Elliott Brood’s Tin Type EP has to be one of my favourite EPs of all time. So it’s very gratifying to see them picking up ukuleles for this song. Not that using ukuleles has changed their style. It’s all footstomping, drones and field hollers.
First things first, they’re tuned down a semitone to F#BD#G#.
Although it’s mostly chords, I’ve chosen to tab it rather than write up the chord sheet. The chord changes come in fast in some parts and they have names like Fsus4add9. Making fitting it with the lyrics very tricky. But I have included chord diagrams with the tab, so you should be able to work it out if you’re not tab-literate.
I spent a very pleasurable Saturday at the London Uke Festival and I’m now a world record holder.
The centrepiece of the day was an attempt to break the world record for largest ukulele ensemble. And it was a success. More than doubling the previous record with a total of 851. If you don’t believe it, here’s a tweet from the editor of the Guinness Book of Records confirming it. And if you don’t believe I was there, look at this picture (both photos on here are by matthewpurves). There I am. Plain as day.
Rather than bore you with the who-snogged-who tittle-tattle, I thought I’d let you in on what I found out from the day.
1. Ukers are good people.
The definite highlight of the festival for me was meeting up with so many fellow ukulelists: YouTubers, emailers, commentors, readers. It was a joy to meet you all. And a big thanks to everyone who came up and said nice things to me. I never know what to say to stuff like that – I don’t get much practice – but I really appreciate it.
2. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are adored.
No surprises that the UOGB drew the biggest crowd of the day. And the reception they got was incredible.
They’ve obviously been a huge influence on the current revival of ukulele in the UK: big groups, covers, humour, inventiveness, eccentricity. There’s not much arguing with their star status (which will no doubt only increase with their performance at The Proms).
3. Being the soundman in a venue that wasn’t designed for it must be a nightmare task.
The only disappointment of the day* was the sound quality of the main stage. The festival took place in Devonshire Square – which is actually two connected courtyards. The first – which housed the main stage – is very enclosed with six-storey high buildings on all sides and a roof on top. It wasn’t built with ukulele gigs in mind. And the sound was terrible. Echos flying all over the place. Krabbers did a full reccy of the area looking for a spot where the sound was acceptable – he didn’t find it. You can get a good idea what the sound was like from this video.
Early acts like the Bobby McGee’s and The Re-Entrants were impossible to hear. A huge shame. It also made it impossible for most people to follow what was going on during the world record attempt.
The sound did improve later on, but it was still a long way from doing the performers justice.
The second performance area – used for the amatuer acts – was much more open, ukulele-friendly and had a nice, laidback vibe (and overpriced food – but you have to expect some gouging at these events).
This video does a very good job of summing up the feel of being at the event, the two areas and the feeling of seeing people you know but haven’t met yet (including me if you’re exceptionally eagle-eyed).
*Okay, there was one other disappointment: the non-presence of a few acts I would have had down as essential such as GUGUG and The Half Sisters.
4. The world needs to watch out for the Sugarsnap Sisters.
The Uke Festival was the great unveiling of the trio of Tricity Vogue, Cousin Alice and Honey Mink (who does a very funny mock-impressed face). And what an unveiling it was. They’re like the Andrews Sisters with lipstick and Suzi Quattro poses. Not to be missed.
My brother compelled me to tell you that they were his favourite act of the day. And I have to agree with him. Your next chance to catch them is at the Paris Uke Fest.
5. Ian Re-entrant does a bang-on impression of Jimmy McGee
I hope he’s going to be putting it up on YouTube soon.
The Re-Entrants had to dash off to play at a water polo tournament. I should make clear, they were playing ukes there.
6. Trying to chat normally to a Scotsman in full face paint isn’t as disconcerting as you would expect.
I finally got to meet Jimmy of the Bobby McGee’s at the Uke Fest. He wanted me to show him how to play Rockabilly Roustabout which was a bad move as I never bother memorizing my own tunes – seems a waste of brain space.
I got to try out his KoAloha. Very nicely put together piece of kit. But reminded me why I prefer tenors with slightly higher action.
7. The ukulele manufacturers missed a trick.
The only presence from uke sellers was Duke of Uke (which was only a short walk from the venue) and Pete Howlett. With most of England’s ukulele movers and shakers in attendance checking out each other’s ukes, it seems like a missed opportunity for them to have done a handy bit of influencing. Having said that…
8. Ohana did a smart thing hiring Ken Middleton
Although he wasn’t there is in official capacity, Ken was there. He knows his stuff and he’s rightfully respected in the ukulele community
9. It brings joy to my heart to walk around and hear ukes being strummed.
Not seasoned performers pulling out the tricks. Just people plunking away mindlessly. Lovely sound.
10. I love walking around London. I’d hate to live there.
We took a few breaks from the festival to wander round the city – including a trip to Duke of Uke – and it was great. The architecture in particular. Old, forceful, square-sholdered buildings next to towering glass – there’s no getting around it – phalluses. It’s a pretty obvious sign of the way London big-wigs see themselves having changed over time.
Trite as it may be, it’s always strange to turn a corner and go from wide boulavards and pristine buildings where fortunes are made and – mainly – lost to stinking streets full of run-down shops.
The most magnificent sight of the day was watching a huge pane of glass being accidently dropped to the floor in Shoreditch. Glorious.
But, being a sensitive flower, it’s all a bit much and I was happy to return to my lair and resume attempts to Keyser Soze myself.
Things I already knew:
– I can’t reliably play three chords in the right order. There’s a reason that all my videos are about 1 minute long; it’s because that’s my concentration span. After that my mind wanders onto thoughts of aeroplanes, hats and that cute girl in the sailor suit.
– If I attempt to carry a ukulele through a train station it will be bashed against door frames, pillars and the heads of small children.
I’m slightly concerned this one is going to anger the Indie Gods. Particularly since she’s played it with Jason Mraz a few times. But I’ve had a bunch of requests for it and I took a lot less convincing than I did with the song that won’t be named (henceforth to be known as ‘the Scottish song’).
The chords are pretty simple and ideal for beginners. She does use the less common variations of F and Am (with the A string at the third fret). But if you find that tricky, use the ones you’re familiar with.
Suggested Strumming
Here’s the strumming pattern she uses:
d – d u – u d u
Play it twice for each chord in the verses and once for each chord in the chorus. An exception is in the, “You and I/You and I” where you do d – d u once each for the F and G chords.
If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Peggy Sue (formerly Peggy Sue and the Pirates). Their song Lover Gone is currently my favourite ukulele song of the year and it’ll take some beating. So I was very excited when Katy Klaw agreed to answer a few questions.
You’ve only started using ukuleles in your music recently. How did you get into them and what appeals to you about them?
My dad bought me a ukulele as a present and we started playing it in the same way we play guitar which is not really knowing how but with great enthusiasm.
When’s your album coming out and what can we expect from it?
Either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Its got quite a lot of ukulele on it actually. We’ve somehow managed to make the ukulele sound quite sad which I think is no mean feat. You can expect 12 new songs – we’re playing a couple of them live but most of them are brand new – lots of interesting drum beats, vocal harmonies, some acoustic guitars, some electric guitars, a bit of mandoln, a little brass and strings here and there. Its not finished yet but we’re pretty excited about the way its coming along. I think its going to be a goodun.
Are you still using Charlot Webster’s ukulele? Have you got your eye on a replacement? Do you have a name ready for it?
We are indeed still using Charlot’s ukulele which she was kind enough to loan to us for our tour and we took it to New York with us for recording so thats whats going to be on the album which is nice. We haven’t had a chance to buy ourselves one yet – it’s quite a commitment – and no we never name instruments until we’ve met them.
Which three songs does everyone need to hear?
Got me a woman – Levon Helme
While you were sleeping – Elvis Perkins
Single Ladies – Beyonce
What happened to the Pirates?
They said the ukulele was not really instruments so we threw them out
Another adorable ukulele ditty from Kate Micucci’s appearance in Scrubs. The chords for this one are dead easy. The only trouble is that she’s playing in D-tuning. So you’ll have to tune up or face the dreaded E chord.
Suggested Strumming
Also dead easy, go with Strum #1 from the book: all down strums
As I’m currently bopping my ass at the London Ukulele Festival, it’s bit shorter than usual this week. But it does include Katian and Kevin Witchger (whose Five Second Dance Party and Five Second Fight Party you should also check out), Ken Middleton and, huzzah someone singing in French. French is easilly the coolest language to sing in and it’s a shame all the French ukers don’t do it more often.
I’m always a little suspicious when I see a ukulele made from wood with a very Hawaiian sounding name – it always seems like a marketing gimmick. Not being an expert on Hawaiian flora, I’ve been a little puzzled by Pono‘s ‘ohai ukulele. I thought they meant ‘ohia wood, Google thought I meant ‘ohia wood. But, no, Ko’olausay ‘ohai wood is completely different. So that’s my new thing learnt for the day. On another note, those ukuleles are very cheap for a Pono.
One wood I do know exists is maple. And it sure makes for a funky looking back of a ukulele.
I’m also familiar with the existence of coconuts. But I’m not sure I’d want a ukulele made out of one.
New album from Minor Constellations which you can download for free. Geoffrey Richardson, of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra, has put a beautiful uke tune up on his MySpace (thanks to Paul).
Kathy Clugston has been uking it up on the radio again. This time with Roland Taylor (who is producing the Ukulele Orhcestra of Great Britain’s Proms performance). You can listen to it here – starting around 8:30.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are taking part in this year’s Proms and they’re having a play along for everyone attending. To that end, they’ve put up tabs and tutorials of the parts. But there’s no tab for the counter-melody – only standard notation. Nightmare! So I did my ‘Every good boy deserves football’ and here’s what I reckon.
Ode to Joy Counter-Melody (Tab)
I can’t be sure it’s spot on. I can’t hear them playing it at any point to check.
Here it is along with the main melody and the chords:
Ode to Joy (Tab and Chords)
And I’ve put together a solo version based on this arrangement for those of us who are far too white trash to visit the proms.
I do sometimes have it brought home to me that not everyone hangs on every single word I say. Hard to believe, I know. So here are a few things that are popular, good or over-looked that might have slipped by you.
I’m reliably informed by proper internet marketing people that I should sell my ukulele ebooks a lot harder than I do. Because most people visiting Uke Hunt would have no idea they existed – I’m sure quite a few regulars might not know – and those that do know they exist might not know that I’m the one who wrote them.
I don’t want to go all hard sell on them, but I will make them a bit more obvious. Because I think they’re really good and I’m proud of them.
The Interviews
Most viewed:
Rod Thomas – this one has been viewed over 10,000 times. I couldn’t be happier to give him any exposure I can – he’s the nicest guy in the world. And I have a man-crush on him. Kate Micucci – is also very sweet. But I don’t fancy her as much as I do Rod.
My faves:
Gus from GUGUG Dean ‘Minor Constellations’ Engle and Madeline Ava – Both insanely talented young lyricists. Dean has released a new album which you can download free on Rack & Ruin Records (click the album cover). Madeline’s stuff has disappeared from the interwebs along with CLLCT (*sobs*). After reading about her on here, Dean asked Madeline to marry him. I’m still hoping it’s going to happen – it’d make me the happiest blog-pimp in the world.
Useful Stuff
Slash chords – People are always asking, “how do you play B/C on a ukulele?” or some such. I think part of the problem is that people don’t know what to Google when they have that problem. So if you don’t know what a slash chord is, read the post now. Blues scale and Pentatonic scale – essential if you ever want to do any improvising and solo shenanigans. 10 Reasons You Need to Buy a New Ukuele – psychologists say that people buy based on emotion then search for logical reasons to justify it. That’s certainly true of a lot of uke purchases.
Some Things Just Don’t Catch On
Me (in August 2007): Hey, here’s an idea. Why don’t I do a post with photos of me making stupid faces? And I’ll have a little test-what-you’ve-learnt bit at the end. Wow, everyone’s going to be really engaged with this post. I should do this all the time.
