God Bless Flo. She came to hear me play my first halting work on the ukelele. She was probably relieved to be deaf.
I asked Maria to take my picture, learning to play the ukelele in front of my excellent garden bed, now withering and dying after a hard frost.
One door closes, and another opens.
I don’t believe in ever being diminished, I always have new opportunities. I’m pulling up the Zinnia’s this weekend; only a few plants are left.
But I’ve found another door to walk through.
This is what learning the ukelele looks like for me.
I should warn you it isn’t pretty, I’ve only had two lessons, and I’m only now focusing on practicing – there was too much going on.
I’ve got to move more slowly, but I am getting a feel for it.
I promised to be open about my life and truthful when I started my blog; this is the price innocent people will pay for it. I’m making real headway learning some cords and remembering where to put my fingers.
I am determined to sing a song to Maria, serenade the donkeys, and play Ode To Joy at our bonfires.
Here’s a journey at the very beginning of this journey. I promise to be better, slowly and chaotically.
This is not a natural gear for me; I’ve been a story and word man all my life; I was never any good at playing music and am not yet. I’m starting with “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, who I idolized.
I’m not a brave person, but I took a lot of courage to take this video and put it up. I will improve. I was impressed by Flo, who decided to support my music and be a one-creature audience and fan.
She is loyal to the end. And deaf as a stone. God Bless Flo.
I’m sure she felt the vibrations, and I thank her for her support. I asked Maria how I was doing, and all she could say was, “well, it’s a lot better than last week.”
I’ll keep updating people as I progress. Wish me luck.
Flo was all over it, leaning against me, trying to understand what was happening. I think it was merciful that she is deaf; the donkeys took off for the back pasture when I started playing.
Good for you!
LMAO Jon! I would never be harshly critical or denigrate your efforts……….but….. I applaud you for your Uke adventure. IMO, I think you might want to stick to singing (lovely that you carry a tune perfectly and effortlessly )………and ditch the Uke! I know you are just starting and there is always hope LOL………..but your voice is your true gift (IMO) not the Uke! Hope you know I love you, regardless.
Susan M
Sweet, Susan and thank you, I love the Ukelele and am sticking with it..
Maybe Flo has lost a bit of her hearing? It was sure nice of her to come by and see what you were doing.
A very endearing video slice of life.
Maria sounds delighted, and Flo looks delighted picking up on the good mood and harmonic vibrations. That makes a 100% success rate, creating joy and humor in the world after only one week with no time to practice.
How wonderful to be surrounded by support right at home.
How many adults were shamed early in life, to stop drawing or singing or dancing, and believed that only professionals can be creative?
We may never hear their songs, but we will hear yours loud and clear.
Even more wonderful is putting out the strong message to all that it’s never too late to pick up an instrument for connection and fun.
Weeks 2 and 3 are sure to have more surprises in store.
Thank you for this sweet moment at week’s end.
I love your message and encouragement Mary! This is awesome that Jon has picked up the uke. Sometimes it is good for us to get out of our comfort zone and try brand new things.
Why Ms. Janette, thank you! What a nice surprise. Yes, this was the first time a ukulele has moved me to tears! 🙂 It was good to think how pleased Woody Guthrie would be at hearing it. “This Land is Your Land” was considered a very radical song in its day, and some stanzas were even considered too forward to publish or sing. In this setting it is revolutionary too: taking up an instrument as a strong bright step up from America’s view of us senior citizens. It is fun to look forward to how this music grows and develops. Thank you for your sweet greeting, M
Thank you for this wonderful post..
That video is precious.
Let ‘er rip, Jon!
Applauding your committment, and courage to put your video out here.
Take it eady on yourself, your willingness and having vision if singing to Maria and at the bonfires…wellthat is all you needto keep going.
I look firward to your next video.
“Onward, by all means” ❣️
Hey rookie, that was pretty good. Keep practicing, and you will soon be hitting the curve balls of playing the ukelele.
But watch out for those changeups! My best to Flo!
Hi, Jon. I’ve been playing guitar for a half century now, even taught it for a while here and there. I am not very good, but enjoy the attempt. Over these years, for both myself and some of my students, I have found that lots more progress is made by practicing in shorter stretches. For example, I find that playing three or four times a day for twenty minutes each time is better than playing one stretch of a couple hours. At least, that works best for me. You probably already have heard about George Harrison’s love of ukelele. I read recently that he used to travel with two of them, that way he could often lure someone to join in with him for impromtu playing. He could show someone a couple chords, and they were off making music.