After our last Jam at the end of February, the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world. The Long Island area (among others) began a ‘stay at home’ lifestyle. To keep our uke jam momentum going we turned to a virtual platform. We tried a few different things from group playing to individual members leading to with everyone else muted. None of it was satisfying because our differing internet speeds cause uncomfortable lags.

Ken decided the best platform for us was Jitsi and the best format was to make our own audio recordings of one or two pre-selected songs to submit. From the first session to now, Ken’s audio editing ability has skyrocketed. The number of tracks we send him has multiplied as we started adding additional sounds from percussion tracks and other assorted instruments and doodads. Frank’s violin, Ken’s clarinet, Jen’s flute, Anne’s accordion, Louise’s melodica to name a few. And those of us with multiple types of ukuleles added to the mix. We sing with harmony tracks when available. After Ken edits and puts it all together, we sound pretty darn good.

Initially a few members from the Patchogue club joined us but they eventually dropped out. From the start to now our regular contributors have been Daniel G, Dan, Jen, Ken, Anne, PJ, Jean, Irene, Bill (from all the way up north thanks to the internet), Bill (Ken’s brother), Louise, on a few occasions Jen’s brother Neil, me (Arlene), Betty, and Frank.

Since February we’ve covered the following songs:

• Imagine by John Lennon (chord sheet)

• Blue Bayou by The Cox Family (chord sheet)

• Will You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles (chord sheet)

• I’m Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits (chord sheet)

• As Tears Go By by Marianne Faithfull (chord sheet)

• Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver (chord sheet)

• I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield (chord sheet)

• Daniel by Elton John (chord sheet)

• The Letter by The Boxtops (chord sheet)

• Peaceful Easy Feeling by the Eagles (chord sheet)

• Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups (chord sheet)

• Have You Ever Seen The Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival (chord sheet)

• With A Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles (chord sheet)

• Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations (chord sheet)

• Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues (chord sheet)

• Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (chord sheet)

• Ramblin’ Man by The Allman Brothers Band (chord sheet)

• I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash (chord sheet)

• Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival (chord sheet)

• I’ll Never Find Another You by The Seekers (chord sheet)

With Ken’s guidance, Most of us have upgraded our recordings with special microphones and programs such as Audacity. We learned how to use scratch tracks and headphones. We sound better with each collaboration.

We lost our fellow club member Jack Mason to Covid on March 30th. Rest in peace Jack. You will be missed.

You Keep Strumming,

-- Arlene.