June 2026 Challenge – Sunjamr Steve

[sunjamr]

Hi AM community! I am in the middle of my semi-annual cancer immunotherapy at the moment. It’s not too painful most of the time, but for the 3-week treatment period it kind of dampens my enthusiasm to think about music. I’ve got two more weeks to go, then I’m good for another 6 months. I wasn’t going to submit anything this time, but after listening to what you guys have come up with, I was suddenly kind of inspired and motivated to do something. In the evenings during my treatment periods, I often sit around in a comfy chair with my baritone uke and just noodle away at whatever comes into my head. It’s usually simple stuff like this:

But mainly I just watch Netflix.

Sunjamr Steve

[Dieter]

Hi Steve, it’s not just a cliché when people say that health is the most important thing.

But once you reach a certain age, aches, pains, and illnesses are simply part of the natural course of life. I can really relate to that from my own experience—I’m no different. (These days, I feel like I’m mostly made up of replacement parts.)

But music helps take your mind off a lot of things and creates a positive mood. Your post about the ukulele—which is often unfairly neglected—is very interesting and shows how much you enjoy the instrument.

I wish you a speedy recovery and “Halte die Ohren steif.” (Keep your chin up)

Dieter

[Mark T]

Loved the explanation of your music “building process”, Steve – I thought it had a great reggae feel to it, at the start at least, and I loved it 👏👏

Massive kudos to you for performing this during your round of immunotherapy 👍👍 – I know it can really wipe you out! I wish you all the very best with your cancer treatment – I know that, for me, it made a huge difference changing my mindset from “Dying from Cancer” to “Living with Cancer” – Mark 👍🎶😎

[John H]

Steve,
That Uke is a nice sounding instrument. I like what you came up with. Tres melodic, soulful and catchy. Wishing you all the best with your treatments and health. I’m glad you felt inspired enough to submit this. BE WELL.

John

[Michael Krailo]

I tried uke and could not get on with it, so I returned mine. But that baritone uke definitely sounds a lot better than the one I had. I hope you get over that treatment hump and not have to worry so much. I cannot imagine what your going through.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[JoeD1]

Take care of yourself and get better Steve. Loved your explanation of this and it sounded good too!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[wannaplayblues]

What fantastic ideas – and the segments you played were AWESOME!!!

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[Alan L]

Awesome micro lesson! Thanks for sharing. Baritone sounds great, and I love that groove and melody addition too. Well wishes on your treatment!

[Tremelow]

Hey Steve, thanks for the short lesson. You’ re sure that you aren’t a Uke salesman?? The Uke sounds really nice and makes me want to have one. Good luck and my best wishes for your treatment.

[James B]

Hey Steve,
The baritone uke sounds great and looks like fun to play. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

James

[Mike W]

Really interesting submission, Steve. Good to see through your thought/composition process, which is quite illuminating.
You wear your musicianship very lightly – ‘just a thought’ indeed. More an in depth lesson.

[JoLa]

Oh, I’m so glad you joined the challenge, ‘cos I loved that presentation!!! Yes, the baritone uke sounds so good and now I want one, too. I can totally understand why you like to play it so much. Such a simple concept but I loved the way you presented it by showing just the chord rhythm first, then just the melody, and when you play them together, I was like, “wow!” it sounded so good. Too bad you have to go through the chemo again, wish you full recovery soon.

🎸JoLa

[AndréM]

Nice Steve.
Awesome reggae vibe.
I bought a uke but didn’t get to it yet.
Wishing you all the best with your treatments.

AndréM

AndréM

[Martin W]

Love the simplicity of this and the way you presented it , those two chords just came alive with the embellishments and melody ,you did a lot with a little .
The uke looks a fun instrument to play especially as the tuning is the same as the guitar
All the best for your ongoing treatment.

Martin

[Manfred M]

I’m so glad you got yourself together and made this video, Steve. Now I really have to go buy a ukulele and give it a try. There’s nothing like the right motivation. All the best for your treatment!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on July 25, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Bill]

Love how you broke down the video and presented your thoughts behind the jam. That baritone uke does look like a great couch guitar.
Hope your therapy is going well. Stay healthy!

[Author]

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