I wanted to create this blog as a place where I can store and retrieve information for future reference. I chose the name Humble Uker Ramblings because I have started out strumming my father's 1950's painted Harmony ukulele. I think that the greatest appeal of the ukulele as "the people's instrument" is it's humble simplicity. My contact email is HumbleUker@gmail.com. I have also been working on a blog for the Baritone Ukulele called Humble Baritonics.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Red Lips - Kiss My Blues Away
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
YT: WININBOY & UKULELEZAZA UKULELE
Sing Song Girl on Ukulele
Smeck Ukulele Bounce
[I was looking for some tab of Roy Smeck's Ukulele Bounce but only found this
http://home.arcor.de/crazydawg/ukulele/magic_ukulele_waltz.txt
I'll have to try it out but for now I'm keeping it here for future reference. If anyone has information on tabs for Roy Smeck's ukulele please let me know. HU]
Persian Rug
Old-style improvisation by YT: Ukulelezaza
"Just a short improvisation on my three favourite chords. Usually they are Dm, Gm and A7, but this uke happens to be tuned up to D so they are in fact Em, Am and B7.I find myself fooling around with these chords quite often, never knowing what my fingers will do next, and every now and then I turn my camera on. It's different every time, and in this case it turned out pretty nice. Well, at least I think it did... " Ukulelezaza
I Surrender Dear
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
BARITONE UKULELE HUNT
Hi Jeff,
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Jayme Kelly Curtis / Musician / Santa Cruz
FLEA MARKET MUSIC / Jim Beloff
http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/bulletin/bulletin-single.asp?popup=true&BulletinID=24713
The bulletin board brings up so many topics: what people have found, new songs, microphones, what is the best tenor ukulele?, ukulele festivals, etc. It is a way to keep current with the ukulele world.
You will also find:
1) Online Store
2) Player Directory
3) Events Calendar
4) Marketplace (Ukuleles for Sale LOOK HERE)
5) Collector's Uke Yak (Ask the inportant questions)
6) Jukebox
7) Mailing List
8) Ukulele Links
Beginners Information / Vocal Lessons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMndYRvxLOY&feature=channel_page
Simple Guitar Lesson (Tim Gilberg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXOmxIQMEM&feature=channel_page
Vocal Lessons (Tim Gilberg)
1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qau_lVcIrxY&feature=channel_page
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZOrH-Bml68&feature=channel_page
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLKXqleK7Rk&feature=channel_page
4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPhD3myRDjg&feature=channel_page
5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owQmpItH7MU&feature=channel_page
6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSdjm-_sg6U&feature=channel_page
7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyB_b4ZJlDI&feature=channel_page
EZ Surf Guitar Rhythm Lesson ( Jason Lee Great Hair, Cool Guitar = Gretsch White Falcon)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXOmxIQMEM&feature=channel_page
Surf Guitar Tremelo Picking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXOmxIQMEM&feature=channel_page
www.nextlevelguitar.com
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Jason Mraz / I'm Yours
**ADDED TUTORIAL VIDEOS FOR "I'm Your's" AT BOTTOM OF POST**
Andy from the Berkeley Ukulele Club. Tells the best dud dad jokes. I find them quite entertaining but they're the type of jokes a teenage daughter would roll her eyes and say "daaaaaaaaad!". Andy built himself a beautiful Mango ukulele at Mike DaSilva's studio. He's also a long-time ukulele-on-steroids of the 6-string variety (sometimes called a guita...) Andy can whip out the classic rock songs and at the last club meeting, the one where he brought pizza for the potluck open microphone meeting a couple weeks early, he was playing Jack Johnson's Breakdown and Jason Mraz' I'm Yours.
Aha, so that's why I posted this song here. I liked this video for it's energy and the drummer in this video is fun to watch too. The chords are not the basic ukulele super-friendly chords. But I have been practicing these barred chords upon the advice of Uncle Larry.
B = 4322, F#= 3121, G#m = 1342 (Oh yeah!), and E = 4442
One C#7 = 1112
I used to struggle with the Bb chord and now it definitely has been superceded with the E chord. I play it by using my index finger at the 2nd fret and reverse-flexing my ring finger on the 4th fret. This makes for a nice transition back to the B chord.
[The chording can be quite simple if moved a half-step higher --> C, G, Am, F and D7 but then you don't get all the practice using the barred chords.]
I hope the pizza is still good!
HU
(Link for 'Lucky' http://rightkindofphrase.yuku.com/topic/3020/t/Lucky-Correct-Chords.html)
(Link for 'Life is Wonderful' http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/j/jason_mraz/life_is_wonderful_crd.htm)
ADDED 7-29-09
And last, Ukulele Undergrounder Numero Uno, Aldrine Guerrero...
(Hey Aldrine, I heard Manny in the Background!)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Ukulele Healing Vibration
“I take the 'ukulele anywhere and everywhere, and I'm forever playing on it just as quietly as I can. I've found unexpected rewards in playing it quietly. The louder you play it, the faster the decay, i.e., the plunkier the tone. The thing sounds prettier and has a warm sustain when played quietly. It's kind of addictive.” - Steven Strauss
The ukulele truly makes a beautiful sound. I normally end my day strumming a few songs. It is an instrument of soothing vibration when played softly as Steven describes. I keep a binder especially devoted to his arrangements and I also use the pads of my index finger and thumb to get that special “quiet sound”.
I came across a some ukulele photos on the internet that led me to Jack Haas’ site and he has incorporated his instruments into his spiritual practices. He has an OMstrument and healing chakra stimulating ukulele chords videos, that you can click here to see…
http://www.omstrument.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psvnsjVZS-U&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiPT8Uos0iw&feature=channel_page
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Fields of Gold Study for BUC
Click on blog label to go to Brad's You Tube page.
AMOS LEE / SWEET PEA study for BUC song
Here's a guitarist that has posted a cover of Sweet Pea. Watching him helps me understand the changes of the song better. So I've included it here from BradInTampa...
Brad also does me the favor of posting the lyrics and chords in his comments...
Verse: E, G#7, C#m, F#
Bridge: G#7, C#m, F#, B
Sweet pea Apple of my eye
Don't know when and I don't know why
You're the only reason I keep on coming home
Sweet pea What's all this about
Don't get your way all you do is fuss and pout
You're the only reason I keep on coming home
I'm like the rock of Gibralter I always seem to falter
And the words just get in the way
Oh I know I'm gonna crumble I'm trying to stay humble
But I never think before I say
Sweet pea Keeper of my soul
I know sometimes I'm out of control
You're the only reason I keep on coming
You're the only reason I keep on coming yeah
You're the only reason I keep on coming home
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Eternal Ukulele Questions...
This video has many of those beginner questions (that I used to ask)...
Friday, March 13, 2009
Norwegian Wood / Keonepax
YELLOW BIRD DUET SOLO (yes)
This Yellow Bird video has been one of my favorites for a long time. Be sure to click on this blog header so you can get to Keonepax's YouTube channel for many more songs. Don't miss E Ku'u Morning Dew. It's is simple and beautiful.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Songs I'm Thinking About for the Ukulele
MERCEDEZZZ (YouTube) / I will Survive
Monday, March 9, 2009
Cliff Edwards - Hang on to me 1931
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Elizabeth Darling
Elizabeth Darling – “Dear Steven Hawking” Nice stormy scene from rooftop, thunder. I like her creative strums from her different videos and I always appreciate a thoughtful or imaginative song.
Allo, Darlin’ (Elizabeth Darling) – “Girlfriend” (Alistair had this one on his UkuleleHunt page. I really liked the way the uke is a strong part of the band. Thanks again Al.)
Be sure to click on the blog title to get to her website and more songs.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Who is this ukulele player?
I have joined the Ukulele Social Club ning at http://ukulelesocialclub.ning.com/. I think that you may find something of interest there. Check it out!
I came across an article saved by another ukulele junkie about a famous ukulele player. Here are several quotes from this very well known player. Take a guess who it is and leave a comment... I'll let you know later.
“Some people may tell you the ukulele is easy to play, but don’t you believe them. Like most instruments, it’s easy to play badly and hard to play well.”
“The first thing I recognized was that playing the uke was not as easy as everyone had said it was. It was downright difficult. “
“The second thing I noticed, after fumbling around for half an hour, was that I had absolutely no talent.”
“My musical ability seemed to evolve at a geologic clip characterized by long periods of stasis punctuated with sudden forward lurches.” (Now this sounds like Steven Strauss to me, but it is not. Take another guess.)
“What is important is that I never gave up on the ukulele, or myself. If I had, I never would have discovered my aptitude for playing. That discovery—an epiphany, really—was a big relief. Those things you hear when you’re a kid, like “slow and steady wins the race” and “good things come to those who wait” and “talent is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration” have been revealed to me in my life in unexpected ways, involving ukuleles”.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mississippi Mud
Words and Music by James Cavanaugh & Harry Barris - 1927
Chorus:
Interlude:
Lord -y how they play it! Good -ness, how they sway it.
(Repeat Chorus)