Ravel's "Bolero", where's Jake when you need him?

joejeweler

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Ever since the movie "10" came out, i have always been intreagued
with Ravel's "Bolaro". (No,...it wasn't just Bo Derek's appearance that
stuck in my mind! lol) It is usually played with a full orchestra.

The backround rhythm is pretty simple in structure, but the melody line has always captured my attention, and is a bit haunting. I always thought it would be impossible to work up a solo string arrangement on guitar, let alone a ukulele with 2 fewer strings to work with!

Well, i was wrong about the guitar, this youngster has done a fine job of getting the "feel" of this piece across to the audience. Now if we could convince Jake Shimabukuro to work this up on his Kamaka.

Jake already did the impossible with "Bohemian Rhaspsody" and
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps",....getting a full sounding masterpiece
on just 4 strings.

Here is Sungha Jung on solo guitar. I only wish he had performed
it on a classical guitar, which would have been a bit richer. But i
really enjoyed this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fCSs22cbQ0


For those of you who have never heard a fully orchestrated version,
here is a representive example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4J5j74VPw
 
Thanks for the link,.....i didn't know someone had worked an arrangement out on this. The link also has a lot of
other interesting pieces available. I'll be busy! :D
 
Thanks for the link,.....i didn't know someone had worked an arrangement out on this. The link also has a lot of
other interesting pieces available. I'll be busy! :D
Be sure to also check out the tabs by Dav and their guests (des invites). Tons of good stuff! :)
 
Be sure to also check out the tabs by Dav and their guests (des invites). Tons of good stuff! :)

Will do,.....by the way,....i just stumbled across an earlier performance of this youngster 2 years ago. Looks to be
at someone's home. You get to see a lot more of his technique up close,...

Look up on the left wall,....looks like an Ovation or Applause Ukulele! Maybe he dabbles!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaU0C87P4AM&feature=related
 
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He definitely dabbles...in fact, he's pretty amazing. Here's a video of him doing an instrumental of I'm Yours...



Back on topic to Bolero, it's not a single instrumental version but I've always enjoyed Ukulollo's video...

 
He definitely dabbles...in fact, he's pretty amazing. Here's a video of him doing an instrumental of I'm Yours...
Holy crap! If that's "dabbling" I can only wish I could dabble half as well. :eek: I have a feeling he could arrange/play just about anything for solo uke. Watch out, Jake!

Talent, looks and lots of charm. If I were a pubescent chick, I'd take him over Justin Beiber any day. :p
 
He definitely dabbles...in fact, he's pretty amazing. Here's a video of him doing an instrumental of I'm Yours...



Thanks for posting both those videos,.....i hadn't seen them before.
And "dabbling" doesn't quite describe Jung's abilities. Outstanding for a "first", let alone secondary instrument.
 
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Can't imagine what level he'll be at in 10 years if he keeps improving like this.

Sungha Jung's cover of Jake's arrangement of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJraj82QC3Q

Just for fun,....get a load of Sungha playing the same version way back in 2006. He was born in sept of 1996, so he's 10years old here,...but looks about 5 or 6. Glad he replaced that ovation/applause uke with wooden one. Much better tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGrH0aC_kVI
 
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