28 Jun 2010

28 Jun 2010T09:18

Big Busk!

Big Busk! (from BBC)

More than 200 ukulele players have descended on a town centre in Gloucestershire to take part in a mass celebration of the instrument.

The first Ukulele Festival of Great Britain is taking place in Cheltenham over the weekend.

Jude Baker, one of the organisers, said it was inspired by similar events in Europe.

The small, guitar-like instrument has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years.

During what organisers call the 'big busk', shoppers on the Promenade were treated to renditions of songs including Sloop John B by the Beach Boys.

Mr Baker, who has been playing for 18 months, said: "It's just so portable and you can sling it on your back. It's very easy to pick up.

"A lot of people are a bit suspicious to begin with and think it's a bit odd, until they see how much fun you are having."

The festival, which ends on Sunday, is expected to attract hundreds of people.

21 Jun 2010

21 Jun 2010T21:07

Ukulele rememberance

Sad and happy day today in equal measure.

A couple of weeks ago, we learned of the death of a friend of ours who drank in our local, and played harmonica with us when we had guitar jams. He was a real character, and really wanted to get into the ukulele.

He had one, but couldn't quite master it, or didnt have confidence to play in public - anyway, as life goes, we talked and talked about ukes, about going to the local uke club together, about having a jam, but we never got around to it.. sadly now he's gone and a far too early age.

Funeral was today, and was hugely attended (a testament to what a great bloke he was). His ukulele passion even got a mention from the vicar. Friend and I had brought our ukes, and at the reception with his friends, we did a short impromptu session in his memory which he would have liked, and the family loved. Difficult to pick songs at a funeral, but Dream A Little Dream Of Me, and I'll See You In My Dreams seemed appropriate. Bit of Johnny Cash too, and some seafaring songs in memory of his Merchant Navy days.

Then down to a pub he used to like for a more relaxed drink and a jam in his honour.

A sad day, but we remembered him well - just sad we never actually got to play ukes together.

Cheers Derek. RIP. Though the days are long, twilight sings his song, of the happiness that used to be...

17 Jun 2010

17 Jun 2010T21:59

New Taylor

Yes, yes, I know this is a Uke blog, but I needed somewhere to shout from the rooftops...

Just pulled the trigger on a Taylor guitar!

More news soon - arrives tomorrow - excited is an understatement....

14 Jun 2010

14 Jun 2010T08:47

Brilliant! Bowie Uke, Gus & Fin

12 Jun 2010

12 Jun 2010T09:16

Another Uke World Cup Song!

10 Jun 2010

10 Jun 2010T19:17

The eleuke has gone... sob

sadly, (well, cos I am saving for a different uke) had a long hard look at the collection, and sold the eleuke on ebay as it just wasnt getting the play.

Good luck to whoever bought it, and I just wanted to say to those thinking of an eleuke - they are brilliant - my sale says nothing bad about them.

Knowing me, will end up with another one soon enough....

Needs must for now though..

sob

5 Jun 2010

5 Jun 2010T19:09

Loudon Wainwright III Ukulele Song chords

Well, as some of you may know, I'm a huge fan of Loudon, (and for that matter, Rufus and Martha), and as I have posted, Loud plays the uke.

In fact, the name of this blog takes its name from the opening line of Loudons "Ukulele Song" (Got a ukulele, now I'm not afraidee!)

I posted his vid on this blog earlier (do a search people, its tagged Loudon), and I do get asked from time to time for the chords to the song.

Without wishing to simply steal somebody elses work, I thought it better to give you a link to the great Ukulele Hunt website which has a pdf download for the song (and another link to the video)

Here it is - enjoy - go learn it and lighten up your life!

http://ukulelehunt.com/2008/11/11/loudon-wainwrigtht-iii-the-ukulele-song/

T10:15

Ukulele for a good cause - nice one

Ukulele club to entertain Norwich shoppers for cancer mum

VICTORIA LEGGETT

03 June 2010

Shoppers in Norwich will be treated to some unusual busking this weekend as the city's ukulele society aims to raise money for a Norfolk mum desperate to beat cancer.

Natalie Cox flew to the United States last month in a last ditch attempt to find a cure for the disease which is killing her - but has no idea how long she will have to stay or much it will cost.

On Saturday, a group of ukulele-loving musicians will take to the streets to raise funds for Team Natalie.

Gemma Cullingford, founder of the Norwich Ukulele Society, was in a band called Kaito with Natalie's husband David Quantrill until about four years ago. When the husband and wife met during a tour of America, Natalie became the band's tour manager.

Ms Cullingford said she was keen to show her support as soon as she heard about Natalie's condition - a cancer of the blood cells which UK doctors say is incurable.

The ukulele teacher said: “She is such a strong woman, one of the strongest women I know. She's got such a great attitude.

“It will be good to raise awareness and hopefully Natalie will see some more support as a result.”

As reported previously in the EDP, Natalie left her home in North Walsham in May to fly to the Centre for the Study of Natural Oncology, in San Diego, with husband David Quantrill and their son Dillon for treatment.

The mother-of-one, who has tumours in her liver, skin, chest wall and spleen, is keeping an online blog charting her ups and downs and is determined to beat the odds. In her latest blog entry she said: “It's hard not to feel cranky and scared and I am tired all the time.”

On Saturday, a band of ukulele players on London Street, in Norwich, is likely to be an unusual sight for the city's shoppers.

Society member Clara Gauntlett said: “There will be quite a few of us, so hopefully we will get a bit of attention. It's such a lovely sound and, when there are a few of us, that sound will travel. It's a jolly, uplifting sound. If you hear a ukulele, you can't help smiling.”

The group, which already has 40 members just six months after they formed, has been building a repertoire of songs which covers artists including Johnny Cash, Kylie Minogue and The Clash.

They will begin at 11.30am in front of Habitat, but may move on later.

Read Natalie's blog at www.teamnataliecox.blogspot.com

2 Jun 2010

2 Jun 2010T21:38

Interim Poll results - interesting

Just having a look at interim poll results (looky over to the right column!)

Thus far with 90 votes and the vast majority of you are established uke owners, or players with a basic uke. Actually, very few of you are non -ukers.

Now, considering I advertise this blog as a beginners resource, and plug it by answering forum questions from beginners, am surprised that there are not more absolute beginner votes.

But... early days. The purpose of the poll was to inform me how to tailor the blog, so it would appear as things stand that more established ukers are reading this.

Will keep any eye on it - email me with feedback (always welcomed)

T10:52

Dulwich Ukulele Club - World Cup 2010 song!

Ha!

1 Jun 2010

1 Jun 2010T10:33

More Ukulele Max - ill advised cover....

T10:26

New Ukulele Max video

Does he say "step on oscillator?"

T07:56

Beatles complete on ukulele

I just had to dig this blog - what a great idea - an ever expanding set of Beatles covers on ukulele - I particularly like the drawl of "run for your life"

http://thebeatlescompleteonukulele.blogspot.com/