Saturday, December 13, 2014

Sevenths, Songs, Strings, & Strums

Below is a somewhat mish-mash compilation of music tidbits, cool advice, and a list of some noteworthy songs. Enjoy!

First, about Ukuleles, have any of you listening right now has ever had the chance to hear the pleasant strums off the uke? They are perfectly delightful little instruments, I myself know about 20 chords and like thrumming out folk tunes. One of the most agreeable reasons to consider picking up one and playing it immediately, there really is no wrong way to strum! Whether a person uses their thumb, index finger, or a (felt covered) pic, the Ukulele is a instrument for you!

Continuing on, I will discuss something about Seventh chords. I am not an expert on them, (insert uncertainty pun here) but anyone who has ever played them has perceived something, right? They could almost be named the “song is not over yet, keep playing” chord or the “I have a problem to be solved” chord. Seventh chords are useful though, they add depth to a song, so any piece of complicated music you hear out there, there is probably a dominant seventh chord thrown in.

I know nothing about Mandolins, the subject is completely eluding me! :)
Just kidding! Two years ago I received a wonderful little instrument, it has such a distinct plucking twang, and a kind-hearted pitch, it is hard to put down. I mostly enjoy playing folk songs, and sheet music my cousins send me, who as you know, all play Banjo, and I enjoy listening to my uncle play. (He is a professional in almost every string instrument.)

Now lastly, I promised a list of some songs:
Dooley (by the Dillards)
Hey Jude (by the Beatles)
The Marine hymn
Rainbow Connection

16 comments:

Christian said...

(This message was written by Zoe's cousin, Nathanael.

Christian said...

Why did you file this under Banjo? and not mandoling or ukulele?

Christian said...

It is official, I have made 1/6 of your MET posts, there are 24, and I have made 4, do the math...

Zoë said...

Nay, friend, why should I do the math, seeing as you have so kindly done it for me? :]

I filed it under banjo because you used the word "banjo" in your post and I'm kind of attentive to that particular instrument. I didn't file it under either of the others because I don't have labels for them yet. With your fifth message I will make them.

Due to differences in writing styles (and the blue text of your messages) I'd hoped the author would be evident. But thank you for pointing that out.

Christian said...

I regrett saying the word "banjo" then, now you have to put it under the category

THERE IS A THING AS TO MUCH BANJO!!!!

Zoë said...

Though it was by no means necessary, I did indeed choose to. :]

Such a thing as too much banjo, you say? I once thought the same myself.
It was the third day of the 2013 All Frets Convention, towards the end of the fourth concert we'd attended, all of which were three hours each. We'd stayed up late jamming the night before, and had spent several hours in informative workshops over the course of the weekend. We'd also done a bit of practicing for our performance which also took place the night before. In that moment, I felt that there truly could be such a thing as too much banjo.
Then we won a plectrum banjo in the raffle (!) and I completely re-fell-in-love with the instrument and vowed to practice each and every day and renewed my desire to make our excellent directors' efforts worthwhile and to become a proficient player and a worthy member of our band... and never once since then have I tired of the banjo in the slightest!

Beth said...

Hey Zoe! I've tagged you over at my blog, please have a look:)

Zoë said...

In rereading that last comment of mine, it struck me how mercenary I made my attitude towards the banjo sound... like I only play it because we won one! That definitely wasn't my intention!

Thanks for the tag, Beth! (And thanks for drawing my attention to it!) I shall march meself over to claim it momentarily.

Free lancer said...

AUGH!! someone commented on my message outside of my cousins.

Christian said...

hey zoe, you wrote meself instead on myself...

Christian said...

I meant instead of, not instead on

Zoë said...

"That was deliberate..."

Yes, Thanael, this is the internet... people can comment on messages... calm down! (I was pretty elated to find a comment I hadn't expected, in other words, one written neither by you nor I!)

The Quinn Family said...

Mom/Aunt Jennifer here:
I for one was surprised to read that Zoe knows 20 chords on the Uke! Until I figured out that it wasn't Zoe writing.
Thanks, Nathanael for sharing your thoughts on MET.

Zoë said...

Perhaps a preamble was more necessary than I had deemed it!

Christian said...

maybe our writing styles are a little similar...

Zoë said...

Yes, we both use words, communicate primarily in English, and write about music... ;]