STRUMMERS GUESTMAIL ARCHIVES PAGE NINE
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yeah?
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Mahalo to all of you who have taken
the time to sign my book.
3-18-05,Brian Cox
Hello Bruddah
Not been playing long but really enjoying the uke after years of struggling with the guitar.
Got a good ear and voice but can't read music. I think your site is great especially
since it's all your own work. Fantastic!
I visit regularly.
Brysie
3-18-05,Clint
Thanks for your kind words and for usin my site. I appreciate you signin da guestmail
too, cuz.
Mahalo
3-16-05,Chelsea Rawlings Age 39
Hello, my name is Chelsea Rawlings and I live in the UK just outside of London, in a
town called Slough, which is a stones throw from Windsor Castle. I have been playing the
guitar for about 10 years on and off. I'm married to Allison and have 2 beautiful
daughters named India (10) and Scarlet (4), who bought me my ukulele for my
birthday ... Just wanted to let you know this is the best uke site I have come across since
getting my uke for my 39th birthday. Like more and more people who are starting to play the
uke I heard Israel Kamakawiwo'oles version of "Over the rainbow-Wonderful world"
and fell in love with the ukulele. Also being an Elvis fan would like to play songs from his
films. Hopefully you may be able to help me here as I can't find any of the songs with
uke chords. I am playing everyday "just as you asked", using some of the songs
which you have so kindly posted on your site. Cheers cuz, and once again, fantastic
site!!!
3-16-05,Clint
Thanks cuz. Glad you usin' my site.
Daughter gave you a uke, yeah? Looks like you've raised a very smart girl.
Enjoy da journey when learning your craft brah. I will contact you about some cool Elvis
tunes
Mahalo for signin'
3-11-05,Angela Age 24
Such a great site and all HTML, very impressive. The only website i've done was through
geocities...pretty boring. Anyhow, I stumbled onto your site looking for info about basic
music theory to do a speech about it for one of my classes. The coincidence is that I am moving
to Oahu this summer...woo hoo. I'm in Alabama right now, pretty big difference.....lol.
Spent most of my time in AZ before moving to NY, then here. Some of the instruments
i've played...piano mostly...and voice and i've dabbled in teaching myself a bit of
guitar. I may need to check out the ukulele when I get to Hawaii. I'm looking to go
to the U of Hawaii, Manoa, maybe continue my studies of music...that would be neat.
Once again, GREAT SITE, and thanks for letting me borrow the info to cite in my
project!
Angela
3-11-05,Clint
Aaaahh...the U of H (Go Rainbow Warriors!)
Would love to have had da opportunity to go to da U of H. Especially to study da island music.
Good luck on your speech and for checkin ou' my site sistah. Enjoy da islands and enjoy
Manoa too, yeah? (How you gonna go live in Manoa and no play da uke?)
Start strummin and you gonna find it's da kine Angela. Enjoy.
3-6-05,Theo Huang
Dear Sir
I'm not sure if your name is in the Hawaiian language.
I'm lucky enough to find your website where a lot of contents of ukulele are very attractive
and impressive. I like them very much because they can help me have a liking for how to play
and enjoy the small wonderful instrument ukulele. Due to the fact that the melodies of
American songs are beyond my knowledge, I can't figure out what the melody of the song
is, although you have offered the lyrics accompanied by the chords. For the sake of
convenience, is it possible for you to mark the numerical 1234567 (do, re,
mi, fa ...) to replace the normal musical tones in the staff? Then, the
beginners like me, might have fun at singing the song with ukulele accompaniment. It will
build up much fun. Perhaps my request is not reasonable, If so, please forgive my
ignorance of the field of music.
With best regards, Yours truly, Theo Huang
3-6-05,Clint
Name "Clint" in Hawaiian- Kalinakona
Meaning- small quiet village near the cliffs
Trasposing all the melodies into numbers is called solfege. Solfege is the singing of
(do, re, me...) and can be quite a useful skill. Don't try to replace
music with numbers unless you become a skillful solfege singer.
(Oh yes, I've had my share of those classes).
It would benefit you more to take a beginning singing or beginning music theory class and
learn how to actually read music. It won't
take you long to learn and will, in the long run, benefit you more than the numbers.
I know that is not what you want to hear right now, but nonetheless, good luck, Theo
3-3-05,Pat Drigans
My name is Pat Drigans and I am from Buffalo, MN where it is very cold. I wear Hawaiian
shirts and strum ukulele to try to "trick" my way through cold winters. I am a new
ukulele strummer and enjoy the instrument a lot. I play tenor ukulele. I am having trouble
playing a 1st position E chord and wanted to check to see if I am using the right fingers to
make the chord shape. I use my index finger on the A string at the second fret and my
second, third and fourth fingers on the G, C and E at the fourth fret (sort of
tripling them one on top of the other). I find this position extremely hard to manage and
get a clean tone. It is especially hard to change to this position from other chords.
Am I doing this right or should I be attempting to play the 1st position E chord using a
different fingering pattern?
Thanks in advance for your guidance and assistance in
this matter. Aloha
Pat Drigans
3-3-05,Clint
Eh, Pat
I have seen many people try to finger the E chord the way you are doing it. (Very difficult
to get around between chords when trying to finger that way). I will explain to you the
fingering (I recommend everybody learn to use) when fingering the E chord pattern. Some
like it, some don't, either way, I think it is the best and I love it.
Use your index finger on the A string, second fret - and use your ring finger
(the one next to the pinky) for the other 3 strings, G, C and E - fourth
fret. (Yeah, at the same time)
It takes a bit of practice getting used to bending the ring finger enough to clear the A
string while pressing the other 3 strings, but given time and patience and practice,
this becomes a priceless fingering to have mastered.
There you go
Patience
Enjoy the journey
2-25-05,Phil
Am forming a new uke club in E. Central Florida - Melbourne, FL. First meeting will
be on March 9th at 7 PM at J. Michael Instruments in Melbourne. Please contact me for details.
(On Network Pages)
Phil
2-25-05,Clint
Will post for you cuz, good luck on da group
2-16-05,Jay
Aloha, My name is Jay. I'm 20 years old and i've lived in Kauai for the past 2
years. I came down to visit my uncle for a month from Texas and i've never found a reason
to leave! One of these reasons is that a bunch of my friends love going to our favorite
spot after pau hana and we play horseshoes and ukulele till dark, everyday. I've always
picked up their ukes when they set them down, hoping to learn. They've shown me songs
here and there and i've picked them up after awhile. No less than an hour ago I went and
bought my first uke. It's not top of the line, but it's the same uke i've
learned from the fellas, a Lanikai soprano. I've never been able to play an instrument
that i've tried and since I CAN play uke, small kine, i'm dying to learn it
better. I like your site and hope it'll help me along my path.
Aloha
Jay
2-16-05,Clint
I am glad that I am the first site you came to after purchasing your first uke. Good choice
brah! I hope you can find some stuffs to help you along your ukulele path, too.
I tried to put many stuffs here for the novice and advanced player alike, and i've
tried to be as honest as I could when doing it. So hopefully ...
Good luck in your journey. Oh yeah, next time you crusin' thru Koloa, swing by da
Beach House restaurant and jam a margarita at sunset for me, brah. (Dat place
sittin' on da kine real estate, brudda)
Yeah, I kno you say you only 20, but you in da islands ... sheesh ... so who you
tryin' to kid, cuz?
Anyways, if there is anything else I can do to help, lemme kno ...
Mahalo for signin'
2-14-05,John Penn
Hafa Adai Clint,
I just wanted to thank you for having the website "Strummers".
I've been playing guitar for over 30 years and just recently picked up the ukulele and
can't let it go! It's just so easy to like. We have a ukulele and guitar choir
at our church (Harvest Baptist Church, on the Island of Guam) and it's really
been a blessing while just being great fun.
Would you happen to know any websites that might have some jazz charts for uke?
I appreciate any feedback ... again, thanks for your helpful website.
Kind regards, John
2-14-05,Clint
John, I gonna tell you a big secret and you no betta tell everybody. If you want jazz
charts for uke, jus play da ones for guitar, cuz. When you do find the website
for uke jazz chords, you just gonna find somebody who put guitar chords there for you.
Chords are chords, nothin' gonna change between guitar chords and uke chords. See if
you can buy a guitar fake book and jus jam it, bruddah!
Is all da same, same...
Mahalo for signin'
2-14-05,Todd Korup
34 years old, Married, 3 kids, playing and building ukes for about 2 years,
Been to Hawaii 2 times, loved it! Livin' in, and from Wisconsin,
OZaukee County, USA.
Just dropping a line saying nice website. I am an intermediate level (at best)
player, and an intermediate level (maybe better by now) uke builder. Only been
at both for a couple years so I'm always looking for new information. Your website is great.
I have always been a little shy on the "theory" of music. I'm a self taught player
and builder, one by ear and the other by touch! Need a little theory to better my
playing, your site gives me a little more of that. Thanks! Also, love the basic
and honest "feel" of the site! It's great. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing the knowledge,
Todd "The Uker of OZ"
2-14-05,Clint
Sounds like you really have "heart" for the uke. With a little "courage" and
some "brain" time, you'll have the theory down quick. So just follow the
"yellow brick road" to Wisconsin...
(Sheeesh ... sorry, brah ... what you gonna expect .... no bad
jokes ... )
I'm really glad you find some stuffs to use and I like hearing when people do.
Many Mahalos for signin'
2-14-05,Patricia Cleary
I attended a workshop you gave at the October Ukulele Festival. I'm wondering if your
Saturday get-togethers have people who are real beginners. I would like to try coming in a few
weeks if you're game for novices.
Thanks for your web site!
Pat
2-14-05,Clint
We get a wide range of playas at da Strummers group. We have many beginners and some more
advanced players as well. It really is a nice combination, and we're all very nice
too! I look forward to meeting you again.
2-13-05,Barry Hatchett
Hi,
Thanks so much for letting me sit in today, it was really fun. I think you have a
wonderful group. I look forward to joining in as much as I can. Thanks for the many
compliments on my uke case too. I'm very interested in your music book. I've never
seen anything quite like it
Mahalo
Barry Hatchett
2-13-05,Clint
Cool, nice having you sit in with da South Bay Strummers. You are always welcome.
Mahalo for signin'
2-4-05,Sam Paul
Aloha! To whom this may concern.
First of all, I have to say that your website is one of the best for learning everything
Ukulele! I have just recently been bitten by the bug and went and purchased a ukulele
w-electronics. I think it is the neatest thing. I am already a player of the acoustic
guitar and play in a 3 piece acoustic band and we are one of the top acts in my area.
So adding the uke is just fitting. I can't learn it fast enough. Of course it is very
easy to play I just like to add a lot of "little ditties" when I play. Which is why
I must say your site is great. I enjoy perusing your site and links and reading all about
the culture.
IZ is the main reason of course for me seeking out the uke...what a great man.
I would very much like to purchase one of your Ukulele Strummers shirts in Waikiki blue. Let
me know what information you need or what is required.
Keep up the good work!
Sam Paul
Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601
2-4-05,Clint
Sam, I am glad you diggin' my site. Cool. Hope you find da things on dis site you
can use. I gonna contact you about da shirt. Mahalo for signin' cuz.
2-1-05,Patrice Reed
Literally, you have a wonderful site! The best I have seen yet! I am several
months new to the "Internet". I work with children and was scouting a good deal on
ukuleles but had no luck there. Your site was what my quest ended up to be. I spent hours
here and examined your site thoroughly. I am still not done visiting it, if you don't
mind.
I work with elementary K-8 students as a poor musician volunteer. I have done this for
many years and am scouting new supplies for our Hula classes. I am also looking for a video
for the boys part of the Hukilau. I do have a Boy Scout manual with the part for the boys,
but it's too hard for a novice like me to learn. To hear the song clearly is also my quest.
I have to go back and scout your music section for those two songs. What else would be popular
for Northern California boys and girls? Any ideas from a brilliant man like you, that
can create a fantastic site like this?
Thank you for you and all that you do
Thanks, your new admirer, Patrice Reed
Aide, tutor, Volunteer, IW
2-1-05,Clint
Eh, Patrice, Mahalo for the nice email brah!
I wouldn't say brilliant...although...
(my site definitely shows high levels of
ingenuity, talent, resourcefulness, cleverness, acuity,
masterfulness, excellence, greatness and magnificence, but that's
where I draw the line my friend).
I appreciate you thinking so...
=)
All kids like to sing popular Hawaiian songs ('Pearly Shells' and 'Tiny
Bubbles') as well
as many of the basic California tunes ('California Here I Come' and 'I Love
You, California') it really doesn't matter.
Even as a (as you say) "poor musician volunteer", understand that kids
just love to sing. Teach them with enthusiasm and they'll learn it with enthusiasm.
Period.
Keep up the awesome work and enjoy my site. It offers much.
Mahalo for signin'
1-29-05,Raymond
Aloha Clint
I stumbled onto your website and got caught up in all the cool info you're putting out.
Mahalo for sharing and making the ukulele fun. I had been playing the guitar,
self taught,
for ages and getting no where. But then last yearI decided to join the Happy Strummers at the
local buddist church-Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission. In fact we have a performance here
tonight. Our teacher is Henrietta Chee and she made playing the ukulele very enjoyable. We
meet the first and third Mondays of every month. I have a Fluke and an 8-string Lanikai
-the Fluke is a backup. I ordered a Flea ukulele for my 8 year old daughter. Anyway,
I just wanted to let you know that I am very interested in your Strummers Playbook. The format
makes it easier to follow the songs. I'll try it with some of the songs we are already
playing and if I run into trouble I'll be getting back to you. You have quite a Network so
I decided to join Kim Johnson, who is down the road in Honaunau, from Hawaii. So
there you go. Aloha from the Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii.
1-29-05,Clint
How cool is dat to live in where da song says?
Last time I was there I stopped in dat little store there on da hwy.."Da Little Grass
Shack"...cute. (Touristy, yeah?)
I will contact you about da playbook.
Watch da bridges (bad glue) on the Fluke and Flea...they have a tendency to
"jump off"....(hence da names).
(Eye protection recommended)
=)
Otherwise good instruments tho.
Many Mahalos for signin, Raymond
1-28-05,Bearded Jon
Aloha from Alaska
Where is your big island located?
Muldoon, Alaska (part of Anchorage)
What is your favorite instrument?
Pineapple Flea Uke signed by Tiki King
What do you love about the islands?
What's not to love. I love the people. I love the sea. I love the volcanoes. I love the
poi (no I don't). I love the sand. I love the whales and the turtles. I love the
roosters on Kauai.
What is it about the Aloha that keeps you going?
What I love about the islands is what keeps me going.
Don't be afraid to talk story with me, this is all just one big island. We all
neighbors hea, yeah?
Tonight I downloaded a bunch of music sheets to bring with me.Tomorrow night I leave for two
weeks in Kapa'a. My goals for this trip- strum everyday, (maybe even take
some lessons) sit on the beach everyday, swim everyday, get a little sun (maybe
not everyday, it's Kauai). I would love to talk you a story, but talk,
not type. If you're ever in Alaska look for the BMW R1150R Rockster with the UKE sticker
and we'll strum and chat.
1-28-05,Clint
Eh Bearded...(I hope that's your nickname brah)...thanks much for
checkin' da site.
I got to say you the only one eva to follow da guestbook protocol to da letter!
Whew!
Appreciate you signin' da guestbook too. Alaska very pretty. Clean air, dark blue
sky, coastal sunsets, blue waters, kind of like Hawaii, only da ocean breezes
waft over da land about 85 degrees cooler.
Mahalo for signin' cuz.
1-27-05,Janice
Hi!
Just found your website and I love it! I wanted to thank you for the time and effort of
putting this on the net-it's a great resource and I shall be sure to be checking back
in the future. Loved your songbook with the chords and words-need to practice my
Hawaiian pronunciation now (he he).
Wondering if I could order a couple of those pins that you show on your product page. One
blue and one red please. Please contact me and let me know how to do this.
Look forward to hearing back again.
Yours, Janice.
PS. I've been a strummer since December when my husband gave me one for Christmas and I LOVE IT!
Previously played guitar before so this was easy
1-27-05,Clint
Thanks for the nice words about da site. Glad you find it helpful Janice. I will contact you
about da pins. Mahalo
1-27-05,Leonard Ke
Aloha Clint...I just got back from Hawaii where I met my first grandchild. This was a great
moment in my life...being a grandparent is DA BEST! Her name is Sahara Keleo and
she will be a great uke player one day, GARAN!
My son and his wife live in Honolulu and their landlady takes ukulele lessons at a class in her
home. She asked if I'd be interested in attending a class while I was there. So on a
bright Wednesday morning, I knocked on her door and went through chord basics and chord
transpositions. One of the students is Mike Chock, who builds ukes that are very nice.
Mike has offered to teach the class students how to build ukuleles.
Later, I called my friend Kentworth and found out there was a kanikapila on a Saturday
afternoon in Kahulu'u, Oahu. My son and I went to this house in the shadows of the
Koolau mountains and met 15 other people who enjoy singing and playing the Hawaiian music. Once
we started there was no stopping as one great song followed one after the other...there was
the full range of voices, bass, tenor, falsetto, and the instruments - 4,
6, 8 string tenors, basses and guitars. After 7 hours we took a break and ate
ONOLISCIOUS KAUKAU made by our gracious hostess. We finished off the night with
calypso songs from the 50's. A great night to remember and new friends to make kanikapila.
The next day we went to the Big Island where my daughter, her husband and their daughter
live. While I was there I checked out the ukulele scene. Across from the King Kamehameha
Hotel is a little mall that has a shop named "Ukuleles Only". This shop carries
reasonably priced Lanikais and Hilos. Then I went to Holualoa to visit Sam Rosen. Sam has
a small shoppe with many high end ukes and a thorough knowledgable view of the industry.
And at the King Kam Hotel, I met Rodney "Kala" Willis and Guy Sasaki who set up
a display every Friday in association with the kapuna. Kala's main venture is the
drum and wood artistry. Guys ukes are popular in Northern California (Keoki Lindsay,
the teacher at the Daly school, recently purchased an 8-string tenor from Guy, and
when one of Keokis students saw it, he bought one too. Anyway, we spent a couple of
hours singing and "testing" Guys fine instruments.
Now, I'm back on the mainland and there's a kanikapila Friday night in South San
Francisco, with the APOP (Aloha Punehana O Polynesia) and this looks like
it's a monthly event. Jam-a-lang! Then there's the kanikapila at
Sonny's and there will be some "heavies" making some sweet music.
My, my! Being a grandfather and a ukeplayer. It no can get betta den dis!
Leonard
Anyways, brother Clint, I have some photos I can email to you or print out and send
via USPS, your choice.
1-27-05,Clint
Awesome, brah! I still lookin forward to gettin' to Frisco and jammin' wid you.
(Think I might do a bit of mixin' wid da heavies too).
=)
Sounds like you had killer time on da islands. Congrats on the new little addition to da
Ohana too! Makes you feel proud I know. Keep her hangin' round wid all da heavies you
talkin' about and I think you gonna be right on, she gonna be jammin' cuz.
I could swear that I've been to Sams Rosens little shop. Talked story for a good
couple hours while I "tried" many of the ukes on hand. Nice guy. (Nice
ukes too).
Lookin' forward to returnin' to da islands again soon. Thinkin' bout either
checkin' ou' some Fijian ukulele talents or a mixture of some Samoan-Tongan uke.
We'll checkem' out and see. Either way, can't lose, yeah?
Mahalo for signin' again Leonard. Always a pleasure brother.
Peace
Laterz
1-23-05,Rick Leclerc
Thanks for the great site!
Rick Leclerc, age 53
Westminster, Massachusetts
Again, thanks!
1-23-05,Clint
Many Mahalos for signin'
1-14-05,Cody Vandenburg
I just started playing the ukulele and I got me a baritone uke ... I was wondering if you had any
baritone ukulele chord patterns or anything baritone uke.
1-14-05,Clint
No baritone here, cuz. You might find some at Howlinhobbit.com
He is a baritone uke player.
1-8-05,Tom
Clint
Thanks for the beautiful website. What I really need to find is some online (no time,
no money for face-to-face) instruction in strumming technique. I know that there
must be some tricks that expert players could teach. Like how to do a good do-wacka-do
rhythm, a diddle-iddle-iddle-iddle-iddle (glissando???
is that the term??). etc.
If you know some sites could you send em? Or if you have the time and inclination,
some pages would be a great addition to your site.
Mahalo
Tom,
Huntington Beach, CA.
1-8-05,Clint
I placed a few strums on my Basic Info. Page, that should get people started.
I know of no such site, and for good reason.
Your best strums are going to be learned with face to face instruction.
(Yeah brah, private lessons).
Although lessons may seem expensive looking in, the effort and time you will save, along
with the improvements you will make, certainly make the overall cost, in the end,
seem low.
If I wrote a new page that explained a specific advanced strum with a sentence
that was written-
chika-diddle-wacka-chicka-iddle-chika-do
I might understand what I was trying to say, but leave my site surfers wondering what the
hell I was smokin', yeah? Some of the more expert strums are learned by watching
them and hearing them, not just by reading about them. Sorry to let you down, but if you
are really looking to advance your strums in a professional and technically jammin'
manner, you'll either need to do alot of listenin, askin
questions and
practicin' ... or you'll need to take some lessons, cuz.
Thanks for checkin my site.
1-4-05,Kawika
Hi! My name is Kawika and I'm 12 years old. I live in Waipahu on the island of Oahu.
I just started getting interested in playing the ukulele about not even three months ago when
our neighbor's brother who is about fifteen-sixteen years old started jamming on his
ukulele and singing popular songs you hear on the radio plus making up songs with silly lyrics
that made us all laugh and have good fun. I thought I wouldn't mind trying to play this
instrument too! Because Saichi didn't live in the same neighborhood as us only his
older brother and his family, whenever he did come to visit that was the only time when
I'd get a chance to learn to play the uke, that is if only a few other kids, which
are all my friends, didn't beat me to Saichi and his uke. There was only one ukulele
for us to use at that time. We all made sure that we took care of his uke because what I was
told, his uke was made especially for him. I don't know what the name is but it's
a real nice one, a little bit smaller than the ones you see in the stores, but the
sounds that come out of it is awesome.
When I asked my parents for a uke, they told me I had to wait a little bit. I wanted
to have my own uke and try to play so bad, I asked a couple of my uncles if they saw a good
deal for a uke to either let my parents know or they could get it for me. Guess what,
for Christmas I got two, well actually three ukuleles. One from each uncle I asked and
one my mom is refinishing. The one my mom is working on needs only to be stained and strung.
I want to get the black strings versus the clear strings, the black ones sound better than
the clear ones. What do you think? I'm told that the one my moms working on is a
Kamaka ukulele. Mom doesn't think it is but she could be wrong, she doesn't know
what makes a ukulele a "Kamaka" ukulele. Give me a little more time then I'll be
able to tell the difference between a good ukulele against a generic one.
I'm so glad I got three ukuleles all of a sudden. I don't want to give either one
away just because I happen to have three. Maybe it sounds selfish but they were each
given to me by three very special people who knew I would have the ability to venture out
in playing this instrument.
Eh, can I ask you one question? If I eva get stuck with whatevers I playing or
doing with the uke, can I visit your website again to get some answers?
Thanks alot!
Kawika
1-4-05,Clint
Mahalo for signin' my guestbook Kawika.
As for the strings, I no think the color
gonna make a difference in the strings. You need to see how the strings gonna "feel"
under your fingas when you playin as well as how they sound. I have clear strings on my Kawika
ukulele, some navy blue strings on one of my Nahenahes and gold strings on my other
Nahenahe. When I finally decide to change my strings (when they snap under my jammin)
I gonna put some red strings on. (seriously). It's all about the maker of the
strings and how they feel and sound. Try out different strings when you playin, but
don't throw away strings because they clear.
You can always contact me wid you questions and I'll always answer. That's why I
hea, cuz.
Mahalos and good luck on your journey
Oh yeah, and neva tell your mom you think she may be wrong about somethin ...
(sheeesh) ... trust me brah ... trust me ...
Copyright© 2003 CF