Been on the computer ordering ukulele stuff! Why do I bust out into a big grim every time I think of the word ukulele? Well do the Paul Harvey edition this morning - heres more to that story..... When I was 16, Greg bought a beautiful,- an I mean catwalk beautiful - banjo for me for my birthday. I have always been fascinated by the banjo. I took some lessons, but the guy teaching me might have well have been Chinese -- that is how well I understood him. My goal was to learn to play Cripple Creek. Remember, when I was 16, there were no DVDs and internet. We were grateful to have tv and running water - remember those days? ha ha ha Anyway, I was pretty much limited to teaching myself to play. Shoot, I couldnt even play the flutaphone back in elementary school. So I mastered about the first 8 seconds of Cripple Creek. Boy I could sure pick out good eight second of it! Then Life got in the way. Tennis practice, horse shows, college. Then after college, I kind of had a little accident. Made it difficult to start learning the banjo again (I have yet to find a music learning program for deaf/blind aspiring musicians). But I love a challenge. Some one told me to learn the guitar first, it would really help my learning the banjo. Sams Club had an acoustic Fender one time -- bought it (and a Fender t-shirt -- man I felt so cool wearing a Fender t shirt). Hmm. I have proceeded to sit and stare at that guitar realizing I am pretty gullible to suggestions when attempting to learn something. At a Cochlear Implant Convention out in Florida, there was a presentation by a professional musician who has 2 cochlear implants. Those who know me know that I can talked to a stop sign and be thoroughly entertained. The gentleman and I struck up a conversation at a social and he told me that learning the ukulele first was THE best way to master a guitar. Three years passed. At the next convention, this time in California, I saw him again and told him I had not touched the guitar, but I WILL. Again, he advised a ukulele. Next February will be another cochlear convention. YIKES. Just so he will not think me to be a hot air blimp, I decided I had better get serious about this. I am a big believer in fate, and things happening for a reason. Incredibly, I glanced at a sale section in the Sunday paper one morning, and there it was - a UKULELE on sale at a music store. The store was over by where my son, John, lives. They have the feature that you can buy online and pick up at the store. Done. John went over that day and picked it up. Bless my babys heart. He is sweet as pie, but gets real challenged about menial tasks. He is a sports attorney, and things like representing Johnny Football and saving a university from getting the NCAA death penalty take precedence over delivering a ukulele to your Mom. Or at least to HIM. I personal;ly think Mom comes first! ;) But the ukulele is coming to its new home this weekend I feel like a parent getting all the stuff that a new baby will need. I ordered picks, learning DVDs, books, tuner, hardshell case. Yep. I believe buying this stuff makes it all legitimate. I am going on vacation soon, and am packing all the necessities: trikes, cross stitch, laptop, 4 cameras. and now - ukulele. I feel like I am packing for a chance to be a contestant on the old Lets Male a Deal show with Monte Hall. If he said I will give you $100 for a ukulele string - that $100 is MINE. Or a DMC embroidery floss card. or a 4 GB SD card..... you get my drift. I am Prepared. Anyway,, my goal is to learn ONE SONG on that ukulele between riding trikes, going to the biggest Bass Pro Shop in the country, watching water fountain shows. I will squeeze learning the ukulele it in while living life in the fast lane. :) Please, no Don Ho, Jimmy Hendricks, or Hee Haw jokes.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:39:15 +0000