Using+YouTube

Every time I watch the video I end up with a huge smile on my face.

Connor

I think we should come prepared to sign some autographs.

Connor

Great points Connor!

I am going to talk about it from a ukulele perspective; the fact that the song is not traditionally played on a ukulele made it difficult to find video tutorials. The video I used primarily did not go extensively into chords, and the girl on the video didn't even know the name of one of the chords, she called it "half-D". Frustrating to say the least. I watched a few different videos but also used a website and my roommate to help teach me the song. Once I had a basic knowledge of the chords the videos made more sense, but at the very beginning it was confusing.

-Hillary

Looks awesome! Chose to edit out the post-song shenanigans? Probably for the best...

As per the presentation, here are some points (at least for me) that I found valuable in taking up this project:


 * Tabs can be very difficult to read for some, and even if you can read them well enough, rhythm and strumming/picking is not included; YouTube, on the other hand, can provide both a tab and visual demonstration (displaying rhythm and strumming patterns) to show you exactly how a song is played
 * YouTube provides a vast array of different uploaders to give you different options/styles of playing songs; and while tabs do come in different versions, the missing element is the ability to hear how a version sounds before choosing to learn it
 * YouTube somewhat humanizes the process: Instead of looking at a bunch of lines and numbers, YouTube provides you with a person--although mediated--to help you, and to communicate with (comments, messages, etc.)
 * "Video Jumping": You might find another song you want to learn in the side bar!
 * D.I.Y.: Who needs to pay thousands for lessons when you can learn, for the price of your internet connection, online for 'free'?
 * Community (this is more personal than related to YouTube): This project offered me the opportunity to form a small musical community with three other people--now friends!

There is much more to be said, but these are the basics of what I took away from our project/jam session!

Connor

Here's the video guys! I unlisted in on youtube so you can only see it if you have the link. (I couldn't figure out how to post it if it wasn't on youtube.) Later tonight I'll post some ideas for the quick presentation tues! Thanks again it this project was super fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlavLgnBcKU&feature=youtu.be

-Kayla

Sweet. I don't know "Hurt" and I've always meant to learn it. Has a time been decided on?

Also, I just found this channel on YouTube that is great for learning guitar songs! Check it out here (there are tons of videos).

Connor

alrighty for those learning hurt on the guitar,[| heres] the beauty of a guitar teacher that i use! Michal

Hey Connor,

We decided we would all learn Hurt by Johnny Cash. Michal learned it on guitar, & I think Hillary is as well. We were going to meet on friday & get everyone up to speed & record us all playing (trying our best) the song together. So you can pick whatever instrument you want, just learn that song. Just remember you have to search youtube videos to learn how to play. We would be discussing how successful youtube is as a teaching resource, at least musically. What worked for us, and what was challenging. Just let us know if you're interested or have any other questions.

-Kayla

Hello friends.

What exactly is going on with this group? It's my fault for the confusion, but when are you guys meeting, what song(s) are y'all playing, etc.? Also, what other instruments would fit in with your group?

I'm just trying to see if there is a place for me in here.

Connor

I think the DO'S & DON'TS idea is fantastic- especially since Michal is having so much success with youtube videos & Hillary you said it was difficult to track a good one down. So we could talk about what wer were doing that was helping or hurting us- fantastic idea!

-Kayla

So in regards to our discussion about possibly making a video, I was thinking we could create a "Do's and Don'ts for Learning From Youtube" video. For example: DO look for a video that is at your skill level. DON"T rely on only one video, or the first one that pops up, etc. We can discuss this later in the week as well, or if we want to attempt to create an instructional video instead! -Hillary

Are we planning on practicing and filming on the same day? ( I think that would work the best). Wednesday or thursday evening or friday can work for me! Also where are we going to meet? Kayla are you still learning the piano, because if you are I guess we need to meet at your house! And are we just doing the one song, Hurt? That is the one I know best, I am having difficulties with Norwegian wood on some parts. My number is 905-912-7329, I will check the wiki regularly to see when we decide to meet but if we decide last minute you can send me a text! --Hillary

Let's def meet up- we can film it later this week! But Michal I feel like your help your be great so we don't burn people's ears. Hillary what day works for you too? Also my phone number is 519 616 2169 if this is a better way to get this project done, easier to communicate!! -Kayla

i feel like we should meet tommorow! also i learn hurt by johnny cash ! so ill def help who ever needs it with norwegian wood or hurt. - michal

OK, crisis averted! I have all the chords down, just working on the picking pattern now. (I used a ukelele website to help with the chords because the videos I found were not enough by themselves to learn the song, but this can definitely be incorporated into our presentation as an issue I had when trying to learn the song) Hope everyone elses song-learning is going well! -Hillary

Hi Group, I'm experienceing a bit of an unforseen problem, I have ukelele in hand, ready to go, and can't seem to find a helpful youtube video that actually breaks the song down in a way that is helpful for beginners. Any suggestions?? The most helpful ones are one that is just a video of the cords as someone plays them (with no instructions) and one from a really young girl who talks really fast and it is difficult to see what she is actually doing as she is playing. I think I will be able to figure it out, but does anyone kknow of a secret music site or something that can help? Thanks!! --Hillary

I was told we are exchanging numbers. Here is mine: (647) 801-9048. Let me know when you are all planning on meeting/what is decided.

Connor

I will bring the capo. And are you looking for free movie editing software, or are you willing to pay--even a small amount--for it?

Connor

Connor! yes dude! would i be able to snag that capo tomorrow in class? and ill check out your song suggestion. ive been playin norwegian wood, its pretty easy so i learned a bunch of other stuff. And to the comment below yours, i am also looking for a good video editing software because movie maker is a pain in the ass and it doesnt do what i want it to do. edit - how many people are still working on this project?

Michal

Michal, I have a capo if you need one! It's a really 'old school' one, but it is still awesome.

I already play the guitar, and I don't have access to a lot of other instruments--well, none, actually--but I do want to learn to sing somewhat decently. I don't know if I would try to learn for this project because it seems more instrument based, but I would more than ready to help out in any other way. My suggestion for a song would maybe be something like "Where is My Mind?" by The Pixies because it is a multi-layered instrumental piece with possibilities for two guitars (the ukelele would probably sound awesome playing the lead part), or any other musical interpretation. It is also rather easy to play, and would help exercise you guitar players in the basics of chords!

Connor

(I use YouTube all the time to learn songs!)

p.s. Does anyone know any good video editing software? I would use movie maker but its weird.

-- For a Mac or PC?

I checked out that song by the Beatles and i think its great, might be a bit tricky but i dont care i want to learn it. so im in for that tune! all i need is that clip thing you put on the fret board of the guitar, because you need one for the song!. if nobody has one ill go out and buy it. im starting to learn it tonight so if there is a change in song choice then let me know asap lol.

Michal

I think we should all learn the same song for the project. That way we can discuss our learning experience as we all learn the same thing, but in different ways obviously, because we will be using different instruments. I love The Beatles, and the song Norwegian Wood just popped into my head. The original recording only consisted of an acoustic guitar and a sitar (and vocals). It's a beautiful song, even though it's about a one night stand gone wrong! Alternatively, what if we learned a rock song or something that was not originally intended for acoustic instruments? It might be interesting to see how a rock song can be played on a ukelele or acoustic guitar. For example, there are videos on how to play Beat It by Micheal Jackson, Cooler than Me by Mike Posner, even Ghostbusters, songs that were definitely not intended to be played by a ukelele (or guitar for that matter). [|Norwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown)]

-Hillary

A ukelele is perfect! What we have to decide is if we are all going to learn individual songs or the same song- what do you think!?

-Kayla

I'm in! I want to learn to play guitar but I still need to get guitar strings for it and also its at home, so I don't think that is realistic for me right now. However my roomate has a ukelele which she can lend me! I am so excited for this! Any song suggestions?

- Hillary

Hello errbody!,

So just now in class after watching the first group present, which was fantastic btw, an idea came to me that it quite the opposite of media/social site deprivation. Kayla and I have decided to collaborate on a digital media project that focuses on using YouTube for one hour a day, 7 days a week, in order to learn how to play a song on an instrument you have never used before! Kayla suggested learning the same song on different instruments, if thats the case I choose the guitar >:) but its definitely up to you what song you want to do. I think it would be cool if we all made our own video with clips from each day (that only has to be a few seconds long) showing your progress, comments and talking are fully acceptable. Discuss the positive and negatives of learning your song using YouTube and whatever else you may think of that helps you describe your YouTube learning experience. Just edit my post and let me know what you think below!

Cheers! Michal

During the facebook deprivation presentation the girls were talking about giving up youtube and missing not being able to listen to their morning playlists. I was dumbfounded in the audience because the things they were saying about the social media websites I didn't even realize you could do- I feel very behind on the times. So rather than give up social media and resources we want to USE them and see just what we can do! With all the discussions and encouragement to play in class, Michal's idea to learn an instrument via youtube videos seems like the perfect experiment. Our intentions would be to explore the ways social media websites can be used as a resource- in this case as a learning/teaching source for musical instruments. We could all learn the same song and play it together? Or to each's own and discuss our experience. You can even try to learn something else, the only limit is that you can only use media resources in order to do so. Thoughts? Anyone else interested?

Kayla