Back to AC/DC to end up the list of riffs – they are THE riff band.
UPDATE: Aw crap, it seems to have disappeared. If anyone has a copy, let me know.
DOUBLE UPDATE: Big thanks to Kempo who had a copy: John King – Carol of the Bells (Tab)
I was going to start December with a quick selection of Christmas uke videos, then I discovered that a video of ukulele master John King playing Carol of the Bells has just been uploaded to YouTube. It pretty much trumps any other video.
You can download the fiendishly difficult tab on Nalu Music. Or, if you’re a mere mortal, you’ll be able to get your hands on my more simple arrangement in this post.
More (re)entrants into world of ukulele blogging:
– Ukulele Review does what it says on the tin with instruments, accessories, CDs, DVDs and books.
– Ukulele Ghetto is the diary of a UAS ‘sufferer’.
Probably the best uke article I’ve ever seen in the press in the San Francisco Chronicle. It even introduced me to High Hopes who I wasn’t familiar with and am very glad to find out about.
The 4th Peg opens a ukulele tab section with some Xmas treats.
Posters for uke gigs are always that little bit more stylish.
The Super Awesome Squad interview Jens Lekman who seems to be giving up the uke.
Sigourney Weaver watches her hubby jamming with the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.
The first ukulele in a hip hop video? Dizzee Rascal’s new video for Flex.
The UkuLady doesn’t have Thanksgiving with Hugo Chavez’s great grandson.
Nick Zinner of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs is one of my favourite guitarists around at the moment. All his parts are simple but interesting and very individual. It almost makes it worth putting up with that screaming harridan of a singer.
This riff is very staccato. You can produce this by releasing the pressure with your fretting hand shortly after you’ve played the note and, particularly on the open notes, muting the strings with your picking hand.
I’m very taken with this song and Gogol Bordello in general. The riff was originally an Italian folk tune called Tromba degli Zingari.
I play this riff with the A string ringing throughout to give it a bit more weight on the uke. I use my thumb to play the melody notes and my ring finger to play the continuous A note.
I’ve always hated Smells Like Teen Spirit. It’s an incredibly boring riff. I find this one much more interesting.
I had considered tabbing the acoustic version of this before I realised it was incredibly dull in comparison. In the original version, there are a few screaming string bends. String bends tend not to work too well on the uke, so I’d suggest you use slides instead (and plenty of vibrato to keep the string ringing).
I’m going to get sued for putting this one up, just as you will be if you ever play an E chord followed by an F chord. Oh well, it has to be in the list.
I couldn’t decide whether playing the penultimate note of the riff at the eighth or fifth fret was better, so I’ve tabbed both and you can make your own mind up.
Part of the Guitar Riffs for Ukulele series.
Seeso
I Shot the Sheriff (Bob Marley)
Santeria (Sublime)
I Got A Name (Jim Croce)
Waterfalls (TLC)
Fire & Rain (James Taylor)
What A Wonderful World
Rubber Ducky (I’m wearin’ my Oakland A’s cap too!!)
Daniel McF
Daniel is someone I found on You Tube some time ago. He’s a nutter and a talent. Love his songwriting.
Dive On In (Just a little naughty)“If you were my woman and I was your man. I would be all over you just like Godzilla on Japan”(You gotta love that Metranome solo)
God
Sweet Life
Christmas Beau
Lyle Ritz & Bill Tapia
Go Back to the Little Grass Shack (Partial)
Victoria Vox
Ukulele Lady (Partial)
Lil’ Rev
One Meatball (Portland Uke Fest 2006)
St. Louis Blues
Ukulele Polka
Angelina Baker
Boots and Saddle Anacortes 2007
Wild About It
Finjeta
Harmonica Anacortes 2007
To play this riff, it’s important you follow the example of Europe and spend ten times longer getting big hair than practicing.
