Tag: education

It’s called the Banjolele or banjo uke

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Well my husband got me hooked on George Formby. You may not know who he is if you are not familiar with the British musicals that George starred in during the nineteen thirties and forties.
His father, George Formby, Sr. was also a popular and successful musician and entertainer. As a result of dad’s success, George Jr grew up in a life of opulence that belied his Blackpoolian humor that hinted at humble beginnings.

Like his father before him, some of the songs that George Formby jr. performed on stage were full of double entendre.

But that’s British humor for you. They like their shows to include bawdy music hall jibber-jabber, knee-slapping goofy hi-jinks, and I like it too.

My husband asked for a Banjo Uke on his Amazon wish list, and I got him one as a surprise. Here is a video of us with his new banjo ukulele demonstrating the difference between the Hawaiian ukulele and the banjo ukulele.

Ukelele vs. Banjolele

And here is the great George Formby Jr. Playing one of his signature humorous songs.

 With me little ukulele in me hand

I like George Formby’s lighthearted style and it really helped lift up Britain during the darkest days of World War II.

During our cold Minnesota winters, I enjoy listening to George Formby on Google Play while I relax and wait for Spring!

There are educators everywhere

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You have to jump puddles at your own speed

I wasn’t going to blog on Saturdays, but since I have time today I will. Today I was thinking about simplicity in education. So much of knowledge is free for you in our time. You don’t have to buy any books or any informational secrets. There are no secrets. It’s all out there for you. And it’s free. I predict in the future, all book-based education will be free, and all skills-based education will be as it was in the past, based on apprenticeship, counsels, guilds, or networks. I believe professional organizations will definitely continue to exist.
Show me, tell me, let me learn. Academic learning has it’s place, but I do not believe that it is the highest form of learning for every field. The Ivy Leaguers admit that their tuition is higher, but that is no guarantee of any future prosperity or occupational success. What it takes is up to the individual. Once you get into your profession, you are responsible only for yourself, and whether you rise or fall will be based on your capabilities of listening, understanding, and performing to the best of your ability. “Follow your heart,” means you need to get a good education that is applicable to what you aspire to, and then trust your gut. You will be taught well: either by someone else, a book, or yourself!

Musically yours, Amy Zents