and should be viewed in conjunction with my earlier post My early love of music it was actually written whilst my only instrument at home was piano, which I could barely pick out a melody on and a set of homemade drums which I had cobbled together from cardboard boxes, a toy drum set and biscuit tin lids. The uke part in this video was put together in a few minutes and which I had played (for practice about 3-4 times) hence a little hesitation and deviation (joke - from a UK radio quiz show, info for overseas readers. LOL)
See the lyrics on my poetry pages, where you will find more song lyrics from now on - see comment below.
Saturday 22 February 2020
Thursday 20 February 2020
A Ukulele Journey - Chapter two: My First Guitar
Well thanks for waiting but here it is at last. I don't know how I have managed to hold back - except it was all so long ago and photos and memories are sadly few and far between. The photo here is me (honestly) around 1967/8, really looking cool or bloody silly depending on your vintage.
In an earlier post I alluded to another photo but although I have seen it recently, it seems to have been put away safely. Have you got places like that - you will at my age, so safe that I can't remember where to even begin looking.
So, what can I say? The guitar (an arched top Hohner or Hofner with "F" holes) was a Christmas present from my parents sometime between the ages of 12 and 14. I learnt to play from Bert Weedon's book, Play In A Day. Of course What you were able to play at the end of the first day was not explicitly stated. However I persevered and learnt to play a few chords and how to pick out a melody. This latter basically from my early attempts at the piano and an ability to play by ear. If you are unsure that means hearing the tune and being able to assess where each note was on the fretboard with at least only a few near misses. Not that I used my ears in the way that Jimmy Hendrix used his teeth.
Very soon I was frustrated at my progress and took out a subscription (with my own pocket money) to a postal course. This taught me how to use all six strings to form a chord which could be moved up the fretboard - the dreaded Barre chord! An expensive way to purchase a few sheets of paper but it came thru the post regularly with enough time to practice the contents.
I also purchased books on finger style, folk, country and BLUES. The latter I had not really been subjected to before but I soon took to it because of course R&R was king and driven to a large extent by the blues. Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcghee soon became firm favourites, a few years later having the pleasure of seeing them at The Birmingham Town Hall on a tour of the UK.
Around this time (1967/8) I also started dating my wife and attending the "JUG OF PUNCH" folk club run by Ian Campbell at Digbeth Civic Hall. A couple of his band later joined groups such as Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. Over 50 years later we still see the latter as often as we can, Still touring after all this time, although there have been many changes in the line-up.
But I am running ahead of myself, I was playing rock, folk, blues and country and of course by now I had heard The Shadows (firstly Apache in 1961). This changed my life - Hank Marvin was my first real hero - and I started playing their music. This of course meant I needed an electric guitar with a tremelo arm. I purchased a cheap solid model, very faintly looking like a strat. I am unhappy to say I cannot remember the make, I have no photos or any other recollections of this guitar. It filled a gap for me and I always felt the need for a Fender Stratocaster which took until I retired in 2000 to fill. I used to play the cheap guitar through the reel to reel tape I described in chapter 1, It never seemed to warrant a more expensive amplifier. As a last ignominious mention. I cannot remember what became of that guitar, no memory at all.
The arched top model lasted a good number of years but it was knocked over and the neck fell onto a chair. The tension in the strings, of course, simply pulled the neck out of the body. I attempted repairs but it was never the same and I swapped it a number of years later for a beat up old amplifier for another guitar which I then had. But this is the end of Chapter 2, more about that next guitar then.
A younger cousin showing you the guitar
I intend to include a couple of videos over the next few posts, of songs which I wrote using this red guitar. Some of my very earliest songs from the time of my early teens. probably will seem to be quite simple and bland, but of course I like them being biased.
Thanks for reaching the end.
Tuesday 11 February 2020
My Early Love Of Music
It is not a very exiting subject but the story has to start somewhere. My father had a love of music and could play almost any instrument which he tried. Mostly piano, accordian and spoons and a saw. Not forgetting an harmonica.
Have you ever seen anyone play a saw by bending it to produce musical notes? I must have gotten a taste for music from him. Something for which I am eternally grateful. My first instruments were using the family piano (badly, but I could pick out a tune or two), a plastic trumpet upon which I learnt a few military calls, such as, "Come To The Cookhouse Door" and "The Last Post". No I never considered a military career but the notes for the calls were included with the instructions for the trumpet. I can also recall a mouth organ and a penny whistle, neither of which I seemed to be able to master at the time.
Around about, and probably before I was ten (I know - it's not that young really nowadays ) I was bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder; That really got me going. I used it to record music from a small B&W TV which sat in our living room, taking pride of place. I still remember some of those songs and a favourite still today was Buffy St Marie singing Universal Soldier. Yes I know Donavan recorded it in the sixties but it was a poor cover of the original.
I also used the tape recorder for recording myself, and sometimes my sister, singing. My mother often said that she could not understand how we managed to learn so many songs. It may be relevant to mention that I was chosen for the school choir at 7 or 8 years old, but on reflection it may be because of the power of my voice rather than the "pure tones" which I produced. the choir was entered for many school festivals but I do not recall ever winning anything. As an aside, I would sing all the time at home and to demonstrate how far my voice travelled mom used to get comments from neighbours who lived further away than I could have ever expected.
Mentioning my mother also reminds me that we used to have a radio on in the house most of the time. TV was only one channel and only on a few hours a day to start with. I guess I am remembering when I was 5 or six years old. A song I still remember from this time is Vera Lynn singing "The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot". The first time I heard it I was in inconsolable tears because I thought that the little boy was me. I still sing this song at Christmas, and may even have a video on my PC, which I may look up and post on the blog.
Before I finish this instalment I would like to mention two other memories; the first was that used to collect lyrics. Sometimes I copied them from my tape recorder and sometimes cutting them out of magazines, such as "The Record Song Book" published in the 60's and 70's.
One last memory concerns a home made set of drums. Using a bass drum from a toy drum set as a snare drum (without the snare) various boxes and tins and I remember a circular biscuit tin lid into which I punched about two dozen nails. Hitting that "cymbal" gave a wonderful swishing sound. I mostly used pieces of thin dowel (sanded to round the ends) as drumsticks but Dad was able to get me a pair of steel brushes from a work mate who actually played the drums.
I did actually begin my song writing at this time. I could not yet play an instrument to play along with the songs (I could play a melody on the piano but not well enough to play along as a backing) so I knocked out a rythm on my drum kit. Songs were very simple and quite limpid as you might expect from a 10 year old. At least that is the best guess of my age at the time. Unfortunately I can no longer remember any of them or even their titles, must say something about them.
Apart from Buffy, other early inspiration came from Elvis, Buddy Holly, Billy Fury and so many others that I am not going to name them here. Most of them are not well remembered anyway.
OK, this post is rather longer than I expected but despite everything As I actually typed it in, I kept remembering odd bits of my musical experiences. And I haven't even mentioned the Zither. Maybe another time?
Playing a musical saw. and musical spoons
Have you ever seen anyone play a saw by bending it to produce musical notes? I must have gotten a taste for music from him. Something for which I am eternally grateful. My first instruments were using the family piano (badly, but I could pick out a tune or two), a plastic trumpet upon which I learnt a few military calls, such as, "Come To The Cookhouse Door" and "The Last Post". No I never considered a military career but the notes for the calls were included with the instructions for the trumpet. I can also recall a mouth organ and a penny whistle, neither of which I seemed to be able to master at the time.
Around about, and probably before I was ten (I know - it's not that young really nowadays ) I was bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder; That really got me going. I used it to record music from a small B&W TV which sat in our living room, taking pride of place. I still remember some of those songs and a favourite still today was Buffy St Marie singing Universal Soldier. Yes I know Donavan recorded it in the sixties but it was a poor cover of the original.
Buffy St Marie, A Canadian Cree Indian
I also used the tape recorder for recording myself, and sometimes my sister, singing. My mother often said that she could not understand how we managed to learn so many songs. It may be relevant to mention that I was chosen for the school choir at 7 or 8 years old, but on reflection it may be because of the power of my voice rather than the "pure tones" which I produced. the choir was entered for many school festivals but I do not recall ever winning anything. As an aside, I would sing all the time at home and to demonstrate how far my voice travelled mom used to get comments from neighbours who lived further away than I could have ever expected.
Mentioning my mother also reminds me that we used to have a radio on in the house most of the time. TV was only one channel and only on a few hours a day to start with. I guess I am remembering when I was 5 or six years old. A song I still remember from this time is Vera Lynn singing "The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot". The first time I heard it I was in inconsolable tears because I thought that the little boy was me. I still sing this song at Christmas, and may even have a video on my PC, which I may look up and post on the blog.
Before I finish this instalment I would like to mention two other memories; the first was that used to collect lyrics. Sometimes I copied them from my tape recorder and sometimes cutting them out of magazines, such as "The Record Song Book" published in the 60's and 70's.
One last memory concerns a home made set of drums. Using a bass drum from a toy drum set as a snare drum (without the snare) various boxes and tins and I remember a circular biscuit tin lid into which I punched about two dozen nails. Hitting that "cymbal" gave a wonderful swishing sound. I mostly used pieces of thin dowel (sanded to round the ends) as drumsticks but Dad was able to get me a pair of steel brushes from a work mate who actually played the drums.
I did actually begin my song writing at this time. I could not yet play an instrument to play along with the songs (I could play a melody on the piano but not well enough to play along as a backing) so I knocked out a rythm on my drum kit. Songs were very simple and quite limpid as you might expect from a 10 year old. At least that is the best guess of my age at the time. Unfortunately I can no longer remember any of them or even their titles, must say something about them.
Apart from Buffy, other early inspiration came from Elvis, Buddy Holly, Billy Fury and so many others that I am not going to name them here. Most of them are not well remembered anyway.
OK, this post is rather longer than I expected but despite everything As I actually typed it in, I kept remembering odd bits of my musical experiences. And I haven't even mentioned the Zither. Maybe another time?
Sunday 9 February 2020
The Nearness Of You - acoustic ukulele version of this great song
Just indexing some of the many videos I have recorded of me and my uke over the past few years and came across this one which shows a different style. Plus it is a song I really like. Hope you like it too.
I am going to take another opportunity to advertise UKULELE CENTRAL - SHIRLEY, UK further information is available on the previous post
If you play the uke, live in the Solihull or South Birmingham area and are free on Wednesday evenings, why not think about joining us for some fun from 8.00pm (most of us are there from around 7.30) to 10.30pm (or sometimes until we get kicked out if we are enjoying ourselves). All abilities welcome!
.
I am going to take another opportunity to advertise UKULELE CENTRAL - SHIRLEY, UK further information is available on the previous post
If you play the uke, live in the Solihull or South Birmingham area and are free on Wednesday evenings, why not think about joining us for some fun from 8.00pm (most of us are there from around 7.30) to 10.30pm (or sometimes until we get kicked out if we are enjoying ourselves). All abilities welcome!
.
Thursday 30 January 2020
Cover, CREEP Acoustic Ukuklele / vocal
I belong to a fairy small ukulele club, "UKULELE CENTRAL Shirley". I first heard this song at one of our meetings in a new song book. It has become a favourite of mine. I just wanted to have a go and find how how it worked on an acoustic ukulele. A little rough in the vocal but that's me.
Ukulele Central, are group of friends who meet twice a month, on average, to enjoy a little convivial company and to partake of a little strumming to exercise our right arms (it's what your R arm is for). We jam for a couple of hours playing hits from the present day back to the 1950's, at The Shirley Club, Solihull.
Whilst we recognize the skills and expertise of one G. Formby, we prefer to work out on covers of more modern songs. But are always open to suggestions!
If you play the uke, live in the Solihull or South Birmingham area and are free on Wednesday evenings, why not think about joining us for some fun from 8.00pm (most of us are there from around 7.30) to 10.30pm (or sometimes until we get kicked out if we are enjoying ourselves)
We are always looking for new players at all levels, enthusiasm and a desire to improve is all that we ask. We are a very friendly crowd.
We perform at a few regular during the year year: we do mostly charity gigs, large and small, so you will be able to showcase your skills in public at whatever level you play. Many of Central's members played with Pudselele, a Ukulele band set up to support Children in Need. They played at both CarFest North and South two years ago and also the BBC (Birmingham) raising money for Children in Need.
Join our Face Book group or email us at, ukulelecentral14@gmail.com for further information.
Ukulele Central, are group of friends who meet twice a month, on average, to enjoy a little convivial company and to partake of a little strumming to exercise our right arms (it's what your R arm is for). We jam for a couple of hours playing hits from the present day back to the 1950's, at The Shirley Club, Solihull.
Whilst we recognize the skills and expertise of one G. Formby, we prefer to work out on covers of more modern songs. But are always open to suggestions!
If you play the uke, live in the Solihull or South Birmingham area and are free on Wednesday evenings, why not think about joining us for some fun from 8.00pm (most of us are there from around 7.30) to 10.30pm (or sometimes until we get kicked out if we are enjoying ourselves)
We are always looking for new players at all levels, enthusiasm and a desire to improve is all that we ask. We are a very friendly crowd.
We perform at a few regular during the year year: we do mostly charity gigs, large and small, so you will be able to showcase your skills in public at whatever level you play. Many of Central's members played with Pudselele, a Ukulele band set up to support Children in Need. They played at both CarFest North and South two years ago and also the BBC (Birmingham) raising money for Children in Need.
Join our Face Book group or email us at, ukulelecentral14@gmail.com for further information.
Tuesday 19 March 2019
A New, Original Song
I have said many times that this blog was about songwriting; and mainly about my attempts at that. I have filled in with music videos of some of my fave artists and their songs as over the past (too many months and years to contemplate) my own songs have dried up.
I guess that I found more opportunity and expression in writing poetry rather than lyrics. In my poetry blog I have tried to explain this to my own satisfaction by suggesting that it was due to my usually writing songs by starting with a chord riff or two and adding melody to match using words / lyrics as placeholders. with this in mind I tried to write lyrics first but often forgot the melodies after a very short time. Even if I had had a clear worked out idea in my head.
Usually this was because I was not backing up those ideas with the chord riffs (giving them an existence?), maybe I was away from home or just not being thorough?
I have tried recording a few of the latest song ideas very shortly after they have appeared in my head. I have been sitting in front of my PC with a ukulele on my lap and using the built in webcam. It doesn't make for a very good video, technically or in performance terms, however I do then have this to fall back on when I find time to suit down to work on completing / editing the song. This has saved much scrap paper with unused ideas being cast aside.
As an example I am posting here a video of one of these half-formed ideas; the lyrics need final editing, I am playing a backing which I am making up as I go along to harmonise with a melody which is changing from verse to verse. BUT it does hold the germ of what I think is a good idea. Hopefully I can take this to a decent conclusion which I will post at some future date.
I tried to post the video (quite humorous in a crappy sort of way) but Blogger does not seem to enable the posting of videos (?) and I did not feel able to post it on You Tube until polished a little. Watch this space.
In the meantime you can check out the new lyric on my poetry blog - cheers!
I guess that I found more opportunity and expression in writing poetry rather than lyrics. In my poetry blog I have tried to explain this to my own satisfaction by suggesting that it was due to my usually writing songs by starting with a chord riff or two and adding melody to match using words / lyrics as placeholders. with this in mind I tried to write lyrics first but often forgot the melodies after a very short time. Even if I had had a clear worked out idea in my head.
Usually this was because I was not backing up those ideas with the chord riffs (giving them an existence?), maybe I was away from home or just not being thorough?
I have tried recording a few of the latest song ideas very shortly after they have appeared in my head. I have been sitting in front of my PC with a ukulele on my lap and using the built in webcam. It doesn't make for a very good video, technically or in performance terms, however I do then have this to fall back on when I find time to suit down to work on completing / editing the song. This has saved much scrap paper with unused ideas being cast aside.
As an example I am posting here a video of one of these half-formed ideas; the lyrics need final editing, I am playing a backing which I am making up as I go along to harmonise with a melody which is changing from verse to verse. BUT it does hold the germ of what I think is a good idea. Hopefully I can take this to a decent conclusion which I will post at some future date.
I tried to post the video (quite humorous in a crappy sort of way) but Blogger does not seem to enable the posting of videos (?) and I did not feel able to post it on You Tube until polished a little. Watch this space.
In the meantime you can check out the new lyric on my poetry blog - cheers!
Tuesday 17 April 2018
Pink Floyd on the ukulele anyone?
WISH YOU WERE HERE
a little bit of an experiment, wanting to see how it migh sound
Once again, I record myself because my own opnion is very important to me
But I have to hear it dispassionately to be able to really tell how it sounds.
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