The chords for this one are pretty straight forward, but it’s worth switching it up a bit with these inversions.
Suggested Strumming
You can mimic the guitar by strumming down on the 2 and 4 beats. Or mimic the piano by strumming down on each beat. But I think this is the best way to go for a solo uke:
I also threw a few questions in Amber Nash’s face:
What can we expect from the new album? How’s this album different from the EP?
I think the biggest difference that you’ll notice is the quality of the recording. We recorded our EP at home, using some cheap mics and a Mac. For “Ferris Wheel,” we’ve spent most of our time recording at a professional studio, with some “fun” tracks recorded at our home, using more sophisticated microphones and software. Musically, I feel that we’re kind of growing up, I guess. There’s a lot more heart and soul in the new songs. We’re taking more risks, using more instruments, and just making the music that we want to make. Playing out a lot and building a fan base has given us the confidence to really create our own sound.
Why did you decided to fund the album via Kickstarter? Would you recommend that route to other musicians?
We decided to use Kickstarter because we felt that we had enough of a fan base that would be willing to put the money up-front. We really played out the songs on our EP and it got to a point where, almost every show, we would have several folks ask us when we were coming out with new material. Our fans are loyal and wonderful!
I would recommend Kickstarter if you have a good fan base established, and especially if that fan base is internet/web-savvy. It’s not just about having a group of folks that are willing to support you, but it’s about having folks who know you and trust you enough that you’re going to give them a wonderful product.
How did that influence the way you made the record?
We raised more than we had initially asked for, so we were able to spend more time in the studio recording and mixing. That translated into fun, extra instruments like piano, some wonderful percussion parts, and things like that. Our fans and Kickstarter backers are the reason we have been able to really put our thumbprint on this album. We’re so proud of it, and we still can’t believe that so many people have that kind of faith in us.
You got your students involved in the recording, how did that work out?
It was great! I was a little worried that they wouldn’t take it seriously, but they were absolutely amazing. Very professional! I’ve been a teacher for six years, so knowing the child psychology aspect of the endeavor really helped. Jordan and I showed them everything beforehand so there were no surprises…they saw the microphones, the equipment, we talked about breathing, we practiced hand signals so they would know when to stop…we even had a system of how to get a hold of me if we were in the middle of recording. The kids were really incredible, and I can’t wait for them to hear the track.
What can we expect from you in the future?
We’ve been laying pretty low, trying to get the album finished and to our liking. Once it’s released, you can expect more of a presence from us, both in the physical and “cyber” sense, I guess. There will be a focus on getting our live act together, and there’s a good chance, actually, that our duo will grow pretty quickly. We’re talking with an upright bass player and drummer. So, yeah. Things will get interesting:)
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Givers’ new album. Two videos from them including the final song from their NPR Tiny Desk Concert. Also up: Arborea, Paula Fuga, The Gregory Brothers (aka Schmoyoho/Auto-Tune the News/Songify This) at Vidcon and more.
Podcasts: Jessica ‘Miss Jess‘ Graves spanks the dirty blues on the Bedpost Confessional (not suitable for minors – and anyone who can’t handle awesome-overload). Kate Micucci discuss her life, career and how her acting teacher told her to never play ukulele in public on Riki Lindhome’s podcast. In the Studio talk ukuleles with, Corktown Ukulele Jam founder, David Newland and Melanie Doane (thanks to L.bo Marie).
So much good stuff this week. I had to cut out some stuff I really like. Including the new Amanda Palmer video. Those that did make it include some summery, laid-back tunes from Leftover Cuties, Lemoskine and Nicholas Abersold along with Pops Bayless, Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer and plenty more.
The ukulele often gets lumbered with the ‘novelty instrument’ tag. Obviously unfair. But there are some ukuleles that are asking for it.
There have been quite a few trends in ukuleles of dubious usefulness (cutaways, slotted headstocks, oddly-placed soundholes), but these five stick in my mind.
Feel free to leave your nominations in the comments. (By the by, anyone who thinks me calling these ridiculous means I don’t want them obviously doesn’t know me very well.)
1. Ukuleles Goldilocks Wouldn’t Play
Once upon a time there were only soprano ukuleles – not too big, not too small, just right. Then came concerts, tenors and baritones. Then in-betweeny sizes like super-soprano. Now the trend seems to be towards smaller ukuleles. With Kala’s pocket uke and now the even smaller Tangi (with Will Grove White and Ian Emmerson having a decent stab of getting a tune from it).
Tangi are also taking things in the other direction with this 6 foot 5 ukulele (that’s a Coke can in the picture for scale).
2. Ukuleles Shaped Like Weird Crap
Some of the less imaginative companies may have made ukuleles shaped like Flying Vs or Warhammer battles axes. But Celentano Woodworks really set things going with Pac-man, cupcake and rock-em, sock-em robot ukuleles.
A ukulele entirely entirely coated in copper? Sure, why not? (Thanks to Phredd.)
5. Tailpieces
Tailpieces are those bits that hold the strings to the body in high-tension instruments like banjo and mandolins. So I’m not too sure why they crop up on ukuleles like this Collings UT and this thing (other than looking pretty cool).
Photos
On the more traditional ‘Window Shopping’ post front, some photos: Girls with Ukulele, railroad boy and girl, six sailors.
From the comments: In the Ellie Goulding post, Christine said something I should probably paste into every tab I do:
Everyone just calm down, feel the song, and it’ll sound great, it really doesn’t matter if it’s exactly the same as the vid, nobody’s going to test you :)
With the new Winnie the Pooh film coming out featuring some Zooey Deschanel uke-work, I thought I’d tab up my favourite Winnie the Pooh song: Little Black Rain Cloud by Robert & Richard Sherman.
The biggest challenge in this one is all the moving up and down the neck. It takes a bit of practice to get it all accurate.
