My Ukulele & Harmonica Life

Ever since I first came across a ukulele in Hawaii ten (10) years ago, I've been hooked on that tiny instrument. I switched my instruments from a guitar to an electric ukulele. I also started taking harmonica lessons about eleven (11) years ago from a harmonica master who holds the title of the world harmonica champion. He's great. Here's his website.

http://harmonica.jyoukamachi.com/

Well, under the COVID-19 circumstances, however, I had to be excused from continuing taking his lessons last year unfortunately.

Some of the Numbers I tried

with my Ukulele

On a Little Bumble Bridge - 小さな竹の橋で

00:00 / 00:00

Girl from Ipanema - イパネマの娘

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* Wave (by "Happiness Bicycle Courier")

https://youtu.be/ptp2nUKVKaw

* Samba de Orfeu (by "Happiness Bicycle Courier")

https://youtu.be/Bo0bAHoMZbk

In addition to "Happiness Delivery Man" and "Happiness Bicycle Courier", I got a band "Escargo" reorganized after almost 40 years of silence, by gathering its old members and also getting a couple of new blood performers to join us. It's so much fun playing together. Unlike myself, the rest of the members are very skilled and experienced, so I learn a lot from them and count on them.

When I play solo, I perform as "Happiness Delievery Man", usually with karaoke I have prepared running in the background to play along. My favorite types of music are mainly Hawaiian, Bossa Nova, and jazzy numbers, but there are also a few numbers with a rock'n roll flavor and traditional Japanese tunes that I play.

I also play in a duo unit dubbed "Happiness Bicycle Courier". My partner is an avid cyclist, and that's why Bicycle shows up in the unit name. He is a truly multi-talented guy who can play the guitar and the drums very well, and also is a good vocalist, but in our unit, he plays the base. I really like his slapping skill.