Play A Simple Melody

Seems like every other news article urges us to live simply--encouraging us to step back and re-evaluate our priorities. For many of us, the humble little ukulele has moved us toward simplicity. Think about it...a small wooden instrument with four strings. No power source, no tangle of cords, no batteries, no software to update, no memory cards. Today's ukulele plays just like the ukulele you found under the Christmas tree 50 years ago.

The sound is simple...although in the hands of the masters, it can astonish you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3j-b35zkGw But for most of us, there is great pleasure in strumming a song to entertain ourselves or strumming a song to share with a friend or a grandchild.

The sound is soothing....although young musicians can beat out some funky rhythms. But the songs we like to sing come from years gone by. As far back as Elvis, singing "Blue Hawaii" or even further back to the 20s, when Ukulele Ike (Cliff Edwards) hit #1 in the charts with "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "Singing In The Rain." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv6vBVJEeyM

The YesterUkes gather each week to play and sing together, to learn another song to add to our ever-growing list, to laugh as we swap stories (some of them true!) and to encourage each other as stiff fingers struggle with a new chord. A simple song to sing. A smile when it's played well. Uncomplicated joy!