The Ukulele Episodes Part 1
When I was a child my mother decided that I would learn to play the violin. I can't remember any moment when I felt I was good at it, or that I enjoyed it. I didn't NOT enjoy it, but I distinctly remember my violin classmates playing better than me, or the teacher praising them but not me, and that I really should practise more but my heart just was not in it.
Ironically, after I stopped taking lessons, I continued playing in string ensembles throughout my school days.
What I wanted to learn was dancing, guitar or drums, artistic forms of expression that were somehow cooler. My mum compromised by letting me do theatre after I'd completed my classical music training.
I was never any good at it, but I did as told, because I wanted the shackles to be removed. If there's something you really are keen on, make it happen. Get started on it, and put all your heart into it. If it cannot happen immediately, make sure you remove obstacles in the way.
At university my friend tried to teach me guitar, but the chords were, to me, too complicated, and the pressing on the fret hurt my tender finger tips too much. I remember him looking at me like I was crazy before he muttered that I could play the violin right...
With my sister's upcoming wedding, I finally decided that it was time to actually learn another stringed instrument properly. I selected a cute blue starter ukulele, picked the song to serenade/surprise/shock her and my BIL with, and devoted a couple of hours each week to practice. I started by memorising major chords, which I did with a measure of success. Then I tried memorising basic chords in the minor key, which did not go well at all. I kept getting mixed up.
Through trial and error, I discovered that chords were easier to remember if they were memorised in song patterns. DUH. Or should it be DOH. I now have a small repertoire of eight songs.
Ironically, after I stopped taking lessons, I continued playing in string ensembles throughout my school days.
What I wanted to learn was dancing, guitar or drums, artistic forms of expression that were somehow cooler. My mum compromised by letting me do theatre after I'd completed my classical music training.
I was never any good at it, but I did as told, because I wanted the shackles to be removed. If there's something you really are keen on, make it happen. Get started on it, and put all your heart into it. If it cannot happen immediately, make sure you remove obstacles in the way.
At university my friend tried to teach me guitar, but the chords were, to me, too complicated, and the pressing on the fret hurt my tender finger tips too much. I remember him looking at me like I was crazy before he muttered that I could play the violin right...
With my sister's upcoming wedding, I finally decided that it was time to actually learn another stringed instrument properly. I selected a cute blue starter ukulele, picked the song to serenade/surprise/shock her and my BIL with, and devoted a couple of hours each week to practice. I started by memorising major chords, which I did with a measure of success. Then I tried memorising basic chords in the minor key, which did not go well at all. I kept getting mixed up.
Through trial and error, I discovered that chords were easier to remember if they were memorised in song patterns. DUH. Or should it be DOH. I now have a small repertoire of eight songs.
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