A Latin Tutorial for the Ambitious- Part 2- Jake Shimabukuro’s “Let’s Dance”
When we find the time we will tab out some of this for you. Until then, Corey goes slow enough for you to catch on if you try real hard! Have Fun!! Concentrate, you can do it! :/
The 6 and 8 string ukulele
As an ukulele instructor, one of the most often asked questions I get is, “What’s with the 6 and 8 string ukuleles?” These multi stringed anomalies of the ukulele world have been both amazing and bewildering us for as long as they have graced the Hawaiian music scene. Well, today I will try to shed some light on the 6 and 8 stringed ukuleles and explain some of the local applications and uses.
The 8 string ukulele is widely used for a driving rhythm sound. Walk into any hula halau and odds are there will be atleast one 8 string being played. The characteristic “chorus” effect us brought about by the combination of both octave and unison harmonies that occur from string to string. Like the 12 string guitar, the 8 string ukulele has the highest pitched strings tuned in unison, and the lower pitched strings tuned to octaves. ( G, lower octave G, higher octave C, C, E, unison E, and A, unison A) When holding chords the blend of these notes create the aforementioned “chorus” effect.
Kala Travel Uke Series – 3 thin bodies sound sampled -Tenor, Concert, Soprano
Ever since it’s inception a few years ago these “Travel Ukes” have been surprising people with their amazing tone and volume. They are all well under 2 inches at the waist but as Aaron says ,”they have the Christina Aguilar syndrome”, little body with a big voice! We did this video to show the three sizes played next to each other, Tenor, Concert, and Soprano. This is a good way to hear which one you might take on your next trip! Just imagine… kickin back on vacation, strummin a little uke. Yes… a travel ukulele is a necessity!
But actually these are good right at home too, ~ enjoy the video! Corey plays a Bryan Adams song, lol. Where does he come up with this stuff??
Ukulele Review – Best Soprano Under $60
Just made it by a penny ! In at $59.99 this new Leolani Mahogany Standard has some impressive stats – Bone nut and saddle!!, quality geared tuners, an attractive mahogany body, and Aquila nylgut strings. Another nifty attribute is the 14 frets, two more than other soprano’s in this neighborhood. So down on paper it has some impressive features, but the real question is- How does it sound?
While there are many quality brands now in this affordable range, the Leolani Mahogany Standard is setting a New Standard! Take a listen-
Lanikai Monkey Pod Ukulele Review + Aquila vs. Koolau- Tenor String Battle!!
Exciting, isn’t it! Well, I thought so. Maybe not the same as a mud wrestling match, or even playing UNO on your iPhone. But it’s like the excitement you get watching videos on youtube, or checking Facebook. Because in string battling, or even ukulele reviewing, there can be no defined winner or loser. Not everyone is trying to sound the …
Best Tenor Ukulele under $200
We just got in the new Makai TK-65 tenor ukulele and the consensus here at the shop is that this is some serious value! The sound is balanced and the design is fluent with a soft venetian cutaway. Classic Martin style construction, solid without being heavy. The tuning keys are really well made and a bone nut and saddle are …
Sound Waves from Ko’olau-
For those of you not able to get to a store with these models, the next best way to check them out is with pictures and videos. This is a Ko’olau T1 Koa and C100 Hawaiiand Ash wood. Though Ko’olau at one point was more of a production line, they are now much like the custom shop they started as. With Noa Bonk building these from start to finish you get the continuity of a master builder sanding the woods and shaping the braces, all the way to stringing it up. Enjoy~
High G or Low G?
I get this question quite often so I thought I would share an older video we did, but never put up here on The Ukulele Review. Aaron goes over some of the differences and demonstrates benefits with both low and high G. It should be worth noting that any tenor with a high G can be changes to a low G, and vise verse, simply changing the string.
Learn to Play Super Mario Bros theme on Ukulele!
If you’re under the age of 40, you’ve probably played this video game and have heard this tune many times. The cool thing is, it’s in the perfect range to play on the ukulele, and when you get it down you are sure to put a smile on someones face. So here’s part 1 of the tutorial, the video underneath it is what you’re gonna sound like after a week of practicing! Have fun~