Uketropolis: Ukulele Q&A with James Hill

Lorna MacPhee's 1980 article on canons: https://ukuleleintheclassroom.com/ukuleleyes/canons-as-reading-weaponry

Why are minor keys so confusing? Why are there multiple minor scales? Why can't life just be simple?

Strumming will never make sense until you stop trying to make sense of it. In this episode, James leads you in a strumming meditation to help you master the fundamentals of rhythm in the most relaxing possible way. Headphones highly recommended!

Follow the full discussion about the chord 2-0-2-2 in the Uketropolis Community: https://app.kajabi.com/admin/sites/61347/comments (note: you must be member of Uketropolis.com to access the community page). Ready for more jazz ukulele? Take a free video lesson with me: Ukulele Jazz for Beginners (6 mins).

Go to www.uketropolis.com/bach for free scores and audio. Piano performance of Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 846 by Pater Bradley-Fulgoni is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 .

Links to music featured in this episode: James & Barry Hill: The Brookfield Sessions James Hill: The Old Silo Click here to learn more about Baritone Ukulele Jazz and take a free lesson!

Vibrato is that "elusive wobble" that makes the ukulele sing! In this episode we explore what vibrato is, why we like it, and how to practice it efficiently.

When we listen to music we're simultaneously in the past, the present and the future, re-evaluating what we've heard and anticipating what we're going to hear next.

A question about modulating between keys leads to a deeper exploration of the space between worlds and why, in the end, there are no rules.

This episode gets a little technical! To view the handouts for this episode (highly recommended), go to: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vtjwo9kzymyjkkn/Uketropolis-S2-E7-The-Infinity-Scale.pdf?dl=0

Get the sheet music, audio and backing track for James' composition Goodnight Moon: www.uketropolis.com/goodnightmoon .

Simple ways to spice up common chords. Because variety is the spice of life and music is the food of love and love makes the world go 'round.

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF showing the most essential notes on the ukulele fretboard: https://www.dropbox.com/s/omk2y7we61wrzzm/The-Ukulele-Way-Beginner-Chords-and-Notes-C6.pdf?dl=0

What is gesture? How can gesture be used to open new doors to music-making? In this episode, James explores the concept of musical gesture and shows you how to create unusual "sound sculptures" in your lessons and personal practice.

What do the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dire Straits and a traditional Bulgarian folk song have in common? And what does that have to do with my fear of whales? This week we explore the haunting, evocative world of two-note chords called "diads."

Uketropolis student Andrea asks the question: is it possible to harmonize the Blues scale? To find out, James demonstrates what a harmonized scale is, what a Blues scale is, and one possible answer to the question. Free play-along handout available in the Uketropolis Community . If you're not already a member, sign up for a course and join the fun at www.uketropolis.com/register ! Download the fre...

Here's some of what I've been up to in the break between Seasons 1 and 2:  Happy Birthday to Uke 1879 Apparel Want to hear your question on the podcast? All of the questions on the podcast are real student questions from Uketropolis.com. So if you'd like to hear me answer your question, go to uketropolis.com, take a course and ask questions along the way! We have a library of unique online ukulele...

In this special final episode of Season 1, I interview my Mom. We share a few laughs as we talk about my childhood, her own musical journey, raising musical children and much more. I hope you enjoy the interview and I'll see you in a few weeks for the start of Season 2!

James answers student questions about classical ukulele: 1) Vivaldi's monster chord, 2) the thrill of the trill, 3) to mute or not to mute?

A special whirlwind tour of the planet to celebrate Earth Day! From Chile, it's "El Tortillero," from Italy, "Santa Lucia" and from Hawaii, "Hone A Ka Wai." James explores three of the most well-loved pieces from The Ukulele Way.

Lightning round: one question from every course on Uketropolis.com! 1) How do I print the sheet music? 2) What do the words "tonic" and "dominant" mean? 3) How do you play two notes at the same time if they're on the same string? 4) Any tips for changing from F7 to Bb7? 5) Any suggestions for amp settings (low, mid, high)?

In this episode: TRY THIS! Five super-simple strategies for teaching ukulele. Even if you're not a teacher. 1) Start with C7. 2) Gulp. 3) Memory. 4) Word swap. 5) The power of percussion.

Extreme ukulele. 1) How to record your sound (mic vs. pickup). 2) How to protect your ukulele. 3) Why you should master the "monostrum." Buckle up!

Why is it so hard to sing and strum at the same time? What's the best way to practise this musical juggling act? The answer: Strumble!, a board game that makes practice fun. Download Strumble! for free at https://www.uketropolis.com/strumble

Catherine Goykhman shares her thoughts on blending mindfulness with music education. Resources: Catherine's website (https://www.catplaysukulele.com), Daniel Ward's "Arpeggio Meditations" (https://danielward.net/book-store), Choan Gálvez’s "50 Miniature Studies for Ukulele" (https://www.choan.es/en/).