[dianna]

@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!

[dianna]

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😁

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by dianna.

[dianna]

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.

[dianna]

So Exciting! Good-luck @mattukulele……I’m happy to contribute to your kickstarter project…..and looking forward to the outcome!

[dianna]

@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!

[dianna]

Oh, this is great. Ty @Misterbones and @Andrew😁

[dianna]

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?

[dianna]

Thanks @Emiliano!

[dianna]

I love this “Free-for-all” opportunity……but there are so many choices….which direction to go in?

Execution:

I think I’ve decided to make my way thru “The Beyond The Island Strum” Course which Capstones with “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue.”….. Hopefully, both improving and embellishing my rhythmic playing (one of my weaknesses)

Application:

Following the Course Outline, learning the different strum patterns, and finally applying them in the Capstone piece.

Evaluation:

I am hoping to be able to make my way thru the Course and complete the Capstone piece…..posting my final “Five-foot-two,” at the end of the month. It is my goal to play the piece without hesitation and at a reasonable speed. Christopher makes it look easy…..which I know means that it is far from easy!

My goal for 2025 is to play consistently without hesitation…….that’s a big one for me!

Good-luck to everyone…..this is a fun one!

[dianna]

@Emiliano…..I love that song….and it also has a very special place in my heart……..are there tabs somewhere for this version?

Good-luck, and I am looking forward to seeing your performance after a year of practice……I have no doubt it will be very special.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by dianna.

[dianna]

@jbmills07 Congratulations….that’s incredible luck! I hope it makes your Christmas merrier….and your new year brighter😁

And in the same spirit as @The_Bumble_Bard I again wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays…….looking forward to continuing this journey with all of you in the New Year.

Thanks again @Andrew and @Rockclass101…..What a top-notch curriculum you have created!

Oh and @MisterBones…..that was amazing! You made it look easy.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by dianna.

[dianna]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

It is hard to believe we are submitting our last entry for 2024,….this year has just flown by! I am so grateful for this amazing, talented community…… Thank-you so much to Andrew and his team at Rock Class 101 for the impressive reportoire and program that you have developed over the years….it has been so exciting to witness Rock Class 101’s progress…..I am always looking forward to what is coming next. To all my talented and hard-working Uke Friends….it’s a blast to share this journey with you……Happy Holidays and Feliz Navidad!

I donated $20 to Ukulele Kid’s Club

[dianna]

@leb397……I feel for u after doing all that work……if it’s any consolation you did such a beautiful job….I really enjoyed it.

[dianna]

@The_Bumble_Bard loved it! Of course, my favorite is the clawhammer (I’m going to have to try that!)……nice flow and transitions between chords….Great job!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by dianna.

[dianna]

Thank-you @Andrew….yes, I can hear those dang hesitations…..a combination of my little memory glitches and the mechanics of moving my hand up and down the neck…….I will keep at it, and hopefully it will become a bit smoother.

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