The 4th Peg

‘Passion is the key to success.’

Aloha,

I have been on hiatus due to some medical problems, but I am better now, and I am back. I have lined up some more class materials, and practice methods to better learn songs you are working on. I will be reviewing the low tech method for learning a song, and how to practice each part to the needed level of profiency. You can bring a CD recording or mp3 recording of a song to class, make sure it only has 3 or 4 chords. Also bring a 6 or 7 print outs of the music, so we can tab it out together.

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Date: Late July and August 2007

This method was explained to me by my friend Adam who is a very good guitar player. This method works for more than
just ukulele, and gives you focus on how to practice.

How to learn a song (Low Tech method )
1) Find a song you like with 3 or 4 chords.
2) Get a recording of the song (mp3, LP, CD, tape, etc)
3) Tab it out. (Find out the chord changes and the beats between chord changes.
4) Work out chord transitions so you are not too slow, or too fast between chord changes.
5) Turn off recording and talk the song through with the words synced up with the chord changes.
6) Put it all together.
7) Play along with the recording. Are you playing in harmony with the song as it is being played?
8) Play the song till you get it right?
9) Repeat the playing of the song till you can’t get it wrong.

Intermediate

We will be going over the same material and also some more high tech tools options will be suggested.

Next meeting:

Thursday, July 26th
6:30 PM Beginning
7:30 PM Intermediate
910 S. Aberdeen, Chicago IL 60607
(1.5 blks south of 1077 W. Polk)
Free Parking in school lot and at 1077 W. Polk.

Rest of meeting schedule for August 2007
www.nuiukulele.org/meeting_notice.htm

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Updates to nuiukulele.org

*** Updated upcoming class subjects and covered materials
*** Definitions of ukulele playing levels under class subjects and covered materials
*** Scheduled meeting times and locations

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Keep Strumming, Singing, and Smiling,

Terry Truhart
tpensel@pobox.com
www.nuiukulele.org
312-491-9928

Oscar Schmidt introduces 6 new ukulele models. One of the new models reissues the Bell shape made famous by Washburn back in the 1920s. It features a solid Trembesi top, back and sides with ivory body binding, abalone logo, rosette and fret dot inlays. The ukulele has deluxe Grover GH305 tuners with ebony buttons, bone nut and saddle and GHS strings. Deluxe hard shell case included. Retail $389.90. P.S. Change the strings and I’ll bet this model will be extremely popular.

Other models include the OU280SWK is concert-sized and has a back and sides of Hawaiian Koa with a mahogany top, the OU220SWK is also concert-sized, all mahogany in a satin finish. The OU6 and OU5LCE are both built with a Koa top, back and sides.

Full article can be found at Harmony Central. Oscar Schmidt’s web site is www.oscarschmidt.com

Aloha,

Just as the sun rises in the east, everyday provides itself with some opportunity.

Material to be covered in this month uke sessions:
Date: July 2007

Beginning Ukulele

Basics (melody, tempo, pitch, harmony, and phrasing)

Intermediate/Advanced

I am going to solicit feedback on what areas that students want to cover.
I also will be discussing the definitions of levels of uke playing.
I will also be discussing upcoming plans for the Nui `Ukulele club.

Songs to be covered:

Beginning Ukulele:

Happy Birthday
White Sandy Beach by IZ

Open Jam

You Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
Hawaii 78 by IZ

Nui `Ukulele Club meeting schedule for rest of July:

When? Thursday, July 12th,

• 6:30 PM for beginners
• 7:30 PM Open Jam

Where? Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen (1.5 block south of 1077 W. Polk) , Chicago IL 60607
Free parking in the school lot, and at 1077 W. Polk in the back.

and

Sunday, July 15th

• 1:00 PM for beginners
• 2:00 PM Open Jam

1077 W. Polk, Chicago, IL 60607
Free parking in the back and in the school lot.
Use www.mapquest.com to find us. Free parking in back and in the school lot.

Why? Because the `ukulele is just too much fun to keep to yourself.
When? Thursday, July 19th, & July 26th

• 6:30 PM for beginners
• 7:30 PM Open Jam

Keep Strumming, Singing, and Smiling,

Terry Truhart
tpensel@pobox.com
www.nuiukulele.org
312-491-9928

Ukulelia’s blog informed me of a very cool thing you can do with your ukulele. Learn Iz’s White Sandy Beach song. Then record yourself and submit it to YouTube. The special YouTube site has a map and all entries will be viewable by clicking where it was submitted on the map.

No worries if you don’t know the song or chords. Jody Kamisato teaches both. You can even download the song lyrics and chords in Adobe Acrobat format. The videos on the page will get you up and running in no time. It’s a fun song and a great addition to your repetoire.

As an added bonus, the best of each week will win a copy of Iz’s new CD published by Apple Mountain company. So skip on over to Ukulelia, read up a bit and follow the links. Participate! You’ll have something to tell the grandkids.

The Tatamimats have divulged the epic event of Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd performed entirely on ukuleles. Below is the details of a happening that occurs.. well.. once in a blue moon.

Writes Mike Schmitt:

Once again The Tatamimats will be performing The Dark Side of the Moon, where we pay homage to one of the great albums – and great bands – of all time. On ukuleles of course.

This time around promises to be bigger, louder, and…better than the
first! Also, be sure to catch the unique sounds of Chickencat, who opens the
show. You will smile. You will be appreciative.

Hope to see you there!
- The Tatamimats

WHO:   The Tatamimats

Chickencat

WHEN:  Friday, July 6th, 10pm

WHERE: The Knockout
3223 Mission @ Valencia
San Francisco, CA
415.550.6994

HOW MUCH: $6

Click here for the Show Flyer

So. Cal Ukulele Showcase

When:

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Where:

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Phone: (213) 625-0414

Time: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

A FREE outdoor festival style concert featuring:

• Daniel Ho
• Herb Ohta Jr.
• Bill Tapia
• Dan “Soybean” Sawyer
• Steven Espaniola
• Makena
• King Kukulele
• The Bilgewater Brothers and more!

This concert is part of the Japanese American Museum’s “1st & Central” Summer concert series and will be a great way to spend a Thursday Summer Evening. Sponsored in part by 90.7 FM KPFK’s Weekday Music Program “The Global Village” (10am - noon) & the monthly “Ukulele Spotlight” which airs the last Thursday of the month at 11:00 am

More Info: www.myspace.com/socalukeshowcase

This just in from Geoff Davis’ Blue Stone Folk School

• What: Uke Performance with Pops Bayless or Ukulele Building with Geoff Davis
• When: Sunday, July 8 - Friday, July 13
• Instructors: Pops Bayless & Geoff Davis

Meat ‘n Taters Ukulele serves up a generous helping of ukulele playing and building. Students may choose to either study performance and playing with Pops Bayless or study ukulele design and and build a soprano ukulele with Geoff Davis.

Students will gather on the evening of Sunday, July 8 for a brief orientation, socializing and playing.

During the week students will join their instructors from 8:30 - 5:00. Performance students will attend classes in the historic Featherston Barn at Conner Prairie, a living history museum depicting life in 1836 and in 1886. Ukulele design and construction students will meet at the Hoosier Maid Ukulele shop.

Classes will combine in the late afternoon to focus on playing skills, performance tips and ukulele history. Private lessons are also available.

Students will gather for meals and have opportunities following dinner to jam or to explore the region.

On Friday, July 13, students and teachers will perform for the public at the Hedgehog Music Showcase in Arcadia, Indiana.

Tuition for either class $ 375. Meals, transportation and lodging are not included.

Materials fee for ukulele building $125

More details are being worked out. Please check the Blue Stone Folk School website often.

Feel free to contact info@bluestonefolkschool.org for more information. Visit the Blue Stone Folk School on the web at www.bluestonefolkschool.org