Bring Me Sunshine

After my rant about television, I thought it would be appropriate to share the sort of video I do enjoy.

I found out about this one when I ran into two of my ukulele friends, Jim & Jon, while shopping downtown. Jim Corbett told me about it.



Thanks, Jim!

30 Songs in 30 Days

Regular Mindful Heart readers already know that I am fond of home made music—especially singing accompanied by ukuleles. Most of the music that you'll hear at my house or in my classroom is exactly that.

This afternoon I discovered a young woman who goes by the name Miss Sophie Madeleine. She has undertaken the task of recording 30 songs in 30 days and posting them on YouTube. As of today, July 23, she's nearing the end of her project.

She's got good pipes. Her ukulele skills are up to the task, nothing extraordinary, but ordinariness adds to her charm. I get that feeling, "If she can do it, so can I."

Here are two of the YouTube videos she put up, "Dream a Little Dream of Me."



Here is the first, "One Fine Day." Through the magic of technology, she plays ukulele, a kid's xylophone, tambourine, kazoo, not to mention singing two harmonies behind the melody. A production like that would take some time, believe me. Very impressive, Sophie Madeleine.

I must say it's a whole lot of fun to make music with friends. And a whole lot easier, too.





This link will take you to her page where you can see more videos in this series:


http://sophiemadeleine.com/30days.html

Eldergarten for Alzheimer's Patients

Bill Tapia is 103 years young, and still plays the ukulele.

Late this morning I packed my ukulele and harmonicas into my car and drove into town to sing for the Catholic Charities’ Alzheimer's group. 

I found a room filled with a group of about twenty people, a mixture of Alzheimer’s patients and volunteer caregivers, seated in chairs arranged in a "U."  

One lonely-looking empty chair—my stage—stood by itself in the middle of the open part of the U. 

It looked, at first, as if it would be a tough audience. The patients' eyes were, how shall I say this, vacant?  Many of them sat staring into their laps; I couldn't even see their eyes. Some of the volunteers avoided eye contact with me. The person who invited me to come warned them not to expect too much—I'm a kindergarten teacher, not a musician/performer.

I've learned to fight fire with fire. Go straight at the fear. “No, problem,” I told myself. “I’m a kindergarten teacher." There aren't many audiences tougher than the one I usually sing for. I unpacked my gear, introduced myself, and launched off into about 45 minutes of singing, playing ukulele, and howlin’ out tunes on the harmonica. Kids songs, spirituals, Tin Pan Alley songs, and, of course, a Hank Williams tune or two.

It turned out that songs that work for short-attention-span kindergartners are perfect, perfect! for Alzheimer’s patients. Songs aimed at the heart with simple words, great melodies, and lots of repetition. 

Before long the patients and their caregivers came to life, like droopy houseplants given the water they need to stop slouching. They joined in singing, clapping and stomping their feet. 

We had a great time. Some patients danced! By the time we got to “If You’re Happy and You Know It” my failing voice was almost lost in the crowd. In the third verse the audience is supposed to shout “Hooray!” and throw a fist into the air. They did better than I ever thought they would. They were shouting, "HOORAY!!" as loudly as any roomful of five year olds. 

Music works magic. You would not have guessed that anyone in this room was touched by senility. Too many smiles. Too much music. Too much magic.

I’m coming back in two weeks for an encore performance.

West County Ukulele Club

Last Friday my ukulele club sang a set of songs at our town's monthly sing along night at the Sebastopol Community Center. The night's theme was Country Music.

This was the occasion of my first lead vocal, not counting singing in kindergarten class for five year olds.

My wife was there to videotape it so I might share it here. With apologies for my harmonica "work" in the instrumental break. I just started playing harmonica a little bit ago. No worries. With time, I'll improve.

Times Are Gettin' Hard

Not long ago, I posted a video of Taimane Gardner  showing an exotic and mysterious side of the ukulele.

Here is another side of the ukulele showing a more subdued mood. It features my pal, Todd,  who posted this on YouTube a month or so ago. He sings an old folk song called "Times Are Gettin' Hard." Its mood and message fit these times we find ourselves in right now....

I'll Bet You Like This

Readers of Mindful Heart are well aware of my increasing fondness for the ukulele. I know the ukulele to be a simple and humble instrument perfect to put into the hands of young children who want to make their first music. That's what I'm doing every day at work.

It's also a great instrument for groups of amateurs to play together. I spend most Thursday evenings playing with friends. That's what I did last night. We get high just singing.

But the ukulele can be even more than that.

She has a wild, exotic side as well.

Grab a pair of headphones. Set aside six minutes.

You won't want to be interrupted:

Brave and Forgiving

We had a great time Thursday night at Vicki Reno's home. The Sebtown Ukesters played some old-timey favorite songs like "Five Foot Two," "Hey Good Lookin'" and "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." The audience sang along when they knew the words to the songs.

I could see on some of their faces the desire to join the strumming. Some in the audience signed up to join the Sebtown Ukesters. And of course, they will be warmly welcomed.

There's safety in numbers, and all you need is a wee bit of courage together with the ability to forgive your own and other people's goofy mistakes as we learn to play with each other. (Am I sounding like a kindergarten teacher here?)

We learn to be more brave and more forgiving. No one gets hurt, everyone gets happy. It's great.

My wife, Sebastopol Mayor Sarah Gurney, made a speech about her vision for Sebastopol and the many many contributions she's made to our community over the past three decades.

There was time to chat before and after the singing and speeching.  Folks stayed, sipping wine and gobbling the best chocolate chip cookies we ever tasted—really!—until about 9:30 PM.

The Hansen Lane neighbors who came to our event enjoyed being together. They met people who will become new friends. They started planning their first ever block parties and progressive dinners.The Sebastopol community spirit grows ever more happy, more harmonious.