The Ukulele Manifest

Savannah Ukulele Group

2010-07-06T13:33:00.001-07:00

I wanted to create a Savannah group for some time now. I have been here for a year and a half and haven't seen one op up so I thought what better time than now. If you or anyone else is interested, please send me an email.

I was thinking of starting it out in Forsyth park during the nice weather months and then once we establish a group size figure out from there what's next.

Here is the Fb group. Please join! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140999895911914#!/group.php?gid=138007102891436&ref=ts

New Uke Day Coming Soon!

2010-07-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! This came out of nowhere... I was cruisin' ukulele underground when I came upon a Honu Traditional Tenor for sale. I've tried a Big Island and loved so figured this should be about the same. I decided if I sold my Mainland I could then afford this used uke. Fast forward after some asking around... I discovered I can get a brand new one from http://ukerepublic.com/ for not much more! Now, how awesome is that? My Mainland sold the first night I posted it and now I just need to wait for the Honu to come in. It wasn't in stock so he had to order it but isn't the anticipation the best part of New Uke Day? I'm getting an all koa uke, yay!

http://www.bigislandukulele.com/

I learned how to chunk!

2010-06-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Blowing in the wind

Just Dreaming - Original Uke Song

2010-06-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hey look, I wrote a song. :)

House of the Rising Sun

2010-04-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty inactive playing my for the past while. I got interested in parrots and owning a green cheek conure so a lot of my time has been put into that. Good news is that I got my new Pineapple GCC on Wednesday, yay! His name is Kip. Don't worrty, I have been playing my uke here and there but not as much as I used to. I'm sure I'll get back into it soon. In the meantime, I posted a new video.

Worth's Clear Strings

2010-03-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

I just got some new strings today. I wasn't in love the Pro Artes as they were high tension strings. Worth's Clears are awesome! If you are looking for the brightness of Aquilla's but with a softer touch, these are the ones!

New Mainland and attempt at finger picking

2010-01-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

I guess it's about time I post a new vid, eh? ;)

Here I am with my new Mainland mahogany tenor. I love my uke! I'm still adjusting to the size and thicker neck but it's getting there.

Wonderwall Cover

2010-01-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

It was midnight, I was bored. I love this song. I'm going to work on it and hopefully post a better version soon. :)

Getting a Mainland!

2010-01-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! I have a tenor Mainland mahogany coming in the mail. It should be here by Thursday! I'm soooooo ecstatic! I was able to get it on UU through someone who had just bought it but then received a custom for xmas. I'm lucky, because he was able to hand select in from the factory. Stay tuned for pics and video. :)

2009-12-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! I put up a few more videos yesterday. I was sending off a care package to my husband and recorded some uke videos for him. Also, I got a new uke! A secret uke gifter sent it to me! It's so cute, it has puppy dog ears on the headstock.

GIGAPUS!

2009-12-22T14:14:00.001-08:00

Yay! Thanks to Zoe, I received me GIGAPUS stickers in the mail today. What is GIGAPUS you ask? Well... it's a secret society of sorts. Only those gifted with less eyesight may be part of this group! Oh, you must also be female and play the uke!

GIGAPUS = Girls in Glasses and Playing the Ukulele Society

Check out this dork who has been gone for 4 weeks

2009-12-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe my husband has been deployed for 4 weeks already but at the same time it feels like it's been so long. I'm happy to say that things are much better than when he first left. At first, I felt like he took my self-esteem with him. The first week was pretty hard. I've managed to make a few friends and that def helps. I still much enjoy my alone time, though. It gives me a change to play my ukulele.

So, does it get better or worse from here on, lol? R&R is in July and I'm anticipating that. I feel like every time I talk to him it's just that bit closer to seeing him again. I'm also happy that he can jump on skype here and there (this is a recent thing). He is getting his own net soon so it will be a daily thing, hopefully! :D I wish I could say things at home could be better (lots of money, apartment issues) but that doesn't seem to be affecting my happiness. I seriously can't believe I can say I'm this happy, even with him away. I won't get into past history but I really had a lot of issues being by myself and just overall self-esteem a few years back.

Dh and I have been married for 10 months, I'm kinda sad he won't be here for our 1 year anniversary but I'm most happy because life just feels so good. We don't have a lot of possessions, no tv, just one couch and a bed, I can't drive yet but my life feels complete with him in it. It wasn't just meeting him that changed my life, I had to change myself as well but he is a huge factor in all of this. I don't think I could have made it this far without my uke friends from ukuleleunderground,com either. The nightly jams are so fun and brought me out of my shell. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone at UWC (the uke meet in Indiana) in June.

Deployment is long and difficult but at the same time I feel like this brings a lot of things into a realistic view. Life really could be worse be worse, be happy with what you have and you are what controls it all.

And a third one!

2009-12-11T20:27:00.001-08:00

I guess I just got so excited I decided to post a third one. Here is All My Loving by the Beatles.

White Christmas

2009-12-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

Oh hai... here's another :)

Santa Baby

2009-12-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

Oh yey, I posted a video!

I know, I look so serious. I'm working on it, lol.

Holy Cow!

2009-11-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

I've been gone a while, eh? What can I say, I was a bad girl. I had the uke on pause for quit some time. I'm not sick anymore, pets are all better (other than the stinkin' fleas which are hopefully on their way out after my cleaning spree today) and my husband just deployed so I now have PLENTY of time and no excuse to get back in to this all, lol.

I'm trying very hard to learn an easy Smashing Pumpkins song. It's my fave band and I know all of their songs so singing while playing is a bit easier. Stay tuned, I should have another update soon!

Shameful significant other plug:

As I just mentioned, my hubby has been deployed to Afghanistan for a year (cry cry). Check out his blog here: http://down-range.blogspot.com/

Beginner Ukulele Super Collab

2009-09-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ihavenotea from ukuleleunderground.com was awesome enough to put together this wonderful collab of people from UU thanking those that helped them with their uke playing. It's all people who have been playing the uke for 6 months or less. Check it out!

It's been a while...

2009-09-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been a while since I've been around with a uke update. Unfortunately my uke has been sitting around a little extra due to lifes little troubles. Right now, I'm dealing with a sick puppy, moving, having to clean the house up and down due to sick puppy... Anyways, good news is when we get moved, I'll have much more time for ukeing it up. :)

UU Mini Jams!

2009-08-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

When the mood strikes, some of us at Ukulele Underground like to jam it up on stickam. Follow the link! www.stickam.com/uuminijams

Basically, you log on and get to chat and or webcam with people who are in the room. It's loads of fun! People are usually on in the evening but we are trying to get some early birds in on it as well.

We also have a Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123101395986

Tried to post a video...

2009-08-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

I spent a good chunk of the day yesterday trying to record a video of me playing... safe to say it failed, lol. Perhaps I just need to practice a bit more. Don't worry, I'll scare you guys with my singing and playing soon.

Here is anoter site I found with chords/lyrics and some even have the video connected so you can play along.

http://www.scorpex.net/uke.htm

An Exciting Day!

2009-08-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Today I'm very excited because I just discovered I can finally play the e-chord. Yeah, the EVIL e-chord. I'm so surprised because I was just messing around with it yesterday and convinced it was impossible.

I guess the saying is true: Practice, practice, practice!

I also have some wicked callouses now... gross, lol.

First video!

2009-07-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I did it. I recorded a video of me playing Amazing Grace. It's only been a week, so be gentle with the comments, lol. Also, tell Micah he has a nice voice in the second video. ;)

I received 3 books today from the Jumpin' Jim series:

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780634006319?id=4483854961509
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780634079801?id=4483854961509
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780793533770?id=4483854961509

The books are really great and easy to follow along. I suggest starting with Tip's N Tunes, Ukulele Island, than the 60's one out of the three I purchased. The 60's is a bit more difficult but has awesome songs!

Last but not least, I orderd a "Uke Thong." No, it's not what you think it is, it's a strap for your uke. Check it out!

http://cgi.ebay.com/UKULELE-STRAP-UKE-THONG-CHOOSE-FROM-5-COLORS_W0QQitemZ320400897002QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9961b3ea&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1205|293:1|294:50#ht_500wt_1182

Ouch

2009-07-16T20:42:00.000-07:00

It's only been about 34 hours since I received my uke and my fingers are numb. Up until about 20 mins ago, they were sore AND numb... now just numb. Pain for pleasure, right?

I'm pretty satisfied with my progress. I can sorta strum along to a few songs. I know the C, G7 (that one is a bugger), and F chords without thinking about them... it's only getting my fingers in the right spot. It's like my finger tips are having a war as to where they have to be on the fret board.

My two fave spots for learning so far are: http://www.doctoruke.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicTeacher2009

I did have a video of me playing This Land Is Your Land but Windows Movie Maker is being a pain and won't save my file. I searched onine for help and apparenlty that program is a lemon. I'm just going to have to figure out Sony Vegas (seriously, it looks complicated).

Got My Uke Today!

2009-07-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! My uke came in the mail today earlier than expected. Please excuse the wiggling in the video. My camera was not on the best of stable surfaces. The uke is an Ohana Ck-25.

Welcome To The Ukulele Manifest

2009-07-14T15:31:00.001-07:00

Hawaii; sandy beaches, clear skies, a sun so bright. You can hear the crashing of the waves in the near distance. You are surrounded by beautiful gardens of white, pink and yellow hibiscus. You could never imagine being in a place so beautiful.

Wait, What's that noise? You don't have to ask, you know. It's the strum of a ukulele!

Ok, so maybe your first visit to Hawaii may not be like that but that's what I imagine mine as. Maybe one day i will find out. Ok, I will... *starts saving pennies*

This little blog here is meant to take you on a journey of discovery. A discovery of the ukulele through me, Melissa. I got the idea when talking to some people on ukuleleundergound.com about my first ownership of one which I'm expecting in the next few days. I can't tell you how excited I am other than dreaming about ukulele's, feeling overwhelmed and anxious when thinking about playing one. I haven't touched a musical instrument in an awful long time, so count me as a beginner.

A special thanks goes out to the one who is giving me my first ukulele. You know who are, thank you so much! Shout out goes to those at ukuleleunderground.com who have been nothing but helpful to me in the last few days.

I hope you enjoy The Ukulele Manifest. Tips, tricks and comments are always welcomed.