Thanks to Ronan for reminding me to post about this wonderful man!!

Honestly, check this guy out on Youtube.  Well, first, go buy a ukulele, then learn 200 songs by Ukulele Mike.  This guy is a legend. 

Maybe not a legend persay, but he should be.  One day. 

I was supposed to post this last night, but I didn't get around to it.  Sorry you, gentle readers, who had to suffer through the anticipation of what was coming.  

For quite some time, while listening to bands and artists I admire so much, I found myself longing for some musical talent of my own.   Choosing the banjo may have been an odd choice for a novice such as myself, but I figured, if you're going to learn something might as well be something you like!  

More recently however, I decided to pick up a ukulele for fun.  What began as a $25 joke, has now turned into a full blown obsession. It remains safely next to me at all times when I am home, either on the couch or on the table.  Without even thinking about it, I find myself picking it up and breaking into a rousing rendition of Harrisburg by Josh Ritter. 

I think the draw of the ukulele is that it is so simple to play.  Chords are easy to learn, everything is within reach, you're never straining that much to get all your fingers on the necessary frets for a good sound.   And lets be honest, its just plain fun.   Unlike the banjo, the uke offers quicker results, boosting the fragile musical ego of someone such as myself.

But don't worry (as I know you are) I haven't given up on the banjo!  I just use the uke to trick myself into thinking that I possess some sort of skill, then I go back to the banjo to be reminded that I have a long way to go to musical stardom. 

I think we all know the only possible solution to this problem:

BANJOLELE!!!

Christmas is coming....hint hint hint

one small step

The slow road to banjo mastery continues.

Trying to memorize and learn chords and patterns is not exactly the best way to learn, as it prompts something more like mind numbing boredom.  

Instead, the discovery of a wonderful website called Chordie.com has changed my learning curve dramatically.  Find an artist, find a song, then be amazed at the world of musical versatility that opens up for you! 

Most impressively, when you find a song you want to learn you can change the tuning to whatever stringed instruments you want, which will provide you with which chords to play with lyrics and where to find those chords on the fretboard.  Basically, its a little slice of magic.   If magic comes in slices that is. 

And man o man, there is quite the selection of songs!!  Check er' out y'all.

While I'm no where near ready to put down my banjo, I've added the Ukulele to my tiny collection of random musical instruments.  

The weirdest part of playing both the ukulele and the banjo is that after a good uke session, the banjo seems impossibly huge and all out of proportion.  Its a struggle to get my hands to work properly.  Then vice versa.  At least i know that I'm going to have to pay equal attention to both!

The accordion, on the other hand, remains firmly locked away.  Absolutely no interest there.

On a somewhat unrelated note, Tom Waits is releasing a live album on Nov 24. I can't wait. Thank goodness there was a free 40 minute preview.  I love that man and all his musical brilliance. Its inspiring.  I think you should buy it.  That's right...YOU.