How to play the ukulele & hold a baby at the same time!

The birth of our daughter has inspired a whole new set of tunes on my uke!  My father-in-law asked a great question while i was rocking her to sleep and playing a jazz mandolin CD on the stereo.  He asked,  "Hey, were you playing the uke at the same time???"

"I wish!  Wouldn't that be awesome?" 

and then i thought..."Hmmm, what IF?"

Then I figured it out!

Left arm supports her neck and head, while still able to use left hand to fret chords. Check!

Left leg is raised to provide "lumbar" support to baby's already swaddled back.  Check!

Right leg is lowered to provide optimal angle for baby's legs to rest upon, without spit up.  Check!

Right hand still able to hold ukulele and strum at the same time.  Check!

Ukulele body gently holds swaddled baby in place.  Check! Check!

Best of all, the strumming and songs gently put her to sleep in about 15 seconds. Triple CHECK!

Little peanut,  your mom and I love you unconditionally,  thank you for existing, and letting me play my uke at the same time!

Putting the Uke to Use

Oooh...I have rediscovered the Ukulele!  Our family always had one in the house but this time I actually tried to play it.  Once you got it, you can't put it down.

I am deeply grateful to be asked to play at a friend's wedding last July with 2 other gifted musicians and wonderful souls. Though we only did 1 song, "Here Comes The Sun", it was a lot of fun and the entire experience was thrilling...from being asked to play just a few days before and getting about 2 days of practice in with two people I met for the 1st time.

Here I am on my 1st Uke, an Oscar Schmidt Koa Concert Uke, next to the Bride's younger brother, Mike who's playing my Cordoba GK Studio nylon string guitar, and swing dance master Hep Jen holding the mic for me.

Musicians: Mike Silva (Guitar), Me (Ukulele), Wayne Westerman (Piano) and DJ Hep Jen.

Yoga-Mon art

A few months ago, I created some custom and personalized art for a friend of mine for her nursery.  Little creatures doing yoga!  I am really happy with the way they came out and how they are evolving into a children's book project.

The 1st set of framed art consisting of the little creatures performing basic and advanced poses are done and available.  Please contact me if you would like a set.  They go fast!

Next in the series...Partner Yoga, Group Meditation, and Seriously Impossible Poses.

To Ofelia, thank you and I am forever grateful for this wonderful opportunity to create art for your family!

See them here in the Yoga-mon gallery.

'Anniversary' animated short is Online!

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of working with a fellow RISD alum and friend, Roque Ballesteros, on his company's (GHOSTBOT) new animated short, 'Anniversary'.

I created original music for the 1 minute animation and it was great fun and a rewarding creative experience.

View the final animation and hear the music below!

See it on YouTube with great community feedback!   CLICK-HERE

*10/25/12  UPDATE* - Through Ghostbot's recent newsletter, apparently the animated short also got some kudos!  In Ghostbot's own words:  "Our bittersweet “Anniversary” was also a Semi-Finalist at Moondance and was amusingly enough nominated for Best Humor at AniMazing."

Here's a shot of my home studio at the time of making music for Anniversary.

The process was to watch, feel, create....watch, feel, create.

Elsa & Timmy Little Drawing featured at Wedding!

Hello everyone!  It's been awhile since my last update.  Just a quick note to let ya'll know that one of my Little Drawings was used at my friend, Elsa Wong's wedding!  Check out the link! 

Elsa & Tim's Wedding

My little caricature of Elsa and Tim, used on their wedding sign posts.

What Elsa and Tim look like in real life.