Lilli Haire´s journey of learning to play the Ukulele
Week one was a success. I have discovered that I love playing the Ukulele, although I'm not very good at it, is so stress relieving to just be able to sit down and play music. I find myself walking around the house playing it, and repetitively being told by my parents that their "ears are bleeding". I have seen improvement in my ability to play since last week, and so have they. I have spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos on how to play basic chords, and I think I'm starting to get it down! Me being the impatient person that I am, I immediately watched a video on "how to play Riptide on the ukulele", and quickly realized that I was no where near being able to accomplish this. I did find out that there are only four chords in the song, and I have already learned two of them already. I have also learned three different strum styles in the past week, and accomplished playing A Minor, C, G, F, and D chords. I've found that G and F are the hardest chords to play, mostly because of hand placement. I have absolutely no hand eye coordination so proficiently switching chords has been a really struggle. I have learned the "Island Strum", "Backbeat Strum", and the strum necessary the play "Riptide", which entails a pattern of Up-Down-Up-Down-Up, Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up. It sounds pretty intimidating and complicated, and was at first, but after some practice, I think I have it down.
I got a call this week from one of my friends that plays the Ukulele, and he asked if I wanted to do a cover of "Riptide". I was blown away because he had no idea that that was what I was doing for my Genius Hour project. Of course I said yes, but asked why he asked me to do it. He said he doesn't know anyone else that can sing, and I was flattered because I thought I sucked at singing. So who knows, maybe this will turn into a duet, and maybe, just maybe, he'll get me to sing in public. Photography is also one of my passions, so I thought "why not incorporate it into this project". My best friend is a very good photographer, and offered to do a "photo shoot" a couple times a month so help me produce quality photos to post each week along with an update on my progress. She might also be filming my progress, so stay tuned for some videos. Thanks for tuning in! Hopefully by this time next week I can start playing some songs!
4 Comments
Blakley Freeman
2/21/2018 04:09:10 pm
This looks very interesting and the pictures are really cool!! im excited to hear the final product.
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Regan
2/21/2018 04:10:07 pm
This seems like a really exciting project, and I’m looking forward to hearing you play! Also I really love the pictures!
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Justin Boardwine
2/25/2018 10:47:41 am
I've always wanted to learn how to play a stringed instrument so I'm glad that you're taking the initiative to do so. I hope your project is a success!
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Jess Crosby
2/25/2018 06:40:02 pm
I love Riptide! And the ukulele! this sounds like a fun project!
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AuthorHi I'm Lilli Haire! I am a sophomore in High School, and I live in North Carolina. For my English two Genius Hour Project, I am learning to play the Ukulele. This is where I will keep track of my progress! Archives
May 2018
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