Howdy,
I just added a new uke chart by the name of Quizas Quizas Quizas, you might also know it as Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps. Its a great tune.
The link is on the right under the Ukulele Transcriptions.
Peace
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Well 2011 has been a wild ride so far! The 4 strings of swing have produced a new CD and helped me to produce my first Ukulele Instructional DVD. We made our way out to Mike DaSilva’s for a great “Day in the Shop” and we wandered ourselves down south to the Dallas Ukulele Festival “Back to Bach”.
It has always been my belief that anything is possible. This little mantra of mine seems to have worked its way into my music as well. When Noel called us and said we want you to do some classical music, Heather’s first response was lets do some Opera! and the rest is history. We performed a piece called “O Mio Babbino Caro” from the opera Gianni Schicchi 1918. It was the highlight of the weekend for me. It was the accumulation of a life time of study and incomprehensible coordination between 3 people. Heather did the initial review of the score and gave JD and I a frame work to play in. After a few rehearsals we started discussing the intended harmonies and altered them a bit. Normally for a piece like this we would follow the conductor but sans conductor we follow Heather. She set the pace and the tone for the piece. It took JD and I some time to learn to follow instead of lead. Once we got the hang of it. The song took flight. It turned out to be a great work and the audience truly got to experience the depth of Heathers voice, a new facet for the ukulele, and the fullness that the upright bass brings. It was great to be a part of it.
The festival was a real success. There is still quite a bit of buzz on facebook. As a performer and teacher, I would have to say that it was an incredible weekend. Mike Lynch made a statement that rings so very true “the uke players here are surprisingly advanced” and it was very true. The students in texas were amazing they all seemed to be able to keep up with me and second guess the application of the lesson. It was wonderful to work with such enthusiastic folks.
The CD turned out great. I am very grateful to have gone to Hawaii this year. It inspired the title and a track on our new CD Molokai Morning. JD and Heather really spiced the tune up with their parts. JD even added a chord to the chorus and it made a huge improvement. The song was inspired by the rising sun over the island of Molokai. My bed faced the West and if I was not in time to see the sunrise, I could view it from my bunk. The whole experience was wonderful. The rest of the CD has tunes that are our favorites. We have been so lucky to have a regular gig at España (a little tapas bar in Omaha). Carlos the owner hires us once a month to play. This is where we get to hone our chops and learn to listen to each other. This might be one of our greatest strengths in my humble opinion. When you listen to your band mates and pick up on subtle changes in what they are doing … you get the chance to really collaborate. Any time we do this the tune always turns out bigger and better.
If you are interested in CD or DVD please check out www.4stringsofswing.com
PEACE
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Jenko Head - 4 Strings of Swing
of Jamming!!
Peace
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
There is nothing more exciting that seeing and hearing people learn to play the ‘ukulele. The little instrument allows us to enjoy music from the inside out. I suppose its like putting a paint brush in a persons hand and teaching them how to use it. Music is an art that reaches deep into our souls and releases the songs of our hearts. The ‘ukulele can be quickly learned and it doesn’t take long before the player can be self expressive.
Our little ‘ukulele group is slowly growing, and I really enjoy our meetings. Our last meeting was specially nice. A number of people brought new tunes for us to play. It’s always more fun when people really start to share. I hope the momentum continues.
The Omaha Art Institute has been a great help in introducing the ‘ukulele to people. I teach the class and they advertise, sign people up and find a location. It’s a great way to get introduced to the instrument. If you are interested please check out their website. The next class is March 19th. http://www.omahacreativeinstitute.org/
If you’re in the Omaha area and you would like to join our little group just send leave a comment and we will get in contact with you.
Peace
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Our band just got back from San Francisco where we were honored by an invitation from Mike Da’Silva to come out and be a part of his first “Day at the Shop”. It was a great weekend and we had such a great time.
This musical journey I started a few years ago, is blooming into something I never would have dreamed of. I have always been interested in music but back in 2000 I happened across an ‘ukulele and I just could not put it down. It wasn’t but a year later and I found myself on the east coast at my first ‘ukulele festival. Thats where I met Mike Da’Silva, Rick Russo, Byron Yasui, Brian Tolentino and Asa Young. They took me in and showed me the ropes. Rick Russo even got me on stage for the first time in 15 years or better. I got my first music theory lesson from Byron Yasui, it sparked a desire to rededicate myself to music. Ten years go by and now I am playing with a great ‘ukulele swing band and have a brand new music degree.
Mike Da’Silva was pretty dang busy over the last 10 years too, somewhere along the line he decided to go into ‘ukulele building full time. His work is unbelievable, I know many of you know that Mike and I are close and you might think of my testimony as a bit “suspect” but if you haven’t tried one of Mike’s … you need to.
The ‘ukulele and it’s group of followers are amazing. The ‘ukulele is an instrument that can be used in the humblest of music to the most complex. If the ‘ukulele is interesting, then its players are incredible. I have never met so many wonderful people in my life. It is so much fun to attend ‘ukulele festivals and meet so many folks dedicated to having fun.
This new chapter, the one with 4 strings of swing has brought forth great friendships and group that is so much fun to hang out with. I feel like I should write a book about the exploits of the 4 strings of swing. JD, Heather and I are always laughing. Let me give you a quick example: On one of our long road trips, we figure out that if Yoda was to say “thats what she said” it would come out like “mmmmm, said that she did”. Its the goofy stuff that seems to keep us in stitches. Between goofing around, our love for music and photography the conversations and laughter never end.
At this point I have to give thanks to the my maker for a great wife and a wonderful son that support me through all this. Two and a half years to finish a music degree and 3 years away from work. It seemed like a long time to get through school but looking back, it went way too fast but now new chapters are opening and I am grateful to be ready.
Peace!
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Wow, what a year!
Two of my best friends got married, the 4 strings of swing attended two major ukulele festivals, we finished our first CD, I traveled to Hawaii for a weeklong ‘ukulele seminar and life continues to charge ahead.
Whats up for next year?
Well personally I continue down the avenue of expanding my music knowledge as it applies to the ‘ukulele. It’s a goal of mine to bring about a full understanding of the instrument. I will also continue to learn about photography. It’s a wonderful art form, and I love the post production work.
The band will be working on a couple of really big projects. We are going back into the studio for a new cd. We are still experimenting with classic jazz but we are also expanding into other genre’s. We are also going to produce a ‘ukulele “how to” DVD.
Big gigs this year… Mike Da’Silva is having us out to the Bay Area for a day festival in January 2011. We were asked back toDallas for the 2011 Texas Ukulele Festival. We are honored by both invitations and are extremely excited to attend both. We will also continue to gig in the Omaha area. We absolutely love playing at a little Spanish tapas bar called Espaňa. The environment is perfect for a little Latin jazz and the food is fantastic!
So, my friends I hope to see you soon. Sing to the stars, and dance in the moonlight. Blessings to all of you!
Peace
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Hey,
Just a quick announcement, I am teaching another intro ukulele class for the Omaha Creative Institute.
December 18th at 2:00 PM. at Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture building.
So, this is a ukulele lesson for complete beginners. What does that mean? It means that I will supply the ukulele and the lesson and within 15 min we will be making music.
The ukulele is an incredibly easy instrument to learn. I have found it to be enchanting in its simplicity. I would like to share an afternoon with you playing ukulele.
You can sign up here:
http://www.omahacreativeinstitute.org/
Peace
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
I went to the Kimo Hussey’s Molokai Ukulele Workshop… errrr retreat…. err music therapy… errr… all things ukulele! Maybe that would cover it best!
We covered everything, a little ear training, how to get yourself into music therapy, some technical ukulele tricks, intensive (and way fun) rhythm techniques, and at a place that for me was very unexpected and delightful.
The ukulele work shop, contained a little bit of information for everybody. If you were a novice you got some new techniques, if you had played ukulele for a long time, there was good review and plenty of new information to keep you busy.
I think we had about 19 people in our retreat and it did not take long for all of us to become ohana. We shared meals, ideas, grew in music and in many other parts of life. The friendships that I have made will continue with me for many years to come.
The class was able to visit a local family that are a prominent music staple on the island of Molokai. They invited us to a backyard jam and we all played together. Intwined in the music were the stories of Molokai and family lore that could only be described as enchanting. They shared their music, food and love with us. It was an experience that I will never forget.
The Island of Molokai, is not like Oahu or Maui. Its more like what you might imagine what the Islands were like in the 40’s and 50’s. It has a very small population and still seems to be mostly an agricultural community. The little town is only a few blocks long but has the necessities needed for most. The pace of the island is well behind that of its more populated sister islands. The people of Molokai seem to understand what is important in life and don’t bother with the trappings of larger cities.
The Hui is a retreat center located in the highland of the Island. Its a wonderful place to completely decompress. The food was nearly all vegetarian and to be honest being the meat eater I am, I was more than a little concerned but the food was fantastic and it only added to my new experience. Some of the staff participated in the workshops and others were ghosts that only served the community selflessly. The lodge and rooms were in top notch condition and we all seemed to enjoy the facility.
Is this something I will do again? If the resources are available, absolutely!
Peace and Love
Mark ‘Spanky’ Gutierrez
Our band loves playing at España, this last weekend something special was in the air but I am not quite sure what it was. Both nites we had a good amount of folks and people got a little more involved which made it a more fun.
The band was just tighter as well. I think getting to play on a regular basis keeps the saw sharp and it certainly felt good last night. We busted out a Dizzy Gillespie tune called Night in Tunisia. It really turned out well, we had a ball playing it. The tune splits between a latin grove and swing. It totally keeps you on your toes! Another hit last weekend was a tango called Kiss of Fire… big shout out to my good friend Michele Kiba for introducing it to me. The crowd seems to really enjoy it. Could you go wrong with a over the top tango? Could a tango ever not be over the top? I think not!
So big, mahalo to all that came out to see us play!
Next, Saturday 11/27/2010 we are having a Uke Greet and Meet at the Crane Coffe on 60th and Center at 5:00PM.
Now, listen up these are for anybody that is interested in the ukulele. If you already play then come along, if you want to learn how to play we can provide a loaner uke and we are happy to teach you. Just come on out, we will have a great time singing a few tunes.
December is shaping up to be ultra cool. I am going to Hawaii for a ukulele music camp. Kimo Hussey is putting on a the Molokai Ukulele workshop. Its a full week of nothing but ukulele! I am so looking forward to some serious uke time and sunshine. I will be bringing back some cool things for all of us midwestern ukulele players!! Kimo promises to teach some traditional Hawaiian tunes, and he has some guest music therapists coming to discuss the benefits of music in healing.
I have had a lot of people ask about the next Omaha Creative Institute Beginning Ukulele course. It will be offered December 18th 2010 in the afternoon. The Omaha Creative Institute web for details and registration. I love doing theses, I get to meet some new folks and we have a great time learning how to play the ukulele. They are two hours long and I promise by the end of the two hours you will be playing music!!
So, Happy Holidays and as always PEACE…
Don’t let the hustle and bustle take your peace away…
LOVE and BE LOVED!!
Peace my friends
Mark “Spanky” Gutierrez
Thanks to all that came out for the Uke Meet and Greet. We were a small but mighty uke group!
Next Event:
November 27th
5:00 PM
60th and Center Omaha NE (Crane Coffee)
See YA
Peace
Mark 'Spanky' Gutierrez
