Ukulele Underground Podcast

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TLL Podcast #133 - UU's 2020 Gift Guide Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/12/tll-podcast-133-uus-2020-gift-guide/

We're making a list, and we're checking it twice. We're going to find out what are UU's top gifts for this Holiday Season. The guys bring recommendations for stocking stuffers, diy presents, practical tools, and top shelf gifts. The team starts out with suggestions for tuners, fretboard Oil, and general Uke care products. This leads to Aldrine pitching his Idea for Ukulele Loot Crates. More pragmatic gifts like strings, polish cloths, and humidifiers are discussed before going into the top Ukulele and Music books. Aldrine offers a sentimental DIY alternative to music books, and gives his top gift for a Ukulele Player (a UU+ Subscription). Kahai proposes Audio Recorders or Audio interfaces for the Uke Player who already has everything. Effects Pedals are introduced as a fun gift for Uke Players with plug in Ukuleles. The guys wrap up the podcast by answering the question, "Does the aging of wood really affects the sound of the ukulele?"

TLL Podcast #132 - Electric Uke Divination Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/12/tll-podcast-132-electric-uke-divination/

This Week, the gang delivers powerful Psychic Divination on the future of the Solid Body Electric Uke. Call the Toll Free Number NOW to find out what's in store for these instruments. Aldrine states the changes in playing to accommodate the progress of Solid Body Ukes, Aaron divines who it will be that will take the instrument to new heights, and Kahai forecast what builders need to do to make the Electric Ukulele better than ever. The team takes a break from being psychics to open and react to maple candies they received from the community. Some positive feedback is offered to a Student Review and a Song Challenge Submission. Members ask how to choose a thumb pick, and where the thumb pick should be positioned on your finger? A winner is chosen for the Songwriting Challenge, and a new Challenge is set. The lesson is topped off with a discussion about Popular Karaoke Songs in Asia, New Lessons Announcements, the Merch Store Restock, and a Holiday Coupon Code.

TLL Podcast #131 - Listening for the Tur"Key" Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/11/tll-podcast-131-listening-for-the-turkey/

How do you Listen for the Tur"Key" of a song? The team explains their process for using your ear to find the key of a song, and how you practice to build this skill. But first, the guys have to make their weekly 90's reference, and discuss the Ukulele Friends' Podcast they were just on. Next they answer a member's question on transposing Video Game Music, and share their favorite Video Game Musicians. Aldrine explains why you want to keep your barre chords straight in a student review. A question about building your song repertoire sends the boys down a deep rabbit hole. Aldrine breaks down his two song per week methodology, kahai suggest not overlooking simple songs, and Aaron gives the age old wisdom of, "enjoy the process." The guys finally explain how to figure out a song's key. They discuss how everyone starts off slow, and how learning the "wrong" notes are just as important as learning the "right". UU reveals their songs that they pulled from thin air. At the end of the podcast, a new giveaway is announced, and a reminder that we won't be here next week is made.

TLL Podcast #130 - High Gs & Apologies Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/11/tll-podcast-130-high-gs-apologies/

This Week's Podcast starts off with a Public Apology from Aldrine. Mistakes were made in one of the previous Live Lessons, and Aldrine now knows the difference between a Major9 and an Add9 Chord. With that weight off his chest, Aldrine demonstrates and explains the reggae strum. He also introduces the term, Skank, and the whole UU Team explains why it helps to feel the "Skank" or "Groove" of the song. A student review leads the guys to reveal their Beatles Hot Take. A member asks about how you might emphasize strumming differently for low and high G ukes? This starts a tangent on why people own so many different instruments. The podcast ends with the boys offering some suggestions for the E/Barre Chords, and Aldrine giving some sage advice, "Just hold it down."

TLL Podcast #129 - Song Practice Routine Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/10/tll-podcast-129-song-practice-routine/

This Week Aldrine breaks down how he would personally practice a song. Before he does, the team reviews the Songwriting Challenge Submissions and pick a winner for the giveaway. A new Songwriting Challenge is set using the same formula as the last one. The words the guys choose for this challenge are "interesting" to say the least. There are some slight tangents with Kahai explaining what Li Hing Mui is, and Aldrine explaining his Liliko`i Turkey recipe. One of the bonus challenges steers the discussion into how to use a minor and Add9 chord substitution. Aldrine demonstrates how he would divide a 30 minute practice into 4 parts: Chords, Groove, Line By Line, and Key/Scale exercises. He also shows how you can keep your practices interesting and how you can expand upon the song you are practicing. The podcast is topped off with a question about transferring Guitar Riffs to Ukulele, and an announcement that there will be no Live Lesson, 1 on 1 Coaching and Jam next Week. The team should be back the following week (November 12th). See you then!

TLL Podcast #128 – Chuck VS Chunk! Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/10/tll-podcast-128-chuck-vs-chunk/

It's the Final Showdown: Chuck VS Chunk! Which is the "Right" technique? The answer may surprise you. Before the team settles this debate, they review a student, and give their thoughts on why she is doing so well. Aldrine takes some pride in being the "General Practitioner" of the Ukulele world, and gives some recommendations to more "Specialized" professionals. A tip on recording yourself or practicing in the mirror leads the guys to question if there really are Right and Wrong Techniques. Kahai suggest you expand your technique toolbox, and instead of throwing techniques away, store them for later. A recap of Aldrine being on an online Ukulele Festival reminds him of his Music Teacher. Aldrine and Kahai reminisce their Highschool Band Days and compare it to the movie, Whiplash. Finally, UU sets the record straight on Chucking VS Chunking, and end with some other Musical Buzzwords that may have been misinterpreted by the Ukulele Community.

TLL Podcast #127 – Low High Afternoon Sky Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/10/tll-podcast-127-low-high-afternoon-sky/

This Week's Podcast is mostly about Low G tuning. If you ever wanted to know: does Low G Tuning require a different string, how do I know if I have a Low or High G, what are the pros and cons for Low VS High G, or can I learn from UU with a Low G ukulele, all these questions and more are answered on this Week's Live Lesson. Also discussed is Half Step tuning, tuning by ear, the Hertz settings on tuners, and Halloween/Thanksgiving songs. During the latter half of the podcast, the UU Crew reveals their perspective "Jubilant October Afternoon" Songs. They also explain how they took inspiration from other artist and songs to write their own challenge submissions.

TLL Podcast #126 – The Tale of 4 Grips Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/10/tll-podcast-126-the-tale-of-4-grips/

What is the Best way to Hold a Chord? The UU Team tries to answer this conundrum on this week's Live Lesson, but first, Aldrine explains what the "Bling" is hanging from his Headstock. The guys remind everyone what the Songwriting Challenge is, and encourages everyone to write something even if it isn't going to be a Masterpiece. A member is having trouble switching from Bm to Em, so Aldrine shows 4 different grips that are often overlooked when learning chords. Aaron explains how he works around this problem by using his Palm to Support the ukulele, and using the full chord shapes. Kahai brings up that every chord change is different. The same member asks why barring only two strings of the Bb chord is the norm. The Team reveals that there isn't one best way to hold a chord, and justifies why you would want to learn multiple ways to hold the same chord. When someone asks Aldrine how to do the reggae strum, Aldrine uses the analogy of a door opening to demonstrate the timing. Raking is brought up, and along with it, the guys do a deep dive into the genealogy of Guitar and Ukulele players. The Podcast ends with a Student Review, and a discussion about balancing the things you want to learn, and the things you should learn.

TLL Podcast #125 - Jubilant October Sky? Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/10/tll-podcast-125-jubilant-october-sky/

We're back in our new Studio for another Live Lesson Podcast. A new type of Songwriting Challenge leads the guys to come up with their own Mandela Effect. We'll see how many UUers write songs about October Skies, and how many write about October Afternoons. Before the new Challenge is made, the team helps someone who brought up the observation that uke covers seem to use more 7th chords than guitar covers. The discussion strays slightly into difficult chords and how difficulty is subjective. Aldrine offers some advice for a Student Review, but is more reflective on how much this Student improved by performing publicly. Praise is given for those who completed the last Songwriting Challenge before the guys come up with the new Challenge. The podcast ends with some talk of new Play Alongs, and the accuracy (100%) of older Play Alongs.

TLL Podcast #124 - The NEW UU Studio! Sep 26, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:
https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/09/tll-podcast-124-the-new-uu-studio/

The gang is coming to you LIVE from the New UU Studio. Even though it's a new studio, the guys are still answering questions, and giving advice. The first question they get is about Kanile'a's Mahogany (back and side) ukulele, and how it compares to Koa ukuleles. A member's asks about doing the roll and releasing your fingers in the opposite order. Aldrine reveals that the secret to getting a natural roll is actually the up strum. If the UU Team is talking, you know there has to be one detour into food. The guys come back to ukulele with a couple of student reviews. They suggest one student learn the music more thoroughly, and the other focus on the details. There are a few last minute questions about strings before the team reveals their latest songs.

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