The Live Ukulele Podcast

Recap of 2024 and the challenges, successes, and plans for the future. - Ways to support: https://liveukulele.com/support/ - Easy songs database: https://liveukulele.com/songs/easy-ukulele-songs/ - Workshop replays: https://liveukulele.com/store/#replays - Get a Zoom lesson with me: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-lessons/ Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won&apos...

This episode breaks down the meaning and arrangement of my new single, "Eat You." Hear the isolated multitracks and the story behind the humorous message. SHARE on FB: "Eat You" music video: https://www.facebook.com/61556463131359/videos/374799105684672 - NEW Soloing Masterclass: https://liveukulele.com/store/soloing-masterclass/ - Become a supporting member: https://liveukulel...

In this episode, Brad is joined in the studio by the members of his band, Kingside: https://kingside808.com/ . They talk about the process of creating interesting arrangements, playing as a unit, being selfless as a musician, and much more. A great listen for ukulele players who play or would like to play in a group. - Alan Ku: bass @alankuaudio - Brad Bordesa: ukulele @bradbordessa - Nick Rohfeld...

Several opportunities this month to learn improvising and soloing: - Zoom workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/9-28-24-workshop/ Keep an eye our for my soloing masterclass at the end of the month! Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/ Support the podcast: Bec...

A conversation with ukulele grandmaster, Uncle Kimo Hussey. We talk about his breaking into the scene as a fresh Air Force retiree, his approach to teaching, how he arranges, and much more. - Solo arranging workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/8-24-24-workshop/ - Sign up for my newsletter: https://liveukulele.com/signup/ - Uncle Kimo's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KimoHusseyUkulele...

How to transition into the role of bass/U-bass player for simple ensemble playing. In this episode I provide some basic tips and thoughts on how to hold down a solid low end, find a responsible pocket, and be an asset to the band. Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/sign...

A conversation with Hawaiʻi's own Bryan Tolentino on being a hired gun and all the skills and musical sensibilities that are required for the job. Bryan has played and recorded with many top Hawaiian musicians, including: Raiatea Helm, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta, Jr., Aunty Genoa Keawe, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Hōkū Zuttermeister, Marlene Sai, Melveen Leed, Jerry Santos, Nathan...

In this episode I muse on how social media has changed learning ukulele and how to get the most out of using TABs! - Kingside: https://www.kingside808.com/ - The Music Lesson book by Victor Wooten: https://www.vixmerch.com/collections/vix-education/products/the-music-lesson-paperback-book?variant=31786157899837 Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get upda...

In this episode I talk to Maui's own Kevin Brown. A slack key guitarist and vocalist, Uncle Kevin has been weaving Hawaiian sounds since the early 70s with his band, The Waiʻehu Sons. Now primarily a solo artist, we chatted about his start in music, gigging and recording in the 70s, and how to sound Hawaiian. - Uke Logic strings: https://theukulelesite.com/accessories/strings/ukelogic-strings...

Some last minute talk story as I head to Maui for Uncle George's ukulele workshop. Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/ Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a...

In this episode I discuss and demonstrate the power of playing the same song in different styles. This trick can help you find inspiration and an interpretation of a stale song that can be more authentic to what you want to hear! - Register for Faster, Smoother Chord Changes ZOOM workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/5-25-24-workshop/ - Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/regi...

Can you get by with piece of a song or do you really need the whole thing? - Moveable chord shapes workshop replay: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27-24-workshop/ - 5/25/24 Zoom workshop on making smoother, easier, buzz-free chord changes: https://liveukulele.com/register/5-25-24-workshop/ Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons...

Sharing some stories and thoughts on receiving critique and the power of being open. Register for my Basic Moveable Chord Shapes workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27-24-workshop/ - Institute of Hawaiian Music: https://www.maui.hawaii.edu/ihm/program - George Kahumoku, Jr. Slack Key & ʻUkulele Workshop: https://kahumoku.com/workshops/ Support the show Join my newsletter! It's fr...

Sammy Turton is a Denmark-based British ukulele player. He teaches out of a studio in Copenhagen and is a top-notch social media era virtuoso who would often rather create soundscapes than shred. In this conversation we covered teaching, Brexit, performing solo ukulele for the first time, and his search for the perfect (felt) thumbpick. Find Sammy on: https://www.4stringboy.com/ and across the soc...

In this episode I talk about how to improve your timing, how it's not as hard as people think, and give some examples of what to practice. 🔥 Sign up for my Understanding the Fretboard Zoom Workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/3-23-24-workshop/ - Hawaiian Songs For Ukulele course ("Ua Noho Au A Kupa"): https://liveukulele.com/store/hawaiian-songs/ - "Zap" by Eric Joh...

Some of the very best artists in Hawaiʻi are unknown outside of 50 miles. So is the case with my friend, Hualalai. In this episode we talk about all music being "Hawaiian" if you have Hawaiian blood, the importance of music/ukulele in day-to-day life, and our role in the TMT protest of 2015. Live Ukulele Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556463131359 Register for Z...

Some thoughts on how to vary your song approach and arrangement to create dynamics, emotion, and interest. Don't work super hard on learning to pick every syllable, instead use broad strokes within your playing and get more results for your efforts! - New forum area: https://community.liveukulele.com/session/sso?return_path=https://community.liveukulele.com/ - Ukulele Chord Shapes print book:...

Hawaiʻi's premiere ukulele power duo tell all! From integrating into the Hawaiian uke scene to fundraising for Maui to the DIY ukulele artist experience. - Craigh and Sarah's website: https://www.craigandsarah.com/ - Four Strings at a Time: https://fourstringsatatime.org/ - Music & Meals for Maui Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHFq-CE2JI - Kākoʻo Maui Fund: https://www....

How to adapt material for any stage of your learning and use it for more purposes. - Ukulele Chord Shapes print version: https://liveukulele.com/store/ukulele-chord-shapes/print/ - The Ukulele Way: https://www.uketropolis.com/theukuleleway - "Kawika" by The Sunday Manoa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obd87eTV1CA - The Groove Workshop by Victor Wooten (now available as a digital stream)...

Amongst the greatest virtuoso ukulele players from Hawaiʻi is Hilo's own, Brittni Paiva. We talk about crazy practice hours, the new-age uke scene, music production, hearing your own songs on the stereo, and new original music. Episode resources: - Brittni's website: https://brittnipaiva.com/ - Brittni's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrittnipaiva/ - Brittni's Facebook...

Check out the new songbook here: https://liveukulele.com/store/single-string-songbook/ Support the show Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/ Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a...

A look ahead to upcoming projects, general talk story debrief, a song, and closing thoughts. - ʻUkulele Chord Shapes print edition: https://liveukulele.com/store/ukulele-chord-shapes/print/ - One-on-one uke lessons with Brad: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-lessons/ - A Legacy of Hawaiian Song & String by Raiatea Helm: https://www.kcpstrings.com/a-legacy-of-hawaiian-song-string - Maui...

A conversation with Grammy-winning compilation contributor, Keoki Kahumoku, about the school of hard knocks, teaching, and bringing joy to folks with Hawaiian music. Keoki is the founder of the Center For Hawaiian Music Studies and perpetuated the teaching of Hawaiian music for many years at the Kahumoku ʻOhana Music & Lifestyle Workshop. He's a farmer, pig hunter, teacher, and musician w...

Tone is one of the most overlooked aspects of playing ukulele. Good tone makes everything you play sound amazing. Bad tone, well...  In this episode I share about how to improve your ukulele sound with some actionable tips. Finger placement, angles, dangles, and more! !!! This episode is brought to you by my Groove Ukulele ebook - a complete guide to strumming in time and creating your own strummi...

In this episode I explore the importance and characteristics of playing with good tone, how to get good tone, who has good tone, how it's different from timbre, and other thoughts. Resources: - Groove Ukulele: https://liveukulele.com/store/groove-ukulele/ - Kingside (my rock band): https://kingside808.com/ - Maui Ola benefit concert replay on Kahilu.tv: https://www.kahilu.tv/featured-category...