[karenj]

Here’s my July submission of Misirlou. It’s been a fun challenge to work on that tremolo technique. And I love the sound of that gypsy scale. This is still pretty rough, but I’m too busy the rest of the month and thus am submitting now. And as you can tell, my dog is totally bored with the million takes. One of these days I want to try splicing together the rhythm and lead sections, but I wasn’t quite up for that learning curve.

Thanks again to all. I look forward to everyone’s submissions.

[karenj]

Here’s my June Challenge submission of Fingerpicking & Strumming Dynamics. I don’t think the chunking was as effective as I intended. But it was fun to learn more about dynamics and the other mini-lessons too. Thanks again to all at Rock Class 101!

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here is my May submission of Rhythmic Variations. As others have mentioned, this was more difficult than I anticipated. I am still getting used to the tenor size and worked all month to improve my muddy sounding chords. They still aren’t as clean as I would like, and there are still plenty of stutters, but this is the best of my million takes. I’ve been working to look at my fingers less, but I didn’t want to look at the camera either! Thanks again to RC 101 for another great lesson. I’ve been inspired by all of this month’s submissions.

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here is my April submission of Fingerpicking Etude no. 32. I have been participating in these monthly challenges for several years and always share the recording with my Dad. He has loved watching them and always gives me support and encouragement. He is now very near the end of his life and I recorded this month’s challenge at his bedside. I wasn’t able to do my typical million takes, and the only ukulele I had available was his low G. But it will have to do and it was an honor to play for him. Thank you to RC 101 for pushing me to improve and especially for pushing me to share my progress with others. Music is magical.

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

Here is my version of Swan Lake for my March challenge submission. It isn’t quite full tempo, but I liked it better a bit slower. I was also amazed how much a new R hand technique messed with my head. It was like learning to walk and chew gum all over again! And March in New England is always much too long, yet I still didn’t make it through the full course. The many wonderful submissions of Adelita have encouraged me to finish soon! You are all rocking it!

Thanks again to all at RC 101.

Karen

[karenj]

Here’s my February submission of Celtic Etude. I was working to get used to the tenor size but have been fully loving this wonderful new Kanile’a. I was also trying not to look at my left hand too much. Thanks again to the RC 101 team for another great month of lessons. This one was a lot of fun.

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

Brettboy, I always love your submissions and this month did not disappoint! Thank you for inspiring me to improve my own playing.
Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

Here is my January Challenge Submission of Fingerpicking Etude no 16:Bluegrass Duet. And I apologize if this is a duplicate, but my last reply seemed to have vanished. Anyway, when I hear bluegrass, I can’t help but grab my BANJOLELE! I know some feel it does not qualify as a “real” ukulele, but I love the twangy sound.

I practiced a lot to get to 100% but anything over 90% was a sloppy train wreck, so I decided to go with the 75% backing track. I know it is picky, but I found myself wishing the backing track options aligned with the tab viewer tab options that adjust in increments of 10. But here is my best of a million takes.

Thanks for yet another great lesson. I am looking forward to viewing everyone’s submission. And I am already looking forward to February. Love songs????

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here is my December submission of The Nutcracker March/Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. This was a stretch for my skill level and I worked hard on this all month. It’s still pretty rough and the tempo and rhythm are all over the place. But I need to call it done for now. Thanks again for another great challenge. The site has really pushed me to improve, as gradual as it feels sometimes. I’m looking forward to viewing everyone’s performances.

Also, I donated $50 to add to your total for the Ukulele Kids Club.

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here is my November challenge submission of Great Fairly Fountain. It was a fun song to learn and a great lesson. I wish you all a happy holiday season, no matter what or how you celebrate.

I am sorry if this is a duplicate. But my Internet has been wonky and I don’t think my last posting went through.

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here is my October submission of 4 Spooky Melodies. And if it is Halloween, it must be time for the light-up “ghost” ukulele. I was sorry to have missed the harmonic at the end of the first section, but it was the best of my million takes. I enjoyed learning these melodies and am looking forward to viewing the other submissions this month.

And my apologies if this is a duplicate submission. The first one didn’t seem to post. Please delete as needed.

Happy Halloween!
Karen

[karenj]

Here’s my September Submission of In the Summertime. This song was a stretch for me and this version has the least mistakes of all my million takes. I recognize my problems with tempo, and also have a tendency to play faster and faster the more takes I get, thus making more mistakes. I haven’t had much luck with a metronome but will have to give it a try again. In the spirit of Rock and Roll, this is also my first try with this little amp. I don’t think I have the settings quite right, but it was fun.

Thanks again to RC 101. And I guess now it is time to bring on Fall!

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

Here’s my August Challenge submission of Moon Waltz. The setting is a little noisy with the waves, beach walkers, and dogs playing, but I was going for a Hawaiian vibe. I am still working on keeping a consistent tempo. Thanks for another great lesson and a lovely song.

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

Here is my submission of Love Me Tender for the July Challenge. I had been working hard on “Danger Zone”. But apart from those lovely 8 bar rests, it was not going to be ready for submission. To challenge myself with this shorter option, I set goals to fully memorize the piece, not look too much at my fingers, and record somewhere fun. This is at the rocky end of Crescent Beach near Portland, Maine.

Thanks again for the great lessons and all the support from RC101. I’m looking forward to checking out everyone’s submissions.

And a belated congratulations to brettboy! I would love to see what magic he could make with that Kanile’a!

Take care,
Karen

[karenj]

I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER

Here’s my June submission of In The Hall Of The Mountain King. I liked the challenge of working so far up the neck and also playing with the backing track. Thanks for a great lesson. I am looking forward to the long weekend and some time to view the other submissions. Happy July 4th to those celebrating. I wonder how the 1812 Overture or Stars and Stripes would sound on the ukulele?

Take care,
Karen

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