Ukulele Underground Podcast

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The Last Ukulele Underground Podcast | The UU Podcast #165 Apr 29, 2025

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14 Years of Memories & Finding Your PeopleVideo Podcast: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/the-last-ukulele-underground-podcast-the-uu-podcast-165.169256/

For the last Ukulele Underground Podcast, the UU Crew are taking a walk down Memory Lane. They reminisce from when Kahai first joined UU to their more recent Favorite Memories from the Podcast and Jams. Kahai ask what Takeaways Aldrine and Aaron have from UU, and shares his own learned lesson. The guys discuss the things that made them a great team (and some things that made them butt heads). They talk about the friends they were able to make, and how nice it is to find "Your People". At the end of the Podcast, Viewers share their own Favorite Moments. Thank you to everyone who watched, listened, sent in questions, or was a part of the podcast.

Do you even need the THUMB? | The UU Podcast #164 Apr 22, 2025

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Kauai Festivals, Proper Standing Form & Capo Intonation TroublesVideo Podcast: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/do-you-even-need-the-thumb-the-uu-podcast-164.169140/

This Week, we're getting a recap of some of the Going-ons happening on Kauai and Oahu. Aldrine talks about the Kauai Ukulele Festival, the Hawaiian Culture that was shared at the festival, and the performers including his own Academy. Then the guys review the Brewers Festival which featured a Looping Performance from Mike Love (not from the Beach Boys). Aldrine gives a "Shoutout" to Sarah and Craig, and explains how his One Piece tournament went on Oahu. A viewer asks for Proper Form when Standing or using a Strap? Aldrine demonstrates how if you have Proper Form, you don't even need your thumb in the back of the neck to play. A couple more audience questions include how Aldrine keeps his picking nails nice, why ukes go out of tune when using a capo, and if pressing down too hard will cause grooves in the fret?

Structured Practice Résumé... Remixes... REGIMENS | The UU Podcast #163 Apr 15, 2025

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Proper Triangle Posture, String Expiration, Learning the Feel & Non-Wood UkesVideo Podcast: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/structured-practice-r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-remixes-regimens-the-uu-podcast-163.169033/

How do you know when to move on to next lesson? How do you structure a Proper Practice Résumé Regimen? The guys start this week's Podcast by giving some feedback to a "Drunken Gymnast". They explain why it's important to have proper form, and why you should move on even if you haven't "Perfected" a song or technique. Aldrine explains how he would allocate time in a Practice Session and what makes something "Practice" vs "Playing". When a UU Member asks if strings can "Expire", the UU crew disagrees with each other on how long strings can last in the packaging. Another viewer brings up learning Ohta-San's arrangements which leads the team to talk about why you can't learn the "Feel" of a song from written annotation. The Podcast is topped off with the topic of non-wood Ukuleles.

Developing the "Aldrine" Persona | The UU Podcast #162 Apr 08, 2025

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Being "Yourself" On Stage, Doubling Down on Jokes, & Reeling in the Audience

Video Podcast: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/developing-the-aldrine-persona-the-uu-podcast-162.168936/

On this Week's Podcast, Aldrine is revealing how and when his On Stage Persona came to be. The guys also discuss standing out from other Musicians, Making Multi-Layered Jokes, Looking for "Marks" in the Audience, and making the Audience feel like a part of the show. Taking some questions from the Live Chat, Aldrine shares his process for Learning a Song, and answers if 9, 11, and 13th Chords always need a flat 7th note. After showing what makes a dominant 9th chord, the UU Crew demonstrates how two ukuleles could be used to play a full 11 Chord. The podcast is topped off with a discussion on Pickups, and why Passive Pickups don't really suit Pro Players, but might do just fine for other people.

The Advice You Probably DON'T Want to HEAR | The UU Podcast #161 Apr 01, 2025

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Classical Appreciation, The Cons of Chord Shortcuts, & Gaining the "Uncle Status"Watch the Podcast: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/the-advice-you-probably-dont-want-to-hear-the-uu-podcast-161.168830/

In the Style of Uncles, the UU Crew is giving some harsh truths and advice on this Week's Podcast. The Podcast Starts off with finding out what Song changed Aldrine's opinion on Classical Music. We also hear about the Songs and Genres that taught Aldrine "Phrasing", and influenced his playing. The Guys talk about how long you should go before changing strings, then give tips for Purposeful Practice. Aldrine explains the features that make up his Personal Ukulele, and the meaning of Chang a lang. The UU Team review some common workarounds for difficult chord shapes, and share why you probably don't want to use these chordal shortcuts. The end of the Podcast is spent talking about when Aldrine will reach Uncle Status, and what makes an "Ukulele Unc".

Breaking out of the Festival Formula | The UU Podcast #160 Mar 25, 2025

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Craig and Sarah's Ukulele Retreat, Bringing a Cultural Component & What Makes a Good FestivalVideo Podcast & Timestamps: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/breaking-out-of-the-festival-formula-featuring-roo-the-uu-podcast-160.168727/

We're catching up with Friend, and UUer, Roo on Uke. We learn more about Roo, who he is, and why the name change? Aldrine and Roo were at Craig and Sarah's retreat last week, so they're giving their perspective recaps, and favorite things from the retreat. Viewers ask about Roo's latest Ukulele Acquisition, and what was the best advice he received from the UU Crew. Being a Festival/Retreat veteran, the guys grill Roo on what he thinks makes a good Festival or Retreat. Roo mentions attending the only UU Retreat on Kauai, and the benefits of bringing a Cultural Component to Retreats. At the end of the podcast, Roo gives the team some gifts from Rehobeth before Aldrine says something mean to Roo just to officially make it a UU Pod.

Sincere Apologies, Musical Storytelling & Gigging Advice | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #159 Mar 18, 2025

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Mystery Guest, Knowing What to Fingerpick, Song Variations & Gigging in HawaiiVideo Podcast & Timestamps: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/sincere-apologies-musical-storytelling-gigging-advice-the-ukulele-underground-podcast-159.168606/In a Heartfelt and Sincere tone, Aldrine has to issue a Deep Apology to a Close Personal Friend (who will remain anonymous). After the Completely Serious Apology, Aldrine gives a quick lesson on No Ke Ano Ahiahi. He shows how you can build up from playing the chords; to strumming; to fingerpicking; and finally adding in the Melody Line to make it a Solo Song. The guys also answer how Music (and Hawaiian Music in particular) can have a so many different variations of the same song. The crew starts talking about Classical Music and Music Notation which leads to Aldrine telling a story about being surprised by his own Sheet Music. Aldrine and Mike share some advice they got about Music and Life before sharing their own tips for getting a gig in Hawaii, and joining the Hawaii Music Scene without being "That Guy".

Life Lessons from Moloka`i | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #158 Mar 11, 2025

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Joining a Community, Small Island Life, & LāhuiVideo Podcast & Timestamps: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/life-lessons-from-moloka-i-the-ukulele-underground-podcast-158.168494/Aldrine and Aaron went to Moloka`i this weekend to play for the Super Bowl (Soup R' Bowl). While on Moloka`i, the guys got a taste of what "Real Small" island life can be like, and learned valuable Life Lessons. Aldrine learned how to hug correctly, and the proper way to sing Happy Birthday in Hawaiian. Some of the Major Takeaways from the weekend was how to Become a Part of a Community, and the True Meaning of Being Rich. Before the Podcast ends, the Crew gives away the Pure Heart CD for the Songwriting Challenge, explains the awesomeness of Moloka`i Hot Bread, and talks about experiencing Video Game Withdrawals. Come along for the ride and become a part of our Hui.

Writing Pure Hearted Songs | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #157 Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Half Step Down Tuning, Letting Songs Out, Syncing Strumming and Chord Switches

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/writing-pure-hearted-songs-the-ukulele-underground-podcast-157.168379/

This week the guys are imitating Pure Heart, and showcasing their Half Step Down songs for the Songwriting Challenge. The guys talk about what inspirations they took from Pure Heart, letting the Song guide them, and why it's better to let Songs out rather than bottle them in. Encouraged from the Challenge, a UUer asks if all the strings need to be tuned down a Half Step? The last quarter of the Podcast is spent giving tips for when you lose your place while strumming, and how to sync up your strumming and chord switching. Some last minute questions about pickups, and Easy Left Hand Exercises are answered before the guys remind everyone about the New Play Along, and the Open Mic this coming Thursday.

Want to Learn FAST? Learn like a KID | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #156 Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

CAGE, Movable Chords, Favorite Movies & Our First Picking Songs

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://forum.ukuleleunderground.com/threads/want-to-learn-fast-learn-like-a-kid-the-ukulele-underground-podcast-156.168289/

What is the CAGE Method, and is there an easier way to learn Movable Chords? Besides explaining CAGE, the guys discuss what pick guards are, and if they are worth it? We go off on a little bit of a movie tangent when a watcher asks what Aldrine thinks about the new Bob Dylan Biography? Aaron asks for Aldrine to take a walk down memory lane and explain how he first learned to pick. These stories remind the crew why Kids learn so fast, and what we can all do to be more like them. Before the podcast ends, Aldrine gives tips for incorporating the melody line in a song, and ways to explore open tuning on the Ukulele? Maybe the CAGE Method was the friends we made along the way...

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