October 2009 – Page 6

Free Ukulele Songbook

So, I stumbled across a blog post entitled, "Ukulele Songbook MP3s are available in Files section" and instantly I was excited. After reading the article, it looks like folks from Ukulele Hall of Fame created the Fleabag Music songbook so that uke players, when we meet each other, can have a starting off point for playing together. Basically it's sheet music and mp3s for a bunch of public domain songs that are popular on the Ukulele. What's better, it's free!

The sheet music is really complete, but don't worry it also shows the fingerings for all the chords and you could just strum the chords. Anyway, for a free resource, it's incredible! Here are the direct links to the material (but I encourage you to check out the ukuleletonya.com blog as well):

New Flight of the Conchords – Oct 20th

Once again, I'm posting a news item that isn't 100% ukulele-related, but I can almost guarantee that there will be a ukulele track on this record. I can say this with confidence because Brett McKenzie, from Flight of the Conchords, is co-founder of the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra in New Zealand. The new record is called "I Told You I was Freaky" and it's coming out on October 20th. However you can already pre-order it on Amazon. Woo hoo! Now I can get my dance moves ready for "Sugar Lumps".

Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky

Crazy Deal: 88% Off Accessories at Musicians Friend

So, yesterday I posted an article about a sweet featherweight ukulele case. Well, it looks like I was one day too early. Because I just heard about this sale:
88% Off Accessories at MusiciansFriend.com + Big Gear Ships Free (exp:10/21)

So, if you didn't get what you needed yet, head on over. Seems like if you are going to need strings, cables, straps, stands or cases, this is the freaking week to buy them! Seriously, you should probably check it out.

88% Off Accessories at MusiciansFriend.com + Big Gear Ships Free (exp:10/21)

Lou Barlow, Dinosaur Jr. and the Ukulele? Huh??

So, I was reading a Lou Barlow Interview at Clash Music and I felt like I could share it here. I know this one is stretching it a little bit, but when I read the following, I had to post this:

“In the beginning I thought the scale of the songs I was writing didn't fit with dinosaur - two chord songs written on ukelele. J was composing epics and seemed annoyed by me so I didn't feel comfortable bringing things to him and subjecting myself to ridicule”

Oh man! I would kill to have been a fly on that wall of those old Dinosaur Jr. Practices. Watching Lou Barlow trying to explain to J Mascis how some little ukulele song could totally work. Heh.

Case Deal: 50% off this sweet featherweight case

All of my guitar (not ukulele guitars, my electric guitars) cases are aluminum. Sure, they are rugged and whatnot, and that's great, but I can't tell you how many times they've made me curse after swinging them into my shins. Enough is enough. So, I was scouting Musician's Friend for some good deals and I came across this
Musicians Gear Featherweight Soprano Ukulele Case.

I like what I see, and I like that it's only $29.99. Check out the picture:

Musicians Gear Featherweight Soprano Ukulele Case

From the description, "This Durafoam uke case offers the same protection for your soprano ukulele minus the heft. The high-density polystyrene foam shell has a soft plush form-fitting interior that coddles your instrument and is covered with tough Cordura." It sure sounds like I'd rather be hauling this case through the airport than something that I'm sure to jam into my legs when I'm juggling 6 things trying to show them that I don't have more than 10 ounces of liquids or gels on my person.