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I really like this type of challenge, especially in January – new year, new goals, etc. I’ve been enjoying watching YouTube videos of ukulele versions of Spanish sounding songs utilizing rhythmic strumming, percussion and other techniques like rasgueado (sweep). Lots of skills sprinkled throughout this kind of music, but I think an easier technique/skill for me to start with is the “rasqueado”.
January 2025:
1) Execution – I want to learn some Spanish sounding songs, so I will start by learning the rasqueado (aka sweep) technique and learn a new piece in January which has a Spanish sounding feel and incorporates this technique.Current status: I know what the technique is, but have never studied it or played a song that uses it.
Practice approach: I found the LaGitanita lesson (RC101) which incorporates both the Picado and Rasqueado techniques and I heard a tap in there too! The song lesson also teaches the techniques, so one-stop shopping- for the techniques and the song. I’d like to play a little bit every day. I seem to do ok if I don’t play for more than 15 min at a time. Multiple times a day is ok, but a session over 15 min and my right wrist is very unhappy for several days afterwards. So..restraint and knowing my limits haha.
2) Application – I will learn LaGitanita as arranged on RC101. I think this will REALLY be a stretch goal for me. But I know it will be very satisfying to finish. (Even if it takes me a little longer).
3) Evaluation – I’ll break it down into smaller milestones like week 1 get the techniques figured out. Week 2 learn the song. Week 3 improve fluency and speed. Week 4 continue to practice, memorize and record.
Have fun everyone!
-Natalie
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
I went with “Chopsticks” this month. I recorded this on my concert uke, but I realized that it was a little easier on my tenor for those tricky couple of measures where it goes up to the 10th/14th fret and 12th/15th fret. The tenor’s fret spaces are larger on the higher frets and more room for fingers. 🙂 This song taught me a new trick with the harmonics in that one measure. Definitely need to practice that more as it is hit-miss on whether I consistently nail the harmonics. Theme 2 is prettier and fun to play. When I was practicing, I did that Theme 2 section over and over waltzing around the floor – haha. I feel like I am having an easier time with memorizing the songs now and can play (a little) better when I’m not glued to the sheet music. Every little bit helps!
Great job everyone – such a joy to see what everyone is working on and your progress every month.
Thanks Andrew and Team for a great program here!
-NatalieP.S. I am in for $20 for the Ukulele Kids Club!
@leb397 – very nice! Makes me want to figure out harmonics now. Haha
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone play this one yet this month – “eTude 04”
I enjoyed this one so much! Playing up the neck (definitely out of my comfort zone), finally figured out what CAGED was, some pull-offs, short and easy to memorize. Such a happy little eTude 🙂Great job this month everyone!
NatalieI’ve zoned in on etude #4 – dynamics, pull-offs, a little CAGED application and moving UP the neck. I’ve finally figured out higher frets are UP the neck and lower frets are DOWN the neck. Always seemed backwards to me, but it’s in my brain now – UP vs DOWN. Lots of practice ahead, but really like the sound of this etude. I seem to practice more when I really like the song 🙂
Have fun everyone!
-Natalie@marlongas – nice!
Ok I feel good that I’ve narrowed it down from 36 to 7 songs – haha. Hard to choose now between what sounds nicest vs what skills each song focuses on. Going to jump on this one early before life gets in the way! 😻. Let’s rock it!
Wow, so many great performances this month! You guys are awesome 🤩 I started learning Blue Moon, but it was a little unrealistic for my skill level and the time I could devote this month. I will have to come back to that one. So…looking ahead now to November! There are (I think?) 36 song options – wow 🤯 It will be fun to look at them all and narrow down to one selection to focus on. Good luck everyone. ❤️
I’m not into Halloween and I love the classic Blue Moon – so looking at Blue Moon. I was a little hesitant because of the ‘intermediate to advanced’ category that it was in – now that’s SCARY -haha. But I’ve tested out the lesson with the first 4 measures and I think it’s doable for me with some effort. 4 measures down only 21 measures to go 😀 Enjoy the month all!
@misterbones, that was great! Definitely a composition! And the title fits the piece too. You should definitely keep creating. 😊 👏👏
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
I’ve been really encouraged listening to everyone’s fabulous creations! They were all awesome in different ways! For myself, I knew July would be a bit of a short month for me, so I saved the songwriting bit for another future challenge (but I’m getting a head start to think about this – so many aspects you can think about creating a song!). This month I learned “Travis Picking – ML023”. What a happy and relaxing vibe this tune was! I was pleased to finally understand the difference between straight and swing rhythm and how it is depicted in a lead sheet. (I’ve noticed that notation before, but had no idea what it meant – LOL). I played this on a Low G and this month also learned how to re-string my baritone uke and enjoyed travis picking chord progressions on the baritone as well.
P.S. I played this at around 140bpm tempo. I am able to play it a little faster, but honestly, it feels right to me at the slightly slower speed (rather than 170bpm). Higher than 155 just seemed a little ‘anxious’ – if you know what I mean? As was mentioned in the tutorial, this is a nice feeling warm-up before practicing.
@shmu88 – loved everything about it! Very fun and made me smile. Great job! 👏👏👏👏
@The_Bumble_Bard – “Drewmpa Loompa” now that IS funny 😆. My brain also thought about the old Willy Wonka movie – a classic! I’m cherishing my “golden tickets” – haha.
I refreshed my brain on the fall uke prize again – it is so beautiful and I listened to Corey Mau’s demo of his original song on that uke. Just WOW. That beautiful instrument has to elevate anyone’s playing (including mine 😆).
