December 17 Jam

Mele Kalikimaka, everyone!

Thanks to all who participated in the performances this past weekend! We all had a great time, singing songs with our ukes at the Conservatory Pond retirement home and at the Fairmount Home.

This coming weekend, some of us will be performing at the Sunday market at the Memorial Centre. If you're interested in joining us, we're scheduled for 11:00am to noon.

But now to this Wednesday's jam, at 7:00pm. We'll keep things informal, skipping the workshop. I suppose some people may not have gotten tired of Christmas songs yet, so we'll still do some. All I ask is that we do Christmas songs that we haven't already done this month. I've arranged some more Christmas songs, downloadable here. If you have your own favorite songs, holiday related or not, please do bring along copies.

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

December 3 Ukulele Jam - It's Christmas, Man!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

As the snow begins to fall, we know it's time once again for Christmas music. And so the theme of the December 3rd jam is, well, you know what! There are two reasons for doing the Christmas theme early in the month: First, this month is a busy time for everyone, and many people will probably be too busy to attend the December 17th jam. Second, this gives us a chance to practice in advance of our Christmas performance schedule.

Yes, that's right. We have a couple of Christmas-time gigs, both on Saturday, December 13. The first is at 10:00am at the Conservatory Pond retirement home, and the second is 2:00pm at the Fairmount nursing home. At the last jam, there were about eight of us who expressed interest in participating. But of course, the more the merrier. If anyone else wants to join in, just let me know. Between the two events, we'll probably meet somewhere in the middle for lunch.

In preparation for this week's jam, 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 3, I've prepared some songs appropriate to the season, downloadable here. I'll probably prepare a few more songs for Wednesday. And if there are songs you like that aren't in that list, please feel free to bring them along.

One more thing: I still have the $50 gift certificate from KingstonFest. I'll bring it on Wednesday, and give it away at random to one of the participants in that event.

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

November 19 Ukulele Jam

Greetings!

As the snow returns to Kingston, we all need a pick-me-up. What can be better than a uke jam to pick up our spirits during the darkest days of the year.

The next jam is this Wednesday, November 19, at the Royal Tavern. We'll start at 7:00pm with a workshop, exploring the intricacies of a popular song of the mid-1960's, a song that helped popularize the Gibson Fuzzbox. 

We'll continue at 8:00pm with our usual open jam, where we'll play a variety of songs. If you like, you can solo your favorite songs, lead the group with your song choices, or just sit back and strum along with the group. I've prepared the following songs, conveniently packaged in one pdf:

• Easy Come Easy Go, Great Lakes Swimmers 2012 (video)
• Killing Me Softly, Lori Lieberman 1971 (video)
• Little Record Girl, Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen) 2014 (video)
• What Did You Learn In School Today, Tom Paxton 1962 (play along video)

I'll also bring along copies of some songs we've done before. Please feel free to bring along copies of songs you want to do too.

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

November 5 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, Kingston ukulele fans!

It's time for ukulele jam again! The next jam takes place this Wednesday, November 5, at the Royal Tavern. We'll begin with a workshop at 7:00pm, where we'll meet another variation on a strum pattern we've seem before. At 8:00pm, we'll have our usual open jam. I'll bring along a bunch of songs, conveniently packaged here in one PDF. Here are some of them:

• Year of the Cat, Al Stewart (play along video)
• You Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley, Woody Guthrie (video)

I'll probably bring along one or two other songs too. And of course, please do bring along your favorite songs too.

In other news, Mary Whitney and John Barker are starting up ukulele classes again this fall. Classes begin on Monday, November 3, at the church hall of Seeleys Bay United Church, corner of Adelaide Street and Helen Street. Absolute newbies start at 7:00 p.m. All others are invited to come for 7:30 p.m. Classes are free. For more information, e-mail John at barkerjr1943@gmail.com.

Also, the next session of the Kingston Sing-along Society takes place this Friday, November 7. This is a great chance to have fun jamming with other instruments: Darwin on bass, Mara on cello, Paul on accordion, Mary on ukulele, Phyllis on guitar, and me on banjo uke. If you have a copy of Rise Up Singing, bring it along. But there should be a few extra copies on hand anyways. The singing starts at 7:30, at 206 Concession Street. Park at the back, and enter through the west side entrance.

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

October 15 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, ukulele fans!

I just got back from my second big turkey dinner of the weekend, so I'd better get this missive done before I fall asleep. I hope all of you had as good a Thanksgiving weekend!

First, a big thank you to those who participated in the KingstonFest event! Altogether, we had seven ukulele players serenading people in the St. Lawrence College cafeteria. 

But on to the next ukulele jam. We start at 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 15, with a workshop. After a short break, we'll resume at 8:00pm with our usual open jam. You'll have the opportunity to show off your uke skills, or lead the group with your favorite songs. Or just sit back and strum along with everyone else. With no other public performances in the foreseeable future, we're back to our usual routine. So far, I've prepared a few songs:

• Maxwell's Silver Hammer, The Beatles, 1969 (play along video)
• Take It Easy, The Eagles, 1972  (play along video)
• Take Me Home, Country Roads, John Denver, 1971 (play along video)

Before Wednesday, I should have a few more songs. As usual, please feel free to bring copies of your songs too.

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

October 1 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, ukulele fans!

Exactly four years ago today, nine ukulele players met for the first time at the Kingston School of Music. This was the beginning of the regular ukulele jams of the Kingston Ukulele Society. We've had our ups and downs (as described in my previous blog posting), but the jams continue, stronger than ever, thanks to you, the devoted ukulele players of Kingston! This Saturday, we resume doing performances with a 25 minute gig at the Sustainable Kingston KingstonFest, 11:30am, at St. Lawrence College.

But now it's time for the first ukulele jam of our fifth year, this Wednesday, October 1, at the Royal Tavern. We'll start with a workshop at 7:00pm. After the break, we'll resume at 8:00pm with our usual open jam. We'll continue to practice our proposed repertoire for KingstonFest, and narrow it down to six or seven songs. These songs should appeal to everyone, even if you cannot join us for the performance. (However, the more ukulele players we get for Saturday, the better!) As usual, you'll have your chance to show off the songs you're practicing, or lead the group in your favorite songs. If the latter, be sure to bring copies. Or if you like, you can just sit back and strum along.

Here are the PDF's for the proposed repertoire:

• KingstonFest Repertoire
• Ukulele Lady
• Happy

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

Four Years of Uke Jam in Kingston

In the winter of 2010, Sylvana and I decided to move from Toronto to my hometown, Kingston. I knew I'd miss a few things about Toronto, especially the weekly Corktown Ukulele Jam. I decided that if Kingston didn't already have a regular ukulele jam, it would certainly have one once I got settled there. An so on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, nine ukulele players met for the first time at the Kingston School of Music. A few weeks later, we came up with the name "Kingston Ukulele Society".

For the first few months, attendance averaged about six or seven people. But we always had a problem scrounging for chairs and music stands. By the spring, interest started to grow a bit, and we were able to meet at the RCHA Club, which at the time was a popular venue for music.

Unfortunately, over the summer, several of our regulars moved away. Furthermore, the RCHA moved us from Wednesday evening to Monday evening. Attendance fell, and we changed to a once a month schedule. By the summer of 2012, I was ready to pack it in.

But then one of our former regulars returned. I decided to continue, but only if we could find a new venue and return to Wednesday evenings. He recommended the Royal Tavern, which came as a bit of a shock considering that bar's reputation. Some of us checked out their "back room", and we agreed that it would be an improvement over the RCHA. We would have easy parking, either on Princess Street or at the back. And we wouldn't have to take an elevator.

What a difference that made! Attendance started to pick up again. By the spring of 2014, we were back to a twice monthly jam. And we introduced a beginner's workshop to start out the jam, which has also proven popular.

Interest in ukulele in the general area has also increased. There are now monthly jams in Sydenham and Napanee.

What's next for the Kingston Ukulele Society? During our first year, we did a couple of performances at the RCHA and one at the Mug and Truffle, which were well received. When attendance started to flag, during 2012, we stopped doing performances. While attendance picked up once we were at the Royal, monthly jams made it difficult to practice repertoire. However, in early October, we're back on stage with a 30 minute performance at the Sustainable Kingston KingstonFest.

My next goal is to put together a group of ukulele players from the ranks of regular jam attendees who are willing to commit to regular practice sessions in addition to the twice monthly jams, for the purpose of public performances. The primary goal of such a group would be to have fun making music while entertaining audiences. I'm not looking for great ukulele players, just players willing to make a commitment, and wanting to have fun.

Cheers! Hans

September 17 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, fans of the Hawaiian four-string chordophone!

The last jam of the summer is this week, on Wednesday, September 17, at the Royal Tavern. The days are getting cooler. But we can still keep warm playing the ukulele and singing our favorite songs.

The jam begins at 7:00pm with a beginners' workshop. After the break, we'll resume with our usual open jam, where you can demonstrate that song you've been practicing. Or lead the group. Or just sit back and strum along. Since the KingstonFest event is coming up, we will continue to practice the proposed repertoire, and pare down the list to fit a 30 minute set. If you haven't yet committed to joining us on Saturday October 4, please do. The more ukulele players, the better. But do indeed come to the Wednesday jam even if you can't attend the event.

And as usual, please bring along copies of your favorite songs. It's always great to learn new songs from others.

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.

One other event coming up soon: The Kingston Sing-along Society holds its first session on Friday, October 3, 7:30-9:30pm at 206 Concession Street. Instruments, including ukulele, are welcome. This will give you a chance to jam with a variety of other musicians, as well as sing some great traditional folk songs. This should be a lot of fun, and hopefully will be a regular monthly event.

Cheers! Hans

September 3 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, ukulele fans!

It's now September, and the kids will soon be back in school. And it's time for another ukulele jam!

We'll start at 7:00pm this Wednesday, September 3, with a workshop. Following the break, we'll resume with our usual open jam at 8:00pm, where you'll have your chance to present or lead the group with your favorite songs. We'll also continue practicing songs in preparation for the October 4 KingstonFest event, songs which should also appeal to those not participating in the event. These songs include those in the proposed repertoire (download). In addition, I propose adding the classic song Ukulele Lady.

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

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

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:

• Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison 1967. (video)
• Calendar Girl, Neil Sedaka 1960. (video)
• Crawdad Song, traditional. (video)
• Daydream Believer, the Monkees 1967. (play along video)
• Grandpa Was A Carpenter, John Prine 1973. (play along video)
• Paloma Blanca, George Baker 1975. (video)
• Take Good Care Of My Baby, Bobby Vee 1961. (video)
• You're Sixteen, Johnny Burnette 1960. (video)

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

July 16 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greetings!

Well, we had a record attendance at our last jam, featuring Manitoba Hal leading the workshop! I hope everyone learned a thing or two about the blues. So many people came that we ended up with a surplus of funds. So at the July 16 jam, I'll draw names from a hat and give out some prizes to a few lucky attendees of the last jam. You don't have to be at the July 16 jam to claim your prize if your name is drawn. But if you're there, it will make it easier for you to get your prize.

But now it's on to the July 16 jam. We'll begin with our usual workshop at 7:00pm. To build on the momentum from the last workshop, I propose we further explore blues turnarounds, practicing the blues in the key of C, as well as trying out some turnarounds in a different key.

Following the break, we'll continue with an open jam, where you'll have your chance to show off your skills, or lead the group in song. Or if you like, you can just sit back and strum along with the group. Feel free to bring your songs. I've prepared a few songs, conveniently packaged in one PDF:

• The Ballad of John and Yoko, the Beatles, 1969 (video)
• Don't Be Cruel, Elvis Presley, 1956 (play along video)
• Gotta Travel On, Billy Grammer, 1959 (play along video)
• Guitars, Cadillacs, Dwight Yoakim, 1986 (play along video)
• Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me, Mississippi John Hurt (video)
• Sloop John B, traditional (video)
• That'll Be The Day, Buddy Holly and the Crickets 1957 (play along video)
• Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore, John Prine, 1971 (play along video)

As usual, 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

July 2 Ukulele Jam, with Manitoba Hal Workshop

Greetings!

It's now summer! And for our first jam of the summer, we are excited to have a special guest doing the workshop portion of the jam, Hal Brolund, also known as Manitoba Hal. He has already left his home in Nova Scotia for his tour of Ontario, and will join us on Wednesday July 2.

For those who have already paid for the workshop, thank you! Some have promised to pay me before the jam. If you can't pay me before tomorrow (Friday June 27), then please bring your $25 to the jam. If you haven't already sent me an e-mail expressing your intent to come to the workshop, we can still add a few more people. But please let me know as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

As mentioned before, the workshop starts at 7:30pm. Please be prompt. Better to arrive early, say 7:00pm, so you can order a beverage from the bar before the workshop, and tune your ukulele.

For those coming from out of town, exit highway 401 at Division Street. Drive south about 4km, and turn left on Princess Street. The Royal Tavern in on the right just past Barrie Street, a block and a half from Division. Note that on-street parking is free in the evening. (If there's no parking on Princess Street, drive around to the back: Turn right on Clergy Street, then right on Brock Street. Just past the fire hall is a narrow parking lot, also free in the evening. Enter the door with the "Royal Tap Room" sign.) Here's a map showing the location.

Following the workshop, we'll have our usual open jam. You'll have the opportunity to solo a song or two, or lead the group. Or you can just sit back and strum along. Since this portion of the jam will be shorter than usual, and with a bigger group than usual, we'll play songs from our favorites list, downloadable here. I'll bring a few more songs, songs that I think should be added to our favorites, in addition to some other popular 3-chord songs from the past year or so.

As usual, we meet in the front room 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

Ukulele Workshop with Manitoba Hal

Come join us on Wednesday, July 2, for a ukulele workshop led by the accomplished blues musician Hal Brolund, also known as Manitoba Hal. Hal will introduce you to playing blues on ukulele, using some 3-chord songs, examining variations in structure and style. This is suitable for beginners, however, more intermediate players will also learn from the workshop. I've been to a couple of his workshops, and I recommend them highly.

The workshop will take place July 2 at 7:30pm at the historic Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street, in Kingston. The cost is $25 per person. Please pay in advance. You may pay either via PayPal, or e-mail me at hans@boldts.net to make other arrangements to pay. To pay via PayPal, click on the following link:

Update: We now have a full house. No more registrations will be accepted. Your seat is guaranteed if you've already paid, or you've e-mailed me with your promise to pay on Wednesday. I'll send out a reminder a few days before the workshop.

Be sure to arrive early. Note that there's usually free parking available on Princess Street. Or park for free in the lot at the back off Brock Street, just past Clergy Street. Park in the lot on the right immediately past the fire station. Click here for a map. For those coming from out of town, exit Highway 401 at Division Street, drive south, and turn left on Princess Street. The Royal is a block and a half from Division, on the right, just past Barrie Street.

Following the workshop, you may stay for the usual ukulele jam hosted by the Kingston Ukulele Society, which meets twice a month at the Royal Tavern. Then, you can practice your newly learned skills with the others.

Cheers! Hans

June 18 Ukulele Jam, at the Historic Royal Tavern

Greetings, ukulele fans!

The election is over, and we can all breathe again! Now that that's over, we can think about our next ukulele jam, on Wednesday, June 18, at the Royal Tavern, in a historic building once owned by Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. We'll start at 7:00pm with a beginners' workshop, followed by the usual open jam at 8:00pm. (I'll update you on the July 2 workshop later.)

For the open jam, you will have the opportunity to solo a song or two, or lead the group in a song, or just sit back and strum along with everyone else. Feel free to bring copies of your favorite songs. Here are some that I've arranged. For your convenience, you can download them as one PDF.

• At The Hop, Danny & the Juniors, 1957 (video)
• Come Together, the Beatles, 1969 (play along video)
• Coming Into Los Angeles, Arlo Guthrie, 1969 (play along video)
• I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash, 1972 (play along video)
• If Not For You, Bob Dylan, as recorded by George Harrison, 1971 (play along video)
• Safe European Home, the Clash, 1978. (video)

As usual, 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

June 4 Ukulele Jam at the Royal Tavern

Aloha, everyone!

The weather is getting warmer, and if you're like me, you're probably practicing your ukulele outside in the fresh air. The June 4 jam approaches. We'll begin with a workshop at 7:00pm, starting with some basic strum practice, followed by some more challenging strum patterns, perhaps revisiting the strum pattern that some found challenging last time.

At 8:00pm, we'll have our usual open jam, where everyone will have their chance to solo their favorite songs, or lead the group. Please feel free to bring copies of your songs. Or if you like, you can sit back and strum along with the group. I'll bring the following songs, conveniently packaged as one PDF:

• Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, Gerry and the Pacemakers, 1964. (video)
• Froggy Went A Courtin', traditional Scottish song. (video)
• Hockey Song, Stompin' Tom Connors, 1973. (video)
• My Little Runaway, Del Shannon, 1961. (play along video)
• Rhythm Of The Rain, Cascades, 1962. (video, key of E)
• Take a Message To Mary, Everly Brothers, 1958. (video)
• There's a Kind of Hush, Herman's Hermits, 1967. (play along video)

Okay, so there are a lot of songs from the 1960's. It was a great decade for music!

As usual, 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

May 21 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greetings!

It's now the middle of May, and I'm sure all of you are putting your Victoria Day weekend to good use, practicing your ukulele on your deck or patio, perhaps with other musicians.

But now our next ukulele jam is coming up quickly, on Wednesday May 21, just two days following Victoria Day. As usual, we'll begin at 7:00pm with a workshop, where we'll explore a variation on a strum pattern we've seen before, applying it to a couple of songs in a couple of different keys.

For the open jam starting at 8:00pm, you'll have your chance to show your stuff or lead the group in your favorite songs. If you want to lead, please bring copies of your songs for the rest of us. Or just sit back and strum along with the rest of the group. I'll bring half a dozen songs, some of which we've done before. You can download them here as one PDF, or individually:

• Don't Do Me Like That, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, 1979. (play along video)
• English Tea, Paul McCartney, 2005. (play along video)
• Help Me, Rhonda The Beach Boys, 1965. (video)
• Oleanna, a traditional Norwegian folk song. (video)
• (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Elvis Presley, 1957. (play along video)
• Victoria Day, Melissa McCelland, 2009. (video)

The last three are 3-chord songs, the last being appropriate to the time of year.

As usual, 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

May 7 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greetings!

As we shake off that cold long winter, I know everyone is looking forward to warmer weather, weather that inspires us to play ukulele. Next week is again time for our twice-monthly ukulele jam, on Wednesday May 7, 7:00pm at the Royal Tavern. We'll meet in the front of the bar where there's more room.

For our workshop at 7:00pm, I'll bring a couple of 3-chord songs in a variety of different keys. At our open jam at 8:00pm, feel free to bring your favorite songs. It's your chance to solo your own songs or lead the group. I'll bring some songs we've done before as well as some new songs, packaged as one PDF.

• Daniel by Elton John, 1973 (play along video)
• For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield, 1967 (play along video)
• Lookin' Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1970 (video)
• On The Wings Of A Nightingale written by Paul McCartney, recorded by the Everly Brothers, 1984 (video)
• One Paddle, Two Paddle written by Kui Lee, 1966 (video)
• Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel, 1972 (play along video)

As usual, 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

April 16 Jam at the Royal

Greetings!

Earlier this month, we started our new schedule of twice monthly ukulele jams. Although we had a decent turnout at the last jam, some people may not have heard about the schedule change. Hopefully, everyone soon will get the message. And if you've been turned off by the overcrowding in the back room, in the last jam we met in the front of the Royal Tavern, where there's much more room. If numbers warrant, we'll probably continue doing that.

And now on to our next jam. We'll start with a beginner's workshop at 7:00pm. No theory this time. We'll spend our time on one particular song, building on a strum pattern we learned before. After a short break, we'll resume at 8:00pm with the usual open jam, where we'll play our favorite songs, either solo, or leading the group. Everyone will get their chance if they want. Or you can just sit back and strum along with the group. Please bring copies of the songs you want to do. As usual, I'll bring an assortment of songs, conveniently packaged in one PDF:

• Beautiful Kaua'i 
• Karma Chameleon by Culture Club, 1983 
• Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by the Beatles, 1968
• Only Sixteen by Sam Cooke, 1959
• World Without Love, a Lennon and McCartney song recorded by Peter and Gordon 1964
• Yellow Submarine by the Beatles, 1966

Okay, so my songs are a bit heavy on songs by Paul McCartney. He wrote some fine songs. Some of these songs are new, others we've done before, some not for several years.

Again, if you use Google Calendar, you can view the Kingston Ukulele Society calendar to see ukulele related events in the area. You can even add the KUS calendar to your "Other calendars" list using the id "d37gm26bqaknvobutjchebqtcc@group.calendar.google.com". If you have a ukulele related event to add to the calendar, just let me know.

As usual, we jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street, a bar once owned by Sir John A. Macdonald. 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

April 2 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greetings!

As this Winter drags out it's vengeance on us in it's final death throes for the year, I know everyone is looking forward to warmer weather. And what better way to welcome Spring that with ukulele music. The next ukulele jam is coming up next week, on Wednesday April 2.

Now then, if you're paying attention, you might point out that it isn't the second Wednesday of the month yet. True. But that's our old jam schedule. As of April, our new schedule is to jam on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. That's right! We're now back to a twice monthly jam! Be sure to express your appreciation to the staff of the Royal Tavern for allowing us to jam more often!

Considering that only a few people braved the snow storm for the last jam, I haven't prepared anything new for this jam. Instead, I'll just bring the songs intended to the March jam. To make things easier for you, I've assembled the songs in one convenient PDF file. This will allow you to save some paper by printing in duplex format. As usual, others are welcome to bring their song choices as well.

• And If Venice Is Sinking by Spirit of the West, 1993 (play along video)
• I'm A Believer by the Monkees, 1966 (video)
• The Last Time by the Rolling Stones, 1965 (video, key of E)
• Lovers In A Dangerous Time by Bruce Cockburn, 1984 (play along video)
• My Rainbow Race by Pete Seeger, 1967 (play along video)
• Worried Man Blues, traditional (video, key of F)

This selection is heavy on songs from the 1960's. But there are songs from the 80's and 90's, as well as an old traditional song. Hopefully, most of these will be familiar to you. However, the Pete Seeger song is something I just recently discovered.

For the workshop, we'll continue to explore strumming patterns and a bit of chord theory, and then apply what we learned with a two-chord song.

So remember, workshop at 7:00pm, break at 7:45pm, and open jam at 8:00pm.

By the way, if you use Google Calendar, you can view the Kingston Ukulele Society calendar to see ukulele related events in the area. You can even add the KUS calendar to your "Other calendars" list using the id "d37gm26bqaknvobutjchebqtcc@group.calendar.google.com". If you have a ukulele related event to add to the calendar, just let me know.

As usual, we jam in the back room of the historic 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

March 12 Ukulele Jam At The Royal

Greetings!

It's time to think about our monthly ukulele jam! We'll continue with the new format, workshop at 7pm, with open jam at 8pm. For this months workshop, we'll start with some strumming practice. A bit of chord theory follows with an introduction to the suspended chords. We'll put the theory into practice using a two-chord song embellished with suspended chords, in an assortment of different keys.

For the open jam, I've arranged a few songs, conveniently packaged in one PDF file. As usual, others are welcome to bring their song choices as well.

• And If Venice Is Sinking by Spirit of the West, 1993 (play along video)
• I'm A Believer by the Monkees, 1966 (video)
• The Last Time by the Rolling Stones, 1965 (video, key of E)
• Lovers In A Dangerous Time by Bruce Cockburn, 1984 (play along video)
• My Rainbow Race by Pete Seeger, 1967 (play along video)
• Worried Man Blues, traditional (video, key of F)

This selection is heavy on songs from the 1960's. But there are songs from the 80's and 90's, as well as an old traditional song. Hopefully, most of these will be familiar to you. However, the Pete Seeger song is something I just discovered this week.

So remember, workshop at 7:00pm, break at 7:45pm, and open jam at 8:00pm.

As usual, we jam in the back room of the historic 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

February 12 Ukulele Jam at the Royal

Greetings, all!

All "Lucky" Orr, UCON founder

First, I'd like to welcome the Ukulele Consortium of Napanee to the ever growing roster of Ontario ukulele jams. I joined them for their first jam last week and had a great time. Their next jam is on Tuesday February 25th. 7:30pm at Marie's Place.

Second, I'd like to thank all the Kingston ukesters for giving us the highest attendance so far at a Kingston Ukulele Society jam. At the January jam, a total of 15 ukulele players joined in! Given the number of beginners at the jam, I think it's time to make a few format changes. Starting with this month's jam, I want to start at 7:00pm with a beginners' workshop. We'll then break at 7:45pm, and resume with our usual jam format at 8:00pm.

And so, our next jam will be next week, on February 12. Starting at 7pm, the workshop will be geared towards beginners, starting from the basics. We'll start with some strumming exercises, followed by some easy chord changes using a classic two-chord song. For some variety, we'll do that song in a number of different keys, each one progressively more difficult. The more experienced players may want to have a few drinks in the main bar area during the workshop.

For the song circle portion of the jam starting at 8pm, please bring a few copies of some of your favorite songs. I've prepared a few myself, conveniently packaged in one pdf.

• Do You Wanna Dance by Bobby Freeman 1958,  (play along with the Ramones)
• Paperback Writer by the Beatles, 1966 (play along video)
• Rio by Michael Nesmith, 1977 (play along video)
• Walk Of Life by Dire Straits, 1984 (video in key of E)

In this mix, we have songs from four different decades. One is an easy two-chord song, and two are three-chord songs. "Rio", by ex-Monkee Michael Nesmith, is a bit more challenging, with some interesting chord combinations. If you listen to CBC radio, you may have heard the story behind this song on Terry O'Reilly's show, Under The Influence. In the program called The Marketing of Rock 'N Roll - Part 2, O'Reilly discusses how the video produced by Nesmith for this song led to the development of a cable channel showing music videos 24 hours a day.

As usual, we jam in the back room of the historic 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