Ukulele Problem

sddawnpatrol:

Tell me any other big manly NCAA D1 & NFL career football player who would willingly sing Eric Clapton while playing his ukulele in the middle of the Coliseum…

and have so many more stories like this  (he did this randomly around SD as well to complete strangers - linked story^)

Sometimes I wish I were old enough to have seen him play at my alma mater. ESP someone who was literally THE face of the Chargers up until I left SD for college in LA. 

rapidrivoltasilenziosa:

These…please.

ukulelevibe:

Godzilla’s Ukulele Band

beginnersuke:

On Ukulele Clubs

If you’re new to the uke, looking to grow your range, or just want to meet some like-minded folks then get thee to a clubbery!!

Uke clubs come in quite a few varieties, but they all share this trait: encouragement. They’re safe havens where no one will judge your skills nor your singing (or lack thereof if you’re like me), and showing up is the one test for admission.

While groups do vary a great deal you can more or less expect:

• Meetings consist of a couple group-play sets, with a short coffee break
• Some open-mic time at the end for those who wish to show-off any style song they’ve been working on or want to share - both instrumental and singing are welcome
• Most pass the hat, $5-10 being typical amount to chip in, with part of this kitty going to the coffee house, cafe, pub, or church providing the space, and the other for group expenses and events. Often first timers are waived. If it’s at a coffee house it’s good form to buy a few treats from your host store.
• While chairs are provided, music stands usually aren’t: so bring your own music stand!
• All clubs have a ringmaster (or two) and this person shapes the club’s vibe more than any other factor, whether it’s tightly regimented or loosey-goosey.

As for songs, well, the selections and sources vary, often in step with that leader’s goals (social versus rehearsal for performances, for example).

The one essential question you should ask before showing up is “what’s your songbook or playlist?”. They might not have extra copies! Songs might be…

• Liz & Jim Beloff’s Daily Ukulele songbook
• an official club songbook
• members provided. Everyone’s to bring a song or two related to that session’s theme, such as “Pirates” or “Thanksgiving” (bring enough copies for everyone, so ask what’s a safe number)
• songs projected on a screen for all to follow

If they have a songbook this might be a good time to buy yourself that iPad :D (unless you feel like printing and lugging about a few hundred pages). Some clubs charge for their songbooks. Also, the songbook might clue you in as to whether it’s a PG-13 or G rated group, if that matters to you.

Regardless, find out what they use.

Most are open to suggestions, building in some time for sight reading or anyone to lead a new song.

Recapping what to bring:

1. your uke
2. a tuner
3. folding music stand
4. the songbook
5. some pocket money

Cases for your uke and music stand are encouraged. Avoid stands that have too much plastic, someone’s gonna whack into yours.

Club sizes vary tremendously week-to-week, club-to-club — from four or five on a bakery’s sidewalk to the hundreds at the monthly Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz.

Clubs do skew toward us older folks, but age is largely a function of the area. A club in a college town tilts a bit younger, which isn’t to say that you won’t have a few 10 or 12 year old regulars at any club.

The last bit of advice: try to attend as many different groups as you can, it’s not disloyal to date around. In fact, you’ll recognize faces from other clubs. So get to know all your local groups. And if you’re traveling find the local groups where you’ll be staying, too. What better way to see the world?

I hope sharing this will encourage you to hit your local music store, Facebook, or start Googling to find the groups in your area — I’ve met (and continue to meet) some great folks, and true friends.

In the video above the Atomic Ukes play “I Feel Pestamistic’ (video by MarkGray). The Atomics have been meeting for over a decade and it’s a very informal, convivial evening sitting around Terry’s dining room table (or out on his deck on warm nights) with terrific, talented people.

baanukulele:

DaSilva custom James Hill Model

(Source: muchmahalo)

Ana’ole custom tenor with koa top and mango sides/back.

breakdownukulele:

Kalei Gamiao - Kiss from A Rose || Originally by Seal

Live in HiSessions | http://www.youtube.com/user/hisessionsshow

If you love Seal, Batman Forever, or Reverb Ukulele sound. This one is worth to watch.

aldrinemachine:

“Ice Cream” 
From the HiSessions.com show.

Check it out and reblog to spread the word!

Thanks everyone! Love you all :D 

I really like having this blog, and I’m grateful for all my followers! But sometimes I don’t know what to post so it’s not the most active blog. ): What would you like to see more of on here? Pretty pictures? Videos? Advice? I want to keep it interesting for everyone! 

Also, feel free to send me asks/submissions! 

Any other ideas?

teganvegan:

I am losing my mind. It is lost. 

Take a closer look: http://www.etsy.com/listing/95950549/the-atom-ukulele

How many ukes must one have before it’s actually classified as a mental illness?

The thing that bothers me the most about this isn’t that I have no couch space. It’s that there’s only one soprano there and I’m going to need another one or two to balance out my uke collection.

L-R:

Concert Fluke, Kamaka soprano, Aria baritone, Maui Music 6-string tenor, Harmony baritone, KoAloha tenor, Kala U-Bass, concert pineapple Flea, Keli’i tenor