Hi DUGs,
Workshop
Sarah will run a workshop for us on Wednesday 2nd July.
She would like an idea of what we want the workshop to be.
Sarah suggested we could do a couple of new song arrangements, or perhaps we could work on something else, like a technique or something?
Let me have your thoughts, please.
Open Mic
Alison did a fantastic job at last week's open mic spot.
My only concern is, because she was so good, it might put you off getting up.
We can't all play or sing as well as Alison (I can't, on either count!), but please don't let that stop you.
It can be quite scary getting up to perform in front of a group, but we are all friends and, be assured we will all be very supportive!
So, come on, have a go! Individually, or a small group. A new song or just one from our song book you've been practicing.
I've got something in mind for this week, but I really want to see more of us up there!!!
Song Choices
One of the nice things over the last couple of weeks has been having time to just choose some random songs from the song book.
But getting suggestion is like pulling teeth!!!
I wonder if having so many songs to choose from makes it difficult to choose?
I'm thinking of displaying a smaller number of songs up on the screen.
All the songs would still be in our song book, and would be available for those who choose the weekly playlists.
Speaking of weekly playlists, Ken Russell has chosen a great selection this week.
If you would like to choose a future playlist, let me know. It's good to have a variety, and it makes my job easier.
Ken has also suggested the Eagles' Lyin Eyes as a new song for us.
Lyin'Eyes is a 'California Rock' classic. It is a lovely, if rather sad, song and plays well on the ukulele.
I'm also going to introduce another iconic Eagles track that I've had on the back-burner for a while.
Hotel California is probably The Eagles' best known, and most successful song.
It has an unusual, and almost unique, chord progression.
The intro and verses' chord pattern counts eight measures, each one assigned to a single chord:
G–D–F♯–Bm–G–D–Em–F♯
(don't panic, we will be playing it in A minor: Am–E7–G–D7–F–C–Dm–E7)
This chord sequence is not commonly used. However, A Jethro Tull song, We Used to Know, from their 1969 Album, Stand Up, uses the same progression, albeit in a different key. The songwriters, Don Felder and Don Henley claim never to have heard the Tull version. However, when Jethro Tull toured America in the early 70s, We Used to Know was in their set. The Eagles were the support band on that tour!
There's a great little video tutorial for the intro:
We will also take another look at House of the Rising Sun. We played it well last week. Let's see if we can add a little more polish.
Playlist
Clementine
Jambalaya
Feelin' Groovy
Dirty Old Town
Can't Buy Me Love
House of the Rising Sun
Lyin' Eyes
Hotel California
Folsom Prison Blues
Brown Eyed Girl
Ghost Riders In The Sky
California Blue
Rocking All Over The World