Michael Jackson: UkeTube

16 Comments

1. Ted August 13th, 2011 2:25 pm
   

   My Brightest Diamond takes the cake for me this week, though Tim Hatcher is quite amusing and Blindingham is just brilliant. I’m quite envious of the classical folks like Wilfried Welti with their quick little fingers. Over all a good week!

2. Anya August 13th, 2011 3:53 pm
   

   wonderful stuff!

3. sanford(andsong) August 13th, 2011 7:22 pm
   

   I’m extremely envious of players like Wilfried not only for their technique, but for the muscle memory that has got to be required for classical repertoire. (If he’s reading sheet music, then I’m even further boggled.)

4. Tally August 14th, 2011 12:37 am
   

   Great selection this week. I’m going crazy trying to figure out how she’s muting the strings in the Single Ladies cover. Muting strings is not something I can do. No matter how many things I read about how to do it, I can’t get it. (I’m also not even sure if that’s the right term.)

   Any tips, anyone?

   The only time I can even remotely get it right is if the chord I’m playing requires frets on all four strings.

5. Tim August 14th, 2011 6:37 am
   

   Many thanks for including me this week, Al! You always have an eclectic collection of videos and it’s a kick to be among them.

   Tally, regarding your question about muting, I would say to think of the muting as an additional action that you layer in between the strums when it’s needed. I mute by using the heel of the right palm and let it rest against the strings for a fraction of a second. You may need to pivot the hand slightly at the wrist so that the heel juts down to contact the strings while the fingers lift away from the strings as they are moving into place for the next strum. I’d suggest you master it on a slow song first.

6. Woodshed August 14th, 2011 8:37 am
   

   Ted and sanford: I’m jealous too! I just don’t have the patience to practice enough to get that smooth.

   Anya: Glad you liked.

   Tally: Tim’s answer is really good. It looks like she’s bringing her right-hand palm down onto the strings to mute them. I’ll have to write a full post about this.

   Tim: It’s a pleasure to feature you.

7. Rebekah August 14th, 2011 10:58 am
   

   I love that Blindingham song, genius. If only the rioters preferred cake to over priced trainers.

8. Alf August 14th, 2011 12:29 pm
   

   Unless of course, they just carried on rioting, and started looting cake. Hmm, perhaps I didn’t think this through…

   Many thanks for complimentary remarks, and indeed to Al for bunging me up here. A pleasure to be in such august company!

   (Blindingham)

9. Rebekah August 14th, 2011 4:45 pm
   

   You’re very welcome, sir! Love the rest of your videos too, very funny.

10. Woodshed August 15th, 2011 2:41 pm
    

    Rebekah: At least when they were stealing trainers they were mainly stealing from big companies.

    Alf: Thanks very much for your contribution. Excellent as always.

11. Foinnse August 19th, 2011 12:10 pm
    

    Brightest diamond for me.
    Also, does Cateyshaww sound a little like “Scampi” or is it just me? Interesting cover all the same!
    -Cheers -F

12. Woodshed August 20th, 2011 7:01 am
    

    Foinnse: I think her voice is a bit stronger than Scampi. You could hardly hear Scampi over the ukulele.

13. Aimee August 20th, 2011 3:03 pm
    

    CAKE! :)

14. Aimee August 20th, 2011 3:11 pm
    

    I really like Tim Hatcher and My Brightest Diamond. Love love love.

15. Woodshed August 21st, 2011 9:11 am
    

    Aimee: The cake is a lie.

16. Kayla September 3rd, 2011 12:51 am
    

    Can someone please step up and do me and the other 75% of the internet community a favour and figure out the chords for Gentlest Gentleman? haha

    THANK YOU! I am dying to play this song!