Classical Ukulele Fingerpicking Anthologycontains Baroque, Classical and Romantic pieces arranged for high-GCEA ukulele. All works are appropriate for the intermediate player and written in both standard notation as well as tablature. With the exceptions of condensed octave placements and key transpositions, each selection is authentically transcribed from its original work. This collection includes the composers J. S. Bach, Henry Purcell, Jean Philipe Rameau, W. A. Mozart, Robert Schumann, Amy Beach, and others. Here is Alexander Reinagle’s Minuetto. Here is a Minuet from The Notebook for Nannerl (Mozart). Here is another Minuet from Wolfgang Mozart’s notebook.
My father taught me how to write down the little melodies in my head when I was in preschool, and I have been composing and playing the piano ever since. My first paying gig was as a substitute organist at the age of 14. While in high school, I studied composition with Dr. Robert Sirota at B.U.’s Tanglewood Institute and piano with Olga Zlobinsky. I progressed to receive my B.M. in composition with honors from New England Conservatory, where my musicianship and creations were nurtured by my beloved teacher, Joe Maneri. My M.M.Ed. was given by The Boston Conservatory, under Dr. Rhoda Bernard’s leadership.
In my 20’s, I began to explore American improvised idioms. I went on to play keyboards with several Boston-area rock, roots, and folk artists such as Andrea Gillis, Emily Grogan, Paddy Saul, Natalie Flanagan, and Linda Viens.
I have been a K-8 general music teacher for 17 years at both public and parochial schools. I also maintain a private teaching studio. I have led opera writing workshops at Boston area schools as a teaching artist for the (absolutely inspiring and incredible!!) Boston Lyric Opera.
Several years ago, a spine injury inspired me to try my daughter’s toy ukulele since piano and guitar were impossible to play with my back brace. I immediately fell in love with the instrument’s upside-down tuning and scoured my library of piano repertoire to find works that could be played within a 2-octave range. My musician/teacher colleague Emily Grogan urged me to publish those arrangements, which are now available on Amazon.
I have been teaching music to both children and adults since 1989. I am a music educator because I see humanity at its best as I assist others in their development in this form of connection. The simplest note, when played with depth and sincerity, is valid and worthy to be heard. I see all my students as born musicians, and my job is to nurture what is already innate.
Andrea Gaudette Music 