Radders’ Christmas Message

Ballard C Boyd’s first Xmas album

A number of years ago I came across a link to a homemade Christmas album A Ukulele Christmas 2005 by a chap called Ballard C Boyd. He is a director / singer-songwriter.

The album was free to download. The inspiration behind this idea was to record himself singing festive songs – some penned by himself or pastiches of existing tunes – and make a Christmas present for his family and friends. He has subsequently kept this tradition, producing a further nine short albums. The 2014 one is called Pretty Paper.

Anyone at PLUC and beyond with a hint of Christmas cheer, go and listen to his Christmas albums. There’s a taster for you below.

If you don’t yet have a uke (and don’t get one for Xmas!), perhaps this will inspire you to buy one and join a local ukulele group.

Happy Christmas and New Year.

Radders  x

 

 

PLUC Weekend Workout

The Justinguitar Interval Ear Trainer

Justinguitar has a section for ukulele lessons & also some good ear training resources. There’s a detailed page with a number of video lessons which take you through a structured way of looking at the topic or you can just jump straight into the on-line app to test yourself & see how well you can recognise musical intervals.

Do also have a look at the other music theory topics down the left hand side of the page, which include transcribing, scales, arpeggios, chords & rhythm.

 

Christmas Strumalong 2014

As usual, our final club night of the year was the annual Christmas Strumalong at the Jolly Farmers pub. This time, group members included Andrew, Bob, Chris K, Christina K, Colin, Dan, Ed, Jeanette, Liz, Maria, Rufus, Simon, Steve H, Steve J & Tina.  We entertained the football-watching crowd with a number of our favourite tunes. And some Xmas ones as well.

We were sorry not to see several of our regulars who couldn’t join us this evening – such as Chris, Jos, Kev & Shelia – so wish them all a very Merry Xmas & Happy New Year.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Ding Dong Ukuleles On High

Deck Your Uke For Xmas – see how at The Instructables website

At this time of year, some folk rejoice in the sound of Christmas tunes gaily ringing out from every store & the rest of us do our best to avoid even going to the shops from mid-October, when the Xmas season now appears to start!

In case you are looking for an excuse to get out your uke in the bleak midwinter, Jacqueline has noticed there is a Ukulele Carol Jam – Fri 19 Dec 2014  at The Hill Station (Telegraph Hill, Kitto Road SE14 5TW) as part of their Friendly Friday series of community events. Hosted by Sheridan James (aka the Uke Playing Rev, from St Catherine’s Church, New Cross), there are two sessions – the Kids’ Jam from 4pm – 6pm for 4 – 12 year olds & a second one for 12+ & adults, 7.30pm onwards. Contact The Hill Station Cafe for more details.

If you fancy rocking around the Christmas tree, our annual PLUC Xmas Strumalong for past & present members is happening on Tue 16 Dec 2014.

And if you’d like some further festive open strumming sessions instead of having a silent night, for a good round-up of London’s uke clubs & events see The Mighty Ukulele listings pages and monthly mailshot for where you can jingle your bells. Or go out for a pizza instead (deep pan, crisp & even).

Mele Kalikimake.

Jeanette

 

Xmas Strumalong 2014

Xmas Strumalong 2013 – 03 Kev, Dan & Ed 01

PLUC’s Christmas arrangements are as follows:

• Tue 9 Dec – Lewis Club. Xmas song tryout.
• Tue 16 Dec – Jolly Farmers. Xmas Strumalong.
• Tue 23 Dec – XMAS BREAK
• Tue 30 Dec – XMAS BREAK
• Tue 6 Jan – Lewis Club. New members welcome

All present & past PLUC members welcome. Contact Jeanette for the Xmas Songlist & further information.

 

Brindishe Green School Christmas Fair – Nov 2014

We gave a return performance at this year’s Xmas Fair at a local Hither Green primary school. As you can see, the audience were up & dancing along with us. PLUC regulars may be able to recognise what tunes we were playing!

Thanks to Anna for carefully filming us in the noisy school hall. And get well soon to Colin, who was poorly & couldn’t join us.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

PLUCking Ukes – Ten Minute Practice Tips

Tyler Austenfield, from Ten Thumbs Productions produces several free uke lessons every week, from how to play various songs from beginners to intermediate level and different techniques, such as fingerstyle, blues & chords (barres, progressions etc). A section on music theory is planned soon. Here is part one of his recent fingerstyle course: