Do You Uke?

[pskipper]

Harmonium, Accordian?

[PurpleDragon]

Accordion. I think. Thank you.

[red]

My FIL plays(or used to play, before his fingers quit on him) one of those machines with a sort of bellows on one side and a bunch of buttons, and a keyboard for the other hand .

I am SO frustrated that I can't remember what they are called

piano accordion if it has piano type keys on one side (if it has buttons on both sides then its either an accordion or a melodeon)

[Milims]

Here's a link to the UOGB, not that I looked like!!!!!
The video clips are really good and some of it is quite funny too
http://www.ukuleleorchestra.com/main/Vi ... essionKey=
Give it a go for a laugh

Chris and Helen

PS a deep voiced bloke singing Wuthering Heights was a scream and as for him singing Natural Woman!!!!!!!!!!

[Muddypause]

They got into quite a lot of trouble over 'Wuthering Heights' a couple of years ago. There was a feature about it on the main news - Kate Bush got a bit precious about her greatest hit and refused to let them record it.

But I see it is now on one of their CDs, so presumably it all got sorted out in the end. They certainly include it in their live repertoire. As they do Nirvana'a Smells Like Teen Spirit:

[Andy Hamilton]

Did anyone see yesterdays observer? I can't find a web link but apparently school children are favouring the Ukulele over the traditional recorder.

[Boots]

Of all the kids who have been taught recorder, I have never ever heard anyone ever stand up and say, "Oh, it's a jam? hang 5 I'll get my recorder!"

Tis a very sad excuse for an instrument really...

[pskipper]

I've jammed with a tin whistle :) Not quite a recorder though I guess.

[wulf]

It's true that recorders don't come out that often past early school days... in fact, I wonder if that is because they are so widely used in early school days? People who get on well with the recorder and want to jam are probably more likely to be seen out in public with "cooler" wind instruments like flute or tin whistles (depending on whether you're heading towards jazz or folk).

However, it can be a great instrument; no disrespect for the recorder (or uke) from here.

Wulf

ps. Loved the UOGB video clips!

[Muddypause]

I agree - a recorder only sounds bad when played by people who can't play it (look, you should hear my uke playing, OK?). But it's not helped by unimaginative teachers, and the fact that you only ever hear descant recorders - there are smaller and bigger ones, too, going right down to contra-bass recorders.

There is actually a trio of recorder players in the UK who put a similar amount of vibrancy into it as the UOGB do into uke playing. Can't remember who they are offhand. Maybe have a listen to Fool On The Hill by The Beatles for a bit of decent recorder playing. I'm sure there are more contemporary examples, too.

[Muddypause]

Hey, Boots, I just found the perfect thing for you:

The Chainsaw Orchestra of Western Australia.

"...described by some as "emotionally sustaining"..."
"...the sound produced did bear some resemblance to music."
"...most composers have completely disregarded the chainsaw as an instrument..."

They actually seem to have a little less musical ability than an average 5 year old recorder player, too. But apparently there is also (genuinely) a Texas Chainsaw Orchestra. Jokes about massacring music below, please...

[red]

Tis a very sad excuse for an instrument really...

I play recorder . its taken me a long time to be willing to actually admit that in public, as the instrument gets such a bad rep - I blame schools and music teachers who cant actually play the recorder themselves. Sadly its introduction into schools has been the downfall for this instrument. but as already said.. whats bad about recorders is bad playing. and that applies to all instruments. and even then a badly played recorder is preferable to a badly played violin...
I play folk music, with a group, in public yes. People often ask what instrument I have or assume its a whistle, as it does not look like, or sound like the recorders they know and hate from school days. I have three handmade recorders made by

Phil Bleazey and theyare beautiful. Of course I am only an amateur - when you see people who make a living out of music play the recorder, then you see its not a sad instrument.

[pskipper]

Those recorders are gorgeous! (Never thought I'd say that ) I've a keyless Irish flute made from cocuswood from hobgoblin music (www.hobgoblinmusic.co.uk) and if the comparisson between it and a metal flute is anything to go by then those must sound a lot sweeter and mellower than the plastic school recorders.

[red]

the handmade ones all have their own characters - this chap has stalls at various festivals and its always good to have a play before purchase. My favourite recorder is very loud (ie i can play the low notes quite loud without lsipping up an oactave!) which is great for outdoors, and has a husky sort of voice.
The mass produced plastic variety are usually very poorly tuned, so no wonder they sound squeaky. and if you have more than one recorder (say a class of 30!!) they all need to be in tune with each other.. something, bizaarly, the teachers don't bother with.

[Boots]

Well, I've been practicing...

and the peacocks love it. Might take the peacocks over to town and show folks the virtues of the recorder. Might be the first Pied Peacock Piper....

[insert crossed smiley here]