A few thoughts:
1. It is completely normal to feel a little lost and dazed at this point. If you persist, it gets better and becomes more fun. If you practice, you will get better.
2. It is also normal to play much worse in class than at home. That also gets better with time…. and practice. If you practice, you will get better.
3. It is very hard for we grown-ups to be beginners at something (like music). But…. it is very good for us on so many levels. Good for our brains, our bodies, our confidence, and our souls.
4. Having musical friends and building a musical community is the best thing ever.
Class review and what to do for next week:
After reviewing the Pentatonic scale, up and back, we played Safari…... like pros. On to the cheery Rocky Mountain in 2/4 time… March (or walking). And finally……. the lovely traditional Acadian Lullaby.
We'll revisit Acadian Lullaby next week, so continue to practice it, using care to get a warm, full sound. Also, pay close attention to note value here as there is a good mixture of half, quarter, and eighth notes. Practice both parts Uke I (all open strings) and Uke II. The audio file for this in last week's blog entry.
For some reason, it is easier to play songs that we already know, like Oh, Susanna and Up on the Housetop. Clearly there are things going in our brains that help us to "read" the music with familiar songs. This is the reason that our CD is so helpful. I always advise listening to the song you are working on several times. Sing along, and get familiar with it and that should help the "reading" of it.
Ear training: Try I Got Rhythm by ear at home. It starts on low G and uses only pentatonic scale notes (hint: it never goes above goes above an open e). Another tune to try by ear at home is Auld Lang Syne - also starts on low G…...
Next week, we will venture a bit beyond the pentatonic scale to the C scale, adding 2 new notes. Be sure this week to work hard to get the pentatonic scale notes down. Use the "tests" (but not as tests) that are in the previous blog entry. As you have time this week, start trying to read the notes of the C scale on page 14, #1
As always, please contact me with your questions and concerns.
Gail
733-6867
1. It is completely normal to feel a little lost and dazed at this point. If you persist, it gets better and becomes more fun. If you practice, you will get better.
2. It is also normal to play much worse in class than at home. That also gets better with time…. and practice. If you practice, you will get better.
3. It is very hard for we grown-ups to be beginners at something (like music). But…. it is very good for us on so many levels. Good for our brains, our bodies, our confidence, and our souls.
4. Having musical friends and building a musical community is the best thing ever.
Class review and what to do for next week:
After reviewing the Pentatonic scale, up and back, we played Safari…... like pros. On to the cheery Rocky Mountain in 2/4 time… March (or walking). And finally……. the lovely traditional Acadian Lullaby.
We'll revisit Acadian Lullaby next week, so continue to practice it, using care to get a warm, full sound. Also, pay close attention to note value here as there is a good mixture of half, quarter, and eighth notes. Practice both parts Uke I (all open strings) and Uke II. The audio file for this in last week's blog entry.
For some reason, it is easier to play songs that we already know, like Oh, Susanna and Up on the Housetop. Clearly there are things going in our brains that help us to "read" the music with familiar songs. This is the reason that our CD is so helpful. I always advise listening to the song you are working on several times. Sing along, and get familiar with it and that should help the "reading" of it.
Ear training: Try I Got Rhythm by ear at home. It starts on low G and uses only pentatonic scale notes (hint: it never goes above goes above an open e). Another tune to try by ear at home is Auld Lang Syne - also starts on low G…...
Next week, we will venture a bit beyond the pentatonic scale to the C scale, adding 2 new notes. Be sure this week to work hard to get the pentatonic scale notes down. Use the "tests" (but not as tests) that are in the previous blog entry. As you have time this week, start trying to read the notes of the C scale on page 14, #1
As always, please contact me with your questions and concerns.
Gail
733-6867
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