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Class #3 - Comparison is the Thief of Joy !

9/23/2015

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It's all about the learning and the joy! Take away from each class what you can,  appreciate what you can do, have fun!
Remember that there will not be class next week while I am visiting my Mom. 
I am very grateful that my Mom is the most loving and positive person I know and it is always imspiring to spend time with her.
So….. you have 2 weeks to get the C scale in your brain and your fingers. 
Class review:
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 also talked about notes of the scale having a  number system with the first note of the scale being 1 and on up to 7, and we did a brief introduction to the circle of 5ths. 

I also handed it out some tips on how to practice effectively, for your information. I have put a couple of documents on the resource page to help you keep track your practice, if you choose to do so. 
Your work: 
Warm up with some finger exercises, the Pentatonic scale, and the C scale. With the C scale (pg 14) we are adding just 2 new notes to the pentatonic scale to make our first complete major scale (a C scale "quiz" is on your resource page.) 
Do exercises on page on page 7 and page 14 (3 & 4) and 15 (all of them)
We'll revisit Acadian Lullaby next week, so continue to practice it, using care to get a warm, full sound. Next time we will move on to All Night Long and Lavender's Blue (recordings on the resource page)
Regarding the recording of Acadian Lullaby, James plays it with a Chord Melody technique which means playing the chords and melody at the same time, making a bit confusing to the ear. However, it's the only recording I have so you'll have to use it to just become familiar with the tune and try hear the melody note, which will always be the highest note you hear. 

Ear training: Try to play I Got Rhythm by ear at home. It starts on low G and uses only pentatonic scale notes (hint: it never goes above an open e). Another tune to try by ear at home is Auld Lang Syne - also starts on low G. If you have a high g the bottom notes will be high and sound funny. Just pretend that they are low and carry on.
Finally, if you are new to chords, keep working on learning the C, F and G7. You can practice playing the chords in the songs in the book, and even play along with the recordings.  

As always, please contact me with your questions and concerns.
Gail
733-6867
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. 

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Class #2 - SAFARI and beyond

9/16/2015

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Really nice work on Safari AND getting started on Rocky Mountain High. Continue practicing the notes of the pentatonic scale with the exercises on page 7, using page 6 as a reference. Be careful with your fingering, remembering the finger to fret rule. 
Your goal for these first couple of weeks is to learn to sight read the notes of the pentatonic scale.  Focus on getting them into your brains and your fingers.
Next week we'll play Safari again, just because it will seem so much easier, and Rocky Mountain High, both Uke I and Uke II. Note that the Uke II parts in both of these songs are  all open strings. 
We will also plan to play Acadian Lullaby so practice finding the notes in this song at home. We combine half, quarter and eighth notes.  Slower Mp3 files of these songs are on your resource page.
Try picking Oh! Susanna and Up on the Housetop - both very satisfying because you know how they sound!
Remember as you find new chords that you want to learn to teach your fingers the shapes. Do NOT build chords. The goal is to be able to go to the shape easily without looking at your fingers.  If you are new to playing chords, work on learning the C, F and G7 chords this week.
My husband, Pat, has offered to come and install strap buttons for those who want them. For 2:30 class,  he will do it after class.  For the 7:00 class he will do it before so come early and go into the big social hall that is past our classroom.
The contact for the handmade fabric straps is Carolyn DeSilva. Bellingham Music sells some of Carolyn's straps, or you can email her. 
cdesilva.wa@gmail.com 
FYI: The Bellingham Ukulele Orchestra will be playing 3 songs at the International Day of Peace Celebration this coming Saturday evening. It's at the Majestic on N. Forest St and starts at 7:00pm. at 8:00 the Walrus will be playing so bring your dancing shoes.  (The people in the Orchestra all have been students of mine in the past and worked through the entire course… and were all beginners once, just like you.)
As always, contact me with your questions or concerns. 

See you Next Week.
Gail
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First Class blog…. off we go...

9/9/2015

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Welcome UkestAars, to Book 1 of Ukulele in the Classroom ! This blog is where I will post everything you need to know for class: What we covered in class, handouts, audio files, what to practice each week and what to expect next week.

In our first class we covered Lessons 1, 2, and 3: How to hold the ukulele, open strings, note value, and pentatonic scale notes. 

This week, practice the the exercises on page 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Your goal is to be able to identify in musical notation, and play the notes of the pentatonic scale (which include your 4 open strings). 
Next week we will be playing songs using these notes: Safari on page 8 and Rocky Mountain on page 9. It will be helpful to listen to these tunes on your CD to hear how they sound. We will play them slower than the CD.  On your Resource page is a slowed down version of Safari. 
Also on the Resource Page you will find the page of Finger Exercises, the Ukulele Basic page (both of these were passed out in class) and some practice sheets for Open Strings and Pentatonic Scale notes. 
*For those who want a challenge, Play the notes in exercise #7 on pg 5 (Taps) and pick out the rest of the notes by ear. 
Other important things:
* If you feel like you need help understanding or keeping up, please call me. I am willing to meet with you outside of class (at no charge) in order to get you started on the right foot. 733-6867
* If you practice, you will get better.  If practice time is a problem, just plan on 10 minutes a day. 
* Put your name on your book. They all look just alike and they have a way of getting left behind. 
* Having a low g on your ukulele and a strap will probably make this course easier but it is not required. 
* Remember to have fun. It's a ukulele, after all. I promise that it will get even more fun as we go along in the book. 

Just for fun, watch this great video by Bobby McFerrin about the Pentatonic Scale. 
See you next week,
Gail

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UkestArs

9/3/2015

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Welcome to Ukulele in the Classroom!  The great musical journey begins now! 
This blog is your information source for the class. Every week on Wednesday I post a summary of what we did in class and I also list what you should practice for next week. I will also post any handouts or recordings that apply to the lesson.  Please put the link for the blog on your desktop or somewhere that you will have easy access. 
I will post one blog for both Book 1 classes (2:30 and 7:00) You are essentially one class.  So, if you have a conflict for your class time on a certain Tuesday, you can attend the other class for that day. 
All of my classes have a name (it is just less boring than "Book 1") and your class will be "UkestArs". 
All classes will take place at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1720 Harris Ave., in  Fairhaven. That's on the corner of Harris and 18th and we will be downstairs so park in the lot that faces Harris, if possible. 
Daytime class 2:30 - 4:00, Evening class 7:00 - 8:30
For the first class on Tuesday September 8, please bring your Ukulele, a music stand, and a tuner (f you have one). Try to arrive a bit early the first day and have your ukulele already tuned (if you need help with that, I can help you before class starts). 
I will have your materials at the first class. I am a very punctual teacher and will start and finish class on the dot!   We'll cover a lot of things at the first class that you may have questions about: strings, straps, ukuleles, tuners, etc. 
FYI:  The first half of this class series is the hardest part of the the whole program. That is because you will be learning a lot of brand new things that, over time, become much more comfortable and automatic….if you practice.
This class does require practice in order for you to be successful. If you do not practice, it will probably be very frustrating for you.  Practicing daily is more important that practicing for a long time.  15 
minutes of practice every day (or several times a day) will benefit you much more than 2 hours of practice the day before class. 
The class will be easier for some people that others and we will have a wide variety of skills among the people in the class. It is my job to challenge all of you (and make sure you have fun) and it is your job to put in the practice time and to try really hard to avoid comparing yourself to others.  You will have to be patient with yourself and remember that this is all new and takes time. 
Bravo to all of you for taking on this new adventure.  I love teaching this class and I really hope you enjoy this journey into the wonderful world of music. 
Here is a video or James Hill - author of the Ukulele in the Class series and certainly one of the greatest ukes players in the world. There are 2 songs on the video so stick with it
No… you and I will never be able to do this on the ukulele. But we WILL be able to make music and have fun in our own way, and with other people !  Just enjoy listening ! The beautiful lady he plays with is his wife… Anne Janelle. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KniLvYi00o8


Have a Great Week-end !
Gail
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    Instructor

    Gail MacDonald is a
    Fully Certified Instructor with the James Hill Ukulele Initiative with  over 6 years experience teaching Ukulele In The Classroom classes. 

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