Just home from a coffee shop up the street from my house. Rachel left a message that she was going to be in my neighbourhood, so went to meet her for a coffee shop-related beverage (in this instance, it was iced chai since I have a cat's tongue and can't drink hot things). It was nice to see her and have a wee chat, but, really, there were other things going on, exciting things, that distracted me from her.
On the third Tuesday of every month (for the last 6 years) the Royal Vancouver Ukelele Circle has met for playing and singing. Rachel tipped me off onto this. The place was full of ukelele players, which confused a few people who came in for a coffee. It was a lot of fun chatting with the varied group of players and singing along to songs I only vaguely remember hearing at weddings or from musicals or the like. I attempted to play Rachel's wedding ukelele, but don't know any chords and couldn't fake something like that, so just sang.
In the first half everyone follows along in their songbooks (all the members get one) for warm-up. In the second half, though, it's a free-for-all. We couldn't stay very long into the second half, but did hear a rendition of "Viva Las Vegas," as well as a couple of Hawaiian tunes with dancing accompaniment. It was rad.
It did make me think it would be a fun hobby to take up. I mean, it's not the bass, but, as Ralph Shaw, the Ukelele King of Vancouver, pointed out, a bass is just a bass ukelele because it has 4 strings (not a bass guitar, which would have to have 6 strings). So why not learn the ukelele?
I'm on the Circle's email list now and got an open invitation to come and play anytime. Even got a tip on getting a really nice, affordable ukelele when I can spare a little cash. I may just do that.
Know any indie rock bands that have ukelele players in them? I wonder if there's room for ukelele in twee...
Currently listening :
Welcome To My World
By Daniel Johnston
Release date: 18 April, 2006
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