Tsani
Well-known member
For those of you who have tried to learn to play classical music from John King's books, you know that he uses a style called "campanella" that makes the ukulele sound like a harp - or bells. The idea is to play each note on a different string so that each note overlays the previous one and the maximum resonance and sustain is achieved from each note. This style originated in the baroque period with lute and guitar and was adapted by John King for the ukulele.
John King was a genius and a virtuoso. I am not.
I have been learning in what I would call a semi-classical style, mostly playing hymns. I combine finger picking and chording to try to produce a melody line accompanied by chords similar to what you would hear a church pianist playing.
I have made several attempts to learn to play the pieces in John King's book and I have to tell you that playing "campanella" style drives me batty. I thought maybe I was just dumb and unteachable... until I read a quote by John King in his obituary in the New York Times.
He said, “The people Bach originally wrote this music for must have been fabulous musicians, because this stuff is really hard to play,” ...“My heart is in my throat whenever I play these pieces in concert.” ... “The truth is it’s a crazy way to play the uke; ease of execution is all but sacrificed, subordinated to whatever it takes to get that shimmering, harplike sound. It works for me, because when I play it that way, the ukulele sings.”
OK... so now I understand. John King was a college professor of classical guitar -the foremost classical ukelele player in the world - and he said himself that the campanella style was extremely hard to play. I'm not saying that I give up, but I would like to learn to play classical ukulele in a more standard manner.
I have found several sources on the internet helpful. I am giving Jamie Holding's arrangements a try.
If there is anybody else out there that is struggling along this road, I would appreciate any comments - and especially sources for classical tabs that are not in the campanella style.
I revere the memory of John King, but as Clint Eastwood said, "A man has got to know his limitations."
John King was a genius and a virtuoso. I am not.
I have been learning in what I would call a semi-classical style, mostly playing hymns. I combine finger picking and chording to try to produce a melody line accompanied by chords similar to what you would hear a church pianist playing.
I have made several attempts to learn to play the pieces in John King's book and I have to tell you that playing "campanella" style drives me batty. I thought maybe I was just dumb and unteachable... until I read a quote by John King in his obituary in the New York Times.
He said, “The people Bach originally wrote this music for must have been fabulous musicians, because this stuff is really hard to play,” ...“My heart is in my throat whenever I play these pieces in concert.” ... “The truth is it’s a crazy way to play the uke; ease of execution is all but sacrificed, subordinated to whatever it takes to get that shimmering, harplike sound. It works for me, because when I play it that way, the ukulele sings.”
OK... so now I understand. John King was a college professor of classical guitar -the foremost classical ukelele player in the world - and he said himself that the campanella style was extremely hard to play. I'm not saying that I give up, but I would like to learn to play classical ukulele in a more standard manner.
I have found several sources on the internet helpful. I am giving Jamie Holding's arrangements a try.
If there is anybody else out there that is struggling along this road, I would appreciate any comments - and especially sources for classical tabs that are not in the campanella style.
I revere the memory of John King, but as Clint Eastwood said, "A man has got to know his limitations."