Top 10 Ukulele Recognizeable Standards to Learn and...

lespaul_79

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Hi,
New uke player freaking out...... Love the uke.

So what are the top 10 uke traditional Hawaiian standards that are recognizeable to the world?


And I don't know if it's the same question, but are other great songs to learn? I assume anything water or beach theme is good.

Right now, I've got....
1) 1-4-5 progressions in any key
2) Wildwood Flower
3) Something - Beatles
4) Rocky Raccoon - Beatles
5) Besame Mucho
6) Sea of Love

Soon to be added - Honey Pie (Beatles), Octopus Garden, some Marley, some fiddle tunes...

Thanks!
 
Traditional Hawaiian Standards . . . wow, I'll put in the first three off the top of my head and maybe some of the other Braddahs and Sistahs can fill in da rest. Might be mo den 10. Personally, I prefer these songs with lyrics instead of being instrumentals. Don't get me wrong, I think instrumental versions are great for listening but they do not convey the meaning of song when as when they're done in the Hawaiian language. BTW, "I'll Remember You" was written in English, but there is a version translated in Hawaiian. If anyone is interested, these mele have English translations and can be found here. One more thing, I am not an authority on Hawaiian music so please don't take it as gospel.
  1. Aloha `Oe - Words and music by Queen Lili`uokalani
  2. Ke Kali Nei Au - (Waiting For Thee) Written by Charles A. King
  3. Hawai`i Aloha - Words by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons, Music by James McGranahan
  4. I'll Remember You - Written by Kui Lee
  5. E Ku`u Morning Dew - Words by Larry Kimura, Music by Eddie Kamae
 
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There are a couple old threads on this subject with some good advice. I can't seem to find them right now, but I'll bet a helpful mod will chime in shortly with some direction to them.....
 
I'd try Ahe Lau Makani. I saw John King doing it in a video and fell in love with the song. It is truly "achingly beautiful".

Also - though not very traditional - "Blue Hawaii". And even newer, "Pineapple Mango", by Herb Ohta Jr/Daniel Ho".
 
There are a couple old threads on this subject with some good advice. I can't seem to find them right now, but I'll bet a helpful mod will chime in shortly with some direction to them.....
There are a number of threads referring to Hawaiian Music (contemporary, traditional, jawaiian, Kī hōʻalu (slack key), hapa haole and so on). Here's a few using the search feature . . .
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8393
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16549
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16937
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15711
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12068
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13153
 
Awesome. Thanks so much.....

I love learning traditional songs. I just spent the last 3 years obsessing about bluegrass mandolin and flatpicking.

Now, I'm all about Hawaiian music. One day I'll get too originals....
 
As for songs just in general to learn, definitely Iz's version of Somewhere over the rainbow, and I'm Yours is another must, just try to learn songs that you enjoy listening to, cause it all sounds good on the uke :)
 
Wailele o Akaka (Akaka Falls)
Lei Aloha, Lei Maka Mai
Makalapua
Kawika
Heha Waipio
Kanaka Wai Wai
Koke'e
Wahine Ilikea
Ulupalakua
Puamana
Pua Lililehua
My Yellow Ginger Lei
Maile Lei
Green Rose Hula
etc.
 
I'd try Ahe Lau Makani. I saw John King doing it in a video and fell in love with the song. It is truly "achingly beautiful".

Also - though not very traditional - "Blue Hawaii". And even newer, "Pineapple Mango", by Herb Ohta Jr/Daniel Ho".
Here are the lyrics in Hawaiian and followed by the English translation;

Ahe Lau Makani
by Lili`uokalani

He `ala nei e mâpu mai nei
Nâ ka makani lau aheahe
I lawe mai i ku`u nui kino
Ho`opumehana i ku`u poli

Hui:
E ke hoa o ke
ahe lau makani
Halihali`ala o
ku`u `âina

He `ala nei e moani mai nei
Na ka ua noe Lîlîlehua,
I lawe mai i ku`u poli
Ho`opumehana i ke aloha

He `ala nei e puia mai nei
Na ka makani anu kolonahe
I lawe mai nâ a pili
Ho`opumehana i ka mana`o

He `ala nei e aheahe mai nei
Na ka leo hone a nâ manu
I lawe mai a loa`a au
Ho`opumehana i ko leo


There is a breath so gently breathing
So soft, so sweet, by sighing breezes
That as it touches my whole being
It warms me in my heart

Chorus:
We, fair one, together, shall enjoy such moments
While murmuring wind sweeps over my fatherland

There is a breath so soft and balmy
Brought by sweet zephyrs, Lîlîlehua
And while wafted to my bosom
It warms me with love

There is a fragrance that saturates
A cool, soft breeze
Brought it to cling to me
Warming me with feelings

There is a fragrance wafted here
The sweet call of birds
Brought it to find me
Being warmed by your voice
 
I'd try Ahe Lau Makani. I saw John King doing it in a video and fell in love with the song. It is truly "achingly beautiful".

Also - though not very traditional - "Blue Hawaii". And even newer, "Pineapple Mango", by Herb Ohta Jr/Daniel Ho".
Here are the lyrics in Hawaiian and followed by the English translation. Also a video of the mele

Ahe Lau Makani
by Lili`uokalani

He `ala nei e mâpu mai nei (There is a breath so gently breathing)
Nâ ka makani lau aheahe (So soft, so sweet, by sighing breezes)
I lawe mai i ku`u nui kino (That as it touches my whole being)
Ho`opumehana i ku`u poli (It warms me in my heart)

Hui (Chorus):
E ke hoa o ke ahe lau makani (We, fair one, together, shall enjoy such moments)
Halihali`ala oku`u `âina (While murmuring wind sweeps over my fatherland)

He `ala nei e moani mai nei (There is a breath so soft and balmy)
Na ka ua noe Lîlîlehua, (Brought by sweet zephyrs, Lîlîlehua)
I lawe mai i ku`u poli (And while wafted to my bosom)
Ho`opumehana i ke aloha (It warms me with love)

He `ala nei e puia mai nei (There is a fragrance that saturates)
Na ka makani anu kolonahe (A cool, soft breeze)
I lawe mai nâ a pili (Brought it to cling to me)
Ho`opumehana i ka mana`o (Warming me with feelings)

He `ala nei e aheahe mai nei (There is a fragrance wafted here)
Na ka leo hone a nâ manu (The sweet call of birds)
I lawe mai a loa`a au (Brought it to find me)
Ho`opumehana i ko leo (Being warmed by your voice)
 
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