2019 – the year to play Serene & Keen!

Maybe you got a uke for the first time for Christmas OR maybe you have had one for awhile but are discouraged at where you are.

Here are a couple of YouTube videos that may encourage…

For the brand new player…You WILL get better – look at what can be done in only a year!

For those of you that have been struggled…Don’t despair…Don’t give up! YOU CAN DO IT! Stick with it!

YOU CAN Play the uke! Do it in 2019!

Free Backing Tracks for Bluegrass, Celtic, Gypsy-Jazz, etc.

Free Bluegrass Backing Tracks
Free Bluegrass Backing Tracks

If you play a string instrument and like any of these styles of music (Bluegrass, Old-Timey, Celtic, Gypsy-Jazz, etc.) you may like this Website – it offers free backing recordings for playing along with. You can slow down or speed them up.
There is also a section of common Chord Progressions to practice.

http://www.fbbts.com/Home.html

This is similar but a little less daunting. It includes the words, but you can’t slow down, etc. https://toneway.com/songs

Technology Tip:

I use Chrome browser on my laptop and my audio volumes were too soft and so I searched for a solution and found this.
It works great!
https://chrome.google.com/…/nfdfiepdkbnoanddpianalelglmfooik

Library in British Columbia adds 21 new ukuleles for checkout!

“Visitors welcome to take out and try one of the little stringed instruments”

“Fraser Valley Regional Library adds 21 new ukuleles to its playground”

“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!!!

Read more about them!

““Playing the ukulele is so relaxing and beautiful. It’s lifesaving.”

Jan Fox  and the Uke-adillos
Jan Fox and The Uke-adillos (source: NextAvenue.org)

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.