RADIO HANNIBAL

Ukulele, The New Hot Instrument

The hot trend in music, at least from the perspective of playing an instrument, seems to be the ukulele.  Why, exactly, is merely speculation.

In part it has to do with current pop songs like Train's Hey, Soul Sister incorporating the instrument.  It may also be the fact that they are relatively easy to become proficient on and you can buy a decent one for about 50 bucks.   

Youtube is exploding with ukulele videos.  There you can find out how to play one and watch countless people showing off their talents. 

The most popular ukulele player at the moment seems to be Jake Shimabukuro.  Here's a performance:

I've been toying around with the idea of getting one myself but really need to concentrate on getting my guitar chops back. 
Being able to play an instrument brings a joy like no other.  If you've always wanted to learn to play something, this is about as easy as it gets. 

Live Music In The Studio

I've picked up the guitar again.  Yes, close your ears.  I haven't really played guitar in earnest since high school, before the folks went and shipped me off to boarding school. 
Now that my son has picked up an interest in many things musical I figured it'd be a great time for both me to re-learn and him to learn together.  It's so easy to have a go at it with youtube videos showing how to play just about any song on any instrument and chord charts and lyrics easily available online as well.  

We're starting out with Michael Nesmith's Nine Times Blue. It's a song he did both with The Monkees and as a solo artist.

I picked up an inexpensive Yamaha acoustic for the son.  Me, I still have my Gibson ES-125C in excellent condition but now I'm in possession of this dream...a 1951 Gibson L-5 arch top.

And that "live music in the studio" title above got me thinking.  Any of you that want to play, be it solo or a band looking for a change of pace place to practice, let me know.  We've got a drum kit, some amps (tube too)and other stuff in the basement.  Maybe we could even roll video and make it an event.