Ukulele Underground Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Sit Back, Get Relaxed, Enjoy the Show | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #35 Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/10/sit-back-get-relaxed-enjoy-the-show-tuup35/

It's a relaxed podcast this week. Because Joe Souza joined last week, the guys turned up the professionalism. Now that it's back to only the UU team, we can make all the 90's, cartoons, and anime references we want. Speaking of 90's, we start by discussing other uke podcast that don't make 90's cartoon references. A member asks the team for Hawaii tourist stop recommendations catered to ukulele players. The guys suggest factory tours, music shops, and local shows. When giving a Student Review, UU argues that playing relaxed can make your jazz playing sound more authentic. The gang reviews the latest Songwriting Challenge Submissions before announcing the winners for that, and the September Ukulele giveaway.

Planting Kuleana | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #34 (ft. Joe Souza) Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/10/planting-kuleana-ft-joe-souza-tuup35/

Planting Kuleana or responsibility; how are we being responsible for the land and the environment? This week, Uncle Joe Souza joins us to talk about planting Koa, Sustainably harvesting wood, ukulele features and more. But first, the podcast starts off with a walk down memory lane for Aldrine and Joe, and an introduction to Joe and Kanile` ukuleles. Joe then tackles the questions of why Reforest Hawai`i was created, and what are the plans for the trees that are planted? He also explains the benefits of planting Koa trees, and how Koa trees are raised and harvested. A member ask Joe if he thinks Koa will become a protected wood species, and what are other tonewoods that are sustainably harvested? There's also a spicy question about Kanile`a's sand inlays and their plans for new ukuleles. Joe is a great friend and a wealth of knowledge, so this is definitely a podcast you'll want to watch.

How to Secure a Jam BFF | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #33 Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/09/how-to-secure-a-jam-bff-tuup33/

Do you want a Jam BFF? This week the guys list their Do's and Don'ts for a good Jam. Before they show you how to be a smooth Jam Partner, the team answers a question about the recording order of instruments, and explain why it's usually better to record the Rhythm Section first. UU tackles what you can do when the group you're playing with starts to become "repetitive". A very serious question of, "what uke would you be?" is asked. Topping off the hour, the guys play their songs, make a call to action for uke clubs, and remind everyone of next week's guest and giveaway. You don't want to miss it!

Triplet Threat | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #32 Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/09/triplet-threat-tuup32/

The "Masters" are back this week to show you how to "Master" the Ukulele (not really). The guys open the podcast by explaining why they don't like to use the word, "Master." A Student Review kicks off a discussion on Wah Pedals. Another member asks the team what are their favorite ukulele instrumentals? With so many choices, Aldrine manages to narrow it down to his top 5. Aaron gives a more personal answer, and Kahai names his Top 2 instrumentals while escaping the cops. Someone challenges Aldrine's "Master" credentials by asking about the Hawaiian Triplet, Tin Pan Alley Triplet and Kimo Hussey? This also brings up who Aldrine would add to his Infinity Gauntlet of Ukulele Teachers. The podcast ends with reminders of the UU+ Giveaway, Seasons of the Ukulele Contest, Special Guest, and Songwriting Challenge.

Fundamentals, Foundations & Application | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #31 Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Post Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/09/fundamentals-foundations-application-tuup31/

This week the team discuss Fundamentals that are often overlooked, but necessary. The podcast is jumpstarted with a reminder of the Songwriting Challenge, and an announcement of a future guest. Aldrine tackles last week's cliffhanger question with an example of Kalei adapting to a double course ukulele. We get to the meat of the podcast when a member asks how to hold the Soprano? Holding your Ukulele Fundamentals are reviewed, and UU restates the importance of having a good foundation. Someone asks for fun ways to know your scales better, and the team explains the practical applications for knowing your scales. For the last question, another member asks how to approach learning a song. UU brings up another foundational skill of listening and imagining what a song sounds like. The podcast concludes with news of upcoming events, and a reminder of the ukulele giveaway.

To Strap or Not to Strap? | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #30 Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/09/to-strap-or-not-to-strap-tuup30/

To Strap or Not to Strap, that is the question. This week's podcast is all about Straps: playing with them and playing without; the pros and cons; and the different types of Straps. Before the podcast ends, the guys also get in some questions about Double Course Ukuleles (5-8 String Ukuleles).

Meeting Our Heroes | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #29 Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/08/meeting-our-heroes-tuup29/

Would you meet your Heroes? This week the guys recount experiences when they met Celebrities, and their Musical Heroes. Before we get to that, the last Songwriting Challenge Winners are announced, and a new Theme Song Challenge is set. Kahai starts this week's main topic by relating when he met Jake, and Loren Bouchard. Aaron shares how meeting Danielle ate the Sandwich went as he expected. Aldrine recaps how the Cruz family has personally helped him as a musician. The team spends the rest of the podcast talking about the struggles of learning music before the internet, and how this struggle and learning by listening can actually make you a better player. We've enjoyed meeting our Heroes and we hope you get the chance to meet yours.

Paying Our Respect | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #28 Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/08/paying-our-respect-tuup28/

This week's podcast, we're paying respect to Ukulele and Slack Key Legend, Hal Kinnaman. The team discuss Hal's Legacy and how he personally effected Ukulele Underground. Aldrine shares the famous Spider Warmup originally taught by Hal. Using Hal as an example, the guys talk about people coming to Hawaii and learning Hawaiian music. They also consider the importance of perpetuating culture, and why some people might guard traditions more securely. This leads to a conversation on respect when passing on culture. Other topics included this week are Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, Hula, Keali`i Reichel, and Hawaiian names. The podcast ends with with a reminder that Aloha Friday will be on Instagram this week, and that there is a new UU+ Solo Lesson.

Stage Fright to Flow State | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #27 Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/08/stage-fright-to-flow-state-tuup27/

How do you overcome Stage Fright, and enter the Flow State? Aldrine starts off by suggesting a thought exercise to help focus during a performance. Kahai gives a tip from a magician, and while Aaron doesn't get stage fright, he still talks through things that help keep him calm. Aldrine then explains why Liquid Courage doesn't work for him, and Kahai reassures that most audience members won't even remember your mistakes. The guys go to the opposite end of the performance spectrum, and discuss the Zone or Flow State . They examine what it is, their theories on why it happens, and when it is most likely to happen. For the latter half of the podcast, the team tries to tackle the infamous ukulele "Quack" and how you can minimize it. They give their best tips for playing and recording practices to reduce the unwanted sound. This leads to a couple of tangents before the podcast is finished with a request for UU Shirt Suggestions.

Musical Maturity (ft. Magic Mike) | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #26 Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2021/08/musical-maturity-ft-magic-mike-tuup26/

For a podcast on Musical Maturity, we had to bring back one of the most "Mature" Musicians we know, Magic Mike. Before we dive into the importance of Musical Maturity, we ask Mike who his favorite street fighter character is and if he has a UU Shirt? This leads the crew to talk about the history of UU shirts and some of the rarest UU shirts. Mike shares his backstory of performing and how he got into music education. Members ask for help identifying what key their song is in. We bring back a Jazz comping question from last week to get Mike's take. This segues into Musical Maturity, giving bandmates suggestions, and when bands replace their members. The guys finally face the music, and show their Songwriting Challenge songs. The podcast is topped off with Mike trying to get the team to record an album, and giving a heads up for the upcoming events on UU.

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