DEADLINE = JUNE 23, 2012

TO DO: 0 COMPLETED: 50!

"it's interesting to be in your mid-twenties... up until this point in my life, i have been working hard for something, wishing something, expecting something. whether it's learning to drive, going to prom, my first kiss, graduating high school, going to college, graduating college, getting a job. i feel like everything in my life has happened so fast and suddenly... i'm here. i have a degree, i have a good job, i have a nice apartment, i have a boyfriend, i have a dog. of course, i have plenty of things to look forward to... but for me, probably nothing major anytime soon. this last year, i kind of felt like i "arrived." and after 24 years of moving forward, it's weird to just be... here. i'm kind of at a place where i'm saying "now what?"

i just turned 25 a couple weeks ago, and i decided life can be as interesting as i make it-- to seize the day-- even without any major life changes. so i made a bucket list for this year. there's a couple big things, but really most of them are feasible "firsts" or attempts to make changes to my day-to-day life or things to look forward to. here. now."

Sunday, January 8, 2012

#18 Learn a New Instrument (ukulele)

I was a little nervous about this, actually. I mean, it's really hard to know exactly how long it will take to learn something and be able to play it well... at least well enough to record for my blog. :) I didn't actually have a premeditated idea as far as what instrument I wanted to play, I just knew that I'm tired of only being able to play the instruments just about EVERYONE else can play: piano, guitar, voice. And I thought it would be fun to find something new.

Since I don't have a lot of money to throw around, I looked online to see what different instruments cost-- and the cheapest, most interesting instrument I could find was the ukulele. Right then I knew I wanted to learn how to play the ukulele version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow (by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.) Not only is it a beautiful song, but it is especially meaningful to me because it was the song my grandpa requested to be played at his funeral. Every time I hear it, I think of him.

So last weekend I finally decided to go to the Schmitt's Music store in Roseville to buy a ukulele. I was afraid that it would take me a while to learn the song and I wanted to make sure that I would be able to play it well by June. I brought it home and figured it out in about an hour. :) It's VERY comparable to the guitar-- which I've been able to play (at least to some extent) since middle school. In fact, it's easier-- instead of 6 strings, there are 4. I also didn't know too much about ukuleles, how quickly I would catch on, and how much I would like it, so I bought the cheapest one they had-- which was about $30. It was good enough to learn how to play it, but if I ever want to play it for anyone anywhere ever, I'll probably have to invest in something A LOT nicer. It goes out of tune about every five minutes. But overall, it's been a lot of fun to play with. :) I'm sure I'll spend some time learning a few more songs the rest of this year (like Colbie Callait) but here is my version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, in honor of my grandpa.

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3 comments:

  1. AmyJanuary 8, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    your voice is romantic

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  2. jhaseltineJanuary 8, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Wow Kara! I didn't realize how good of a singer you are. You are definitely a very talented musician too. Great job with learning the ukulele.

    Uncle Jeff.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CamryJanuary 18, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    You have a beautiful voice! It's captivating!

    ReplyDelete

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