Ukulele Underground Videos

Livestreams, jams, lessons, and more from Ukulele Underground
Backing Track Practice, Barre Chord Pitfalls, Low to High G Transposing What 3 Keys should you learn before joining a jam? Aldrine list songs in these 3 keys that will help you learn and familiarize yourself with the chords and notes in the keys. The guys talk about practicing with Backing Tracks and how Playing Along to the original is helpful even with Solo Ukulele Arrangements. Aldrine gives his recommendations for a starter loop pedals and a trick to using a loop pedal as a backing track. UU also tackles Barre Chords, beginner Mic and Amp suggestions, plus transposing music from Low G to High G. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions asked this Week: 0:15 Sorry, A Little Glitchy this...
Ukulele Christmas Albums, Guitar to Uke, & Nail Care The UU Boys are sharing what Holiday Uke Songs they blast during the season. Along the way, the guys get sidetracked with stories of musician's enjoying their own music, and get into their favorite non-uke Christmas Songs. Aldrine also offers advice for holding Am, switching between Guitar and Uke, cleaning your freatboard, taking care of your nails, and tightening a geared tuner. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions asked this Week: 0:16 Are we using a Sound Board? 2:20 What are your go to Ukulele Holiday Songs? 6:40 Honorable mentions 10:55 Daniel Ho's Christmas Album 14:55 Liking your own music 18:20 Aldrine's Favorite Holiday...
In-Person Lessons, Reading Sheet Music, & Applying Theory What is more important: learning to read Sheet Music or learning Music Theory? The UU team discuss the value of both, and how much you actually need to be a proficient uke player. Alongside this topic, Aldrine demonstrates how he's still discovering new pieces of Music Theory, and how he's applying it to spice up his own playing. The guys share tips on how to make the most out of In-Person Lessons, and advice on how to make a Jam more Beginner-Friendly? Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions asked this Week: 0:41 Q's and O's (Even though it says A's) 4:05 What are must do's for In-Person Lessons? (Private Lessons) 6:45 Ask if you...
Must Have Accessories, Fast Strumming & Beginner Books Being the last podcast before Thanksgiving (and Black Friday), Aldrine shares what accessories are great buys, and which ones have caused him buyer's remorse. The guys also cover why you should learn different chord positions, their opinions on wound C, how to strum faster, and good books for beginner uke players. A few members of the underground ask how much they should pay for a uke upgrade, and what can they do to replace a bad pickup? Aldrine tops up the podcast with a story of two Bobs, and how awesome the uke community is! Remember, no Jam this week, but we'll be back next Monday for a new podcast! Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989...
String Height, Metronome Practice, & Thumb Strokes Aldrine Guerrero has returned to his home podcast of K-Town in an attempt to rescue his friend, Aaron "The Voice" from the clutches of the vile gangster, Colonel K. Little does Aldrine know that the GALACTIC UNDERGROUND has secretly begun construction on a new armored space instrument even more powerful than the first dreaded High G Ukulele. When completed, this ultimate weapon will spell certain doom for the small band of Low G Players struggling to restore music to the galaxy... Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions asked this Week: 0:12 It takes a Whole Team 3:30 Should String Height be Uniform? 6:20 Lower action is usually easier...
Famj7sus2, Capos, and the No Price Limit Ukulele This Week Aldrine is demystifying and demonstrating "Fancy Chords" aka "Neal Chords". Aldrine shows his favorite "Easy" Fancy Chords and how you could substitute them in chord patterns. As the podcast progresses, Aldrine dives deeper into the chordal rabbit hole; showing more complex chords, and how you might construct them. After swimming in the depths of chords, the guys answer questions about Capos, Expensive Ukuleles, and how someone can improve their musicality. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions asked this Week: 0:14 We're Live 2:35 What are Neal Chords? 5:45 What are Some Easy Fancy Chords? 9:10 Chord Progressions with Fancy...
Techniques as Genres & Private Lesson Etiquette What is the difference between Fingerpicking, Fingerstyle and Chord Melody? With Fingerpicking being thrown around as a catch-all term, we ask Aldrine what his definition of Fingerpicking is and how is it different from Fingerstyle? The guys go deep with the definitions of these terms, and where the terms may have originated as trends. Wanting to break into ukulele, someone asks Aldrine what size they should start with. Aldrine then gives his list of Do's and Don'ts for Private Lessons. The team explains the New Private Lessons, and the changes to Live Coaching. At the end of the podcast, a Songwriting Challenge Winner is picked. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our...
Form, Active Listening, and Phrasing This week, the guys are having a discussion about music skills that are overlooked by beginners, but essential to being a better musician. Aldrine makes his argument of Form, Phrasing and Playing with Others. Mike adds in Listening, and Slowing Down. Kahai throws in the bonus skill of Tuning by Ear. The guys talk about expensive custom instruments before showing off their songs for the songwriting challenge. How Aaron picked his "Chord Cousin" leads to a question about changing keys. A couple of last minute questions about intonation and figuring out your own riffs are answered before the podcast ends. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this...
Tiny Ukes, Best Looping Practices, and 3 Stringed Ukes Musicians say you need to lock yourself in a Woodshed and Practice to get better. We think the term should be updated to training in a Hyperbolic Chamber. This week, Aaron ask Aldrine what Woodshedding means to him, and what are examples of when he locked himself in the Hyperbolic Chamber. Aldrine talks about isolating and reflection, and how that helped him grow and create his own brand of music. The guys also share their own experiences of practicing and learning from music outside of the ukulele. The UU team ends the podcast by answering how to get started with looping, how is it to play a sopranino, and what do you think about the 3 stringed ukulele? Ask Questions Here or Call...
Songwriting Tips, Chord Cousins & Ukulele Prices Funkmaster Mike is back this week to give his tips for Songwriting. The guys start off the podcast explaining why the Ukulele is great for Songwriting. Aldrine shares his suggestions for getting out of a 4 chord loop, while Mike passes on Songwriting Wisdom he learned from professionals. The guys set a new Songwriting Challenge before answering questions about Vibratos and Movable Chord Shapes. Mike ends the podcast with his updated guide to buying Hawaii Made Ukuleles. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:11 Funkmaster Mike is Back 2:30 We want to set a new Songwriting Challenge 7:25 Why is Ukulele Good for...
Throat Remedies, Open Ukuleles, and Multistring Ukes Straight VS Curly Koa. Glossy VS Satin Finishes. Aldrine explains the differences and gives examples of ukuleles that use Straight and Curly Koas, and ukuleles with Glossy and Satin Finishes. Before diving into that, Aldrine gives his secret remedy for sore throats. The guys also explain what it means for an ukulele to open up, and give their opinions kids playing plastic ukuleles. Aldrine tops up the podcast with his preferences for multistring ukuleles. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:16 The gangs all here 5:55 What is Aldrine's go to throat remedy? 12:25 How Aldrine lost his voice in the Philippines 14:25...
Budget Ukulele Price Range, Improvising, and Curly Wood It's a special Aldrine and Kahai show at home. Because Aaron is taking a break this week, Kahai throws some hard hitting questions at Aldrine like what musicians would he want to see use uke more, and what are the biggest misconceptions of the ukulele? After tackling those spicy questions, Aldrine answers a Tennis question, and shows off a lovely gift from a member. The duo also answer questions about multi headed instruments, improvising, and if curl in wood actually affects the sound? Hopefully the UU Team will make a recovery, and be back together by next week. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 0:30 False Start 0:50 Aaron is needed...
Touring Washington, Audience Interaction, Bending & Recommendations The boys are back, and ready to share some stories from the road. Before they jump into it, Aldrine demonstrates the most common problem people have with bending and how they can fix it. The guys thank everyone for coming to their shows, and talk about Kaniho's experience of touring for the first time. Aldrine shares his story of an Old Man and a Dog, and the ensuing banter. Aaron recounts a mystery he encountered while in Seattle, and the surprising turns of fate. The podcast ends with some quick recommendations for a loop pedal, budget ukulele, and strings. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0.08...
Birthday Boys, Playing in the Right Key, and Hot Sheet Music Takes We're making Magic Mike work on his own Birthday. Mike is back to share what instrumentals he thinks should be translated to ukulele, if you need to play in the original key, and if it's wrong to play with sheet music. Arguing against him (not really), Aldrine shares what songs he wants to see on the uke, why ukulele players change the keys of songs, and his personal Music Elitism take. We also get recommendations for Cheaper U-Basses, tips for figuring out songs by ear, the secret to memorizing music, and more. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:21 Birthday Party Podcast 8:35 What is an...
Quintessential Songs, Beater Ukuleles, & Burger Orders Here are Aldrine's Top 3 Underrated Influential Songs. Do you agree, do you think there are more underrated ukulele songs that deserve to be on the list? Before Aldrine list his Top 3 Underrated songs, he lists some appropriately rated Quintessential Ukulele Songs. We also learn the origin of the name "Ukulele Underground", how Aldrine plans a set list, Aldrine's ideal burger order, and how he arranges Chord Melody Songs. We also answer questions about beater ukes, ukes for D tuning, and getting re-inspired with the uke. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:08 The Hogwarts of Ukulele 3:30 Quintesential...
First Songs, Finger Rolls, Chunks not Chucks On this week's podcast Aldrine reveals, the first song he learned, and the first (couple) songs he was proud to have learned. Aldrine also explains what makes a good first song, and what made him proud to learn I'll Be Your Baby Tonight and Guava Jam. We get request for Aldrine to demonstrate Rolls, give tips for the Chunk, and exercises for Faster Playing. The guys also discuss Daily Practice amounts, and efficient playing/practicing. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:07 It's gloomy outside, but we're bringing the fun 3:10 What was the First Song You Learned? 7:20 What makes Surf a good first ukulele song 11:30...
Tremolo Alternatives, Flamenco Ukulele, & the Master of None We hope you're hungry for some Tremolo action because in this Week's podcast, Aldrine will demonstrate every alternative to picking with your thumb nail. The guys discuss the trade-offs to each style of tremolo, and how it is a specialty technique. Aldrine answers questions about finger pain, and Flamenco Ukulele Players. The UU team also talk about learning from Masters and learning that there is always someone better than you. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week: 0:29 Mike might be coming back 3:50 The Podcast is Unscripted 5:50 Tremolo Advice for People who can't grow nails 7:35 General Thumb Picking...
New Monday Podcast, Traditional Tone Vs Modern Tone, Concert Upgrades Which Ukulele Players have the best tone? On the first Monday Podcast, we're grilling Aldrine on who he thinks has the best tone in the Ukulele World. Aldrine narrows down his list to 3 (with some honorable mentions), and includes examples for when these player's tonal qualities shine. We move on to a couple of questions about upgrading to Concert Ukuleles, and what someone should learn after the basic 4 chord songs? Aldrine also talks about reusing strings, and learning to pick for the first time. The podcast is topped off with a reminder of the upcoming UU Seattle Tour. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked...
While you're waiting for the next episode, be sure to check out our archive of past podcasts here at the UU forums! You can use this thread to add your questions about what UU founders Aldrine Guerrero and Aaron "The Voice" Nakamura will discuss with Kahai "The Legend" Furugen every Monday 1pm HST!
Levels of Chord Melodies, Messy E Chords, & a Dead Man's Uke What makes While My Guitar Gently Weeps the Best Chord Melody Song? The podcast starts with the UU team contemplating dying while playing ukulele, and what happens to your ukulele postmortem. Aldrine demonstrates what goes into a simple Chord Melody. He then explains some of the deep thought and intention that went behind Jake's arrangement of While my Guitar Gently Weeps. The UU team also discusses changing your strings, oiling your fretboard, and tips for the E chord. We also learn Beauty tips for your Ukulele, using a Capo as a tool, and the new Livestream Schedule. Ask Questions Here or Call in your Questions to our Voicemail: (650)761-0989 Questions Asked this Week...
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