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There are so many pieces I would like to revisit, including the ones I just practiced this year. I think I could simply do this challenge for the rest of the year and I’d be happy! For the longest time I have wanted to revisit “Adelita.” I pulled it out and was pleasantly surprised to have it back in my memory very quickly (which is exactly what @Andrew and others have said would happen). This means I can focus my attention on sustain and flow and the emotional nuances using rubato and dynamics. I was also surprised at how short the piece actually is. It didn’t feel that way the first go—round! There are still spots that are rather tricky which I will try to improve. Also, it is March and last year this time I was practicing the “Irish Washerwoman”…..turns out that is also a short piece (again it didn’t seem that way last year)….Interestingly, it was also sustain that I have to work on in that piece. So, I will focus on “Adelita.” That will be my piece for this challenge, but if there is time, I will take a stab at the “Irish Washerwoman,” in attempt to also improve sustain. Have a great month practicing Uke friends!
@Andrew, Thank-you for the critique…..this is definitely a work in progress…..I am enjoying the challenge….I am also enjoying working out of a “Course” and sticking to a particular genre focusing on the same techniques which will hopefully improve my ability to play them.
You nailed it with the wrist…it is tight, but I find in general, my entire body tightens the second I hit the record button….I don’t feel nervous, and I am very aware it happens….I do little breathing exercises…..it just occurred to me,while writing this (maybe an aha moment!)that the tension may all start in the wrist causing tension thru out the body….something to work on…
One more thing, I have noticed that during the split stroke, using the technique of thumb to index finger…I am hitting the body of the uke…this may also be an effect of the tightness in the wrist….
Thanks so much for taking the time ….I will work on relaxing my wrist….
@The_Bumble_Bard …….cool sound….your Aura Lee is haunting…..especially with the image of a cat and dog? Fighting?🙀
Well, I was able to escape the crazy weather in Buffalo for a few days, but will have to return on Friday…….because of travel, I haven’t had a lot of time to practice…..also, I worked on 12th Street Rag which I wanted to play on the banjolee, but was not able to bring it with me…..I used my daughter’s high-G uke….which worked well. I think it is a little easier to play on the regular uke because the strings feel looser…..but I think this style lends itself to the banjolee. I was really excited to continue practicing the techniques from the Beyond the Island Strum course…….which I did revisit as I practiced this piece…..Thanks Rockclass101.
I have been enjoying listening to everyone’s submission….and hearing about all the crazy weather experiences……it’s been quite a winter! Being snowed in is a good excuse to practice!
@mysticrick…….Wow! Cool jamming!
Wow, I’m so impressed with all of these early submissions…. @marianne and @Emiliano your standout submissions inspire the rest of us……thanks for showing us how its done and setting the bar high!
@Emiliano, I am working on 12th Street Rag this month also, it will probably take me another 5 years to get it to that level🤪……..for me, just being able to attempt this piece is a huge step forward, and I thank ROC101 and their massive Uke curriculum for this….I did notice that your right hand strumming technique is more like the one taught by Matt in the Next Level Strumming Course……which I believe is a Jake Shimabukuro style……..I’m really impressed by that…..So Cool! You were really in the groove……
@The_Bumble_Bard you inspire me to think outside the box!…..I love how you take a piece and make it your own by applying different techniques……and noodling……very cool and well done!Dear Justin,
What a beautiful gift to Regina….. your song. I have no doubt she heard you….because it was coming from your heart. How could we not cry….as your witness in such a moment…..Thank-you for sharing with us and allowing us to extend our support thru this forum. May you find peace, love and strength to carry-on thru these trying times.@Andrew thank-you for the critique! I do want to get this style down, and know it will take some time, so will continue practicing. I see 12th Street Rag as an option for next month (Yeah!)….I will be able to take mm rhythmic strum practice into the February challenge……looking forward to that.
@Morrieuke1 Sweet composition…..love how our animals can inspire us (3 kittens – you’ve got your hands full!)…..I can hear their playful energy in your tune.
@grannieannie You actually created your own arrangement….I’m impressed!While I am here this morning, I also wanted to say that I love this month’s challenge…..it is so inspiring to see the talent and different directions my other uke friends go with our humble little Uke……..the versatility of the instrument and the players is so much fun. I found myself with so many impressive submissions, saying…..”oooooh, I want to try that too,”…….from Ragas (who knew you could Uke those!) to the Bossa Nova, Tremelo to the Parrot-Head Blues……and the singing…….just Wow!
@misterbones that was gorgeous……you make it sound as if the Uke was meant for the Raga, thanks for sharing a whole new Ukulele possibility with us.
@abster I always love listening to your submissions and thinking we have a future Jake S or Taimane in our midst……….stay with it, you are very talented!
@The_Bumble_Bard – It sounds like you have the tremelo down…..not easy!….but so beautiful…. A whole other technique that takes Uke playing out of my comfort zone and makes it sound ethereal.
@Marianne first congratulations…. “Contemplations” is a meditative beauty…..and your Bossa Nova was just fun and jazzy.
@jbmills07 I love the song, “Just Breathe,”…….it makes me cry…..I look forward to hearing you sing it…..Your friend Regina is in my heart and prayers.
@gi_gi_ Love your singing…..but to play (not just chords) and sing is so difficult…..kudos to you!
@katazumiri Great tune….love your submissions……impressive one-woman band!
@Brettboy Just Cool! Cool! Cool! As always.
@leb397 Great job……love the way it flows…..you make it look easy……And to everyone else…….I’ve run out of time……..I’m so impressed😁
Well, I have run out of time again…..and it is now time to post, though there is plenty of room for improvement. I worked thru the “Strumming Techniques: Beyond the Island Strum Course,”. Great Course taught by Christopher teaching vintage strums in the George Formby style. I highly recommend it! I realize that this style of playing is a deep rabbit hole and I am just scratching the surface. One month is not long enough!
I give myself a little bit of credit, because I have attempted this style in the past (not thru this course) and found it impossible. This Course’s step-by-step approach has helped me get over that “impossible” hump…….so I am grateful for that!
One of my biggest issues is moving from one chord position to another (quite obvious in the split stroke section). I can see and hear how light and airy Christopher’s playing is……I was not able to accomplish that, nor the speed…….it is something I aspire to…….
Thanks-Rock Class 101 and especially Christopher Davis-Shannon for a great course.So Exciting! Good-luck @mattukulele……I’m happy to contribute to your kickstarter project…..and looking forward to the outcome!
@leb397 nothing like playing the Blues to quell the blues….something u can put your heart into….I find the uke allows for a little quiet “me” time…..like good medicine or a type of therapy….even when I don’t play to the level I would like….sometimes especially then….Good-luck!….Parrothead Blues….looks like a challenging one!
Oh, this is great. Ty @Misterbones and @Andrew😁
Quick question: As I am going thru the “Beyond the Island Strum Course,” and practicing swing rhythms, I’m curious to see if there is anything else within this genre in Rock Class 101….I see “The 12th Street Rag,”……is there anything else?
Thanks @Emiliano!
