Ukulele Season

I wonder if there are a couple of Ukulele Season followers that would take a look at my latest songbook to give me feedback. I’m seeking a couple people (parents, grandparents…caregivers…) to play through the 15+ songsheets I created from scratch to check that chords are correct. DM and I’ll send you the pdf.

I’ll post a new songbook in FBs Harrison Ukulele Group, where I’ll share the Spotify playlist as well.

I’m posting songs I’ll play at an upcoming music festival July 30th. Skreagfest 4!. created by my nephew to raise funds for cancer research, is a homage to local music with memories of Sarah - one terrific human! Chords for Sweet Pea are in a few of the songbooks I’ve created an filed in the Harrison Ukulele Group’s Files. This one is fun when a harmonica player or two joins in!

I’ve been making songbooks for a few years now. With help from the good people at Bytown Ukulele and ozbcoz.com, I feel confident the songbooks are useful. I know they are fun to play from, a joy really, especially when playing with others. Being on the same page, in the same key, with the same lyrics, there is no messing around. Made to be used either electronically or hard copy, let me know if you’d like to try out this songbook. I’m looking for a few good folks to try out some of the songs I had to figure out the chords for myself. DM for a pdf copy via email.

Spring is around the corner and we will soon be gathering outside to play. When you are looking for songsheets you can take outside, visit Harrison Ukulele Group on Facebook to check out songbooks available in the files. I do not sell these songbooks as most the of song sheets have come from other groups. If you'd like to make a donation in lieu, hospice organizations are a great place to support.

I’ve been going through songbooks I’ve made for local players, trying to decide what song to led on World Ukulele Day. Yes, it’s a thing- Feb. 2nd!!
When creating songbooks, I also create a Spotify playlist to go along with them. Playlists are great for listening in the car, learning lyrics or new beats. Let Her Dance is just simply a playlist I made to enjoy while dreaming that some day, we will be able to celebrate by playing or even dancing in large groups again.

During Covid i haven’t made new songbooks; check out posts on my other facebook group Harrison Ukulele Season to learn about past songbooks and playlists I’ve made.

FUNNY!

"I Might Meet a Dog Today" with Kristen Bell | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Jimmy and Kristen Bell sing about the one thing that’s always worth getting out of bed for… the chance of meeting a dog!The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallo...

When you looking for some new music to try, check out my Ukulele Season songbooks I’ve created. They are filed on the Harrison Ukulele Groups’ FB page. Enjoy your porch play this weekend.

2021 Flyer!

Lazing on a Sunday afternoon…

As host of our weekly ukulele circles, back in the day, I was asked for a momento for our villages centennial time capsule. Ukulele Season’s first songbook represent our group. Stemming from song suggestions during our gatherings, there were tunes we either couldn’t find elsewhere, or were in a key that was better for beginners. Having the same chord/same lyrics was a time saver instead of flipping through our loose song sheets. Just before I handed it in, I slipped my grandchildren’s names in the book, just in case they still live around the area. Today I unearthed this picture of our eldest and the Ukulele Season songbook, the time capsule will remain buried for another 46 years.

Oh the things your children find and share with you, because they know you. It’s an album!

Looking for the right chord to a great song to play along, today. Let me know if you figure out the ?? chord I can’t seem to narrow down.

Spring is just around the corner. And so is meeting up on each others’ porch to play.

Singing a song to Marc’s endeavour was my first foray ‘into the music studio.’
Since early last year I’ve been going live on my nephew Mark’s Instagram to share the love of ukulele online...at . This year, Mark created a great compilation, for a great cause - Chilliwack Hospice. Check it out! On second thought, don’t just check it out, buy a download.

Music for Charity - Volume one, by Marc's Online 24 track album

I'd like to find out if there are any grandparents or people young at heart, with children in their lives, who would like to connect by Zoom for a play along of light-hearted songs suitable to sing with children. Pop on over to , a place where I post songs for beginners to become a member. Let me know what songs you currently play for or with children, and we'll find some common songs to try out.

A friend who knows I love my uku and making music shared this with me. From the book ‘Life is in the Transitions’, Chapter Ten - “Create it”

My little buddy, you’ve got me through thick and thin and thick and thin. Thank you.

What do you do when you walk into a restaurant with your five-year-old granddaughter and she says she likes the song playing? You write down a few of the lyrics, search out the titles, and find a play along. This video shows the strumming pattern that you can practise over and over again till you get it. Havana is a good song to practise the transitions to that dreaded E7. Keep your fingers close to the fretboard, and play the chords slowly, again until you get it right. And you will. (As for the lyrics, I think she just likes the beat as it's a great song to dance to.)

Havana Camila Cabello Am F E7 Fredonia Middle School Ukulele

This old ukulele makes a better decoration than it did an instrument. Told it was unrepairable, it now graces right beside my front door, all year round. It has helped me measure how much snow fell overnight and guided new players to our home. I’d love to see others’ decorative ukuleles or where they like to pose their uku outdoors.

I’ve had to ‘call it’ and not host our annual public event this year. It’s just too iffy...my social bubble is small and now my mom isn’t well. We have had such fun in the past with , I may set up my laptop and just Zoom from my porch. Asking others to meet up and play via Zoom from their porch feels safer and as much as I like my masks, wear one while singing doens’t appeal to me. I’ve hosted a few Zoom meet ups, it’s not quite the next best thing...but it works.

Yes, we are on the map. You might not be able to come to my porch, though I’ll have my Zoom on that day,sun up to sun down and we can connect that way! I’ll post the invite later today!

AMAZING!!!!
We are at 75 countries! We would love to reach another 25. Can you help? Please reach out to anyone who can help get the word out! Ask them to register to be added to our worldwide map of participants at:
https://tinyurl.com/PMOTPD-2020
Explore the map at:
https://tinyurl.com/PMOTPD-MAP-2020
Lets change the world

I discovered Misty Flowers a few years back, and lately I’ve been again enjoying the videos she’s shared over the years. I am thankful for YouTube and the musicians that share their music there. Misty’s rendition of ‘How’s About You’ has been one of those endearing songs I loved playing with others since we first started gathering in village back in 2016. DM if you’d like a copy of that first songbook!

Misty Flowers covers "How's About You" by David Rawlings Misty Flowers covers "How's about you" by David Rawlings

Having so much fun making music with the young folk so taking a break from the internets. Have a great ukulele season everyone!

I just posted over in the Harrison Ukulele gathering page that the latest songbook has been drafted It's 30+ songs for the HUGS Across the World online gathering May 22 PST / May 23 AEST. The Austrailian folk from and in New Zealand are the fine folks who added their fav tunes to lead, to this book. I would love to have a mini meetup to try out some of the songs and iron out any kinks within the Zoom meet up platform before that date. In a relaxed way, we could do this together. DM I'll send you an invite. The songbook and its Spotify playlist will be posted once we've narrowed down the song list.

Going to start working on a new songbook, a collection of favourites from ukulele groups in Harrison Hot Springs, BC and Heathcote, Australia and places in between. HUGS Across the World will take place on May 22 and May 23, depending which continent you live on! More later, but for now, here's a sneak peak of one of the songs in the new songbook. I'll Fly Away from The Kossoy Sisters. Enjoy and try out some of those lovely harmonies.

I'll Fly Away by The Kossoy Sisters From the album Bowling Green with Eric Darling

Anyone out there attending this event today?! If it is as much fun as their one in mid-April, we are in for a treat!

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel LIVE! Mini UkeFest info and packet available at: CraigandSarah.com/minifest More info soon at CraigandSarah.com

Another Mini Uku Fest is happening this coming Saturday. I ‘attended’ that last one 2 weeks ago... so much fun and I learned so much.
Great chance to hear some fine players and learn from them too. Festival package is available, with a button so you can donate more to the artists.
Let me know if you are planning to attend and perhaps we can set up a YouTube watch party for part of it.

FREE Online Uke Fest — Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel We are currently in unprecedented times, with many ‘Ukulele Festivals and Gigs having to cancel or reschedule due to powers out of their control. Because of this, Craig and I wanted to give back to the amazing community that has given us so much and spread some joy. This ‘Ukulele Festival will f...

Just looking through the lineup of play along songs for the online ukulele workshop, we are in for some fun, playing great tunes. Here's one!

If you have ever gone to a ukulele festival, you know how much fun they can be. The last one I attended was in person was Vancouver’s where Craig and Sarah presented a lively workshop. They are fun loving, thoughtful teachers and wonderful players of course. It’s always fun to hear what songs are being played, and what new songs I can add to the next ‘songbook’.

Craig Chee Sarah Maisel - Live Mini Ukulele Festival April 11th 2020 - YouTube More info soon at CraigandSarah.com

I just learned of the 'Self-Isolating Strummers / Pandemic Pluckers' here on Facebook. Lorraine the organizer is affiliated with the group Ukulele Wednesday that I have the pleasure of playing with a few years ago in London, England! Looking forward to organizing a play with them soon. Long Live Zoom!

Found this touching piece of Ukukele memorabilia in cards created by the students. I share my Uku and love of music with grade 2/3s in the local school. Until school ‘returns’, I’m keeping up with fav songs of the children and will start sharing their favs online.
Yesterday I got in on a Zoom meet up, ukulele in hand with folks’ Sue and Mark from Ottawa. What a delight!! I’m setting up a similar venture here out west this afternoon. DM if you’d like to be part of this ‘test run’ of fun.

I've practised 'self-isolation' for awhile now... mainly playing with only a couple friends when schedules allow. Between those times, I maintain that play along videos are one of the best ways I keep my uku skills up. I was so happy to find this song's play along today; it's great for beginner to intermediate, to strum or pick.

I first heard this lovely song in the Calgary airport last spring travelling east to visit family. I was leaving a sick family member behind and feeling very melancholy. And then I heard this beautiful song played by a violinist in the middle of a crowded airport! In between songs, I asked what the fellow doing there. He explained the collaboration between the local university I think and the airport. And what song did he play just now..? A Thousand Years.

I tucked that title away, until this morning when I found the song on one of my Spotify playlists. Here's to all the wonderful travels we've done and will do once 'things' settle down out here in the world.

A Thousand Years Ukulele Play Along For educational use. Optimized for GCEA ukulele. Key of C(?) As performed by Christina Perri I'll be honest..this was a fun one to work on. It is shifted up ...

One of my fav 'one chord wonder songs', the kids I visit with my uku to sing with weekly, LOVE THIS SONG. Not sure why, but they ask for it every time. Maybe it's because i love it too... it's so simple, I strum a G. That's it!
While prepping for today's visit, I came across the traditional lyrics in Pete Seeger endorsed 'Rise Up Singing' songbook. I'll add them below.

Green, Green Rocky Road - Oscar Isaac [Studio Quality] Oscar Isaac covering Dave Van Ronk's "Green, Green Rocky Road" from the "Inside Llewyn Davis" motion picture soundtrack.