2nd and 4th Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Set your mapping app for 23 N. Main St., Cohasset. The sign out front says “Unitarian Universalist Parish House / Carriage House Nursery School.” Plenty of public parking around Cohasset Common, and in the big lot behind Town Hall.
Who should come: People who play ʻukulele, from beginners to Jake Shimabukuro (seriously, we’d love to have Jake stop by). People who play ʻukulele-friendly instruments like guitars, light percussion (e.g. cajone), etc. People who just want to sing or listen.
How it works: When your turn comes, you can lead a song, request someone else lead a song of your choice, or pass. We have binders of song sheets with ʻukulele chord diagrams for each song. We also have copies of the Rise Up Singing songbook. If you want to lead a song that’s not in our binder or in Rise Up Singing, please bring song sheets to share.
What it’s like: It’s a relaxed supportive group of people playing at all different levels. We’re here to make music together and have fun.
So it’s in the spirit of a kanikapila, or a Hawaiʻian jam session. Jeff Peterson, a ʻukulele player who grew up on Maui, describes kanikapila like this:
“Each session is a great way to learn new things and follow those willing to share.... Help new members of a group if you are more experienced.... If you don’t know the song, just listen and see what you can learn before playing.... Listen carefully to those around you and learn to complement the songs played.... Less is more and good rhythm is essential.... Have Fun! Kanikapila is all about sharing and enjoying music together.”
COVID precautions: You’re always welcome to wear a mask at any session to help protect yourself. We’re singing indoors, so please follow CDC Respiratory Virus Guidelines and stay home whenever you’re ill.
This list is current as of September, 2024.
The following easier songs are marked in the list: 2 chord songs; 3 chord songs; 4 chord songs in C using C, Am, F, and G.
All God’s Critters (3 chords: D, A7, G)
Apple Maggot Quarantine Area (2 chords: F, C7)
Aragon Mill (4 chords: C, F, Am, G)
Autumn Leaves
Big Yellow Taxi
Blue Boat Home
Branching Out (3 chords: C, F, G)
Circle Game
Country Life (3 chords: A, D, E7)
Country Roads
De Colores
Down by the Bay (3 chords: F, C7, Bb)
Down in the Valley To Pray
Drop of Nelson’s Blood (2 chords: Am, G)
Drunken Sailor (2 chords: Am, G)
E Huli Makou (3 chords: F, C7, G7)
Eleanor Rigby (2 chords: Am, F)
Flaming Ukulele in the Sky
Garbage
Garden Song
Garlic Mustard Round (2 chords: F, C)
Goodnight-Loving Trail (3 chords: D, G, A)
Greenland Fisheries
Gulf Coast Highway (4 chords: C, Am, F, G)
Home on the Range
How Luckless the Fortune
How Much Is That Doggy (2 chords: C, G7 or A, E7)
Hula Oni Oni E (2 chords: F, C7 ... plus a G7 in the intro)
Hush Little Baby (2 chords: C, G)
I Love the Mountains
I’ll Fly Away (3 chords: D, G, A7)
Island of Love (Honoka Katayama)
Jamaica Farewell (3 chords: C, F, G)
Julian of Norwich
Little Bird (2 chords: A, E7)
Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
My Favorite Things
My Little Grass Shack
Night and Day
Nonesuch (2 chords: Dm, C)
Old Joe Clark (2 chords: D, C or G, F)
Oops I Did It Again
Paperback Writer (2 chords: C7, F)
Photograph (4 chords: C, Am, F, G)
Princess Poopooly
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
Red-tailed Hawk (2 chords: Am, G)
Red-winged Blackbird (C, Am, F, G)
Road Is Calling
Self Made Man (Hartford and Baiman)
Shall We Gather at the River
Sloop John B (3 chords: C, F, G)
Swimming to the Other Side
Swing Low Sweet Chariot (C, Am, F, G)
This Land Is Your Land (3 chords: D, G, A7)
Throw It Out the Window (2 chords: D, A ... with a G that can be skipped)
Tis a Gift To Be Simple (2 chords: F, C)
Ua Like No A Like (3 chords: C, F, G)
When I First Came to This Land (3 chords: C, F, G)
Will the Circle Be Unbroken (3 chords: D, G, A7)
