Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Ukulele Madness

SUMMER STRUMMIN' AT TWO CROW COTTAGE
Hand painted by Sandy "Rosebud" Scarano
Well since we did not get any snow, and I do mean zilch, nada, none, and all around us here in New York, everybody else did, I am putting all my ukuleles to work with some island strumming, in hopes that it will come.  I know, be careful what you wish for, but I like the snow, so this is kind of like a SNOW DANCE on ukulele.

Love my Martin C-1K uke.
Now Martin here, is my performance uke.  I belong to a Ukulele Group that goes out and about to bring smiles and good cheer to the nursing homes in our area....for free!  We also play at the local hospital, the annual Toys for Tots Drive with the US Marines, Relay for Life fundraisers, and on occasion at a couple day cares.  It's great fun and, though Martin is the go-to uke at performances, I haul 3 others out to hand out to the residents so they can try their hand at ukulele madness.  And they love it!

Hospital lobby gig!

I first laughed when a friend of mine brought me a ukulele to try, because I had no idea what to do with it.  He just told me that it was an extra one that he had lying around so, I thought I'd give it a go.  Well, I gave his uke back to him, wondering why in the world you need more than one ukulele...
 now I have 6!!!  3 sopranos, 2 of them painted with a beautiful island scene, 1 tenor, 1 vintage Avalon Banjolele that was my Father's and Martin!  I invested in Martin, because if I was going to engage in an activity such as strummin' a ukulele, I was going to get a good one to make sure I was giving it my best shot.  The bottom line here is, my Mama is born and raised on the beautiful island of Kauai, and what better way to honor her, and my island family who I got to visit not too long ago, sending back a new tenor uke from Honolulu.  And I wear Mama's picture, every time I head out to play!

Nursing home gig!

There is a great new revival of the ukulele.  Give it a try.  I promise you, it is reasonably priced, quite easy to learn, even I CAN DO IT!  It will surely make you smile:)  And hey George Harrison played the uke!

 Jammin' with Kara at A Spirit of Simplicity.
Stop by and say, "ALOHA" 



3 comments:

  1. What a wonderful thing to do, to play the ukulele at so many great places :)
    The painted one is beautiful! I can imagine how they become more and more over time, every single one special in their own way :D
    I have never tried playing it but I've listened to a friend playing it and I loved it.
    I'm so happy for you that you have this amazing hobby.
    I hope you are having a wonderful week.
    Lots of hugs to you,
    Beate

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  2. That looks so fun. I don't play any instruments.

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    1. Well neither did I before this...and the clarinet in Junior High doesn't count...because I stunk at that! The joy that the ukulele brings on the nursing home circuit gives me great joy in return. Thanks for stopping by! Aloha!

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