People of Earth
Let There Be more Ukulelians
Ukulelians are people of alll ages and persuasions, each equipped with a spirit of adventure and a desire to learn with their small instruments and big dreams, they're on a mission to bring the greatest glory to the cutest of instruments and put music and happiness back into the hands and hearts of the people.
They can be noisy but are friendly and fun to be around and they are growing in number all over the world. They meet whenever they can, in places all over the world to ensure that the sweet sounds of many ukes and voices make themselves heard.
If you play a Ukulele you are a Ukulelian you may as well admit it, because a little Ukulelian dwells within many of us, I am happy to say, and that little Uke will bring out the Ukulelian in you as it has in me.
Ukulelians are people of alll ages and persuasions, each equipped with a spirit of adventure and a desire to learn with their small instruments and big dreams, they're on a mission to bring the greatest glory to the cutest of instruments and put music and happiness back into the hands and hearts of the people.
They can be noisy but are friendly and fun to be around and they are growing in number all over the world. They meet whenever they can, in places all over the world to ensure that the sweet sounds of many ukes and voices make themselves heard.
If you play a Ukulele you are a Ukulelian you may as well admit it, because a little Ukulelian dwells within many of us, I am happy to say, and that little Uke will bring out the Ukulelian in you as it has in me.
It All Started With My First Uke
Here it is. The day I brought it home, in the U beaut case the man sold me to keep it in. Sitting beside the old guitar. Wow, I picked it up and started playing it and have played it pretty much every day since for hours and hours and hours. So small, so melodious and so much fun to play. I went miles to get to my first group session because there were no groups anywhere near me. I loved it, the happiness, the noise, the great vibe in the room, so I started my own group a bit closer to home. That was about a year ago.
All different players at all different levels was a challenge. The music needed to keep everyone on the same page at the same time. It started with a small screen displaying PDF files of lyrics with chords, we moved on to a big screen projector, then came KaraUkey, big words and chords on the screen karaoke style with backing tracks tailored to sing and play along with on our ukes. KaraUkey - Karaoke Uke n Play. Not just for group sessions, it will run on any PC and is great for learning, practicing or just jamming along with. I needed digital download and distribution licences to produce it and offer it for sale, but that also gives me legal access to a massive body of proven classic hits to turn into KaraUkey.
All different players at all different levels was a challenge. The music needed to keep everyone on the same page at the same time. It started with a small screen displaying PDF files of lyrics with chords, we moved on to a big screen projector, then came KaraUkey, big words and chords on the screen karaoke style with backing tracks tailored to sing and play along with on our ukes. KaraUkey - Karaoke Uke n Play. Not just for group sessions, it will run on any PC and is great for learning, practicing or just jamming along with. I needed digital download and distribution licences to produce it and offer it for sale, but that also gives me legal access to a massive body of proven classic hits to turn into KaraUkey.
And Now
Lots of workshops and meetups later, I now know that beginners initially see the chord shapes and changes as the biggest challenge. Eventually though this gives way to getting the timing and rhythm right, since learning the chords and chord changes is really just a matter of practice, or getting the chords into your fingers. The most important part of strumming is staying with the beat. The timing is all important and it was tinkering with PC based metronomes and playing along with PC based karaoke backing tracks that led to KaraUkey, the ultimate metronome and then some. Beginners can slow it right down so that they can keep up with their chord hand untill their chord changes improve, then speed it up and eventually add a few licks of their own, all at home on their own PC's.
As for my own playing, I have been a singer/guitarist for many years so I already had the dexterity in my chord hand when I took up the uke. I love the freedom of playing without a plectrum, of being able to switch from picking notes to playing strums and switching from thumb to finger while you're playing a song. But what KaraUkey also brought for me was being able to play a few licks of my own, something I do not often get to do.
As for my own playing, I have been a singer/guitarist for many years so I already had the dexterity in my chord hand when I took up the uke. I love the freedom of playing without a plectrum, of being able to switch from picking notes to playing strums and switching from thumb to finger while you're playing a song. But what KaraUkey also brought for me was being able to play a few licks of my own, something I do not often get to do.
So what's in it for you - The budding Ukulelian
If you are looking to liven up your strumming check out Strum Class, a set of backing tracks that come with a book explaining the art of strumming in simple steps. The patterns, the methods the little tricks that look so complicated but are really fairly simple. This is a surefire way to build up your skills.
Or you can take the opportunity to go straight to KaraUkey, with a growing library of classic songs. OK except for the player itself it's not free because it's based on great songs people have written, and we can't share it without a licence but it's not expensive either and if my experience is anything to go by, you and your Uke will never look back. We have now established a KarUkey.com website dedicated totally to the continuing development and distribution of KaraUkey.
Or you can take the opportunity to go straight to KaraUkey, with a growing library of classic songs. OK except for the player itself it's not free because it's based on great songs people have written, and we can't share it without a licence but it's not expensive either and if my experience is anything to go by, you and your Uke will never look back. We have now established a KarUkey.com website dedicated totally to the continuing development and distribution of KaraUkey.
A Free Player to run KaraUkey on a PCThis fantastic little player runs KaraUkey, and PC based Karaoke. It has lots of features, and is totally free to download. It is quick and easy to download and install for windows.
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KaraUKey - Karaoke Uke n Play
This is a screenshot of KaraUkey. It works just like Karaoke but also includes the chords. Chords are included for the intros, instrumental sections and outros for each of the songs.
You can Play while these tracks back you up! Whether you are learning to play, want to develop better timing, or you just want to "Jam", these files are just what the doctor ordered! You can play them over and over again, practice your chords, or your very own breaks with the backing. Speed them up or slow them down, turn the various instruments on or off, your 'backing musos" will do exactly as you ask, over and over again.
You can Play while these tracks back you up! Whether you are learning to play, want to develop better timing, or you just want to "Jam", these files are just what the doctor ordered! You can play them over and over again, practice your chords, or your very own breaks with the backing. Speed them up or slow them down, turn the various instruments on or off, your 'backing musos" will do exactly as you ask, over and over again.
