So, I have wanted a Ukulele since I played one in a shop in Hawaii 16 years ago when I was still a teenager. I am a guitar player and play a few string instruments, but I don’t know much about ukulele music so I never actually got one for myself. Well this week I came across a nice one at a price that was too good to pass up so, I am now a proud ukulele owner!
So… I taught myself to play the only three ukulele songs I know. There seem to be a ton of websites out there but mostly they seem to be transcribing pop music to the ukulele. Neat, but not so much my bag. Where can I go to find and learn how to play Hawaiian and early 20th century Jazz ukulele? Also, any other suggestions you have are welcome.
On Queen’s “A Night at the Opera,” a Brian May song called, “Good Company,” is played on ukulele (a “Genuine Aloha” banjo uke). And two dozen electric guitars.
I think by the board rules you are now obligated in some fashion to Ukelele Ike. I’m not sure of the manner of the obligation, tho; for your sake I hope it doesn’t involve black goo or mollusks of any kind.
I hadn’t even CONSIDERED the party possibilities! Now I’m really excited.
Also, I wish I was cool enough to rock a concertina. I am not. It sounds like a your friend isn’t either Trinopus. For that I’m sorry. I do now sort of want to find a concertina though.
hmmmmmm…I think I seem to recall a scene in “Animal House” where Bluto is slowly walking down some basement stairs towards a proto-hippie who’s sitting midway on the stairs, playing a dreamy, idyllic guitar tune for some fawning young ladies sitting around him.
trivia hijack - buddy on stairs was same fucker who put out “On and On”. (“…She just keeps on trying, and she smiles when she feels like crying” < yeah, that milksop.)
To his credit, though - also provides the psychotic falsetto singing for “Animal House”'s theme song.
How’s your hammer-ons on that thing?
Tried any of the more upbeat John MacLaughin numbers? “Birds of Fire”?
That was awesome. The Amanda Palmer video linked earlier was awesome too, but yours led me to this which is also amazing. I will be learning to play this next.
I’ll ask my mom and get back to you. She plays with a bunch of Hawaiian friends in her uke group and they feature a variety of Hawaiian and standard songs from that era in their set list. Yessir That’s my Baby; Ain’t She Sweet; Satin Doll, etc.
