ukulele to replace recorder

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 06:11 AM

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: M.Ted - PM
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:15 PM

"Piers Plowman--I am sorry to hear about your problems with the neighbors. With all of the ambient noises these days, from traffic to lawnmower and leaf blowers, to the sound systems in cars, to air conditioning systems to guitar hero video games and home entertainment systems, it is amazing that anyone can hear your trumpet at all--"

Thank you, M. Ted. The problems with my neighbours are manageable. I've come to an arrangement with all of my neighbours who have adjacent apartments. The elderly couple has been friendly lately. In some ways, I prefer it when they're not speaking to me, but I suppose it's better to be on good terms.

I don't take people who write anonymous letters seriously. I think it's underhanded and cowardly. I know it's not any of the people I know in the building. It's a building with three entrances and I don't own either a dog or a car, so I don't often run into the people in the other parts of the building. Besides, they didn't demand that I stop completely.

I've got problems with the landlord because of illegal charges on the yearly bills for building maintenance. I don't pay the excessive charges, periodically they sue me (twice, so far) and lose. Then they send me dunning letters, the renters' organization says I don't have to pay, and the merry dance continues. When my ship comes in, I'll move somewhere where I can do woodworking and play my trumpet as loud as I want.

Most of my neighbours play music themselves and are willing to put up with the trumpet. My other direct neighbour says he's never heard it! And he plays the violin, though he keeps it at work, where he's in a chamber music group.

"Anyway, I am glad that you're sticking with it--the first months are the hardest, and it really is physically demanding work, so it takes time to build stamina. We need more people to do what you've done."

Thank you. I wouldn't be without it. The stamina is coming gradually. I've started to be able to make it through whole songs.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Stringsinger - PM
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 09:23 PM

"Getting back to ukes, anyone know where there is info on uke strums? Books, CD's etc."

Any book on rhythms. It wouldn't have to be for ukelele specifically. However, my suggestion would just be to figure them out oneself. Start with simple 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 or 1 - 2 - 3 and vary it. It's a mathematical thing; there are x number of possible combinations of beats, if you allow only quarter notes and eighth notes, or if you allow quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes, etc. I think intuition is the best teacher for this, once you feel comfortable strumming.

I think what was great about George Formby was that he played with subtlety and taste. It's not that what he was playing was technically so difficult.

For what it's worth, I hardly ever strum (guitar, not ukelele). Runs of single notes in the bass or the treble registers can break up the monotony of strumming.


Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Tootler - PM
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:44 PM

"Piers Plowman it is possible to get tremolo harmonicas in the tuning you describe. Take a look at the Hohner Celeste

I have tried tremolo harmonicas, but I couldn't really get on with them."

I'll have to check my Hohner broschure. I don't remember the Celeste. I have my eye on the Echos or the rack with six tremolo harmonicas in different keys. I can't remember what it's called off-hand, but it looks expensive.

Tremolo harmonicas are used in German Volksmusik and I think the tremolo is often kind of a corny effect, but I'd still like to try one out. My recorder students have a somewhat battered Big River harmonica which seems to have a few reeds that don't respond. I didn't like the sound very much.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: GUEST,Jack Campin (in Budapest)
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 02:26 PM

George Current, who I play with most Sundays in Sandy Bells, uses a tremolo in D and A for a lot of Scottish pipe tunes. Produces a big sound which in a vague sort of way achieves the effect you'd get with a drone. Iain Grant (who used to lead the same session) often used the same sort of beast.

I sometimes play along with that using a Hungarian double whistle in A with an A drone. For tunes where the range fits, the combo with the tremolo moothie sounds like a minature ceilidh band.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 12:18 PM

Subject: RE: ukelele to replace recorder
From: Captain Birdseye - PM
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 12:17 PM

"piers .there are diatonic harmoincas that have the missing note,there is one called a [melody maker] lee oskar, [...]"

I just took a look at this. Very clever. G major and C Lydian. However, it doesn't really solve my problem, since the lower and upper octaves are still incomplete.

I don't know why someone just can't make a twelve-hole harmonica with three complete octaves. Hohner does make one, the Marine Band soloist, but it's only available in C.

Is there nobody else who wants a harmonica like this? Is the rest of the world really satisfied with incomplete octaves?!

What I really want is a chromatic harmonica that will fit in a rack and that either doesn't require a slide or with a slide that can be operated by a foot pedal or flaring one's nostrils or otherwise without using one's hands.

Hohner is really missing a trick; I'm sure they'd sell like hotcakes.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 12:32 PM

hohner, have lost the plot,they have been oveertaken by Saltarelle and Castagnari as regards diatonic accordions as well.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: GUEST,DPF
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

Just to repeat Eve's plaudits of James Hill and Chalmers Doane's work in the Canadian provinces. They're doing incredible work up there and Chalmers' original program for the Canadian school system created a number of phenomenal musicians, including James himself.   

One of the things that I like about ukuleles in general is their flexibility in terms of style. They adapt themselves well to open tunings and a broad variety of styles. They're one of my favorite instruments to play Jazz because of the ease of creating different and complicated voicings without becoming an instant subscriber to the carpal tunnel journal of premature physical therapy. That and the ability to sing and harmonize on a broad variety of musics, ease of play and accessibility make it very attractive for educators and anyone who is making the attempt to have more people play together rather than treat music as a spectator sport. There are also lots of groups, resources, books, videos and cultural interest that exist around the instrument, which doesn't seem to be the case so much with the recorder in the communities I frequent.

Not that I don't like recorders. I'm interested to know if anyone out there is doing anything with them and harmony in schools. I think their tone is just about ideal. I'd also be curious to know if anyone is doing anything with the mountain dulcimer in education. Again, there are a number of decent inexpensive ones, relatively easy to play and great to sing with.

Anyone?

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 05:58 PM

The problem with teaching kids recorder is that it doesn't connect them with the music that they know. You can play most of the pop stuff on a uke if you are so inclined, and it has become the signature instrument on children's television, so the sounds that they make are sounds that they are very familiar with --and it is great for keeping a beat, which comprises about 90% of what kids hear nowadays--

This thread has inspired me--and I'm putting together materials with the idea that I'll start working with kids again--I've already ordered the Chalmers stuff--any else that anyone finds useful?

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Eve Goldberg
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 11:32 PM

Hey Stringsinger,

Check out Ukulele Underground

James Hill has a comprehensive list of
ukulele links on his site including educational sites, discussion forums etc.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 12:45 AM

Eve, thanks for the links. My grandson is determined he will play his uke like a rock star.:-)

Another reason harmonicas are a good thing: Click Here.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: meself
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 09:27 AM

Somewhere up above, Piers Plowman asked about the XB-40 ("Extreme Bender", that is). I have a few of them; however, I do not use them to their full potential, in the sense that I don't bend much to get the "missing notes". I don't play a lot of blues/jazz/pop these days, and I don't like the sound of bent notes, no matter how cleanly hit, in straight-ahead fiddle tunes on the harmonica, which is what I mainly do play. As for those missing notes, I follow the thoroughly traditional and thoroughly unfashionable practice of finding ways around them. The XB-40s I use mainly for sessions or other situations where I need greater volume than usual - and since I don't play much in public these days, I don't use them often. But those in the know say that you can play them quite loud on a regular basis without damaging the reeds. Perhaps because of the price, they don't seem to have caught on in a huge way. And some players just don't like the tone, but that's a matter of taste.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Stringsinger
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 11:11 AM

Thanks Eve but I don't need songs. Got plenty of them being a guitar player. What I need
is right hand strum rhythm patterns. I learned a basic one from Mel Bay but I hear Cliff Edwards and Formby doing right hand stuff kinda' like what they do in Mexican guitar patterns. Nothing on this with the two sites you sent me. Any suggestions?

Frank

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 05:26 PM

Frank--here's a link to the 1921 Kamiki Ukulele Method online http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/ukulele-kamiki/
--there is info about the basic ukukele roles--Basic Rolls and Strokes

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Shoyu
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 06:12 PM

I am preparing to start a recorder consort in the LEA where I teach. The group will consist of secondary pupils who have been given recorders ranging from descant to bass. We will be joined by any primary aged players who would like to come.

We will certainly be playing in harmony and as a versatile musician myself I will ensure a varied diet!

Having neglected the recorder since primary school I have recently acquired a couple of beautiful instruments and on Saturday I performed in public on the treble recorder for the first time in 25 years.

In my experience kids love playing the recorder (I'm sure they will love the Uke too!), it's the perception of adults that is the problem (a bit like beginner fiddle!)

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: DPF
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 10:15 PM

Frank, Another great resource for strums is Ralph Shaw's essential strums for the ukulele" DVD. He not only is an excellent teacher, covers everything from the Formby Split Stroke to Bo Diddley, but he is also a refugee from the study of applied physics who found that juggling was certainly an apt way of application. Anyone who combines these attributes with clear, coherent teaching style without descending into pedagogical idiocy is my friend and we likes him. Anything in particular you're looking for?

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 10:47 PM

I have an excellent Ovation Uke , but if I am going to a session where I MAY be able to collect some good tunes , my Zoom 4 Recorder
will be a lot more use !

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 06:11 AM

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: meself - PM
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 09:27 AM

"Somewhere up above, Piers Plowman asked about the XB-40 ("Extreme Bender", that is). I have a few of them; however, I do not use them to their full potential, in the sense that I don't bend much to get the "missing notes". [...]"

Thank you, meself. It sounds like the XB-40 wouldn't really be a solution to my specific problem, though I wouldn't mind buying one to experiment with.

"As for those missing notes, I follow the thoroughly traditional and thoroughly unfashionable practice of finding ways around them."

Yes, that seems to be the only possibility. It's even kind of fun, in a way. With sufficient funds and a place where I could use my tools without disturbing my neighbours I could make any kind of harmonica I wanted. Maybe when my ship comes in.

I must admit that I play the guitar better when I don't play the harmonica at the same time and vice versa. It's just so much fun --- and I've been noticing an improvement.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 11:15 AM

Just by chance I found the following and thought it might be of interest:

Heartstrings - Kamaka ukes on PBS.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: Tootler
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 06:31 PM

hohner, have lost the plot

I don't think that's true as far as harmonicas are concerned. As well as the Anthony Dannecker modified Special 20's, I have a Big River in F and a Pro Harp in G both in standard tuning and they are perfectly good harmonicas. I also have Lee Oskars in several keys and there is little to choose between them and the Hohners in terms of tone and playability. It is a matter of personal preference.

Geoff

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: meself
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 06:43 PM

If you do get tinkering with your harmonicas, you can get no end of good advice from members of harp-l. There are professional harmonica customizers on the list, including some of the big names, as well as experienced and knowledgeable amateurs. They love - and I use the word advisedly - to expound on such compelling matters as the finer points of re-tuning, re-gapping, and re-jigging generally.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 07:01 AM

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: meself
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 06:43 PM

"If you do get tinkering with your harmonicas, you can get no end of good advice from members of harp-l. There are professional harmonica customizers on the list, including some of the big names, as well as experienced and knowledgeable amateurs. They love - and I use the word advisedly - to expound on such compelling matters as the finer points of re-tuning, re-gapping, and re-jigging generally."

Thank you, meself. If I could only find a place to work again, I have pretty much all the tools I would need, though I might have to buy some more metal-working tools. Not that I'd mind; I love buying tools, when I've got the wherewithal.

I take it you're a professional harmonica player and a session musician in that capacity? I'm very impressed. I would think there would be a lot fewer harmonica players than, say, keyboard or guitar players among session musicians.

Have you (or anyone else here) ever tried the orchestral harmonicas made by Hohner or others? They look very interesting but _way_ out of my price range.

At present, I'd most like to fill in the gaps in the keys in my harmonica collection. I thought I'd like to try a Marine Band in A, because it has pearwood comb and I like the sound of my chromatic which also has one. Any opinions on plastic vs. metal vs. wood combs?

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: GUEST,Piers Plowman at different place
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 07:02 AM

Sorry, that last posting was me. Forgot that I'm not logged in here.

Subject: RE: ukulele to replace recorder
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 04:04 PM

the lee oskar melody maker in g is like this.
c[d]e[g]a [b[]c[d]e[f#]g[a]c[b]e[d]g[f#]c[a]notes in brackets are suck,you have to bend blow c to get very high b