Playing and enjoying the ukulele together!
NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants) is currently meeting in Anaheim, California. It ends on Sunday, January 19th.
Lots of musical instrument manufacturers and publishers are introducing new products. Among them are these great looking ukuleles from KALA…
“Announcing the new Surf Collection by Kala! These original designs were made in house by the Kala design team and they look totally awesome! 🏄”
“The Surf Uke will be starting at $79.99 and will be available in early March!”
“FVRL will celebrate the donation and collection expansion with a Ukulele Jamboree Celebration at the Terry Fox Library, 2470 Mary Hill Rd, Port Coquitlam, on Tuesday, May 22, at 6 p.m. The event, open to everyone, will include family friendly activities, prizes, and, of course some ukulele jammin.’
The ukulele is small, portable, easy to learn, and fun to play. FVRL cardholders can borrow the ukuleles, free of charge, for a two-week period. Each comes in a kit that includes a ukulele, a soft ukulele case, a digital tuner and a beginner’s ukulele book.”
Isn’t that cool!!!
NextAvenue.org posted an interesting article about Senior Citizens and the value of music in their lives. The article was entitled, “Music Matters for Older Adults: Just ask these six people who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s”
The title of this post came from Jan Fox’s words. Ms. Fox, 83, in retirement “took up line dancing, which she now teaches, and then a friend suggested learning to play the ukulele. Fox, who lives in Austin, Texas, did just that….”
She even started a performance group.
Read all about Ms. Fox and the other five musicians who just happen to be seniors.
“On my car radio recently a different sound for Bach: a solo string instrument somehow voiced in a way that conveyed a subtly informal but effective interpretation of the great German master. It was a ukulele. Really?
I checked further and found this has been going on a while: The English string virtuoso Richard Durant and some of his contemporaries have been playing classical masters on ukulele with brio. This goes against the image of the ukulele as a novelty instrument fine for beach parties or an afternoon sing-along reminiscent of funny old scenes in old movie musicals.”
Read more of this excellent article on the history and popularity of the uke!