Monday, May 30, 2016

Rhan Wilson || All In Good Time (Blog & Book)


Rhan Wilson "All In Good Time"

Rhan Wilson is a friend of mine from Santa Cruz, California. We met at the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz and then later I became his student. He has a way of teaching music in a very personal, clear, and insightful way. He is a creative and inspiring person to all of his students.

He teaches rhythm and music. His insights are available on his blog named All In Good Time and now also in his new book also named All In Good Time


New Book: Classics for the Baritone by Michael Walker

Classics for the Baritone (Amazon Link) May 4, 2016

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Sittin' on Top of the World || Lil' Rev & Kentucky Kids

Lil' Rev's version wars posted 8 years ago and I'm sure that I've posted it once or twice before. He is a master multi-instrumentalist. I was reminded of him when watching the second video of Bluegrass Playin' Kids from Kentucky. There aren't any ukuleles in the group but it shows amazing musicality & cooperation to have so many kids share the limelight.

Lil' Rev has a new Fiddle Tunes on Ukulele book out for standard GCEA tuned ukes. I have a copy of it and I've just begun working with some of the tunes. He writes for Hal Leonard and the book has all of the songs posted on the Hal Leonard site where they have a super-player that allows on to change speeds for learning and possible even to one to change the pitch to work with the bari's lower tuning.

This 8 year old video is a bit grainy but Marc's talent shines thru...


Kids on Bluegrass perform "Sittin' On Top of the World" at the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association Fan Fest in Nashville. They're a lot of fun to watch...
 

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Ken Middleton || Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Gospel Bari)



Ken Middleton sent an e-mail with some recent videos from his performances at the 2016 Ukulele Festival of Scotland. He mentions an upcoming trip to the Ukulele World Congress meeting in Indiana and that he's bringing his "amazing" new custom Mike Pereira baritone ukulele with him there. 

Ken expects to have some videos the new new bari at the UWC. He says, "I know I don’t make as many baritone videos as I should, but I took my baritone to play at the recent amazing Scottish Ukulele Festival. I had a long set in the last concert and played it for quite a few tunes. I have already put three of them online. You may not have seen them. I am pretty pleased with them. I will be making a lot more baritone vidoes from now on."

We will look forward to them!

Here's a couple more from the Ukulele Festival of Scotland...

https://youtu.be/iql85UTX8rw

https://youtu.be/WOYN2azHP3c

Thursday, May 5, 2016

The Polyjesters

As I was listening to Folk Alley Internet Radio I saw that The Polyjesters were playing. I have posted videos and photos of them in the past. Here's a great bari player photo.


Sheldon Valleau

FOLK ALLEY || INTERNET RADIO

Playing an acoustic instrument has affected my tastes in music quite a bit. I like it a bit slower and thoughtful. I have recently re-found Folk Alley. It is an eclectic internet radio station that plays folk music +. I have been pleasantly surprised to find Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Alison Kraus, and Jackson Browne mixed in a very natural way.

They also have a community blog.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Aaron & Nicole Keim || Spanish Fandango

I have had the opportunity to meet Aaron and Nicole (and Henry) during their California trips. They are good people creating good music. Aaron is playing his Mya-Moe baritone ukulele.

Be sure to check out his website The Quiet American and the Fingerstyle Ukulele book. The book includes the Spanish Fandango (in GCEA). I have a copy and the tab works fine for solo bari too. This book would be a great gift for any ukulele player, including beginners, Nicole's artwork makes it all very fun and clear. 

 

Aaron & Nicole Keim || Carved Into My Heart