Curt Sheller

What are "Jazz" Chords

2011-03-02T20:17:00.001-08:00

"Jazz" chords are simply chords.

Just like the name "Folk" or "Cowboy" chords have been associated basic open position chords that movie cowboy singers like Roy Rodgers and folk artist's like John Denver played. The chords that jazz guitarists played came to be called “jazz” chords.

These jazz chords are simply chords. Typically 4-part chords like major sevenths, sevenths and minor sevenths . Although these chords appear more complex and use more of the guitar neck than the first few frets. These chords can be organized and learned like the basic chords one typically learns.

On guitar these "jazz" chords can be organized into four strings sets. And, four string set, with the most being strings set comprising strings 1234, 2345, 3456, 1235, and 2346. Using a C7 chord as your foundation or core chord - this gives you 20 voicings on guitar to learn. On ukulele one the 1234 string family is available, for four C7 chords - a little less daunting of a task. The number of chords to master as a jazz guitarist contributes to the mystic of "jazz" chords being hard to learn. Not really hard to lear, just a lot of them.

Creating Intros and Turnarounds Ukulele Lesson Videos

2010-10-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

The UkuleleLesson Creating Intros and Turnarounds has been updated with video examples of several of the intros.

Musician "Mis" Communication - Which Way is UP?

2010-07-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Why can't ukulele players and musician communicate using, at a minimum, basic music terms?

I hear it all the time with ukulele video lessons online, in workshop and other players. It drives me nuts! They call the "higher" stings to bottom on a ukulele. The higher strings produce higher pitches and are on the top of the music staff in standard music notation and to top lines in TAB.

Learning an instrument is tough enough.

What is up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending on a ukulele?. This ukulele lesson focuses on clearing up what these terms refer to and should refer too. Up, down, higher, lower, top, bottom, ascending, descending should refer to musical pitch and not be related to gravity as we know it. Up and higher refers to the raising of pitch and down and lower refer to the lowering of pitch. Top refers to the upper note of a chord voicing or musical phrase and bottom the lowest note.

The only gravity, up - down reference that is appropriate when communication musically is, when referencing to strumming or picking. Then the normal down and up that we know works.

Here is the definitive answer to Which Way is UP?

TRI-TABS added to TAB links

2010-06-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

TRI-TABS added to TAB links

TRI-TABS - link
The Easy Way To Learn Fingerstyle On Any Ukulele.
The Purpose of this site is to provide ukulele players with a simple way to start learning to play fingerstyle tabs on any tuning of ukulele.

Blues Ukulele

2010-06-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

Added new section to ukulele pages for Blues Ukulele.

An easy to remember link is: bluesukulele.com or ukuleleblues.com

Jazz Ukulele Section

2010-06-01T19:44:00.001-07:00

Added a new Jazz ukulele section to the ukulele pages.

Surf Guitar section

2010-06-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

Add new Guitar page for instrumental guitar, especially "surf guitar". Instrumental guitar was the sound that drew me to the guitar. I especially loved Al Cailo's Tuff Guitar.

New Ukulele pages added

2010-05-07T08:48:00.001-07:00

Added a new pages dedicated to Banjo ukulele and the Resonator ukulele.

Southcoast Ukes add to Ukulele Builders Pages

2010-05-07T08:45:00.001-07:00

Southcoast Ukes of Mandeville, Louisiana addedto the ukulele builders page.

Added Jazz Guitarist Tony Hughes of Pottstown, PA

2010-05-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Tony Hughes is a great player from Pottstown, PA. Tony teaches and player around the Philadelphia area.

Over 520 fellow jazz guitarists are listed on my site.

My JazzGuitarResources.com web site has been incorporated in to the main Curt Sheller site.

New Song Section Added to Site

2010-05-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

A NEW section for songs have been added to the TABs part of the site.

The Song & Chord Progressions section has chord chart for popular songs.

Online Lessons now organized by instrument and subject

2010-04-22T07:03:00.001-07:00

Find lesson by dat, subject and instrument.

www.curtshelller.com/lessons/

Solo Uke, Lake Michigan Sessions by Gerald Ross

2009-09-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

Very cool idea. Check 'em out. Gerald is a great player and has an very eclectic taste of songs he records. Although getting up a 7am on vacation is a little strange.

From Gerald Ross

Solo Uke, Lake Michigan Sessions by Gerald Ross

www.geraldross.com/lakemichigan.htm

In August of 2009, my family rented a beach house for a week on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at Sturgeon Bay. I packed my Talsma tenor ukulele and my portable Zoom digital recorder.
My plan was to record solo ukulele songs using traditional 1920-1950's recording techniques. I've always admired the musicians of that era and their ability to go into the studio and play a song from start to finish flawlessly, starting over if they made a mistake. Here's what I did...

My "studio" was an upstairs bedroom with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan - not bad, eh? At 7am, Monday - Friday. I recorded the following twelve songs in sequence. I recorded each song once (and only once) during that day's session. If wasn't happy with my performance or made a mistake during the cut, I would not record a retake until the next day's session.

New Members Area of CurtSheller.com Launched

2009-09-09T07:43:00.001-07:00

Launching a new Members Only area on the main CurtSheller.com site. Benefits of membership include access to more lessons with expanded content, video examples and access to your private ukulele and guitar teacher - me, Curt Sheller, studio quality play-along tracks for practice, discounts on my books and a lot more as time goes on.

There is a FREE Basic Member Subscription available and a Premium Member Subscription at $9.95 for three months using PayPal.

A Premium Membership includes ALL the benefits of a basic membership plus access to me, Curt Sheller, premium play-along tracks and charts, books, lessons, TABS and more.

Premium Member lessons are what you might get if you studied with me. They draw on my 40 years of studying and playing experience and 20 years of teaching. The premium lessons are detailed and take a bit more production time to put together. Hence the small fee for the Premium Membership. Need to pay for this somehow. Your support is welcomed and appreciated.

A Premium Membership is only $9.95 for three months. Considering a private music lessons this is a great deal.

Over 50 Premium Play-along Backing Tracks are being made available as part of the Premium Membership.

Several of my books are being made available FREE as PDF eBooks for FREE Basic Members and Premium Members.

Download my Midnight at the Jazz Cafe CD for FREE.

Got to members.curtsheller.com for more information.

Update the UkuleleClubs.com site

2009-04-09T09:24:00.001-07:00

New look (minor) and added the BUG, (Bellingham Ukulele Group) or Bellingham, Washington, USA to the club listings.

What is the different between a Scale and a Mode?

2009-03-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

This started out as a reply to a online posting and question. I realized a lot of players don't know the difference between and scale and a mode or scale mode. So, I though I'd spin out a little Internet lesson and post it. I'll be posting this to my site at some point. So here is my take on the Scale and Mode thingy.

This is not a light read. And, as with most music things, the understanding of something is a lot easier that the application of the same.

What is the different between a Scale and a Mode?

As my music guru has said many times, "Tools not rules."

The term scale and mode are used interchangeably and in a strict theory sense there is a big difference between a scale and a mode or modal scale. They are NOT the same, even if they are the same notes.

Music is best explored and explained in context. So I'll use the G major scale as that context.

G A B C D E F# G' is the G Major Scale. It can be anyone of the those funny Greek sounding mode names that end in "ian", like Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian and Ionian is all notes are equal. Sounds like one of the TLC shows with all the kids.

Even starting on one scale degree vs another doesn't define one mode from another.

Dorian: A B C D E F# G A'
Phrygian: B C D E F# G A B'
Lydian: C D E F# G A B C'
Mixolydian: D E F# G A B C D'
Aeolian: F# G A B C D E'
Locrian: F# G A B C D E F#'
Ionian: G A B C D E F# G'

Most confusion when learning about modes, I feel comes from using the same major scale as the basis for study. Like we are doing here. But for our purposes this will really help clarify why a scale is different than a mode. And, you get seven modes for the price of one major scale.

To complicate matters. there are common traditional scale names for some of the modes that are in common use.

Dorian A B C D E F# G A' is frequently called a minor scale. As it is a minor scale.
Phrygian B C D E F# G A B' is also a minor scale. I don't know of any other common name for Phrygian. I'm sure there are some.
Lydian C D E F# G A B C', is a major scale.
Mixolydian D E F# G A B C D' is often referred to as the Dominant scale.
Aeolian E F# G A B C D E' this is the same as the Natural Minor scale.
Locrian F# G A B C D E F#' a diminished scale. No other common names that I'm aware of.
Ionian G A B C D E F# G'. This is the common Major Scale.

Dorian, Aeolian and Mixolydian are common modes in use in contemporary music. Moondance is part Dorian and part Minor, Sweet Home Alabama is Mixolydian, although they didn't know it when they wrote it.

All seven modes are just a collection of the notes G A B C D E F#. If all notes of the scale are equal it is just a scale and you can name it whatever you like. If one note is emphasized over the other six then it is one of the scale modes.

Melodically

Each mode has a characteristic scale step. When emphasized in a melody will give it's characteristic modal sound. You then have a scale mode or mode.

The characteristic scale steps are:

Dorian: A B C D E F# G A', characteristic scale step is F#, the sixth scale degree.
Phrygian: B C D E F# G A B', characteristic scale step is C, the second scale degree.
Lydian: C D E F# G A B C', characteristic scale step is F#, the fourth scale degree.
Mixolydian: D E F# G A B C D', characteristic scale step is C, the seventh scale degree.
Aeolian: E F# G A B C D E', characteristic scale step is G, the third scale degree.
Locrian: F# G A B C D E F#', characteristic scale step is C, the fifth scale degree.
Ionian: G A B C D E F# G', characteristic scale step is G, the first scale degree.

Even more to confuse you. Using triads, a three note chord. Mot common are built in thirds. Each mode has the same G Am Bm C D Em F#dim chords in it's "chord collection". Although modes are typically triad in nature when talking about the the primary and secondary chord's of a mode. We should add the D7 to the collection. As a 4-part chord it is so often used as the V chord in the G Major key. In a blues the chords are typically 4-part seventh chords.

Harmonically

Just as each mode has a characteristic scale step for the mode. Each mode has characteristic chords. The characteristic chords of each mode help define the modal sound.

It is the characteristic scale step that identifies the primary chords for each mode. The primary chords of any one of the modes are the I chord of the mode and the major and minor triads that contain the characteristic scale step.

One example and I'm out of here.

A Dorian:
A B C D E F# G A'
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 scale degrees
I II III IV V VI VII chord functions

Characteristic scale step is the sixth, F#. So the primary chords are the I chord of the mode and the major and minor triads: Am, Bm and D
I Am (A C E)
II Bm (B D F#)
IV D (D F# A)

The C, Em and G are secondary chords of the mode and the F#dim is the lone diminished chord.

OK, one more to show that the G Ionian mode is different that the G Major scale.

Characteristic scale step is the one, G. So the primary chords are the I chord of the mode and the major and minor triads: G C and Em:
I G (G B D)
IV C (C E G)
VI Em (E G B)

In the traditional key of G major the I IV and V chords are primary chords.

Alright, one more example. D mixolydian D E F# G A B C D'. The characteristic scale step in mixolydian is the seventh, C. The primary chords are the I V and VII. D, Am and C.

Here is a 12 bar, D Mixolydian blues

|| D | C | D | D | G | G | D | D | Am | C | D | Am ||
|| I | VII | I | I | IV | IV | I | I | V | VII | I | V ||

Each mode contains notes and chords common to the major scale. So it is easy to inadvertently slip into a mode's related major scale. When that happens, you have lost the mode and have actually moved into a major key. This can occur melodically or harmonically or both. Basically avoid or handle with care the D to G as that is the V I in our G major example.

One of the keys to all this mode or modal stuff is that the harmonic function of a chord, its I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII is different in each mode for each chord. Here is how the AM chords functions in each mode:

Am in A Dorian is a I chord.
Am in B Phrygian is a VII chord.
Am in C Lydian is a VI chord.
Am in D Mixolydian is a V chord.
Am in E Aeolian is a IV chord.
Am in F# Locrian is a III chord.
Am in G Ionian is a II chord.

My brain hurts after that one!

Their harmonic function is completely different from mode to mode. Just like a G in the key of C is different than a G in the key of G, or G in the key of D in traditional tonic/dominant harmony.

With printed music only using key signatures for major and their relative minor keys. It is this harmonic knowledge that will allow you to determine if a song is in a major key or a mode. Yu might not need this to just play chords but to embellish the chords and improvise it is a definite plus.

This is a classic case for only naming things IN CONTEXT. In music there isn't a lot that can be named out of context.

Here is my secert, mystical key that I use to get all the chords from any mode based on a major scale: For triads: maj, min, min, maj, maj or 7th, min dim. For 4-art 7th chords: maj7, m7, m7, maj7, 7th, m7, m7b5 or half-diminished.

This allowed me to remember the chords for this example and the related modes. I can get any mode's chords from this sequence of chords by starting at a different point in the sequence. You don't have to remember so much stuff. Just this tool and your major scales.

See you in New York.

PS. I'll be giving an "Advanced Jazz" workshop. But - you definitely don't need to be advanced to attend. If you know a few 7th chords you won't get lost. Plus, I have great handouts.

New York Uke Fest

2009-03-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

I'll be attending the New York Uke Fest end of May 2009 and presenting a workshop. I'll be hawking my books as a vendor to fund the trip. Looking forward to jamming and hooking up with my fellow ukers.

I was only able attend one day last year due to my daughter's weeding.

New Site Look - CurtSheller.com

2009-03-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've updated my main site ( www.CurtSheller.com ) and it is not a little wider and some tweaking and new css framework under the hood.

Printable PDF books at 40% Off

2009-03-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

Going Green, Save a Few Trees and get my books quicker and cheaper! SAVE 40%.

ALL of my books are available as PDF downloads that can be printed out for personal use.

Tahoe Area Ukulele Festival added to shows

2009-03-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Tahoe Area Ukulele Festival added to Ukulele Show listings.
www.curtsheller.com/ukuleleShows.shtml#TahoeUkeFest

New Ukulele Clubs Added

2009-03-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

New Ukulele Club Listings Added to www.CurtSheller.com/ukuleleClubs.shtml and www.UkuleleCLubs.com.

The Lowcountry Strummers Ukulele Club, South Carolina

Napa Valley Flea Jumpers, California

Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, Clearwater Beach, FLorida

Jazz Guitar Solos

2009-02-09T06:51:00.001-08:00

Jazz Guitar Solos:Today's blog will be very brief but important.

Jazz guitarists, as are many guitar players, obsessed with speed. Although speed is a good measurement of how much you've practiced, it's not a good measurement of how musical you are.

Today's advice is simple. Remember that whole notes , half notes, dotted half notes and quarter notes are not only permitted in guitar solos but are actually desirable.

Rhythmic variety is an important tool in making a guitar solo interesting.

To organize the topic of rhythm, visit www.modularphoneticrhythm.com or check out my site at www.ChuckAndersonGuitar.com

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)

A Guide to Guitar Chords

2008-12-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

A full copy of my book "A Guide to Guitar Chords" is available on www.Scribd.com for preview.

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Music Culture guitar chords

I'm using Scribd's iPaper for all my onile articles and slowly added full access to my books.

Develop Your Own Uniqueness

2008-12-10T07:13:00.001-08:00

Develop Your Own Uniqueness:The guitar world has always been obsessed with who is faster or better. The reality is that all good players are fast and knowledgeable about chords, improvisation and harmony.

What makes one different than another is not the external factors of technique but the unique projection of personality that comes through the music. Just as you meet one person that you like and another person that you don't like, the audience is only affected by their own individual response to a player.

Does the player move them or not? After all, the audience is not in a position to judge a player on the basis of his or her technique or knowledge. The audience can only react. This is ultimately a good thing.

Bill Evans said something that I always admired . He said you must please yourself. Play what pleases you. You can't chase players or styles or trends. In essence, he was saying find your own voice.

From a marketing point of view, you have to find an audience that likes your style, your sound, your personality.

If you become your own unique self, you'll never be disappointed with the results!

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)

Curt Sheller - This is so true. I often get questions from students like "Who is better, this guitarist or that guitarist." I tell them that they are all different. You can give any to great guitarists, even not so great guitarists the same gear, pick and level of ability. If the play the same some through the same gear and even the same notes. They will sound different. Take the Wolf Marshall, the author and great mimic of other players. He still sounds like Wolf Marshall.

Chuck Anderson Latin Casino Story

2008-10-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a great story from Chuck Anderson on how he landed the lucrative Latin Casino gig.

Tijuana Taxi on Uke

2008-10-22T08:58:00.001-07:00

Here is a cool arrangement of the classic Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass song performed on ukulele. The tuning is standard "C" tuning gcea with a low "G".

The Three Words

2008-10-20T21:09:00.001-07:00

The Three Words:There are three words commonly used in music that should be avoided - or at least redefined.

These words are Practice, Play and Rules.

Practice - This implies boring repetition. It's uncreative and unproductive.

Play - This connotes casual fun - a frivolous, optional activity.

Rules -These are a rigid set of "laws" which must be followed.

I would suggest that the word Practice be replaced with the word Explore.

I would suggest that the word Play be replaced with the word Work.

I would suggest that the word Rules be replaced with the word Principles.

Why?

When you explore music, it becomes fun and exciting. To explore is to discover!

Work in the music business is not like work in any other field. Most musicians feel blessed to make music their career. So work in this context is joyful not tedious.

The Principles of music hold the key to the development of your potential. Within these principles, there is unlimited opportunity to expand your creativity.

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)

New Car and Blog

2008-10-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Our new 2009 Honda Sport Fit and dedicated blog for it.

my2009hondafit.blogspot.com

Here is an image of our new Honda Sport Fit. This is the second sport fit that our family has. My daughter has a 2008 Sport Fit.

This is my wife and my first Honda. It is a really cool car. I'll be using this blog for tracking our life with this new car.

We picked the car up October 2, 2009 from Pottstown Honda. We didn't think we would be getting one till mid or late October as these cars are flying off the lot and the 2009's are not that abundant. Ours was found at Independence Honda in Bloomsburg, PA. As this is such a popular car we had to pay MSRP. IT di think it is a good deal. At least we didn't have to deal with the dealer for the loan. I have been a member of Benchmark Federal Credit Union in West Chester, PA since my Dad got mi in when I was 16, a long time ago. For more info on our home states and town visit my Pennslyvania page at www.CurtSheller.com

Some of the great feature that I like about this car are the many ways that you can configure the seats for hauling stuff.

Now if we could just afford to trick it out with some wheels and other accessories with out effecting the mileage.

I'll be posting the mileage with every fill up.

THE BEATLES FOR UKULELE (book)

2008-09-17T18:58:00.001-07:00

THE BEATLES FOR UKULELE
(book):

Ukulele players can strum, sing and pick along with 20 Beatles classics! "All You Need Is Love," "Eight Days a Week," "Good Day Sunshine," "Here, There and Everywhere," "Let It Be," "Love Me Do," "Penny Lane," "Yesterday," more. 72 pp. ($12.95)

(Via Elderly.com Latest - Ukulele.)

Pink Panther Solo Ukulele Arrangement

2008-09-03T08:44:00.001-07:00

The Pink Panther Theme

Posted a very cool solo ukulele arrangement the Henry Mancini classic, the Pink Panther Theme.

This theme is just three (3) chords: Em, C7 and F7.

The Pink Panther - Solo Ukulele Arrangement

Protest the Ukulele BAN !!!! at Take Me Out to the Ball Game Anniversary

2008-08-05T11:07:00.001-07:00

Protest the Ukulele BAN !!!! at Take Me Out to the Ball Game Anniversary:

I am mounting a protest to right the wrong of the ukulele NOT being allow at the celebration of the 100th birthday of “Take me out to the Ball Game” Twin brothers won the Baby Ruth song competition with a great rendition with a ukulele/tuba combo. The reward was they could sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the Major League All-Star Game. The ukulele was not allowed as part of the performance. I don’t understand the decision. I don’t what I am going to do, just yet. But I will not let our collective ukulele voices be unheard. Below are some the gory details of this injustice from Al Wood of Ukulele Hunt.

Terry Truhart

Baby Ruth held a contest to celebrate the 100th birthday of Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Entrants sent in their rendition of the song and the winner was decided by public vote. Obviously, the winner was a ukulelist, Adam Wilber. The prize was to sing at the MLB All Star Game. But, as Gary pointed out, the ukulele was banned and he had to sing along with a belching organ. Shame on you MLB. Give the public what it wants: ukes by the barrel-load.

I suggest your protest by grabbing these chords and playing it outside the offices of the MLB in protest. If it helps you to get as drunk as Eddie Vedder when you do it, I have no objections.

(Via Ukeaholics's Weblog.)

The Value of Formal Music Study

2008-08-05T10:48:00.001-07:00

The Value of Formal Music Study:
Should you study music with a teacher or should you "wing" it on your own? This question always comes up in this type of discussion about music.

An objective assessment of the two alternative approaches leads me invariably towards the formal route. Why? Because without guidance, there is a tendency to go in circles, What do you practice, when do you move to the next topic? When are you doing something wrong? How do you practice what doesn't exist to you?

Many complain about time as a factor leading to the decision not to study. I would suggest that exactly the opposite is true. Those with less time need the efficiency of study. Without it, there's a tendency to "practice" what you're already good at. Study ensures that you will be working on your weaknesses. The results of self teaching are obvious. A player may get good at one thing but have blatant weaknesses in another.

If you use famous players in the past as your justification for not studying, you'd be wrong! Wes Montgomery was self taught - there's your justification. But is it? Wes was self taught because there were no teachers at that time. I don't mean no qualified teachers. I mean no teachers. Wes told me "Make sure you study. Don't do what I did."

All this, of course is premised on the presumption that you study with a qualified teacher. What makes a teacher qualified and how do find such a teacher? We'll save that one for the next installment.

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)

Guitar Players' Issues

2008-08-05T10:47:00.001-07:00

Guitar Players' Issues:

It's unbelievable to me how weak guitar players are on knowing the notes on their own instrument!

No other instrument suffers from this same fate. Imagine a piano player not knowing the note names of the keys...or a trumpet player not knowing what notes come out if they push specific valve combinations. An amazingly high percentage of guitar players don't know the notes on the neck. Is it more difficult than other instruments? No doubt. But that's the price you pay for playing the guitar.

This problem has certainly been created by the guitar world's penchant for tablature and chord picture diagrams. Despite this, there is no excuse for the failure on the part of guitar players to learn what is absolutely rudimentary on any other instrument.

If you need help overcoming this particular problem, check out my handbook Unlocking the Guitar - Notes on the Neck. It gives different approaches to learning the notes as well as several drills to master the topic. It's available at www.ChuckAndersonGuitar.com

(Via ChuckAndersonGuitar.)

CurtSheller.com New look

2008-07-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Yet another site redesign at www.CurtSheller.com, Curt Sheller Publications. This one is more a behind the scenes tweaking of the internal files (css).

Ukulele Arrangement and Performance of While My Guitar Gently Weeps

2008-07-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

I always loved George Harrison of the Beatles. As a young guitar player in the lates 60's and early 70's just learning the guitar George was a great inspiration. After Jake Shimabukuro do his version on uke I decided to try my hand at it and in the original key.

There is a ukulele TAB available of this arrangement at www.CurtSheller.com/scores/uke/WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps.shtml

I'm using a Pono cedar top, rosewood back and sides ukulele from Ko'olau Guitar & Ukulele.

Curt Sheller Publications Updates

2008-07-25T10:14:00.001-07:00

Page Updates and Additions

Newest entries for CurtSheller.com (CS), JazzGuitarResources.com (JGR) and UkuleleClubs.com (UC). Most current listings are at top of list

(CS 23-JUL-2008) Updated the UkuleleLessons Core Chords Level 1, Part 1.

(CS 23-JUL-2008) Updated the UkuleleLessons Creating Intros and Turnarounds.

(CS 22-JUL-2008) Yet another site redesign for Curt Sheller Publications at ChuckAndersonGuitar.com.

(CS 18-JUL-2008) Total web site redesign for Chuck Anderson at ChuckAndersonGuitar.com. I through this together in just a couple of days. Turned out great.

(CS 17-JUL-2008) updated the following pages with new information:
Ukulele Festivals
(CS 15-JUL-2008) New web site and book launched: UkuleleStrums.com and my new book A Guide to Ukulele Strums.

(JGR 13-JUL-2008) added luthier Lubos Naprstek of Hamburg, NJ to the luthier pages.

(CS 11-JUL-2008) updated the following pages with new information:
D Major Chord Fingering Options ( ukulele ),
Tiki,
Super Mario Brothers Main Theme

(CS 10-JUL-2008) added this really cook band, Friends of Dean Martinez out of Austin, Texas. I came across them while watching a new DVD I bought on the Salton Sea titled Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea. A great documentary by Tilapia Film.

(JGR 09-JUL-2008) added violinist Kailin Yong to the musicians page.

Cool Font - Weird Bill

2008-07-17T21:47:00.001-07:00

How cool is this font.

I've actually paid for it and have used it on one of my new ukulele books and two of my web sites. The new www.UkuleleStrums.com that is a companion site to my new ukulele book A guide to Ukulele Strums. I also redesigned my UkuleleChords.net web site and used the font.

Weird Bill is Squid's tribute to his most prominent influence, Bill Campbell, model kit box illustrator extraordinaire and creator of the Weird-Ohs!. Bill's series of goofy monster model kits in the early 1960s was such a hit that it has been reissued twice! Weird Bill is fun, freaky, frantic and full of frenetic frappery! For more info on Bill Campbell check out www.bonediggers.com

Driving 55...

2008-07-17T21:36:00.000-07:00

I've been driving 55 the last few weeks. Just put the cruise control on 55 and let it, well not fly, but hopefully save some gas.

One thing I have noticed is that I'm not passing anyone. Haven't passed anyone on the highway in two weeks. And, when I first did this driving 55 thing, I felt like I was doing something illegal by driving the speed limit.

Driving 55 on cruise control has its benefits. I can drive the 18 miles on US 422 from Pottstown, PA the King of Prussia, PA and never have to put the brakes on. I get passed by everyone. Just have to watch on of the Bozo's, sorry Bozo, doing 80 doesn't rear-end me.

I have been getting close to 30 mpg on my old (130,000 plus miles) Hyundai. But, I want more.

I've even been doing the now air conditioning in town.

UkuleleChords.net Web Site Redesigned

2008-07-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to use this new font I bought called Weird Bill. IT is a retro font harking back to my childhood. And, my Ukulele Chords site seemed like a good candidate to use it on.

Weird Bill
Weird Bill is Squid's tribute to his most prominent influence, Bill Campbell, model kit box illustrator extraordinaire and creator of the Weird-Ohs!. Bill's series of goofy monster model kits in the early 1960s was such a hit that it has been reissued twice! Weird Bill is fun, freaky, frantic and full of frenetic frappery! For more info on Bill Campbell check out www.bonediggers.com

Check out the new UkuleleChords.net site. I'll be adding a lot of cool content over the next several months.

Chuck Anderson Unveils New Web Site

2008-07-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Chuck has a new site!!! Finally getting all that he has to offer out the world.

www.ChuckAndersonGuitar.com

As a JAZZ GUITARIST, Chuck broke into the Philly Jazz scene with the Chuck Anderson Trio in 1973. The group featured Al Stauffer on bass and rotated Jim Paxon, Ray Deeley and Darryl Brown on drums. The trio played concerts throughout the East Coast and recorded its first album in 1975. The album originally titled Mirror Within a Mirror is included in a compilation CD titled The Vintage Tracks. This CD released in 2005, contains all of the trio recordings from the mid to the late 70's. Another CD titled Angel Blue - A Tour of Jazz features Chuck in a sextet setting.

Noted as a COMPOSER as well as a concert guitarist, Chuck has recorded 7 CDs: Passages from the End of Autumn, Kaleidophon, The Art of the Neo-Classical Guitar, Christmas Wishes, The International Collection, Angel Blue, Music from the Light, and The Vintage Tracks.

As an EDUCATOR, Chuck Anderson directed the Medley Music School for 8 years. He founded and operated his own private music school for another 8 years. The school employed 12 teachers and had over 400 students. He was elected Artist in Education for the state of Delaware. Chuck was a consultant in the development of the guitar curriculum for Aula de Musica, a private music conservatory in Spain. He was also elected as the only American member of the International Advisory Board for LIPA, the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. Chuck has lectured at colleges in the United States and Europe. In addition, he has privately trained professional musicians, composers and music educators.

As an AUTHOR, Chuck has been published by several companies. Publications include: Music Pursuing the Horizon, An Improvisational Approach to Rock and Blues Guitar, Reflections for Guitar, Modular Phonetic Rhythm, Master Picking and The 6 Secrets of Guitar Fingering including Scale Charting. Other books include: Mastering the Modes, The Private Music Teacher’s Guide, Hi Tech Guitar and Advertising Music - The Business, A series called Unlocking the Guitar features topics such as learning the notes on the neck, strums and tunings. He also developed and was featured in an 8 hour video series called Harmonic Tonalities, the Songwriter’s Master Classes.

New Ukulele Strums Book and Site Released by Curt Sheller Publications

2008-07-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

July 15, 2008

Curt Sheller Publications today announced the release of a new book for ukulele players titled "A Guide to Ukulele Strums" by Curt Sheller. One of the first skills a ukulele player learns is the art and craft of strumming, playing rhythm. This refers to an accompaniment technique suitable for the singer, singer-songwriter or someone who plays a support role for another instrument.

Strumming requires a specific set of skills. They are: 1) Memorization of chords 2) The ability to switch chords smoothly and 3) The ability to choose and execute a suitable rhythmic strum. It is this 3rd skill that is the focus in "A Guide to Ukulele Strums".

If your goal is to expand your strum vocabulary, Then "A Guide to Ukulele Strums" is your answer.

For more information, visit their web site at www.curtsheller.com.

There is also a companion site for A Guide to Ukulele Strums (www.UkuleleStrums.com) that will add and expand on the principles and strums explored in the book.

Chuck Anderson Performs - Pirouette

2008-07-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Here is Chuck Anderson performing his original composition "Pirouette" on Miles of Music (www.worldofguitar.com) hosted by Bob Miles. www.ChuckAndersonGuitar.com, www.worldofguitar.com

As a Jazz guitarist, Chuck broke into the Philly Jazz Scene with the Chuck Anderson Trio in 1973. The group featured Al Stauffer on bass and rotated Tim Paxon, Ray Deely and Darryl Brown on drums. The trio played concerts throughout the east coast and recorded its first album in 1975. the album, originally titled Mirror Within a Mirror is included in a compilation CD titled Teh Vintage Tracks. This CD, released in 2005, contains all of the trio recordings from the 70's.

2008-07-08T21:46:00.000-07:00

With huge success of Jake Shimabukro's video and recording of George Harrision's While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I whipped up my own version of the song. My version is in the original key of Am.

George Harrison was a big fan of the ukulele and this is great song to play on the uke.

This is not the Jake arrangement. I've done my own arrangement for a low "G", C tuning and in the original key. This is based on the arrangement that I perform in concert in a George Harrison medley with Here Comes the Sun.

Enjoy, Curt

House Industries: Studio Lettering

2008-07-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

House Industries: Studio Lettering:

New family of hand-lettering style typefaces by House Industries’ Ken Barber. Check out the amazing OpenType substitutions and contextual alternates.

House Industries’ is a great font house and I have a few of the fonts on my FAS (Font Acquisition Syndrome) list to buy.

I especially like their Tiki and Shaq collections.

Curt Sheller Publications Update and Additions

2008-07-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

New pages and updates the Curt Sheller Publications main site

New Pages

Fonts
Love really cool and well designed fonts. Be sure to check out the House Industries listing
All Tiings Tiki
Seems the tiki and ukulele go hand-in-hand. Or tiki and tiki culture is just cool!!!
Ukulele Videos
Some cool videos that are a nice introduction on what is possible on the ukulele.
Ukulele Festivals

Ukulele Care

Updates and New Information

(CS 08-JUL-2008) updated the following pages with new information:
Lessons - Repertoire

(CS 08-JUL-2008) added My Favorite Things to the Repertoire page. Includes a PDF of the melody and play-along MP3 file

(CS 06-JUL-2008) added a new page on Fonts.
As a graphic designer and artist fonts, icons and such have always intrigued me. I just havbe to watch that I don't fall into FAS ( Font Acquisition Syndrome )
(CS 02-JUL-2008) updated the following pages with new information:
Ukulele Tunings
Tuners & Metronomes

(CS 01-JUL-2008) In honor of the 4th of July in the USA I've updated my solo ukulele arrangement page for the national anthem The Star Spangled Banner

(CS 01-JUL-2008) updated the following pages with new information:
Ukulele Videos,
Ukulele Musicians,
Ukulele Books,
Guitar & Ukulele Charts,
My Personal Music Bio

(CS 01-JUL-2008) added a new page on Tiki.
I always liked tiki and the associated tiki culture, especially the art. I've worn a small tiki necklace for the past 30 plus years.

Seiko SXt-1 Chromatic Clip-on Tuner

2008-07-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Seiko SXt-1 Chromatic Clip-on Tuner

I'm testing yet another clip-on tuner. I've been through a few of this clip-on type of tunes with my ukuleles.

This Vibration-Sensing Clip-on Chromatic Tuner is a new tuner that I'm using on my ukuleles. I've used the Meisel, Korg and Intellitouch clip-on tuners.

The Meisel rattles and the Korg didn't hold up to my travels of toting a ukulele everywhere and the Intellitouch's battery cover won't stay on.

I have a web page on the tuners at www.CurtSheller.com/tuners.shtml.

Double Ukulele Carry Bag by Kala Ukuleles

2008-07-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

Double Ukulele Carry Bag by Kala Ukuleles

This double ukulele carry bag holds two tenor sized ukuleles.

This looks pretty intriguing.

Kala Ukulele has a full like of ukuleles and accessories.

Kala has over 40 models currently offered, there is an instrument to fit everyone's tastes and budget. Please check out our Hawaiian Koa, Solid Spruce Top, Mahogany and Kala Color Ukuleles.

Windy City Uke Fest

2008-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

When: August 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2008
VIP Reception on July 31st at 9 PM

www.WindyCityUkeFest.com

Where: The Tiki Terrace (www.thetikiterrace.com)

Just outside Chicago in Des Plaines, IL
1591 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL 60018
NE Corner of Lee/Manheim & Oakton

This will be the largest ukulele festival in the Midwest. Chicago has had a strong ukulele history from ukulele manufactures to great ukulele performers. We wish to continue the aloha spirit and share with you everything the ukulele has to offer. The `ukulele is the gift that keeps on giving. We will have performers and ukulele instructors from around the world giving world-class ukulele workshops. Come and delight in three fun-filled days of ukulele paradise. We will have a UkeTube stage where any uke player can show their stuff. The main stage will have top performers from the ukulele community. We will have starter workshops for people and kids that have never played a musical instrument of any type.

We have lined up:

Mark “Spanky” Guiterrez, Gerald Ross, Victoria Vox, Windy City Islanders, Kimo Hussey, Ali Lexa,
Tim Sweeney, Seeso, Lil’ Rev, Abe Lagrimas Jr., Steven P. Slivka and the Boar’s Head Orchestra, Barefoot Hawaiian, Jonathan Carreira, Keenan Kamae, Lopaka, Ukulele Tonya, Curt Sheller, and others.

We will have raffles, ukuleles, sing-a-longs, and ukulele instruction workshops for all levels. We will have the best ukulele vendors, and suppliers. All the ukulele merchandise you’ve dreamed about will be there. Drooling is not allowed.

Disclaimer: All events, workshops, performers, and performances are subject to change without notice.

For more info, or if you would like to be a sponsor, please contact us at windycityukefest@gmail.com

Curt Sheller blogging

2008-07-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Tried WordPress and great as it was. It was too much work and spam was a pain in the %*&. So I'll give eBlogger a whirl.

Curt