Riderwood

Ukulele, Guitar, Autoharp Players, etc. and Singers

Meeting Weekly on Tuesdays

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Encore Theater

For information contact

Becky Hedin in Hampton Square

 

How we work.

During our Covid-days we use Zoom, maintaining our usual practice days.  We review songs from our previous programs and try to extend our repertoire.

The group selects themes such as ‘Birds and Blooms’ or ‘Colors’ then members search for songs  related to the theme.  The director finds easy versions of these songs and posts them on the large screen in Encore.  Hard copies are also given to members so each can practice during the week.  When we are comfortable playing the songs we invite Riderwood residents and their friends to a sing-a-long program.  These programs also are taken to Arbor Ridge and to Intermissions.

Highlights from 2020

• Third graders at Stedwick Elementary School  learned to play the ukulele.  These kids visited Riderwood in February and shared some of their original songs with the Acousti-Cats.  The Cats played for the students and then the two groups played songs together.

 

 

 

The Cats and friends with Harry Koizumi on June 23, 2015

Song Sources

Check out the songs at   http://www.doctoruke.com/  These have ukulele chord charts and a little ‘player’ so you can hear many of the songs.

Another web site with lots of songs is http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/music.htm Here you can listen to the music being played.  There are no chord charts at this site but you can find some  treasures.

 

Consider joining the fun.

Do call if you need information.    Becky Hedin, Director

 

What You Need & Need to Know

All Members

A willingness to try new material and a regular practice time.

A 3-ring notebook.(You might find one in the Treasure Chest.)

Instrumental Players

Your own instrument

If you are purchasing an instrument here are some local stores…do call before going!

• Chuck Levin’s in Wheaton  301-946-8808
• House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park  301-270-9090
• Music and Arts in Laurel  240-568-0600

Ukulele note–the Kala and Lanikai companies have good ukuleles.  You can purchase a soprano ukulele for about $50.00.

Ways to tune your instrument

with a piano

with an electronic tuner ($15.00 or less on Amazon.com)

with a computer…one place is

http://www.get-tuned.com/online_ukulele_tuner.php

with a app on your phone–Ukulele Toolkit is very helpful.

You may want to have a folding music stand also.

Special Notes

Attendance:  If you can’t attend a regular practice please inform Becky …via phone   or email    or cubby note   HS T19   or via a reliable friend.

Lessons:   On www.youtube.com

there are LOTS of how-to-play videos  Explore some of these. (In the Lakeside Commons Computer lab on computer number 16 located near the outside window, you can see www.youtube.)  There are also LOTS of books.

About once a year, a  4-5 of beginner lessons are offered to acquaint new people with ways to join in our fun.  Watch the bulletin boards for these.

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