December 23, 2009 · 4 Comments
When I got my first ukulele, I was completely clueless. This was in the dark days before the internet had been discovered. I didn’t even realise that the strings weren’t supposed to go thickest to thinnest and restrung it. So, to save you from the social disgrace I experienced, I’ve put together a mini-ebook covering the basics that every first time uke owner needs to know. Here’s what it contains: Five Things to Know. Five Chords to Learn. Five Songs to Play. Five Websites to Visit. Five Things... [Read the full story]
December 12, 2009 · 9 Comments
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Tab) Hello, Bret. A wuzza wuzza. This is 1983 David Bowie. I’m I’m buried up to my neck in sand. Am I freaking you out? (you can’t tell – because it’s written down – but I’m doing a brilliant impression of Adam and Joe’s impression of FotC’s impression of David Bowie in my head). Nick B-C requested a tab of nomipyon’s version of Sakamoto Ryuichi’s theme to Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and it struck me as an excellent idea. It’s... [Read the full story]
December 17, 2009 · 9 Comments
Half Man Half Biscuit – It’s Cliched to be Cynical at Christmas (Chords) My Christmas present to myself is to finally put some Half Man Half Biscuit on the blog. I was going to evangelize about HMHB, but they’re really a band you either love or don’t understand at all. Listen to Joy Division Oven Gloves and Bob Wilson, Anchorman. If you don’t get it, move along. Twiddly Bit Read More →
December 14, 2009 · 5 Comments
There’s some bloody awful music swishing around this time of the year and, inevitably, some of it’s played on the ukulele. But here are four that are well worth your time and money. Christmas with the Ukulele Orchestra Great Britain Everything you’d expect from a UOGB record: excellent musicianship, humour, a traditional English murder ballad rubbing shoulders with 70s glam rock. Interesting fact: Acilius informs us that the Fiducula inter Angelos on the cover means, “Miniature lyres among the angels.” I... [Read the full story]
December 18, 2009 · 3 Comments
This week’s iwanit, iwanit, iwanit is this 8 string tenor uke from Oceana. The Oceana concert looks pretty fine as well. Unis are a new name to me but this ukulele looks a whole lot like a Kumalae. Tiki sculpture ukuleles. Photos: Dreamy ukulele player, Gaucho ukulele. Read More →
October 7, 2009 · 6 Comments
Arranging tunes for the ukulele is obviously a subject close to my heart so when Michael (who you may know as LStrachey and reyalpEleluku on YouTube) asked me to look over the draft of his book Make Your Own Chord Solos I jumped at the chance. It’s now available and it’s an excellent little guide to the process and well worth looking at if you want to start making your own arrangements. I asked Michael a for a few pointers on arranging for ukulele. What is your number one tip for creating ukulele chord solos? Number... [Read the full story]
December 19, 2009 · 2 Comments
The second part of the ukulele Christmas round up (part one is here) includes The Mad Tea Party (NSFW), Uni (again), Tricity Vogue (again), WS64 and more. If your ukulele xmas needs are not sated then check out Armelle’s Christmas ukulele world tour. [Read the full story] Read More →
December 18, 2009 · 16 Comments
This week it’s been very hard to find anything in the ukulele world – the entire internet is a constant stream of that damn kid. Anyhoo, here are a few things that managed to make their way through. MP3’s: Sophie Madeleine has a collection of covers for download (and she’s heading over to New York), The Stingray Sam soundtrack is now available for download, Indie MP3 has tracks from Eliza Newman. Daddy Stovepipe has released a blues ukulele ebook and you can watch the associated lessons here. Acilius... [Read the full story]
December 16, 2009 · 14 Comments
Back when I had an office job I used to spend at least a week before Christmas looking for things to waste my time on. So here’s my contribution to the wellbeing of my wage-enslaved brethren. And, of course, anyone else looking to play along. - Grab a piece of paper - Display your uke knowledge - Check the answers here (no peeking) - Leave your score in the comments along with your dangs/woohoos. Ukuleles at the Movies In which film… 1. … does Steve Martin sing Tonight You Belong to Me? 2. … does... [Read the full story]
Ukulele Strumming: My latest ebook will whip your rhythm into shape and slay your strumming gremlins.
You can find out more and buy it here How to Play Ukulele Strums.
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (Tab) Hello, Bret. A wuzza wuzza. This is 1983 David Bowie. I’m I’m buried up to my neck in sand. Am I freaking you out? (you can’t... [Read more]
Half Man Half Biscuit – It’s Cliched to be Cynical at Christmas (Chords) My Christmas present to myself is to finally put some Half Man Half Biscuit on the blog.... [Read more]