I’ve not been doing quite as well with my Ukulele as I would have liked. My main problem is time. I’m currently working thirty hours a week, looking after Evan on Mondays and Wednesdays, taking a bulk of the responsibility for the housework, blogging, reading blogs, and also trying to spend some quality time with Kerry.
In addition I’ve got a number of side projects on the go. I’m gradually selling the unused portion of my DVD collection in order to help fund our trip to America while simultaneously pillaging lovefilm and blockbuster and ripping as many TV box sets to my iPod as possible (I’ve currently got a bit of a TJ Hooker obsession). I’m also starting to think about getting cracking on the vegetable garden.
And all this fueled only by diet coke, eggs and cous-cous.
Still I am managing to get half an hour’s practice in every couple of days or so. That’s not enough to foster any latent musical genius within me, but hopefully it will be sufficient to allow me to have a reasonable grasp of it by the end of the year.
I’ve currently got a few songs in my songbook over at Chordie:
- New England – Billy Bragg
- Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows
- Garden Song – John Denver
- Allstar – Smash Mouth
- Music In Me – High School Musical
- Island in the Sun – Wheezer
- King of the Road – The Proclamers
- Man on the Moon – REM
- New York city – They Miight Be Giants
And I am bloody awful at playing all of them. The song I am most awful at playing however is Yes by McAlmont and Butler, which is a real pain in the arse as it’s the only one that I’ve actually committed myself to perform (in honor of the hopefully imminent conception of Xbox’s child). Still, such is life.
Anyhow, other people don’t seem to be having the same uke block that I do. A couple of weeks ago Steve from Life Begins bought a ukulele of his very own. Inspired by the video of Gus and Fin that I posted the other day he decided to record his very own version of the Blitzrieg Bop with his son Oliver. And mighty fine it is too.
Of course Steve could already play the guitar, so his learning curve for the uke was probably a little shallower. Still, that doesn’t stop me being envious of his and Olivers punk rock credentials.
Hey ho, lets go!
(oh and don’t adjust your monitor, the video actually is that dark. The lights were dimmed because he shot it just before bedtime. Just the right kind of activity to gently wind down an excitable three year old for bed no doubt.)
Next Sunday I might treat you to one of my own performances. I’d plan to stay away from this blog now if I were you.
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well 30 minutes is thankfully still some real quality time with the uke.
either way I’m looking forward to your next uke performance.
How about giving a shot at Whiskey in the jar.
Arjans last blog post..Photo’s in my room
You know you’ll have to sing it too, right?
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..Oh the humanity
“New England”. Great choice.
The problem with quiet time before bed is that Oliver doesn’t seem to “wind down” any more, so “wear out” is currently my preferred strategy. :)
Steves last blog post..Three little words (17 months old today)
The more I think about it, the giddier I get.
The thought of you rocking this out on the ukulele is worthy of an international audience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsd4nul0Is8
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..So I can blame you
So how is it that Kerry comes at the end of the list?
This is a hard one. Do I say take your time learning ‘Yes’ because the stunted Irishman with dodgy football leanings will still be trying to impregnate by the time you get it perfected – or do I say practice as a matter of urgency on the off chance the stunted irishman with dodgy football leanings ‘comes’ up trumps (so to speak) in the next week or two?
The decisions I’m forced to make these days…..
gails last blog post..‘N’ for Numpty
I’ve been enjoying the UkeTube videos immensely.
Holmess last blog post..365 # 139: Clinton
I can’t wait to see your video. I’m sure you’re better than you think. Oh, and Steve and Oliver are brilliant.
VegasDads last blog post..update on ck
Have you considered cutting some less important things out of your schedule–like family time and work–to fit in more practice? I’m sure they’d understand; people are always making concessions and sacrifices for artists.
Erins last blog post..First Tantrum: Eleven Months
I think you have started something here. Hey, ho…..Makes me want to buy a Uke.
Jamess last blog post..1/20/09
I couldn’t help but notice that none of my original compositions are currently listed in your “songbook.” I’ll overlook it this once.
Whits last blog post..Hit a Guy With Glasses