In Over the Rainbow I added an Em chord and I am trying to get the upbeat feel on the strumming. This is clearly a work in progress. I almost get it some of the time...
Yesterday I visited by colleague at the other elementary school in town and she has promised to share resources with me. That will be a huge help. The most important thing I need is some organization and she will share her scope and sequence. Then I can start learning tunes, methods, games, etc...
So I took Friday-Sunday off as I visited my mom and went to Molly's soccer tournament. Yes, they allow ukuleles in Pennsylvania, I just did not bring one...
So I am trying to get my right hand moving a bit and learn some more songs. I choose You are My Sunshine which seems to be a song students learn how to sing, and maybe we can get them to sing and play.
Its not in this song but I am trying to change my G fingering to the "proper" way. I think that is why my G7 is now getting confused.
I tried a few patterns on the right hand. I definitely struggle with the offbeat feel. I can do it without singing, but the singing throws me off a bit. Will improve with practice.
I hope to continue to post my progress (or lack of...) and welcome comments and ideas.
I got some advice from Chris Russell to use my index finger to strum and to hold my right hand farther up the neck. I struggle with the G chord (3 fingers...) and I see different fingerings out there for that chord.
I have been using the Roadie Tuner which was expensive but is pretty cool. I hope it lasts!
I am transitioning slowly out of the high school. I have had my last class and I am packing up. Not easy!
We received 60 Kala 15-S. I think they are set-up pretty good, but I am pretty ignorant. I have been benefitting from my friend Chris Russell who I wish lived closer. I need to find Abe Deshotel or someone to get me a lesson.
I have been trying to practice each day and "learn" a new song. I had a stroke in 2010 and I am finding the Ukulele might be good for my right hand (which struggles on piano). But, also my brain malfunctions a bit. I find a play much better at home (no distractions) than at school. You will notice I have minor pauses in the video.
I also have to start to figure out how to find my initial pitch. I settled in, but I need to play my starting pitch before I start, which I naturally do on piano.
Anyway, I'm trying to wrap my head around elementary school. This was my last day of class (still have exams) after 26 years at high school. I hope to learn a lot on this journey and be able to share it.
Let it Be has four chords. I still struggle a bit with G. I keep wanting to play G7 (which is a bit easier to finger). I also get confused between Am and F which are very similar.
Today we did Choir Olympics and it was super fun. It is a great end of year activity. I think the class loves it. We don't do a lot of this, so its more special when we do it. Here are some favorite events:
1. Fastest singer. We do "super bubble gum" warm-up.
2. Highest
3. Lowest
4. Make Mr. Schneider laugh.
5. Stand stacking. I loosen a metal stand so it is very flimsy. Event is stacking as many music books on stand without falling over.
6. Chair spinning. How many revolutions can you do in the piano chair without putting your feet down?
7. Chair stacking. How fast can you unstack five chairs into a row and then stack them back up again?
8. Mystery karaoke. Duet faces away from screen. A senior chooses song for them to sing.
I was transferred to the elementary school in my district. There has been an emotional month as our high school program goes through many changes. Obviously there is not much I can say here, but I think everyone can agree on there has been a lot of trauma and crying. We just won Best Play this year and there is a lot of uncertainty about next year.
I need to learn how to teach elementary school. We had been planning on spending some of our fundraiser money on the elementary school and we decided to buy 60 ukuleles. One set for each school.
I do not yet know what I will teach, how I will teach, or why I will teach but I will use ukuleles. Chris Russell has been a great friend and resource in getting me started.
I bought 60 Kala KA-15S Sopranos for $30 each (a deep discount). I am hoping this can bridge my ensemble background to the general music world. I am going to commit to practicing and I hope to chronicle some of that journey here.
