Monday 18 August 2014

August 20 Ukulele Jam

Greetings!

Well, it's official! We're performing at Sustainable Kingston's KingstonFest event on Saturday October 4, at St. Lawrence College. Our scheduled time is 11:30am to 12. Between now and then, we have three scheduled ukulele jams during which we can practice our songs. I'll probably schedule a time during the week before the performance for one final practice. So far, the following people have committed to joining in: 
David Workman, Lynda Therien, Susan Smith, Sandra Vincent, Ann Lablans, Cam Kenny, and myself. But if anyone else wants to join in too, you're also welcome. The more the better.


And so now on to this week's ukulele jam: We'll start with a workshop at 7pm, where we'll work on a song together. Most of you are probably already familiar with this song since it's been shared all over Facebook. "Happy" by Pharrel Williams has some interesting chords, but the most challenging part will be synchronizing the lead and background vocals. I think we'll have some fun with it. Here's a PDF. And here's the YouTube video that you can play along with. If we can master this song, perhaps we can include it in our KingstonFest show. (By the way, if you haven't yet seen it, here's the Weird Al parody of Happy.)

Following the break at 8pm, we'll do our usual open jam. I'll bring copies of my proposed song list for KingstonFest. Even if you don't want to participate at KingstonFest, these should still be fun anyways. These are all songs we've done before:


  • Down On The Corner
  • Beautiful Kaua'i
  • Crawdad Song
  • Secret Agent Man
  • You're Sixteen
  • Harvest Moon
  • You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
  • When I'm Sixty-Four

This list is not cast in stone. We'll tailor this list as we go along. And of course, if you want to bring your favorite songs, please bring them along too. The jam is for everyone, not just for those participating in KingstonFest.

We jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street. Parking is normally available on Princess Street. Or park in the lot at the back of the Royal, off Brock Street, just past the fire hall. Be sure to show your appreciation to the Royal by visiting the bar and purchasing a beverage or two. Don't forget that they also offer soft drinks, in addition to their assortment of beers and other alcoholic drinks.

Cheers! Hans

Monday 4 August 2014

August 6 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greeting, ukulele fans!

Well, summer is almost half over. We're now into August, and time again for ukulele jam.



We'll start at 7pm on Wednesday August 8 at the Royal Tavern with a ukulele workshop, perhaps an introduction to the barred chords. After the break at around 8pm, we'll have an open jam where you'll have your chance to show off that song you've been practicing. Or lead the group in a song or two. Or just sit back and strum along. Feel free to bring copies of your favorite songs. As usual, I'll bring some songs, conveniently packaged as one pdf:


We jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street. Parking is normally available on Princess Street. Or park in the lot at the back of the Royal, off Brock Street, just past the fire hall. Be sure to show your appreciation to the Royal by visiting the bar and purchasing a beverage or two. Don't forget that they also offer soft drinks, in addition to their assortment of beers and other alcoholic drinks.

Cheers! Hans