27 October

Video: Update Two: My Ukelele Playing. It Isn’t Pretty, But It Is Progress. Apologies To All

by Jon Katz

As promised, part two of my promise to share my Ukelele process, if one would call it that. I’ve never sung a song to people I wasn’t living with and rarely did it with them.

It’s not pretty, but believe it or not, it is progress—my apologies to Paul Simon for mangling one of his most famous early songs. If I can do this, I can do almost anything.

My goals are modest: to play a song at our next bonfire during the Winter Equinox, to play music to the donkeys, to play on Christmas Morning at the Mansion, and to serenade Maria with “Ode To Joy.”

My apologies to you people also. Openness is openness.

 

20 Comments

  1. This is wonderful, Jon! I can already see and hear some improvement……. you DO have a great voice and a good ear for tone…….. I think your fingers (as you get more comfortable) will move easier and more quickly………and it will all come together as it becomes familiar and they can keep up with your brain! Plus…..just a thought……your hands are rather large….and the Ukelele is such a small instrument……that I trust this may make it even more challenging? Keep up the good work!
    Susan M

    1. I’m shocked at the idea that I have a good voice, but that would be lovely..I am practicing every day now, I’m beginning to get the hang of it.

  2. Hurray! I love your joy, your courage, your willingness to ‘humiliate’ yourself. Learning to play the ukelele and sing and putting it out there – you are amazing. You brought me so much joy, listening to you and your repartee with Maria.

  3. Hey Jon !! Brave soul….thanks for sharing….it was “groovey”. You are leading us “silver citizens’ in continuing to try new things!! BRAVO !

  4. There was a mental picture of Thomas Merton stopping by the farm and applauding in the corner.
    You look radiant in this clip!
    The world needs this so deeply — grownups nurturing and growing in touch with their inner talents, and sharing them for all to enjoy and encourage.
    Maria’s phrases “And look at you now!” and “GREAT finale!” say so much about your rapport together.

  5. Again inspiring, I know my hands are larger and Uke is challenging.
    I know for me I cld only do the uke and not sing as well.
    Stay with it Jon, and yes you do have a good voice☺️

  6. Yeah you! I smiled when you said you’re going to play The 59th St. Bridge song. It’s one of my favorite pick me up songs! You’re doing great and I love that you are taking us on your ukulele journey! Thank you for your inspiration! I’m looking forward to your next video ?

  7. This is so wonderful, made me smile with so much happiness all the way through. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

  8. You can sing , thats for sure. Getting in synch with a anew instrument is a steep learning curve, but you are already getting the hang of it. Keep on keeping on.

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