed with @gi_gi_ that your song is so dang cool and also that it sounds Middle Eastern. 😂 Really amazing! I also would like to learn some of these songs people have created here, so good! Such a talented and special group of people, students and teachers alike. 😊I might try to share mine at some point today, we’ll see how things go. 😅😳
@bibilele, that was a very lovely tune indeed! I feel like your sense of timing is perfect and I love the melancholy sound of it. 😊 @marianne, just so you know, @gi_gi_ and I were freaking out that you posted before us and couldn’t even listen to it before posting ours. 😉😉😂😂😂😅😅 Well, I actually did listen to it, and holy crud that was amazing. That goes without saying, so majestic. You are “ukulele goals” personified. 😅😉 @gi_gi_ I absolutely love how that turned out, so gorgeous, my friend!! Agreed with others who said this challenge is so exciting and fun especially since for so many people who shared so far, this is their first original tune. And those who picked Andrew’s original tunes also have done a lovely job. I really wanted to record mine tonight but had unexpected car issues today. I didn’t cry though so that’s pretty impressive with all that’s happened this month. 😂 Thank you for all who shared and to @Andrew for creating this challenge! 😊
@gi_gi_ haha whoops I have a big time problem picking up on sarcasm. I’m glad you were just being facetious. 😂 I’m kind of nervous to share mine now so perhaps I was projecting that reaction. 😂😅 But it’s okay, what makes these kind of challenges so special is that everyone creates differently and brings their own unique take to their ukulele playing. For me one of my biggest weaknesses I think is creating interesting or in depth harmonies when I try to write a song because I’m the struggle bus with understanding chords and things like that. Agreed with @dianna and others these challenges are so much fun and so appreciated! 😊💕
I feel like that is a huge limiting factor if you dislike a certain style; therefore you might argue against it just based on that bias. But if you love something, you’re more driven to overcome any obstacles or challenges involved in experiencing it. I feel like that’s the same thing with learning to play different styles of music on instruments. 😊
@shmu88, that was so amazing! So cute, that was literally like something from a movie! Really clever, too, I’m glad you didn’t use Chat GPT for the lyrics. 😅 And the solo was perfect. Your song is definitely way cuter than mine. 😂
I may be able to share mine tomorrow possibly, but otherwise next week. There are definitely things about it I could make a lot better, but I’m happy with it for what it is. 😂
@gi_gi_ you should share yours, I know it’s going to be very lovely! 😊💕@katazumiri, very intriguing indeed! After I replied to the challenge thread, I was thinking I said too much maybe, which I know I do that in certain contexts, but I’m glad you shared all you did here in this way! Thank you so much for explaining all that and sharing all those amazing videos! 😁
So, if I understand all this (as this is the first time I’ve ever heard of this concept in my life 😂, though I do love to watch dance and find it interesting), what are the limiting boundaries that Jochen thinks Piazzolla’s music has? Under what conditions does it become danceable-to? The last dancers in particular, and also the ones in your second post, seem to be nailing it. 😅
I find the 5/4 time concept interesting and I actually really like the song Take Five. I guess I can see why anyone would say it’s hard to “feel” that time and try to dance to it, as I have trouble properly feeling 4/4 time a lot of the time. 😂 I also don’t fully understand what kind of effect the extra beat is meant to have, other than being confusing to some people. 😉😂
Thank you again for sharing all that, very interesting, I feel enlightened, and all those dances were great to watch! 😁💕
@brettboy, that was really cool!! Profesh. Extraterrestrial surf-rock is a new genre to me, but I have to say I like it a lot! Really well done! 😊 @willw18, very beautifully played indeed! I love that song, it’s so pretty and you captured the feel of it perfectly. 😊
@katazumiri, quite intriguing thoughts, thank you for sharing that! 😁That’s interesting what you say about dancing to music versus just listening. I’ve never been good at dancing at all, sadly, but I do find it interesting to observe. Is there really music that’s impossible to dance to? I think you could dance to Mozart’s music if you wanted, actually pretty easily. 😂
Oh I guess that would really make sense that they’re carefully crafted, but randomly selected, chord progressions. Oops. 😅 But now I’m wondering what truly random chord progressions would be like. Perhaps pretty bad or maybe really interesting? What you came up with was lovely with the chords you choose. 😊
I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on, but not sure when I’ll be able to record it. There was one thing I figured out that was very exciting because it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time – connect the clawhammer technique to a more classical sound, but I just figured out this connection today in the short time I got to play. Really excited to share though!
Really, really amazing and interesting entries so far, and so cool to hear about the different inspirations and approaches, and hear each wildly different creation! 😊💕
