PLUC Tales – Ron’s Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome

While I have not had the opportunity to attend club, I still strum the ukulele every day and recently purchased my most expensive instrument so far. A Kala Travel Uke, model SSL WTU 1005. This was purchased purely for its looks and I had to buy it.

A slimline uke with spruce top and lacewood back and sides, this created a conflict.  Which do I love the best: my new travel uke, a real pleasure to play and great quality, or my Flea? Strangely enough, my Flea came out tops and I decided I like this best. I might of course be shot down in flames for saying so but that’s how it is. Simon will be delighted, LOL.

As for the Kala. In order for me to love it better, I decided to try D’Addario strings which failed miserably regards sound and were ultimately changed to Aquila. Much better.

I got to thinking about folk who possess several ukuleles. Whether they are loved equally and for what reasons?

Warm regards to all. Ron

Other PLUC Tales: Steph’s Story; Uncle Ron’s Legacy… – Wee Kheng; Dan’s Story; Five Years & Loving It – Simon; My Ukulele Origins… – Rufus; Why Ed Started Playing The Ukulele; Ron’s Song; It’s Been A Year… – Jeanette

 

PLUC Tales – Uncle Ron’s Legacy…

Wee Kheng’s Uke

I am not at all musically inclined, so it was more fate than design that got me started on the ukulele.

On one of my trips back to Singapore, my daughter Lisa came along. It suddenly occurred to me that we had not seen our favourite uncle and auntie for a long time. So we went and were glad we did because we had a great time.

Uncle Ron, who puts his status on Facebook as ‘happily retired’, was into uke and had founded and led a group. We were treated to an impromptu sing-along which we joined in. When we left, he ran after us and gave Lisa two books that he compiled himself – one was a song book, the other a book of tips for beginners.

On my return to England I got a uke for Lisa as a Christmas present. Some months later she admitted that her busy uni life does not leave her much time to learn a new instrument. Besides she already had a guitar, so I became the reluctant owner of the lovely uke. But there was a problem – I did not know what to do with it.

The development I live in had a Facebook Group, so I posted a message asking if anyone knew a uke tutor and Steph, who attends your sessions, pointed me in your direction.

I found PLUC a godsend. Thanks to Simon, Jeanette, Chris, Rufus, Kevin, Dan and everyone else who makes it so welcoming and enjoyable.

It is so true what they say about music being the food of the soul. The club sessions are an uplifting and pleasant diversion from the everyday cares of life in busy London.

Sadly, Uncle Ron has passed away from cancer but his legacy lives on. He has inspired lots of people to take up the uke, myself included, and my life and soul is so much richer from it.

Wee Kheng

Other PLUC Tales: Steph’s Story; Ron’s Ukulele Acquisition Syndrome; Dan’s Story; Five Years & Loving It – Simon; My Ukulele Origins… – Rufus; Why Ed Started Playing The Ukulele; Ron’s Song; It’s Been A Year… – Jeanette

 

Ukulele Playalongs

As it’s my brother’s birthday today, here’s a swift post giving the Number One when he was born – Frank & Nancy Sinatra singing Something Stupid. For your delectation, here’s a strumalong with Stu Kulele:

 

Uke Tubes

Today would have been the 74th birthday of Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien (better known as Dusty Springfield). So here is Richard G performing his arrangement of the Bacharach & David number The Look of Love on his 1920s Gibson:

 

PLUCking Ukes – Key Facts

Keys. (Photo credit: Bohman)

Two different people asked me about musical keys this week.

A key is a collection of notes in a particular pattern. If you start singing a song on one note & then sing the same song but begin it on a different note, it’s still the same song but is in a different key.You’ll also have to play different chords to make it sound right.

Here are two different versions of The Kinks’ Lola – one on Ukulele Boogaloo & one from Richard G’s Songbook. You’ll notice the difference when you play them – you might find the chords easier to play in one version or that you can sing along better on one.

 

UkeTubes

Here’s a cheery little Tom Waits blues number for Easter - Chocolate Jesus, played by Nigel D’Eon:

 

Goodbye Television Centre

The iconic BBC Television Centre in London’s White City – the world’s first purpose-built TV studios back in 1960 – makes its final broadcasts today before being taken over by property developers. Home to many thousands of classic programmes – from children’s TV (Play School, Jackanory, Blue Peter, Swap Shop); comedy (Morecambe & Wise, The Two Ronnies, Fawlty Towers, The Good Life, Only Fools & Horses, Black Adder); music (Top Of The Pops, Old Grey Whistle Test); drama, news and so much more, this evening’s nostalgia fest is a sad reminder of over fifty years of great TV history & the ghosts of so many fine performers.