Fun Finds: Quilted Ukulele Strap from Quilts & Ukuleles

New Camp Song Tutorials this Week – Old Ark’s a Moverin’ and One Bottle of Pop

The Old Ark’s a Moverin’
One Bottle of Pop

Utah County: The Lion Sleeps Tonight … Ukulele Summer Session #1 for Youth & Adults

Please join us for our first Ukulele Summer Session where we’ll follow a format similar to Choir!Choir!Choir! – learning one song and then making a video that you can share with family and friends online. This next Wednesday our selection will be The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Because of this one-rehearsal and then go format, you can expect that there will not be anything too difficult in the Ukulele Summer Session – this first song has just 3 chords: F, Bbadd9 & C (2013, 3213 & 0003 fret numbers). Non-singers are welcome to strum, fingerpick and tab. Non-players are welcome to come and just sing. If you do both, you’ll be welcome to show off your skills. 🙂

  • Date: Wednesday, July 8th 
  • Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
  • Location: Quail Cove Park, American Fork UT – Across the street from the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. There is plenty of room for social distancing between family groups.
  • Suggested Tip: $5 for individuals, $10 for families for each evening (cash, check or paypal) or subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/uke for additional online content.
  • Bring your Own: Ukulele, Lawn Chairs, Music Stands, Printed Music (see link above), Music Clips (in case of wind).
  • Difficulty: There will be easy chords for beginners and inversions for intermediate+ players. Singing will consist of unison, 2-part and 3-part harmony.

Fun Finds: Learn the Ukulele Fretboard with Fantastic Finger Guides Stickers

My review of ukulele fretboard stickers by Fantastic Finger Guides. In summary:

  • Nice design – love the simple dots for sharps and flats, as opposed to trying to fit ‘G#/Ab’ into a space.
  • Easy install – attach the sticker to a credit card, guide it under the strings and press it down, wrapping it around the neck.
  • Includes fret numbers on the side.
  • Includes GCEA sticker for just below the nut.
  • Designed to be temporary.
  • Great reference for students to learn the fretboard.

Update! Toby from Fantastic Finger Guides sent me an answer to my question about the different colors: “To answer your question about color scheme. I chose 2 colors so that it would break up the finger guide for the student. That way they could more easily see where the 6th fret starts using color coding. Also I spent time with an interior designer that knows colors to make sure the colors matched well with the wood tones of the ukulele.”

Win a Fantastic Finger Guide for Your Ukulele

Join the Uke & Me newsletter for ukulele video tutorials, reviews, art, performances, fun finds & more before August 1st, 2020, and you’ll be automatically entered to win an ukulele fretboard sticker by Fantastic Finger Guides, as well as other prizes (including the Rocket Man Sticker Bomb ukulele featured in the video).

3-Part Series on Understanding Chords now Complete

I set out to do a three-part series on ‘understanding chords’ (link to YouTube playlist … links to transcripts on this page below the videos) and got it done in time for the annual Utah Uke Fest, which was held virtually this year. Here are all three videos …

Here are links to the transcripts from each of the videos:

  1. Top 5 Tips to Avoid Chord Overwhelm
  2. Can We Demystify Chords in 7 Steps?
  3. 10 Ways Satisfying Melodies Interact with Chords (with Examples Taken from Popular Tunes)

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and click the Bell icon to get notices when new videos are released.

Ukulele Sticker Bomb : Rocket Man Edition

I’d been wanting to try out doing a ‘sticker bomb’ ukulele. I’m planning to give this ukulele away as part of my Ukes of Summer giveaway. Stay tuned for details (make sure you’re subscribed to the blog – see the right-hand column).

Cute Kids Sing “You Are My Sunshine” on Ukes in Harmony

One of the performances submitted for the Utah Uke Fest this year (a couple of my Ukulele Youth students). This was my favorite performance of the year …

Ukulele Summer Session for Youth & Adults in American Fork, UT

Every two weeks we’ll follow a format similar to Choir!Choir!Choir! – learning one song and then making a video that you can share with family and friends online. Because of this one-rehearsal and then go format, you can expect that there will not be anything too difficult in the Ukulele Summer Session. Non-singers are welcome to strum, fingerpick and tab. Non-players are welcome to come and just sing. If you do both, you’ll be welcome to show off your skills. 🙂

  • Dates: Wednesdays, July 8th, July 22nd & August 5th
  • Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
  • Location: Quail Cove Park, American Fork UT – Across the street from the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. There is plenty of room for social distancing between family groups.
  • Suggested Tip: $5 for individuals, $10 for families for each evening (cash, check or paypal) or subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/uke for additional online content.
  • Bring your Own: Ukulele, Lawn Chairs, Music Stands, Printed Music for that week, Music Clips (in case of wind).
  • Difficulty: There will be easy chords for beginners, inversions for intermediate players, and tabs for intermediate to advanced players. Singing will consist of unison, 2-part and 3-part harmony.

Music for Each Week

  • July 8th: The Lion Sleeps Tonight
  • July 22nd: Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da
  • August 5th: Yellow Submarine

Links to music will be sent out a week before each event. There will be a lead sheet that you’ll need to purchase (less than five dollars) and then additional parts that will be available as free downloads for all participants. Look for the first announcement and links next Wednesday.

IMPORTANT

If you are interested in this series, please subscribe to this list at https://ukuleleplay.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=49abb6089a9cb1eda33db0227&id=22101fb5c8 for the bi-weekly announcements on music.

New ‘Camp Songs’ Tutorials

There are now 12 song tutorials in the 2-Chord Camp Songs Playlist (2 more are added each Tuesday, all Summer long). Here are the newest additions:

Join the Uke & Me newsletter and get a Free ’96 American Spirituals for Ukulele’ eBook

Sign up for my newsletter at https://uke-and-me.ck.page/47b778c0c7 and get a free PDF copy of my newest book, “96 American Spirituals for Ukulele.”

More About the Book

Creating this ebook “96 American Spirituals for Ukulele” has been a labor of love … Ever since I was first introduced to spirituals as a choir member in High School, I have loved them, performed them and later taught them to my students. Some are deeply spiritual, while others carry their own brand of humor. Many were born of hope for a better world in a time filled with oppression and heartbreak. I always let my students know where these songs came from, hoping to inspire people in these difficult times to continue to sing with hope and live a life of love, kindness and faith. Hope you enjoy this resource. Please be sure to check out the accompanying free tutorials I’m producing on my Uke & Me YouTube channel (link in the welcome email). Love, peace, ukulele! ~ Ryan

New ‘American Spirituals for Ukulele’ Tutorials

Full playlist currently contains 14 videos. Here are the new additions:

How to Set Up a Music or Dance Multipurpose Room in Your Home

Today we have a guest post from Derek Cannon on setting up a multipurpose music and/or dance studio in your home. Thank you Derek!

Want to help your tiny dancers and musicians take their skills to the next level? If so, then you should add a multipurpose practice studio to your home! You can set this room up so that your kids can sing, dance, or play an instrument, and you can even use this space to fit some of your needs. In addition to these benefits, a multipurpose space may also add some value to your home. If you’re ready to get started, these resources can help you set up your new studio. 

Preparing Your Space

For a room to truly be multipurpose, it needs to be neat and tidy. So, before you bring in any additional items, be sure to deep clean and declutter.

Improving Your Space

Honestly, your multipurpose room doesn’t have to be fancy in order to serve as a practice space for music or dance, but there are a few improvements you may want to consider.

Enhancing Your Kids’ Practice

With your flexible studio all set up, you will want to make sure your kids get the most out of this practice space by utilizing helpful tools and resources. 

Getting The Most Out of Your Studio

Your studio can be very versatile, especially when you leave the floorplan open and flexible. 

  • Converting a basement or other large room will provide you with more options. 
  • A section of your multipurpose room could be used as a home gym. 
  • Carving out a yoga corner can be a practical choice for smaller spaces. 
  • It may even be possible to set up a home office in or near your new studio. 

There are so many wonderful ways for you to use a multipurpose room in your home! From giving your kids a space to practice their music and dance to providing yourself with a space to exercise and unwind, a multipurpose room can be truly multifaceted. Furthermore, adding a flex room is a great way to boost your home value. So, this really is a smart improvement project!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Bingo Practice Tracker

Practice-Tracking-Bingo-Single PDFDownload
Practice-Tracking-Bingo-4-Quarters PDFDownload

I’m always looking for ways to improve as a player as well as track my progress in my goals. I’ve been using bingo sheets for some time now, and am getting better at working with them. In the beginning, I just had very generic items to cross off in the boxes (piano practice, ukulele, tuba, write in my journal, read a chapter from a book, etc.) … However, I find that you really need to be specific in how you use this kind of tracking or you just end up spinning your wheels and not going anywhere.

So, I’m now using this kind of tracking a little differently, not just to check off that I’ve practiced ukulele, but to track progress on specific songs I’m preparing to record or perform. I’ve created a basic sheet that you can fill in the name of the song and then mark how many times you’ve made it through the song. You could get more specific than this and track different sections or parts of the song (for some of these I’m practicing 3 different ukulele parts, a rhythm part and a bass part). For now, I’ll keep it to complete run-throughs and see how that works.

You can use this system with rewards. I’ve typically put a dollar in a jar for each bingo I complete to spend on something special I’m saving up for … bonus dollars for a blackout. You can set up a reward system differently, or use it without, but it adds an element of fun to it.

Fun Finds: Ukes Not Nukes

In this turbulent time, “All we are saying … is give peace a chance.” Nukes not Ukes T-shirt for anyone promoting the ‘instrument of peace.’ 🙂

Review: Enya Nova Concert Travel Ukulele

Enya Nova Carbon Fiber Ukuleles (Concert Size). Use these links to support content on this blog at no additional cost to you …

Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome BINGO!

Welcome to UAS BINGO!

If you’ve never heard of Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome (a.k.a. UAS for short)? The Art of the Cell states, “Studies have shown that playing the ukulele dramatically increases the risk of UAS, or Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome. UAS manifests itself in the insatiable need to own ‘just one more’ ukulele.”

May 22nd was #NationalBuyAMusicalInstrumentDay, and being a UAS sufferer, I used it as an excuse to purchase an Enya Nova Concert Travel Ukulele that had intrigued me for some time (I love it – see the review on my YouTube channel).

Got the Disease? Play the Game!

Get your own, randomized Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome Bingo Card at https://bit.ly/UASBingo to play! It will look something like this:

SAMPLE GAME CARD. Get your own randomized game card at https://bit.ly/UASBingo

Get a BINGO, Get a Prize

Send the following to ryan@ukuleleplay.com anytime before September 1st, 2020 …

  1. A screenshot of your bingo card with a completed row, column or diagonal five-in-a-row.
  2. A photo of the four (if you used the center ‘free’ space) or five ukuleles mentioned on your card.
  3. Info including your name, location and which book you’d like as a prize. Choose any of the books on this page and I’ll send you a PDF.

I’ll feature your name, location and photo here on the UkulelePlay.com blog.

BLACKOUT!?!?!?

The very first blackout entry I receive will win access to the online course https://bulletproofmusician.com/ that I have reserved for a winner.

How to Share Copyrighted Songs Legally

Photo credit: patentswallart.com

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer; consult a lawyer if you want legal advice.

There are so many websites out there freely sharing lyrics, chords, and tabs to copyrighted material that it seems almost pointless to make a stand. Yet, in the midst of such an abundance of lawlessness, I feel I need to say something to justify why I try not to break the law.

If a song was published after 1922, it is likely that someone owns the rights to that song (songwriter rights and publisher rights). Maybe most people don’t realize that sharing music requires rights, even for educational purposes (except in the case of small snippets), and especially in the case of a number of popular Patreon creators that are sharing that material to gain a subscription following (i.e. for profit). I feel like it is stealing to share something that is not yours to share. This includes:

  • Sharing song sheets with just lyrics & chords. Lyrics are half of a songwriter’s copyright.
  • Sharing staff notation or tablature that includes the melody of a song. Melodies are the other half of the songwriter’s copyright.

However … If you want to share a song that doesn’t belong to you, there are ways you can do it that do not break the law. As I understand things, here are some ways you may be able to proceed without getting yourself into hot water or wading through ethically grey water (the point is, stay dry) …

  • Contact the copyright holder and get permission to share the song. This is difficult and impractical most of the time. Forgive me if I don’t elaborate, but just imagine contacting Disney corporate and seeing if you can get the rights to publish a version of You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me … Let’s just say we’re talking about the stuff of nightmares.
  • Work through a program that licenses the rights of songs for publishing arrangements legally, like the Sheet Music Plus SMPPress Program. The catalog of songs that you can legally arrange is absolutely enormous, 1.7 million songs at present (though there are some glaring omissions, like most of the Disney catalog … just don’t do Disney, even if you’re dying to – like me, I love those golden era tunes).
  • Publish “In the Style Of” lead sheets. These must not include melody notation or lyrics … people will have to memorize that part (and it is probably good for them to just listen to the song enough times to have it memorized anyway). Chord progressions, rhythms, strumming and even bass lines are not subject to copyright (watch out for signature ‘licks’ though, which could be viewed as melodic material).
  • Publish your tutorials via YouTube and hope for the best; they’re currently suggest contacting a lawyer if you want to use someone else’s music, but my experience has been that most publishers will automatically flag your video on copyright grounds for a portion of your revenue share rather than have it taken down or blocked. Still there is the possibility of getting a copyright strike and having your channel removed … most of the publishers just want the revenue though. You can check to see if someone else has ‘covered’ the song you want to do, which may give you an indication if you’ll have trouble, but what’s up today may at any moment be taken down at the whim of the copyright holder. If you want to share a PDF to accompany the video, publish it through SMPPress and add a link to it in the video description.
  • No arranging skills? Buy a copy of the music. Ask your club members to buy copies as well. You can get most songs this way. Just Google ‘SONG NAME Sheet Music’ and you’ll probably get several ads for legal copies of the music. Disney songs anyone?

I’ve given this dilemma quite a bit of thought, as it impacts me more as an ukulele teacher than it does as a composer and ukulele artist. People want to learn popular songs, and I don’t blame them. When you’re dealing with large groups of people and preparing full programs of music to perform, the cost of buying copies can really add up. I’ve made some missteps in the past, but am trying to do better.

My Creative Plans for Future Arrangements

  • Publish a simple lead sheet with melody, lyrics and chords on SMPPress and set the price as low as they will let me (this means I will make somewhere between 20-40 cents when a copy is sold – not doing it for the money).
  • Offer harmonies, countermelodies, bass lines, strumming instructions, fingerpicking, etc. free to my students, ensemble members, and Patrons at patreon.com/uke (i.e. my own original material and the parts of the song that cannot be copyrighted – chords, bass, harmonizations).

Where does this leave me with the Disney conundrum? My group can buy their own copies of a songbook and then I can write out some bass lines, counter tunes and harmonies for them. Problem solved.

Sit Down Servant & Sinner Man – 2 New Episodes from 96 American Spirituals for Ukulele

Sit Down Servant

Sinner Man

Join me at Patreon.com/Uke for PDFs and many more tutorials, articles, tips & tricks for better ukulele playing.

National Buy a Musical Instrument Day : Enya Carbon Fiber Ukulele

Today is #NationalBuyAMusicalInstrumentDay (yes, it really exists). What better excuse for someone with UAS (ukulele acquisition syndrome) to expand his collection by one. I’ve been curious about the Enya Carbon Fiber Ukuleles for some time; the reviews on Amazon are through the roof and they only price out currently at 89.99 … So, I made the plunge and put down my dollars. It should come next Thursday, so expect a review in the next couple of weeks. 🙂

Introducing #TwoChordTuesday with the Launch of “Two Chord Camp Songs for Ukulele” Tutorials

Starting today, and each Tuesday (until I run out of material), I’ll be posting TWO new two-chord song tutorials each week. To begin with, over the next 15 weeks I’ll be sharing tutorials for each of the songs in my book “Two Chord Camp Songs for Ukulele.” Today I’ll also be sharing a bonus introductory video aimed at absolute beginners that covers how to make the chords and other ukulele basics.

Introduction

I’m currently producing content for #TwoChordTuesday, #SundaySongbook, and have other projects in the works for #MusicMonday, #WisdomWednesday, #ThrowbackThursday, #FridayFunday, and #SongwritingSaturday. Please consider joining me over at Patreon.com/Uke and supporting these projects. Patrons get access to PDFs for each of the videos I release.

A Ram Sam Sam

An Austrian Went Yodeling

Felt Ukulele & Crab Plushies

Today my family was making some plushies to give away … Taavi, my six-year-old son, designed a crab that my wife Dixie blew up into a pattern and they both worked on to stitch together. I, of course, made a ukulele. Taavi fell in love with it and took it for a pillow for one of his favorite stuffed animals, so I guess it won’t be traveling anywhere like I’d planned. The crab is still going to one of Taavi’s favorite friends.

He’s Got the Whole World, Stars Shinin’ & Jacob’s Ladder – 3 New Episodes from 96 American Spirituals for Ukulele

Virtual Utah Uke Fest – Call for Entries & Open Mic Submissions

The 9th Annual Original Utah Uke Fest on June 20th, 2020 will be held VIRTUALLY, due to circumstances on a global and local level beyond our control.

What will our virtual festival look like?

  • The festival will be prerecorded and uploaded to YouTube as a premiere, so people can watch and make comments in real-time as the video progresses. People will also be able to watch a replay at their convenience.

What will the segments be?

  • Classes on any topic related to the ukulele. These could include obscure topics like nail care for ukulele playing, how to make a ukulele strap or case, or more mainstream topics like how to play a song, or how to do a particular strum.
  • Open mic entries and performances.

NOTE: As this is a Utah-based, community-building event, we will only accept submissions from UTAH RESIDENTS. 

How can I participate as a teacher?

  • Send the topic you’d like to teach as an idea to ryan@ukuleleplay.com before MONDAY, MAY 18th.
  • Once you have the ‘go ahead’ – film your class using whatever you have available (phone, laptop, camera, etc.), or make an appointment to come and film at Ryan’s home studio if you don’t have anything to record with on your own.
  • Upload your video to a file sharing service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and send a download link to ryan@ukuleleplay.com by June 1st.

How can I submit a performance for the open mic?

  • Upload a video of your performance (online collaborations, family numbers, quarantine duets/trios, etc. encouraged) to a file sharing service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and send a download link to ryan@ukuleleplay.com by June 1st.

When will the Festival Premiere?

  • The festival will premiere on YouTube on Saturday, June 20th at 10am and last as long as it ends up being.
  • A link to the premiere will be shared on UtahUkeFest.org as well as the festival Facebook page and through our email list (email ryan@ukuleleplay.com if you want to be on the email list).

Let Us Cheer the Weary Traveler : Episode 1 of 96 American Spirituals for Ukulele

Better When I’m Dancing Ukulele Play-Along & Tutorial