The NEW
2025 site layout is live (has been for while) and converting the site is coming along pretty fast. Most of the major and often visited pages and section have been updated the the rest is coming along pretty fast.
NEW
• mid-century modern by Jim Beloff • What a great collection of songs by Jim. I've always been a fan of JIm's songwriting. The production and arrangements on this NEW
album is just another level and really showcase these wonderful songs.
(from bandcamp) The north star of this collection of mostly recent songs was the sound of records from my youth ... albums from the late 1950s through the 1960s, often with background vocals and lush strings. In preliminary talks with Randy Landas, we referenced early Burt Bacharach recordings, as well as discs by The Seekers, The Righteous Brothers, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rivers, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Dave Frishberg and others. Have fun spotting the influences!
(more from bandcamp) Some of the individual tracks warrant a note or two. “’50s Modern,” started life more than 20 years ago as an instrumental. Early on I played it for Lyle Ritz on a brief tour of the Oregon coast and he instantly jumped in with an accompaniment. That gave me the confidence that it might be worth developing. With that in mind, the uke I’m playing is Lyle’s cutaway Gibson tenor that he played on his groundbreaking late ‘50s Verve album, How About Uke. Two of the songs here, “La, La, La (I Can’t Hear You)” and “Have A Little Faith” were written on a hybrid instrument conceived by Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary). The “manulenjo” has a banjo head and 8 steel strings in 4 courses tuned GCEA. After his performance at a nearby venue, Noel lent it to me for a couple of months and the big, jangly, reverb-y sound inspired those two songs. You can hear Noel playing the manulenjo on “Boats and Helicopters.” “How You Get Through” and “Summer Blue” were two more recent collaborations with Hawaiian uke legend, Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta. In 2023, Kim Oler gifted me “Since I Found You” with the proviso that that be the title. “Minor Chords Happen” was an off-hand comment made by a member of Darlingside at a 2024 concert. Finally, “A Ukulele and You” was inspired by an interview with Bette Midler after I had been giving her uke lessons. In the interview, she fantasized about some future time when she might tour with just a ukulele rather than the huge productions that normally accompanied her. Enjoy! Jim Beloff—July 2025
New 2026 Site Layout and Features
November 12, 2025
The NEW
2025 site layout is live (has been for a while), and converting the site is coming along pretty fast. Most of the major and often visited pages and sections have been updated; the rest is coming along pretty fast. ✨
Off to the VA Ukapalooza, Mechanicsville, VA USA
November 7-8, 2025
LearningUkulele.com
& Funky Frets
, (Curt & Kelly) are off to a UKULELEFestival
November 7-8, the VA Ukapalooza, Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 8209 Shady Grove Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 for VENDING
, PERFORMING
and several WORKSHOPS
.
Off to the 2025 Virginia Ukapalooza for a performance, and presenting several workshops. The VA Ukapalooza an action packed, two day event of ukulele related learning, playing, and socializing – conducted by the VA ukulele community, for the VA ukulele community. Playing opportunities will be provided for all registered ukulele groups and all attendees (in a ukulele group or not). Numerous workshops will be offered for all abilities. Nationally known and regional ukulele talent will perform and teach. The ticket price includes access to all festival events on both 11/7 and 11/8. Individual day tickets are not available — attend as much of the festival as you’d like to!. ✨
Tribute to Uncle Zac
17 October 2025
A dear ukulele friend of Curt's and a favorite of the Funky Frets family (Curt, Bern, and Kelly) — Peter Uncle Zac Zaccagnino passed as away October 14, 2025. The ukulele community looses yet another great asset for the ukulele and just a hoot to be around.
A lifelong musician, performer, and teacher, Peter devoted his life to sharing the joy of music through his signature instrument, the ukulele. Known affectionately as “Uncle Zac,” he inspired countless students and fellow musicians through his performances, workshops, and passion for bringing people together through song.
A celebration of Uncle Zac life will be held on Saturday, October 18 with information to follow, where friends and family are invited to gather to honor his life, his music, and the joy he brought to others.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Peter Zaccagnino’s love of music and the Ukulele to Ukulelefoundation.org — The Ukulele Foundation of Hawai`i is a non profit organization (501(c)3 public charity) whose primary objective is to support music in education, as well as various charities and arts throughout Hawai`i through collective interest and awareness of the ukulele.
I (Curt) can't actually remember when I first meat Uncle Zac. Seems as if he was just a life long friend. I do believe it probably was at 1st New York Uke Fest in the early 2000's. When you first meet Uncle Zac you know he would be a lif-long friend. The ukulele community has a way with that.
We at Funky Frets have fond memories of Uncle Zac performing and presenting a couple of well-received workshops at our annual Funky Frets Uke Fest his classics I'm My Own Grandpa, and his Italian food song — a real tongue twister. He will surely be missed by us and our festivals attendees. Where ever we need him for the festival he was game. A real joy to work with and hang out with.
We at Funky Frets: Curt, Bern, Kelly, TJ, and Ali will miss Uncle Zac and send our condolences out to his family and friends. ✨
Here is a link to the Uncle Zacs obituarie and more information regarding visitation, services, and life celebrations for Peter Uncle Zac Zaccagnino • And facebook posting.
Jim Beloff & Uncle Zac at The Carousel at Pottstown (PA) and the 2024 Funky Frets Uke Fest Sunday
Jim Beloff, Kelly Thompson (Funky Frets) & Uncle Zac at 2024 Nutmeg Ukulele Festival in Simsbury, CT.
Off to the 10th Funky Frets Uke Fest, Boyertown, PA USA
October 3-4-5, 2025
Aloha! The 10th Funky Frets Uke Fest, which started in 2015, has grown into a beloved annual gathering for ukulele enthusiasts. With a focus on fun and learning, the festival offers a diverse array of workshops, jam sessions, open mics, and opportunities to connect with like-minded players. What sets it apart is its inclusive atmosphere, where both repeat attendees and newcomers feel equally welcomed and valued. Attendees not only come to share their talents but also to forge lasting connections with fellow ukulele lovers. It's this sense of community and camaraderie — that makes the Funky Frets Uke Fest a standout event in the ukulele world. ✨
This three day festival includes workshop sessions, performances, jams, open-mics, vendors, lunch, dinner, a carousel ride/open-mic.
Off to Nutmeg Ukulele Festival, Simsbury, CT USA
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Aloha! The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center is excited to present the 4th annual Nutmeg Ukulele Festival hosted by the Kinetic Ukes!
This all day festival includes 3 workshop sessions, an artist showcase, a silent auction, vendors and lunch!
Kelly & myself (Curt) will be there with our family music store; Funky Frets with ukulele goodies. Curt will be performing, presenting a Rhythm workshop, and sittin` with the morning Beginning Singalong and providing some solos.
Off to Nutmeg Ukulele Festival, Simsbury, CT USA
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Aloha! The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center is excited to present the 4th annual Nutmeg Ukulele Festival hosted by the Kinetic Ukes!
This all day festival includes 3 workshop sessions, an artist showcase, a silent auction, vendors and lunch!
Kelly & myself (Curt) will be there with our family music store; Funky Frets with ukulele goodies. Curt will be performing, presenting a Rhythm workshop, and sittin` with the morning Beginning Singalong and providing some solos.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions A to Z – Key of F
Published:July 4, 2024
• Updated:July 4, 2024
NEW
Edition, Key of F
New & Updated Edition of A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions A to Z for the Key of F, ANY Tuning, ANY Instrument – Just the basic chords with out suggested chord shapes. • A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions A to Z – Key of F .
Studying the blues chord progressions presented in this book will open a wealth of creative possibilities for exploring chord progressions in all styles of music, not just blues.
This volume covers the keys of F Major and F Minor . Each example includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and its chord substitutions.
This book is FREE for ALL Gold site members.
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z starts with a basic three chord, 12 bar blues and progresses through 26 blues progression in C tuning up to a sophisticated jazz blues with multiple chord substitutions.
If a beginner or intermediate player it is recommended to have gone through the A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z, Key of C books, either the C Tuning or C Tuning editions before tackling additional new keys.
Off to 62nd Philadelphia Folk Festival
Published:1 July 2025
• Updated:8 August 2020
August, 15-17 2025 • It's off to the vending at the 62nd Philadelphia Folk Festival on Old Pool Farm,1323 Salford Station Road, Harleysville, PA 19438 (near Schwenksville). Come out and hang and we can jam.
2 May 2025
Off to Cape Charles, VA (easter Shore) & the ESVA UkeFest
June 13-14th
It's off to the ESVA UkeFest on the Chesapeake Bay in Cape Charles, VA —, featuring local & regional ukulele acts, beach jam, workshops & more! Come play with us, visit local shops & restaurants, and discover—or rediscover!—our beautiful home, the Eastern Shore of Virginia!
ESVA UkeFest was a blast and had a great hooking up with fellow ukers on the Eastern Shore. Hopefully they do it in 2026. Great area to visit with a lot of history on the Eastern Shore of Virginia! Ches
2 May 2025
Off to the Lacaster, PA & the Ukulele Harmonic Convergence
May 18th
It's off to the Ukulele Harmonic Convergence in Lancaster, PA — Join music-loving ukulele players on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Tellus360 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm for an afternoon of music and camaraderie.
Bring an ukulele and music stand or just bring your voice, but be sure to attend! Best of all, admission is free!
Individuals and ukulele clubs of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Past convergences have included ukulele clubs that traveled far and wide from surrounding states to join in the fun.
2 May 2025
Off to the Newton, MA & the New England Ukulele Fest
May 2nd
It's off to the New England Ukulele Fest in Newton, MA — 8+ Ukulele Groups and Victoria Vox will be presenting a workshop and performing. Funky Frets will be their with some ukulele goodies and spend visit and explore the Boston area.
This special event isn’t just about music-it’s about making a difference. All proceeds will support the Ukulele Kids Club (UKC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing music therapy to hospitalized children.
Stop by the New England Ukulele Fest at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Newton, MA and say hello.
Ho`olohe Hou Radio
Ho`olohe Hou Radio — 24 hour-a-day Internet radio station featuring the 100-year history of Hawaiian music and the entertainment industry in Hawai`i.
At the heart of the station is innovation. Bill Wynne didn’t invent radio, and he surely didn’t invent Hawaiian music. But he saw Ho`olohe Hou Radio as an opportunity to put the two together in a manner that has never been attempted before. He calls it Hawaiian Music Edutainment. Instead of spending so much airtime on commercials, a few minutes each hour on Ho`olohe Hou Radio will be dedicated to educational programming which will help the listener understand the historic and cultural importance of the songs and artists they hear on this unique station.
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