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Hello again, dear uke friends! I wanted to write some replies, sorry I didn’t get to every one, but I did listen and loved them all!! 🥰
@grannieannie, your composition was absolutely gorgeous! Like Andrew and Marianne said – so sophisticated and deep – really elegant and unique. For some reason, it reminds me of one of John Williams’ film scores for the movie Munich. There’s probably an overlap with the key and the style there, but anyway, so beautiful!! And thank you so much about my entry, I won’t lie to you, it was indeed A LOT of work and the fact that I got that together in two, three hours – I’m not even sure how I did that. The syncing is one of the trickiest parts for sure – syncing the sound to the video, and trying to time when the tabs appear as exactly as possible with what’s being played (though I maybe could’ve been even more precise). Now that I can create tabs, I love to share them in the videos like that whenever I can because that’s how I learned so many songs – was through freely-shared tabs and sheet music, especially when I was a teenager (oh, and also I can barely afford tabs or sheet music now, as an adult, LOL!). Anyway, thank you so much! 🥰
@katazumiri, so very lovely! What a bop that is! I remember you saying that you like to dance and this definitely seems like a dance-worthy one! I may be a big derp and you already said that, but so much fun and so well done! 🥰😊
@misterbones, so very beautiful! I also love that song so much. I actually have that set to my alarm sound in the morning. It’s actually really nice – a less jarring way to wake up. Anyway, I love the version you learned, too! Lower down, it has a lovely, warm sound to it and you perform it perfectly! I actually requested that song on Matt’s Patreon and he picked it and created that beautiful arrangement. So, really I get 5% credit for it?! (No.) 😂 Matt’s version is VERY tricky, for sure, but it’s so well done. That one’s on my list to learn, but it’ll take some doing. He even said in his lesson that you can’t really learn it by ear (like I love to do) which I thought was funny. ANYWAY, sorry, my thoughts can’t stay on track. Really beautifully done! 😊
@akukes73, very lovely performance of Malagueña! Love that one a lot and you perform extremely well! 😊
@marianne, good golly, that was great! Perfectly played harmonics, so impressive! I like how all the more advanced players are learning all the quirky techniques now, like harmonics – in my opinion, a quirky technique. And also, multiple songs! So crazy! I always look forward to your entries and this one did not disappoint!! 🥰😊
@joe150, very beautiful playing and love that song!! 🙂 Oh my word. I just realized I couldn’t think of what song that is because sometimes I have profound trouble with song titles, and it’s only one of the most well known songs of all time, Blackbird (gosh, I hope that’s right…). Anyway, lovely playing! 😊😂
@nelsonlin2021, oh my word, that was crazy good!! I loved that tune when it came out and you play it incredibly! It’s so tricky! I was too intimidated to learn it, but love listening to it! Really beautifully played! Another really tricky thing about that one is playing for 4 minutes straight! That’s a long time to keep going. The one sad thing is that the sound kept cutting out in your harmony parts and that made it hard to hear at times, but thankfully the part where you played the melody came in clearly! 😊
@brettboy, that was completely magical as usual! Very fun to listen to / watch! You are hilarious, plain and simple, but also so skillful! 😊😂
@malku2603, like Andrew said, really amazing progress on this one! The third take sounded so good! Very beautifully played! 😊
@mickan88, so stinkin’ beautiful! Wow, that was well played! Okay, professional! Really that was amazing. I always loved that version of that song by Matt and you did it wonderful justice! 😊
@leb397, your performance was so very beautiful, friend! Such great work with the… tremolo picking? One day I’ll learn what these techniques are called. 😂 Anyway, really gorgeous playing! Thank you so much for your kind words about my entry, I really appreciate that so much!! 🥰😊…
@Andrew, I already emailed you to thank you, but thank you again so much for that! It means so much that you said that and I almost cried, but obviously didn’t actually cry, about that. Obviously. 😂 I really meant everything I said; the things you create have inspired me so much, and obviously countless others, and I see what you and your friends create as “the bar” for quality – though it’s a constant challenge to reach that bar! 😊 I realized videos where it’s just me playing with the tabs on screen is more my speed for videos, but I hope to keep working on at least briefly speaking on camera because I think that’s good for me. 😊 Anyway, thank you again, I’m so encouraged by that! Ha! Coming for your job, maybe one day when I figure out what’s happening (that day will never come, LOL)! 😂Beautiful work by everyone, again sorry I didn’t reply to everyone, but I listened and loved them all! And look forward to the rest (because I think some people haven’t shared yet, maybe?) Great work, friends!! 🥰
Hello again ukulele friends! 😀
I am so excited to catch up on the videos everyone has posted! I listened to a few, but I’m waiting until I can sit down and listen and reply more in depth! I already read through all of Andrew’s feedback, which is why I am excited to reply, since he pointed out how amazing they are. I pushed it a bit too far tonight for my old bones, which is why I’m not replying to everyone else right now. 😂 Just going to share the fruits of my labor tonight.
I don’t even know how I physically did all of this, but just this evening until now: I recorded this video (which took several tries to get it even this “perfect”) and involved recording the video on my phone and the audio on my laptop, attempted to edit the sound using Audacity (really, really hoping it worked, but if not, I have the audio interface coming and hopefully that will solve all my sound issues, cough, I’m sure it will, lol), edited the video (boy was that a …challenge; it involved lining up the sound clip to the video, cutting up the sheet music into “chunks” and adding in each chunk one at a time and trying to time each one as perfectly as I could with the music), finished editing in text and final tweaks, downloaded that, uploaded to YouTube, created a thumbnail, wrote the YouTube description, and yeah, I guess that was it. Now I’m sharing it here. That felt like a lot for one evening in a couple, few hours. 😂
Needless to say, I had a very late dinner, lol. But when I was done, I felt pretty proud of what I created and that I managed to accomplish all that in one sitting, and that it all seemed to work out. It made me feel a bit emotional, honestly, because I wasn’t sure I could do it. Also, this particular song means a lot to me and I feel very connected to it, so it felt even more personal. I hope y’alls like it! 😊
Anyway, really looking forward to listening through the videos I missed and commenting later! 🥰
And thank you so much for these challenges, @Andrew! That’s part of why it makes me emotional because I couldn’t even imagine being able to create something like this without the inspiring example of the songs and videos you make, and all that I’ve learned through Rock Class 101. I don’t think it would’ve happened, to be perfectly honest. Destiny led me to this group; that’s how I feel. I had some skill, but pretty much everything I learned about ukulele, I learned from here, then from Matt through his lessons. So… thank you. 😊
Anyway, here ’tis:
@lhamilton, that was very magical! Love to hear some clawhammer up in here!! That sounded so lovely and fun! 😊
@grannieannie, that’s really crazy! I have heard of that. I think I remember Matt mentioning that’s something that can happen with time for those who play by ear. Or did you always have that issue? I can see how that would be so frustrating. I think it’s okay that you just write down what you hear; it doesn’t have to be in a specific key if you’re just playing by yourself. My brother also loves to do that – he has created some tunes about daily living with his 4 kids that are quite spectacular, such as the hit, “It’s Bathing Time!” that he would sing to his kids. 😂😂 I think that’s beautiful and interesting that people have that “internal musical voice” that can create tunes that way. 😊So, my recording struggle has continued, including for this month’s challenge. I heard from a few people that the little piano sample I recorded on my phone (that I posted in Showcase Your Playing here) still sounds really quiet. I did a bit of research and decided that I will invest in an audio interface that will help with recording both the piano and ukulele, I hope. I still will create a video with the tabs on screen for this challenge and will attempt to get the best audio I can with what I have, because not sure the audio interface will get here in time to use that. That’s okay, though, it’ll be good going forward if it works out! 😊
Here’s another little YouTube short I created with my new piano!! 😁 I hope the sound is okay! Fully recorded on my new phone! 😊
@grannieannie, oh yeah, I remember reading that now, but I think for some reason I didn’t fully comprehend that’s what you meant! Lol. I’m really excited to hear that! I think it’s really fascinating how different people create and also just what they create. I’ve talked to the instructors here quite a bit about that topic because I’m very curious about, again, just the process of creation for different people. Really looking forward to that! 🙂
The way you’re creating your tune is similar to the way I sometimes have created original tunes: I hear or imagine a melody in my head, then try to figure it out on the uke by ear. Not sure if that’s exactly how you’re doing it, but that’s one way I create tunes. 🙂 Another is just messing around, noodling around, then arriving at something interesting. I think many people create that way. I know there are other people who create in a more “mathematical” way, thinking about the different chords and notes specifically as if they would be written, which I find so interesting.
@Andrew, thank you so much for that! 😊 It’s one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever been given, if I’m being perfectly honest. It’s already brightened my whole year. I’ve wanted a new keyboard for literally 5 years, but never had the money for it (still don’t, even though I now have two jobs, lol), so it meant so much that they did that for me. It’s been a really special bonding experience with them, too. And thank you so much about my playing – that really means a lot because I’ve forgotten so much. “Making things up” on piano was always something I did, based on songs that I learned (which is what I was doing there; the chords are from Pachelbel’s Canon) and it’s really crazy how learning ukulele has now affected how I play piano and vice versa; an extremely positive effect both ways. I still am giddy with excitement that I can now play piano whenever I want. 🥰
Oh yeah, I got a stand for it, but the bench and the keyboard came first, hence I was playing it on the floor. I couldn’t wait to play it. 😂
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comment so much, Andrew! And how much you’ve encouraged me over the years; it’s helped keep me more involved with music and inspired me so much and honestly, helped give me confidence which I struggle with constantly. I honestly was feeling a bit depressed about turning 40 (cough, a bit, imagining getting sloshed on my birthday, but then remembered that I can’t really drink anymore, or trying to make excuses not to go to whatever party they plan for me 😂) but that gift lifted my spirits so much, and that’s why they did that for me. They told me that. It makes me really emotional. Okay, thank you again! 😊
@Andrew, thank you so much for taking a look at it! Like I was saying, I probably could get the minor section to be a bit more accurate if I listened to the original a few more times or looked at the music, but I think it can work as it is. The one thing that I think could be better is if there were a few more chords with three notes in that section, instead of 95% double stops (I think they’re called, two notes together), but none of the chords I tried sounded quite right. Anyway, thank you, it means so much that you like it! 😊 Oh, I was going to say, I added in the extra minor section and tried to play it as perfectly (and dramatically) as I could in a feeble attempt to impress you, if this is the last challenge that you’ll be actively giving feedback on. 😅😅
“If this is to be our end, then I would have it be SUCH an end as to be worthy of remembrance!”
If you know that quote off-hand, then we can probably be best friends immediately. 😉 😅
@grannieannie, thank you so much for that! It’s so helpful to hear those things. 🥰 That is the strange thing I’ve learned with anxiety in different contexts is that a lot of the time, other people really can’t tell how anxious you are even when, in your mind, you’re disconnecting from reality (dissociating) or having a panic attack, which I literally have had happen, one time for sure during a virtual open mic when I was playing uke. 😅 I was playing in front of Aldrine Guerrero with my dumb-dumb level music, so I think it’s fair. 😅😅 @Gi_Gi_ understands, but she’s spent a lot more time with Aldrine than I have. It wasn’t just him, there were at least 20 other people there, live. But, I think it is really good to experience things that terrify you so you can see that you can make it through those things, and they become less monstrous and inhibiting over time. Boy, do I know that from experience. If you experience a lot of anxiety, you get pretty good at hiding it until you can’t anymore (i.e., a full-blown panic attack, fainting, or dissociating). But now I see recording this way as LESS anxiety-inducing because you can do multiple takes as opposed to playing live, but it still takes extra effort to record yourself compared to playing for funsies by yourself. Sorry, rambling over, but I always have a lot to say about that topic. 😅The first and third section I have had in my brain and fingers for a while, but never wrote them down. The middle (minor) section is brand new. I actually did finish the tabs for the whole thing already somehow, but it was in a previous post in this thread, even including the new section. Now, I want to try to get an even more perfect take if possible, then create a video with the tabs on screen. That’s my “final boss” goal for this month. 🙂 Did you make a post for what you’re doing this month? Did I miss it? Hope you join in! Thank you again for the encouragement and sorry for the novel! 😅🥰
@marianne, thank you so much for that! That means extra coming from you! 🥰😊
@nelsonlin2021, thank you so kindly for that! I’m so encouraged by your kind words. That piece of music is especially meaningful to me because I’ve literally known it most of my life on piano, but now a version exists on uke that I created myself, so it makes me emotional that I was able to do that, but means so much that you like it enough that you’d like to learn it! Well, now the tabs exist if you ever want to try it! 😅 Thank you again, looking forward to your entry, that tune is really cool from what I remember! 🥰☺️🎼Looking forward to everyone’s entries this month, it’ll be so fun to see how they all turn out! ☺️
@dianna, thank you SO much, friend! That’s so encouraging. 😊 I think maybe the mistakes are more noticeable to me, perhaps. I probably could get away with using that take for the video with the tabs on screen. No one would notice the mistakes, right? Lol. They would. 😉 I may try again this week coming up and see if I can get the “perfect” take. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the harmonics! Those are starting to grow on me a bit, in general. I see the value in them, especially seeing some of the stuff that Sammy 4SB creates. Pretty amazing stuff! 🙂
Hello again!
I’m being a bit of an Eager Ellen with this challenge and tried to record a take of the new version – with the 3 themes: Major, Minor, Major. But I was getting so frustrated, if I’m being honest. Frustrated with the tech especially and that I still continue to struggle with that aspect of recording, but also – everything else, feeling like I was doing a terrible job with the playing and other issues of feeling bad about myself. Someone (cough, professional) has told me recently that I am a perfectionist, and I guess I am more than I realized. But, then, after taking a breather, I realized this specific take is better than I thought and only has a few small mistakes, so I thought I would share it for a morale boost hopefully. This take is almost good enough to be in a video with the tabs on screen, but I have to at least be playing all the right notes – guess that’s the point. 😂 I also realized something else with my recording. That the way I play when I’m NOT recording is completely different from how I play when I am. Usually, I am ultra casual and relaxed when I play for my own enjoyment, but when I record, it becomes this stressful and uncomfortable experience, not even just because of the anxiety. So, I really want to work on that this year and see if I can make recording more streamlined and less stressful with the tech. Sorry for this stream-of-consciousness paragraph of doom, but I’ll share the best take I have so far:
If anyone also wouldn’t mind letting me know if the sound quality sounds better, that’d be really helpful! I recorded this on my new phone which is still an android phone, but at least the video quality is better. Not sure about the sound. I also wanted to say, I am pretty happy with the arrangement itself, especially considering I just created the minor theme arrangement; just frustrated on how much I was messing up and the tech issues. 😂 Thank you again for this fun challenge, I might just be hangry, lol! 😂
@katazumiri, hmmm, really? I thought that the “Hall” effect was more of a reverb sound, not so much softening, but it’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that and it was in early 2000’s MIDI programs, lol.
That’s so true what you say about coffee / caffeine! It can be pretty good for your brain, as in warding off issues like Alzheimer’s and Dementia and such, allegedly, but if you’re a more anxious person, it can eventually be detrimental with exacerbating those issues. So sad, I lasted so long being able to drink multiple shots of espresso, and now I’m lucky if I can drink decaf without having problems (like later at night). The thing is, I love coffee so much, the taste and everything about it, so I’m not quite ready to completely give it up, since I am doing okay with the decaf, thankfully. But apparently I even have to be careful with things like tiramisu or espresso cakes because they will give me heart palpitations now – and I also love both those things. Yay, getting older! 😂😭
Thank you, I created a few paintings for Christmas gifts for my family, since I still am extremely strapped for cash after last year! I am really enjoying it so far. I’ll have to share some of those in my challenge videos – that’s a really good idear! Here’s a few of them for now (attached). 🙂
Thank you so much for giving me a little shout out in the newsletter! I was so honored by that and by the kind words by you, @Andrew. That was so nice! Thank you! 🙂
I decided I wanted to include a minor theme in between the first and second themes, which are both major and similar-sounding themes. I ended up just labeling these theme 1, 2, and 3. 🙂 They are excerpts from the song, but I think it all came together really well. I also borrowed transitions from different parts of the song to try to blend the different themes together, but although the transitions may not be in chronological order, the themes are. There’s a lot missing in between the themes, but I think this works pretty well as a stand-alone version of the song. Hopefully that all makes sense. 😂
I’m really hoping I can record the song this weekend, but we’ll see! There’s still time (for once), but I’m eager to continue this. 🙂
I’m attaching the updated tabs to this post (hopefully, lol)! It’s now 1.5 pages. Also, I figured out you can export a file from Guitar Pro as a .png and it works to share it here (without having to awkwardly take screenshots and paste them together). Really excited to record this and hopefully it comes together well! Also really excited to see everyone else’s projects!! 🙂
Edit: One other thing I just remembered was in one measure I really pushed my 12-fret, soprano, high g ukulele FAR beyond its limits by including a chord that was 0 15 17 18. 😂 Because I physically can’t do that on the uke I like to play, I am trying to find creative ways around that, which are, in my opinion, pretty hilarious. You’ll see. 😂
So excited for this one, sounds so interesting! 🙂
I do have some questions, but not 100% sure if they apply to this? I guess we’ll see. 😂
Also, these might be dumb questions – again, we’ll see.
Here they are:
1. When soloing, is it always implied that you’ll only ever be playing single notes, or can soloing include chords (harmony)?
2. When soloing with others (as in, playing a solo while others play harmony), how do you know what they’re going to play? I always wondered that. Are they just playing the same progression of chords, then you improvise over that? Or do you have secret signals you musicians send each other that we mortals can’t see to know what chord will be next? Again, I am dumb and maybe should know this by now…
3. Are solos, ironically, meant to be played with other people? Would it be weird to improvise a single-note solo by yourself without someone else playing harmony?
Thank you so much if you get a chance to answer these questions! ‘Preciate it!
Okay, I managed to manually splice together this tab into a JPEG by taking screenshots in GuitarPro, then editing them together in MS Paint. Not ideal whatsoever, but it did seem to work! So, here is the current copy of the tabs / sheet music for Pathétique:
Edit: I managed to mess it up one last time because I realized the exact last note of the song was wrong, so I had to re-screen-shot, re-edit, re-save, etc. But it’s finally done!
