STRUMMERS GUESTMAIL ARCHIVES PAGE TEN



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7-13-05,Paul Akiona
Aloha from Northern Cali!! I just got my first uke and I've been searching the web for helpful info and your site is da bomb!! Lots of good info and very helpful hints. When I was growing up back home some kids would carry a uke everywhere they went and I thought nothing of it. Now that my wife bought me a soprano uke, it goes all over with me. Makes me really wish I carried one around small kid time. I'm also trying to confuse myself alot by learning the acoustic guitar too!! I've always loved the music but never got into the instruments. (my wife and 2 kids took band so I'm trying to catch up). Any good tips besides patience and perseverance? Know any uke clubs in the Sacramento area?? Keep up the awesome site, any and all info is good when you are beginning! Mahalo nui loa, Bruddah Paul

7-13-05,Clint
Patience. Thats da best one Paul.. Patience. Not sure off hand of any clubs in Sacramento.. maybe someone from Sacremento signed in one of da past guestbook entries.. dunno... no rememba.. checkem ou' maybe somebody see dis and send out a shout to you too. Good luck..
and Patience..

7-13-05,Earle Welch
Thanks Clint, for shouting back... It's my pc thats gone west - when I click your email order connection- I get a popup saying it won't work because ("following by St. John's Letter to the Corinthians", or some such). So we'll do it the old-fashioned way. I went to Honolulu a month ago and old man Kamaka tipped me off to the Thursday-evening-only performance atop the Marriott, overlooking Waikiki Bay. What a great open-air setting. This old gal, I believe 84 or 86, was playing in a trio (a guy on steel, another Hawaiian lady on uke), and the crowd was almost all island residents who seemed to know each other from all the table-hopping that went on (the tourists don't seem to know about the once-a-week event, which is how the locals like it). Anyway this gal (nicely preserved for all those years) is apparently reknowed for her falsetto voice, and she sang nothing but Hawaiian numbers in the native tongue. One song she sang was apparently written to display looooooong notes, because after the woman held two of them a stanza apart, I timed her on the third long note and it went 44 seconds before she drew breath. You've probably been to this Thursday gala (lots of amateur Hula dancers thrown in) , but just in case nay, you should gather yourself next trip and sample the fare. At the same time this is going on downstairs in the main dining roof (buffet style) three Tahitian musicians with similar instruments were playing with three Tahitian Hula dancers doing solos (the tallest Polynesian females I can imagine) - one was six feet tall and the other two five-ten (hey!- I asked them!). But enough! To my unmade hammock.
Thanks again.
Earle W.

7-13-05,Clint
No seen dat sho yet Earle.. what keeps me comin back tho is dat dam buffet! (not really it da hula dancers..but da wife tink it da buffet...)
Mahalos bruddah for you signin'

7-12-05,Earle Welch
I can't make your "order" button work on the merchandise page (likely my crappy pc). So...Can you send me your snail mail address? - and I'll send a check, which you can let clear then you can mail me the following - One (1) ukulele strummer's hat (I prefer the cranberry-red-ish embroidery), t'slap on mah bald haid, dats wha' for! One (1) of the white (large) vinal ukulele decals, to slap on m'boat, dat's wha for! Please let me know if this is OK...and if the above items are in stock. I sure learned a bit about music theory by perusing your site, I did. And the chord charts in some of the most-played keys are a wonderful aid to expanding my knowledge. Think of yourself as the Mother Theresa of wannabe uke players, minus a habit. I'm right now working on a Formsby tune that's got symbols all over it like the Ultra decodes at Bletchley Park and it's making me crazy. Title- "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry, But Your Face Is Lots Cleaner Now." I expect that wearing the strumming hat while practicing will automatically download more valuable learning aids into my alleged mind. Regards Earle Welch Portland, OR

7-12-05,Clint
Eh cuz... button no gona work caus no button there... not sure what you pressin' but no button there cuz. I gona contact you about da purchase.. till den.. jus keep pressin' da button jus in case.. yeah? Mother Theresa huh?... well... Bless you child.. Bless you...

7-12-05,James Griess
Love your web page. Since I have only been strumming for a few months, your student section helped a ton. I got interested in the Uke when I heard the Concert for George listening to Joe Brown, "I'll See You In My Dreams". I suspect that performance has converted a few strummers. I purchased a uke the following week and have been stummin ever since. Not too many strummers in the great plains of Nebraska. I am looking for the chords to an old Mamma and Papa's tune, "Dream a Little Dream of Me". It is one of the few that I can sing in key. As far as my singing- Ke nono au, e kala mua mai, i keia manawa ho'i. Thanks for all the hard work on your site. You can tell it is a labor of love. Regards, Jim

7-12-05,Clint
I a slave to dis dam site bruddah... but glad you diggin' it ok. An dont break yourself up cuz... few people know dat ukulele originally come from Nebraska... ok......no... not really..
Mahalo for usin da site James...

7-11-05,Robert Gamble
Hi friend, Do you know where I can buy the uke player device or something similar? When I was a boy I sent for one. It broke so I had to figure out the mechanics behind the plastic box, eventually I learned to use my fingers to replace what the buttons on the box done. I was a clever kid with no money and determined. years later I used what I learned to strum along on a 4 string banjo I traded for a dog I had no use for. Well I thought you might you might enjoy this little bit of "UKE PLAYER" history. I would like to buy one for old times sake. please reply. thank you. Bob Gamble

7-11-05,Clint
Yeah.. da uke players cool devices... I have a few myself.. an you can too cuz..
EBAY
Good luck and bid high bruddah..laterz

7-10-05,Brett H.
Hi there, My name is Brett. I recently went to the Big Island of Hawaii. First time on Big Island, but fourth time to Hawaii. While in the big island I ran into a ukelele shop and the owner gave me your web address for learning the ukelele. I was planning to purchase a uke as soon as I got back to the states, but my in-laws had an old one nobody used anymore-so I inherited it. So while my mind is excited to learn how to play it is waiting for my fingers to catch up. I check out your site often to tune my uke. I think my ear is broken because it never sounds the way I want. Maybe once I get better. Anyway, thanks for the great site. If you ever are looking for assistance with some web programming, I did a little before I quit my day job. That was a few years ago but I think I can still muster out a few things for you. I just don't want to be all take and no give. Brett

7-10-05,Clint
Glad you find da site useful Brett. Mahalo for visiting. If I need some good programmin, I gonna let you kno, cuz...an if you rememba da name what uke shop sent you here..lemme kno Brett. Mahalos

7-8-05,Charlie Enzmann
Hey Bro... Am a new strummer, took a class at "community college" this spring and learned the basics of the UKE...Have joined a group in St. Louis, MO. known as SLUG (St. Louis Ukelele Group) and we play every other Thursday... Your web site is terrific and is most helpful in filling in some of the many blanks of this great little instrument... Understand you have a super "songbook" with over l50 songs and a CD to boot... How do I obtain them? Please advise... Charlie Enzmann

7-8-05,Clint
Will contact you about the book. Still recordin da Playbook CD, but as soon as I finish it will post the info on the Playbook Pages. Mahalo Charlie.

7-4-05,Richard Bishara
Kia ora,
Richard Bishara here from Aorearoa New Zealand. Have been keen on the ukulele for quite some time now. Have been interested in Barbershop singing and the way barbershop song arrangments derive from the Rag Time era. One day, a guy from my chorus was playing the ukulele to a couple of our barbershop numbers and I couldn't help but be drawn to the way the chords sounded on the ukulele as he went through the "Circle of fifths". The ukulele had the ability to lift the spirit of any song they I have heard being played on it and its portability is primo. Love your site, its primo…you take care….

7-4-05,Clint
Thanks Richard. Nothin can' be played on da ukulele brutha, nuthin, yeah? One jammin instrument. Mahalo for checkin ou da site cuz. Appreciate it.

7-2-05,Dan Arnold
Just got my 1st uke, by accident almost. I am in a band. I play guitars..we do a song "leapin' Lena' about a carnival chick - sweet song. Has a uke part, the drummer wrote it, now I play it.. cause he bought me a uke today! I want to suprise my wife with "tip toe"..is it on your site? I cant find it. I got a mel bay book here but... Heres a shot from rehersal today, we are the "amazon poodles". Thanks a lot...
Yours truly
Dan Almond

7-2-05,Clint
Tip Toe not on da site bra...is in da Playbook..but not on da site. Surprise her wid somtin else cuz..trust me..trust me...laterz

7-2-05,Tom Wylie
Just bought a cheap ukulele after playing guitar for 40 years! Can an old dog learn new tricks-a bit different to a les paul junior. Thank you so much for the website, terrific stuff. Best wishes for the future. I'll let you know how I get on. Did you see Joe Brown at the end of the George Harrison Tribute concert playing "I'll See you in my Dreams" on a ukukele. One of my favourite songs.
Tom Wylie.

7-2-05,Clint
Glad you findin da site useful. Cool. Lemme know how you doin. Yeah, saw the final uke piece on da video. Very nice. Got a cute wahine in da Strummers who can jam da intro... is da kine, brah.
(Yeah, you kno who you are K).
Good goal to set fo you playin Tom. Good luck...

7-2-05,Lydia Pulido
Dear Clint, Besides reading the Star-Bulletin and The Honolulu Advertiser online- I enjoyed getting a little touch of Hawaii by reading your website. The reason I found your site is because I'm looking for a place in LA-Hollywood area that can repair my Kamaka ukulele. It's a sentimental instrument that my dad bought me. I've had it since my elementary music class mandate to get one. Ahem - several decades ago! My sister had temporary possession of it while I was here in LA and did not realize that wherever she kept it...the heat-humidity must've melted the glue and the top face wood part of the "music box" has come unglued. I have wrested it back from her and is now here with me... Do you know anyone who can repair ukuleles? I don't want to just go to a guitar place...I'd rather go to some place that can appreciate my ukulele. Any info is greatly appreciated - of course, at your convenience. Mahalo nui loa ... LP P.S. I read your support page and saw a name I knew - ho was good fo' see dat!

7-2-05,Clint
Lydia, glad my site take you to Hawaii a bit. Nice ting to say fo me. Mahalos. Will contact you bout da fixing.

6-17-05,George Hively Age 72
I saw the article in the Breeze. I didn't know such a group existed. I played the uke in a group at Seal Beach Yacht Club (called the Seal Beach Boys) about 15 years ago. Forgot most of what I learned unfortunately. If I stop by some Saturday would I be welcome? Should I bring my uke? I'd really like to pick it up again. My favorite island is Maui. Still keep a membership in Lahaina Yacht Club. I get there every couple of years. I'd like to make it more often but things seem to get in the way.
Best regards, George Hively

6-17-05,Clint
You're welcome every Saturday and you should bring your uke. Mahalo George.

6-16-05,Douglas Puett Age 53
I finally got myself a ukulele after playing guitars for around 43 years. I had a ukulele when I was young, I was raised in Pearl City, and Hilo, so I guess I'm reverting back to my childhood, which is not so bad. Thanks for a site that makes it fairly easy to learn a cool instrument like the ukulele. Best

6-16-05,Clint
Thank you for signin' cuz!

6-15-05,Tony Brocksmith
I Love your website
Your web site helped get me going when I couldn't find a local teacher. Now, I need some help that I can't find on your or any other site. I need a simple strum pattern and chords for The Hawaiian Wedding Song. I gotta learn it by Saturday for my cousins wedding! EEEEEEEEk.

6-15-05,Clint
Oh Bruddah, jus checked da email. Hope you found it fo youself or is gonna sound not so perfect, yeah? Sorry brah. Good luck wid dat. Mahalo fo signin tho.

6-12-05,Edmund Hamer
hiya im 54, live in Bolton, Lancashire, England, great site yours, im learning irish banjo folk music with a teacher and teaching myself banjo ukelele using your info and chords very interesting site like the way you do things edmund hamer (eddie)

6-12-05,Clint
Thanks Eddie. Glad you diggin da site. I appreciate your support cuz...

6-9-05,Richard Bending
Hello Clint, I've just found your very good website. I discovered the joys of the ukulele only a few months ago after playing guitar for many years. I wish I'd tried it 40 years ago - I just can't put the thing down! I started with a Mahalo, but now have a Bushman Jenny soprano uke, which I'm very pleased with. I had to send to the USA for it because there is hardly any choice in the UK. I'd love to try some of the songs in your "Uke Playbook" - can you tell me how can I get one, please? I retire from work soon, and am thinking about trying to start a Ukulele club - if I can get enough people interested! Kind regards, Richard Bending (Swindon, England)

6-9-05,Clint
Thanks Richard. I will contact you about da playbook. Many Mahalos for usin my site brah.

6-4-05,Rogel
ey! my name is rogel. 24 yrs old. im a filipino. but im now stayin here at papua new guinea. i was just very intrigue at how iz's music sound so cool. so just yesterday i bought a ukulele and started to google some ukulele sites. and then i found this site. very nice! ...i can now play "white sandy beach" COOL! never thought ukulele would that be so easy to learn. but neway, im still a begginer and i think d ukulele i bought was not so good. keeps on gettin out of tune....SO I WANNA THANK UKULELESTRUMMERS.COM if it wasnt for you i wouldnt learn to play the Ukulele which by the way is a very very nice instrument! thanks! the info below is by the way my mom's, im workin with our medical clinic here at Papua New Guinea.
Dr. Daisy M. Sonza Marian Medical Clinic
Papua New Guinea

6-4-05,Clint
Cool cuz. Glad you like da site and in Mew Guinea at dat! Keep jammin and enjoy.

5-29-05,David Talley
After 40 years decided to have a go at music. Your page is what I need. Thanks.

5-29-05,Clint
You're welcome Dave...thank you.

5-23-05,Judith Conolly
Hi Clint
TVM for your prompt reply and help. My name is Patrick the husband of Judith (love her to bits). Sounds as though i'm gonna need a concert as I'm a butcher by trade with fingers like sausages. I can read music. Need to read up on what to buy also history of the instrument. Any UK i can chat to. I have always thought the more it costs the better the item but advice is worth its weight. Have looked in local music shop not much help unless you know what you want. I recon I need to go to London (150 miles) for the shop selection.... but need to be gened up first. What book items and other items relating to Uke playing may be purchased via Strummers. Thanks for any help, Patrick

5-23-05,Clint
Patrick, will contact you privately about the uke. And know that everything on dis site is for sale, cuz...
Laterz

5-17-05,Isaiah Womack
I learned some basic chords as a missionary for my church, and have fallen in love with the uke. I have searched everywhere to find site as informative and comprehensive as yours is. My congratulations on a job VERY well done. As far as story goes, my story goes a little like this-
My brother was training to become an airline pilot with his two very close friends Sam and Deki (Both Hawaiian) when Sam and my Brother Jake were killed in a plane crash. It tore me to pieces for months. The only peace I could find anywhere was jammin on my uke and singing my songs about the treasured moments we had before they left me to go ahead. I am married now and play the uke to my 8 month old son. He loves the sound and loves to sit and pick at the strings for hours. Thanks for your dedication to teaching people the art. The ukulele helped save my sanity and bring me much needed relief. I hope it can for others.
Thanks,
Isaiah

5-17-05,Clint
Nice story Isaiah, but sad too brah. Very sorry for that loss. Hard I know. Peace with you cuz. Glad you diggin da ukulele. Many people find a solace they looking for with dis awesome instrument from heaven. Mahalo, and enjoy da journey.

5-16-05,Franco Dunn
My name is Franco Dunn. I am a beginning ukulele student. At 56 I have decided to learn the ukulele. Recently lots of my time has been spent on the internet researching manufacturers, luthiers and dealers. Whew this is getting to be quite a project. I have decided that I will purchase a long neck-super concert ukulele. Two manufacturers that I am interested in are Kanile'a and Pohaku in Berkely CA. Do you have any suggestions?
Franco

5-16-05,Clint
Glad you enjoy my site, Mahalo for signin Franco. Sorry to tell you that I am not familiar with either Kanile'a or Pohaku, therefore cannot really give you advice. Sorry bout that. I would only recommend playing the one you choose if possible, prior to buying, to see how it feels under your fingers. Good luck.

5-14-05,Christopher Gutierrez
Hey brah mahalo fo all the music. i been tryin to get my daughta learn some strummin, but she need for listen to the cds and watch the words at da same time!! no can type so good so aloha from the central coast....

5-14-05,Clint
You typin good cuz...look nice and everyting spell ok too brah. glad you tink da site da kine stuffs. mahalos for takin da time to say aloha.

5-13-05,Mr. Leon
I was just looking for uke chords with lyrics on the web and came across your site. I must give you congratulations. I too, enjoy the ukulele. Am a bit of a self taught novice thanks to "Uncle Charlie" video on how to play the ukulele. I will look into your site more in depth at another day. Oh, am from Orange County in Laguna Niguel.
Mahalo

5-13-05,Clint
Cool, Mr. Leon, glad you found my site. Lots to see and do. Enjoy.

5-4-05,T Caruso
I LOVE your website and I think it is SO informative - even for me, someone who has never played a uke! Here is my silly question for you (if you don't mind?) I'm left handed HOWEVER I am so much more comfortable holding the neck of the ukulele in my right hand and strumming with my left. You ask, what are you strumming, since you just said you didn't know how to play? You're right, I don't..yet! But I've been told to re-adjust my holding and just 'get-over' the weirdness feel of holding neck in left hand and strumming with right hand. Do you agree? Is it super hard to learn the way I feel comfortable? Is it a simple matter of restringing..... Can you offer some more excellent advice to me? Mahalo nui loa,
Poor, pitiful, Nene

5-4-05,Clint
No worries...poor, pitiful, Nene. I have seen people re-adjust their playing by learning to play with the neck in the left (when they would prefer it in their right) and I have seen people restring the uke and play it with the neck in the right hand and strumming with their left. I have also seen a few people leave it strung as is and just play it upside down and backwards. (Really)
Bottom line is this - whichever way is most comfortable for you to learn, that's the way you should learn. You teach yourself a way to play and sooner or later you'll get it. Forget about the people who say "that's not right" or "that's the wrong way". Go ahead tell'm Clint at UKULELESTRUMMERS.COM said they don't know what the hell they're talkin about.
Stick with whichever you choose and whichever is most comfortable.
Have patience. Have fun.
Good luck ... Nene.

5-2-05,Peg Fulton Age 47
Hi, what a wonderful site! I fell in love with the ukulele when I was in Honolulu over Christmas visiting my daughter (she went for college and stayed because she got smart). My husband bought me a uke at the local flea market because he had brought his guitar and I didn't have mine. Within minutes, I had transferred my lousy guitar playing skills into wonderfully poor ukulele skills. It was in love at first strum. Now I'm back in Phoenix, Az, and a day does not go by that I do not strum and pick my way to pure joy on the uke. I still struggle with guitar, but when things get real bad, I pick up the uke, some pakalolo (sic), and remember that life is for us to enjoy! Thanks for this site, it has added substantially to my enjoyment! Hope your day remains superb!

5-2-05,Clint
Peg, Many Mahalos for signin my guestbook. Most important ting you gonna do wid da ukulele is have a good time. Enjoy da journey, sistah!

4-30-05,Katie Williams Age 45
Hi fellow ukulele players. I live in Hastings, New Zealand and have been playing the uke and baritone uke since I was 7. I am now 45 and still play regularly to young children on bus trips and on retreats with my barbershop chorus I sing in and are now teaching my daughters to play. I still have the uke my parents gave me at 10. A Japanese Luna pineapple shape, beautiful tone and a West German baritone uke. My mum taught me and 40 other kids. She is 77 and still plays the guitar in a sing a long style. I agree that if everyone sang and played an instrument the world would live in harmony. My reason for writing is I've forgotten D minor on the uke. I tune in GCEA. Hope you can help.
Katie

4-30-05,Clint
Katie...Katie...Katie...you come to da right place sistah. I gonna email you real soon. No problem. Mahalo for signin! Anyways, you got hints fo me so i too gonna live to be 77, you let me kno, yeah?

4-27-05,Scott Age 43
Hello, my name is Scott. I'm from New Jersey. I'm 43. I gotta say you got one cool website! I've always loved music and started out on saxophone in grade school. Then later on started on the electric bass. Well I've been wanting to get a ukulele for quite awhile and I finally did. Ordered it from ukuleleworld.com. I got a Lanikai solid spruce top concert. Well let me tell you I don't know what the heck I waited for. I love playing this baby! I'm having so much fun! I can take it anywhere. You've got such a wealth of info on your site. Thanks so much for the wonderful effort. I'll be stopping by quite often. Take care!

4-27-05,Clint
Mahalos for signin' my guestbook Scott. Glad you diggin da ukulele and findin stuffs here to use. Keep it up brah, you gonna find da ukulele mo betta den anyting you be playin' befor cuz!

4-15-05,Bill Eldridge Age 70 plus
Aloha, much time has gone into your web site and a lot of information that would have taken me all over the place to find. I thank you for your effort. I am 70 plus years old and have decided to take up the uke. A friend of mine played a uke in his younger days so we have purchased Tenor uke's to bring back the past (wish us luck). I was stationed at Pearl for 3 years in the 50's, and have returned for vacations to Kauai. All the best for 2005.
Bro Bill

4-15-05,Clint
Thanks Bill. Glad you found my site and hope you can continue to find things here that are helpful to you. Enjoy your ukulele and thank you for signin'

4-7-05,Neil Age 30
Beautiful site for all ukulele needs, will be seeing you many times in da future!!

4-7-05,Clint
Cool! Glad you diggin' da site cuz ... see you soon den.

3-31-05,Andy Maguire
Hello Clint
Again, just a huge THANK YOU for your website!!
I'm referring to it often to learn new things and help with improving my enjoyment of the uke as well as finally wanting to understand the mechanics of music. Two things you mentioned somewhere in the numerous pages were- play it everyday and have fun- enjoy it. Not to minimize the content of what you are sharing with the world, but these little statements have helped me with the enthusiasm to play, enjoy, learn and share a wonderful instrument and song with friends and family. I'm already looking at picking out a better quality ukulele and finding new songs to share with friends when we return to Hawaii. Thank you for your influence and thank you for the use of your website.
Andy Maguire
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

3-31-05,Clint
Nice, nice. Thank you again for your kind words, "eh?"
(Had to do it once, yeah?)
I have met so many people who don't know how to have fun with this awesome instrument. What a shame. Looks like you're on the right track. Enjoy da journey my friend- and Many Mahalos for usin' my site.

3-30-05,Haunani
This Is Haunani Bernardino at UH Hilo, saying Mahalo Nui. I teach Hawaiian language, I also play Hawaiian music mostly on the guitar. My students are learning a Hawaiian song that was recorded with 'ukulele jazz chords. So I went online in search of chord charts and found your website. I think it's fabulously helpful and FUN to visit!!
Aloha

3-30-05,Clint
Many thanks. This is the place for free chords. Everybody else gonna try to sell these things. (I don't get it) chords should be free, yeah?
Mahalo for signin Haunani

3-25-05,Kevin Virgilio
Dear Uke Dude
My name is Kevin and I got a ukulele from my brother a few months ago and I can easily say it is the best gift I have gotten in a while. I am a music student studying classical trombone at a conservatory in Hartford, CT and after a hard day of playing intense "rattle the heavens" music, it's always nice to go hear the angelic sounds of a ukulele to calm my nerves. Now I haven't lived very long (21 years) and I'm not wise enough to say what the best things in the world are, but I can say that strumming away with a cold beer and good friends has to be up there. A friend of mine referred your site to me a couple of weeks ago and I have been visiting it every few days in an effort to further my uke mastery and I'd just like to thank you for having such a selfless site. I promise to practice my four string every day like you asked and I hope to start a Strummers Club of my own over here in Hartford one of these days.
Mahalo Nui Loa
Braddah Kev

3-25-05,Clint
Trombone dude? (Sorry cuz)
I am so happy that you left da dark side and came to ukulele.
Only kiddin cuz ... only kiddin'.
Out of everyone who has signed my guestbook so far, I must say that you just lay out some of da best wisdom yet brah -
"I'm not wise enough to say what the best things in the world are, but I can say that strumming away with a cold beer and good friends has to be up there".
Evidently brah, dat statement tell me you wise enough ...
Many Mahalos for signin Kev.
Enjoy da journey

3-24-05,Andy Maguire Age 49
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Aloha Clint
First, MAHALO for a fine site. The information is excellent, all the links and pages work and your formats are easy to follow. Well done!
My wife and I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Hawaii on a number of occasions in the past few years. We started out as typical haole tourists, come for a get away, spend money and go away. Then, we met a friend who graciously and patiently explained the meaning of ALOHA and the aloha spirit to us. We opened our eyes and hearts to a yearning for learning more about Hawaii and were welcomed into a loving, peaceful and open culture with some of the genuinely nicest people we've ever met. We also came to understand Aloha 'aina. Part of us always stays in Hawaii while the rest comes back here to work so we can go back to our second home. We have a great respect for Hawaii as a whole (that encompasses a lot!) and are thankful everytime we are allowed and welcomed back for a visit. It's nice not being a tourist anymore!
In February my friend Keone and I were talking about traditional Hawaiian music and about IZ. He gave me the names of a few local artists and said to pick up their CD's. We did and our stereo is almost worn out now. FANTASTIC!! Keone also suggested that I pick up a uke and learn how to play it. Then, when we come back or at home we can share that gift of music with others. Great idea. I've played the guitar for a few years but never owned a ukulele. When we got back to Edmonton, I went to a friend who has a music store and picked out my new ukulele. Guess who's been hit with the "jumping flea" bug?
This brings me back to your website. As a novice I was searching for any information on how to play the uke and Hawaiian ukulele music. My wife found your website and forwarded it to me. (Thanks Val, you've always been very special!) With the help of your fine site, a few good instructional music books, a number of Hawaiian CD's and a little bit of talent, I'm striving to enjoy and have fun learning and playing the ukulele.
Thanks again for openly sharing your knowledge, experience and information about a beautiful musical instrument. It is appreciated!

3-24-05,Clint
Thank you very much for taking the time to write these kind words and make my day. I can't tell you how it makes me feel knowing that people appreciate the hard work I have put into (and keep putting into) this site. The work is endless and upkeep is expensive. Every now and then you start feeling the thank-less-ness  of such a difficult task, then I get emails like yours. That is where I get the motivation to keep this site running. Mahalo for usin my site, and for signin'





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