Ukulele players rely on music stands to more accurately read their songs, maintain proper technique and sit or stand with good posture while sitting or standing while playing their instrument. Furthermore, straps help protect it from falling during performance.
This week the guys discuss underrated Ukulele Artists and Songs as well as dive deep into EQ settings. In addition, they answer viewer queries regarding traveling with your Ukulele.
1. Into The Mystic by Van Morrison
Van Morrison composed and released “Into The Mystic,” from his 1970 album Moondance. This song captures Morrison’s interest in Celtic mysticism, often seen as a spiritual quest. Since its original release on Moondance it has been covered by many artists including Paul Carrack, Glen Hansard, Joe Cocker and Marketa Irglova; plus there was even an Inarticulate Speech of the Heart version included on Camelot Falling as part of a live recording.
Aldrine opens an unexpected gift from one of his listeners at UU and answers a variety of Quick Questions including Favorite Intros and Meaning of Life. Later in the podcast, Aldrine plays his Songs for Songwriting Challenge as well as answering an audience member question regarding getting into flow for performances, as well as songs that get him hyped for performance.
The guys also discuss UU’s forthcoming South Korea Tour before answering questions regarding Starter Ukulele Books and songs to test out a potential new Ukulele before purchasing it. In addition, they explore some Flow Stories as well as address several queries from their audience members.
Join hosts Aldrine Guerrero, Aaron Nakamura (@anaka), and Kahai Furugen for another exciting episode of Ukulele Underground as they travel the globe exploring all facets of ukulele music – from Mount Everest to a rural Hawaiian town! Each week the hosts provide strumming, playing and soloing tips tailored specifically for beginner ukulele players as well as music from the Ukulele Underground Song Library! Plus don’t miss our FREE UU Livestream every Friday at 1 PM HST! Don’t miss it – join Aldrine Guerrero & Aaron (aka @anaka), Kahai Furugen as they explore this beautiful instrument worldwide! Tune in every other Friday at 1 PM HST for free UU Live stream!
2. The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, musician, dancer, and actor renowned for fusing various musical genres into his live shows and retro showmanship – his musical repertoire encompassing R&B, funk, disco soul reggae rock as well as playing the ukulele soprano concert and tenor models.
Ukuleles have experienced a recent revival in pop music, thanks to Vance Joy’s Riptide and Train’s Hey, Soul Sister which highlight its role as an acoustic instrument complementing modern pop sounds. Ukuleles have even found their way into jazz and blues music thanks to artists like Lyle Ritz who use intricate chord progressions on this tiny instrument.
The ukulele has also established itself in contemporary folk and country music, where its unique sound provides a perfect accompaniment for vocalists such as Grace VanderWaal and Julia Nunes’ emotive melodies. Ukulele players have even made waves on electronic scenes by joining mainstream artists to produce tracks spanning genres that feature this instrument.
No matter if you are trying your hand at pop songs on your ukulele or blues or jazz music, being able to read musical notation will make the learning process simpler and faster. Musical notation refers to symbols representing notes and chords on a staff, making learning to read musical scores much simpler and developing your own style easier. A chord diagram may serve as an excellent reference tool when starting out; newcomers might benefit from having one in hand to help identify chords quickly.
3. Just the Way You Are by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s third album took an abrupt departure from his previous two E Street workout albums with songs that are bitter and dangerous, reflecting his recent legal battle over creative freedom and its aftermath. On this record, Springsteen is clearly angry; no need to read between the lines to understand why; instead, lyrics shed their usual metaphoric singer-songwriter style to focus on real life struggles that everyone can relate to.
“Working Class Family” is a more mature work that’s less focused on being entertaining and more intent on making a statement about society’s issues. The title track depicts a working-class family’s hardships with Springsteen giving an outstanding vocal performance full of powerful rises and climaxes. Meanwhile, “The Rising” chronicles a fireman narrating his last day on the job before recounting his last seconds until everything becomes just “catfish dancin’ on the end of the line”.
Though Springsteen would later deny being religious, his early albums contain numerous references to Christianity and Catholicism, especially Born to Run; many songs on it explore themes related to Adam and Cain as well as faith, hope and love.
Although this album focuses on serious topics, we still know and enjoy many of The Boss’ classic rock anthems that we know and love. He even adds a humorous element with “Working on a Dream”, wherein he pokes fun at his own fame by singing: “You’re just an everyday guy with hairy armpits and sweaty jerseys”!
4. Margaritaville by The Beach Boys
Though not as powerful in sound as an electric guitar, the ukulele remains an unforgettable instrument. Its distinct sound makes it ideal for soft ballads often associated with acoustic guitarists; yet its versatility also extends into rock and punk music – as evidenced by groups such as Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain who perform classic songs from Nirvana to Bowie on their trusty ukuleles.
Not surprisingly, the ukulele has long been associated with tropical islands. After all, its name translates to “jumping flea” in Hawaiian! Legend holds that its first player was inspired by quick fingering styles used by Hawaiian folk musicians on Ravenscrag ship passenger who were first playing it – perhaps inspired by Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Eddie Vedder or Zooey Deschanel themselves! Today it remains one of the most beloved instruments globally and boasts fans such as Paul McCartney or Zooey Deschanel!
In fact, The Beach Boys have several songs which lend themselves perfectly to being played on a ukulele. Diehard fans might not enjoy this tune but newcomers to The Beach Boys may want to give this track a listen – just don’t expect anything as powerful and moving as some of Brian Wilson’s timeless mini-symphonies written before his tragic passing!
You’re likely to come across this song on one of the more than six thousand Beach Boys greatest hits compilations, but don’t let that detract from your enjoyment; this tune actually offers quite an enjoyable listen, with its catchy chorus and appealing melody, not to mention some special bells in there too! Perfect for singing along while sipping your cocktail of choice!
5. Good Riddance by The Time of Your Life
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) was released as the second single from Green Day’s fifth studio album Nimrod (1997) in December 1997, and remains one of their most beloved hits to this day, often closing their concerts with it. Directed by Mark Kohr and shot in Los Angeles, its music video shows them performing in an apartment while showing shots of everyday people going about their daily lives; members Dirnt and Tre Cool appear as people pumping gas, as well as an injured bike rider being attended to by paramedics!
This week the UU Team is discussing their parent’s musical tastes and how it has impacted their own musical style and taste. After discussing this, the team performed its Songs for the Songwriting Challenge before answering questions regarding Starter Ukulele Books, useful songs to test ukes with, and appropriate effects Pedals suitable for Ukelele Players.
How Should Ukulele Practice Progress? Each player’s journey differs, but according to TED speaker Josh Kaufman it typically takes about 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice on an instrument for someone to become competent at it. Beginners may only require 15-30 minutes a day of focused practice while more experienced musicians could invest an hour or more each day honing skills and learning new songs; consistency is always more valuable than duration!