I'll be taking some time off from writing to work on summer projects. Before I go I’d like to tie up a few loose ends...
1) Its been a while since I put any videos up on Youtube. To remedy that here’s a performance piece of my song “Movie Stars, High Rollers and Big Shakers” that I shot while taking a break from adding new footage to my Complete Ukulele Course DVD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e64O5AklB4I
Feel free to send to any friends who might like to see musical madness as cooked up by one guy with a ukulele and no editing!
2) If you have already participated in my Book and CD fundraiser by pre-ordering then THANK YOU! I’ll be in touch with you presently to let you know how things are going. If you’ve been meaning to get involved and haven’t you still can...but time is running out. Go quickly to: http://www.ralphshaw.ca/New_CD_and_Book and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your participation.
3) Some regular readers of my newsletter/blog may have wondered what happened to the “used-ukulele strings contest”; the one where I offered prizes for the most creative use of old ukulele strings? Well here it is:
Picking a winner from the many fabulous suggestions was not easy. To narrow it down a little I decided to exclude suggestions that involved merely substituting a ukulele string for regular nylon string.
The winner was Flynn who wrote, “My idea would be to crochet the old strings into a strap for your uke. Recycled and useful.” Flynn has been working on the item and has promised to send me a photo.
I liked this one because: a) it keeps the old strings still connected to the ukulele and b) it took a heck of a lot more commitment than the simple writing of an email.
Other notable suggested uses for old uke strings include:
Using old strings to hang things: such as pictures, photographs, driftwood mobiles and festive ornaments,
I got several suggestions for creating jewellery: necklaces, bracelets, earrings (with one idea to use an old uke pick as a pendant). You can even use a string as a clear retainer for piercings. For example, “your boss may frown on your eyebrow ring but you can keep the hole open invisibly with a clear string while you’re working.”
Some ideas for tying and fixing included: use strings as fishing leaders, stitch up old pillows or the seats in your car/boat/covered wagon. Use them to tie to garden stakes or as a support for a climbing plant. Try making dream-catchers or thread one through your zipper to use as a zipper pull. Tie them together for an emergency clothes-drying-line.
Some were funny: With reference to my short-lived cat-toy idea, Tom said, “Banded together, a used set of nylon ukulele strings would make an extremely strong, yet narrow support tether, with which to attach an endoscopic camera, for the sole purpose of detecting string or yarn in a cat's stomach.”
This one was naughty: “Tie all the strings together at each end to create one really really really long piece. Get a friend to hold one end, and you the other. Crouch down at each side of a doorway and wait for an enemy to walk by. Pull the string tight and watch them fall!” I won’t say who suggested that but she’s a ukulele player and her initials are V.V. My advice: stay friends with her!
Some suggestions were just ridiculous:
Beach Fashion: Wear a g-string as a g-string.
Religion: Throw a bunch of them onto the floor. If one curly string happens to resemble Jesus (or Buddha or Krishna or any other iconic icon), build a shrine and start a cult.” Thanks Bartt for the element of surrealism.
Religion: Throw a bunch of them onto the floor. If one curly string happens to resemble Jesus (or Buddha or Krishna or any other iconic icon), build a shrine and start a cult.” Thanks Bartt for the element of surrealism.
Old strings can be used to cut up all kinds of things: such as rolls of cookie dough, cinnamon rolls, cheese, soap and pottery clay, “The more bent and crinkly they are the more interesting facets you can create.”
Uke strings can be used for art: Judy from Vancouver took my original cat-toy picture and made a digital collage using sheet music and a photo of a Vancouver Ukulele Circle member.
Finally, I notice, they are fantastic when it comes to tying up loose ends.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this and to all who took time to send me your thoughtful, heart-warming and inspiring comments over the past year and a half.
Have a wonderful summer. I’ll be back in the saddle when the days grow cool and the leaves begin to fall.
Sithee with Aloha,
Ralph Shaw
Want to learn ukulele? or improve your ukulele playing? My Complete Ukulele Course DVDs shows you how. DVDs for adults and kids: The Complete Ukulele Course DVD Series
Essential Strums for the Ukulele. Learn ukulele in the following styles: Samba, Bossa Nova, Bo-diddley, Reggae, Blues, Swing, Syncopation, Frailing - clawhammer and Waltz. Available from: www.RalphShaw.ca
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