Sep 12: Sore fingertips
I was right, my fingertips hurt today, so I didn’t do a lesson.
I played Frère Jacques while my daughter sang it. She’s getting better (as am I). Apparently my son (2yo) is starting to learning the song as well, much to my surprise.
Then I played my song several times, focussing on my rhythm. I think it’s going well.
Going to hopefully play some ukulele this afternoon.
Update: I did play ukulele this afternoon… With my husband, because we have two ukuleles.
That was a lot of fun!
Sep 13: Repetition
I did my lesson today, playing the first part ad nauseum to try to get it to three stars. I didn’t succeed. It’s really hard. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Then I practiced my chords (successfully) and my song (multiple times).
I played a few songs after that.
But mostly today’s practice session was all about repetition.
Sep 14: Callus damage
I played the lesson I’ve been working on the past couple days again today. I got three stars after working on it a lot.
The next lesson was so easy I passed it right away. That was weird.
The next lesson was very very hard. I ran out of time to play it more than once. I got one star across the board. Barely, imho.
Then I played my song. This is where I noticed that the callus on my middle left finger had split, right where I (obviously) prefer to have my fingers placed. Sigh. So it hurt to play a bit.
I decided that I shouldn’t play too much so as to not aggravate the damage. I’ll have to build up the callus again. Hopefully it won’t take too long. I’m hoping to perform my song for my writer’s group on September 22 (or maybe October 6… Haven’t quite decided yet).
Update: Forgot to mention: we bought a music stand! It’s pink and it’s awesome.
I used it today and it works really well. (Much better than the gorilla tripod and bookcase combo I’ve been using lol)
Sep 15: Short
No lesson today.
I played Frère Jacques for my daughter today. She sang along with it with no problems at all. I’m very proud of her.
I played my song once. It hurt. I didn’t play further today.
Also, allergies are hitting me super hard right now (ragweed?) and my voice cracked so bad on the first ooh of the chorus that no sound came out.
So yeah. That was fun.
Sep 16: Healing
I did my lesson today. I passed the lesson I was working on two days ago after a lot of practice. Then I got to move onto power riffs. My time ended after one attempt at the first song, which I didn’t quite pass.
I played my song a few times and then realized that my callus hasn’t reformed yet, so that hurt.
My throat is still raspy from allergies.
I’m still debating whether I want to perform next Wednesday or two weeks later.
Sep 17: I despise riffs
My lesson started out well today. I completed the first lesson, learned about fingertip muting, and learned some new riffs.
And then the next lesson came.
😮👀😱
There were only four riffs in it. And I just fell apart.
And my wrist started hurting.
They are not easy to do.
So I stopped the lesson and moved on to my song. My voice sounds like a croak. I’ve decided not to play the song at the writer’s group meeting this coming Wednesday. Hopefully I’ll sound more like myself at the one two weeks after.
My daughter sang Frère Jacques while I played the tenor ukulele for her class today. I made a mistake. She didn’t. I’m very proud of her.