Ukulele Underground Podcast

Latest Episodes:

TLL Podcast #123 - No Excuses Sep 19, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/09/tll-podcast-123-no-excuses/

While this week's podcast starts off simple enough with a question about tapping your feet, it soon devolves into topics like rhythm games, tiny ukuleles, cheap instruments, and why there are No Excuses for not playing ukulele. The guys try to help a member with tapping his feet and keeping rhythm to fast songs. A brief look at the new UU HQ and Aldrine's office set up brings up the discussion of too small ukes and too big hands. Our own, Aaron Nakamura acts as the shining example that the Musician makes the Instrument. This leads into a few questions about transitioning from Guitar to Ukulele. The guys take a major detour with talks about Jason Mraz, Billie Eilish, and Travis Scott. The podcast ends with the team coming up with a new Play Along idea, and Aldrine doing a throwback to an old Play Along.

TLL Podcast #122 - Stay Grounded Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/09/tll-podcast-122-stay-grounded/

The UU Team brings back a couple of trends from past podcast. Aldrine sparks some old school "Tech Talk" when he shows his new Mic. The microphone discussion evolves to include pickups, cables, and grounding issues. After the "Tech Talk" has been exhausted, the guys offer advice to a couple of students who are already on the right path. Songwriting Submissions are due, so Aldrine announces what the Songwriting Challengers have won. Whhile setting the new Challenge, Kahai and Aldrine explain why saving and showing half finished songs is valuable. Aldrine brings back the Two Chord Challenge from last year, and Aaron inspires a bonus chord Challenge from his last song submission. Talking about simple songs reminds the group about one of their favorite Jam Spots on Oahu, and the musicians they got to play with.

TLL Podcast #121 - Frustration Practice Sep 05, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/09/tll-podcast-121-frustration-practice/

What should you do when you get Frustrated during Practice? Magic Mike Odo is back to help a member with this problem, and offer his wisdom. The podcast starts off with Aldrine showing some found treasures from his parent's house. During a Student Review, the guys remind the importance of being relaxed and calm. Mike makes a slight deviation into Music History and the evolution of harmony. Aldrine's asks Mike if he remembers when he changed Aldrine's career (for the better). From there, the team discuss how effects should compliment your playing, and not be used to hide your deficiencies. With EVERYONE'S songs prepared this week, the team show each other what they came up with. Mike offers his thoughts on the songs, and some last minute Music Theory Vocabulary.

TLL Podcast #120 - Memorabilia Wishlist Aug 29, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:
https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/08/tll-podcast-120-memorabilia-wishlist/

There's no way the guys would go off on a tangent, and talk about what TV Show Memorabilia they wish they could own, right? That would never happen with this Ukulele Focused Podcast, but if you do like those kinds of talks stick to the end of the podcast. The team tries to help a member who's worried about how loud his strumming is. While Aldrine offers some practical advice with changing the curl of your finger, Aaron suggests not overthinking and focusing on having fun first. Next month's song lesson is brought up, and the guys start talking about the Uke Legend, Troy Fernandez. When the discussion shifts to some of the challenges of making UU videos, Kahai and Aaron share some insight on how the "Sausage is made". A question about using an amp to practice reminds Aldrine of the original reason he stopped using effects pedals. Everyone gets one pass; Aldrine uses his to ask for an extension on the Songwriting Challenge. The podcast is ended with a nice surprise and unboxing from a member.

TLL Podcast #119 – Drive Around the Wall Aug 22, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/08/tll-podcast-119-drive-around-the-wall/

What happens when you Hit the Wall? You Drive Around It. In this week's podcast, the team discuss approaches you can take when you don't know where to go, and why there's always something new to work on. Aaron gives a tip on improving your right and left hand coordination. Kahai explains why it's ok to work on a song for a long time, and how you should build up to hard songs. Aldrine shares an exciting release from Jake, and talks about Master Teacher, Bruce Shimabukuro. This leads to a conversation on how even Masters need to "Wash their Belts" from time to time. The podcast is topped off with some student reviews, and a question about how long a beginner should spend learning music theory.

TLL Podcast #118 – Groovy Karaoke Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links;

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/08/tll-podcast-118-groovy-karaoke/

This Week's Podcast starts off with a very Impressive Student Review. The team also announce who won the "Ukulele Tattoo" contest from last week. A new Songwriting Challenge is set unusually early for the Live Lesson. The Guideline for the Challenge is easy, but the bonuses should make for some interesting song submissions. Talking about Key Modulations brings up the topic of what makes a Groovy Karaoke Song? A member asks the guys for their opinions on Abalone inlays and rosettes, and Aldrine gets to show off his fancy tuning pegs. Someone asks how to teach children to strum, so Aldrine shows how to play with groove instead of a strumming pattern. This leads the guys into sharing stories of when their parents inadvertently made them hate certain songs. When Aldrine explains his "Bridge Wood" Ukulele, a member asks what is the best way to remove smudges from the soundboard. The podcast ends with a discussion about buying your first ukulele, and some recommendations for online ukulele sellers.

TLL Podcast #117 - Matching UU Tattoos Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/08/tll-podcast-117-matching-uu-tattoos/

This week, the guys play connect the dots by connecting Harmonics to Tiny Whisk and Tattoos. The podcast starts off on topic with a Student Review. Aldrine suggests the Student pay more attention to the angle their fingers are picking the strings. Kahai gives the tip to play the note instead of looking for the note. Aaron advises emphasizing the first beat to better feel the Triplet Rhythm of the song. They also talk about the cons of using the wrong string set for a different tuning. An audience member asks where they can get Aldrine's New String Sets? Aldrine answers, and reminds everyone about the new Play Along Channel. Aaron and Aldrine explain the reasoning behind the new channel, and what may be coming to it. The thread starts to unwind when someone asks Aldrine to review Harmonics again. He explains a few ways to play Harmonics, and a new approach that he's been experimenting with. The gang relates these High Level Techniques to specific tools for just the right job (like a Tiny Whisk). This leads to Kahai talking about Chefs who get tattoos of cooking utensil, and what the ukulele player's equivalent would be. The podcast ends with UU discussing what tattoos are cool, and what tattoos they would get. Aldrine also opens up a chance for listeners to win new AGxAQ Strings if they have an Ukulele related tattoo.

Email Questions, or Pictures of Your Ukulele Tattoos to Questions@ukuleleunderground.com

TLL Podcast #116 - Simon Circle of 5ths Aug 01, 2020

Show notes

Learn how you can Transpose easily by playing Simon with the Circle of 5ths. A question leads the guys to discuss Transposing, 5ths, Movable chords, and even some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l937BsK3-tU" rel="noopener" target="_blank">90's Games</a>. Another member asks for the Magic Secret to Pinky Mutes. When someone asks Aldrine if he plays low G, he gives some hidden examples that people may not be aware of. At the end of the podcast, Aldrine spends some time talking about unique ukuleles in his collection and where around the world they may be.

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/07/tll-podcast-116-simon-circle-of-5ths/

TLL Podcast #115 - Panning for Diamonds Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

How do you add more to a song without overcrowding it? You Pan for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-iGrfnovAU" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Diamonds</a>. The UU guys explain what "Panning" means, and how adjusting the Pan of an instrument can add depth to your song. Before that, they review a couple of Student Reviews, and give Feedback. Aldrine gives advice on keeping a Steady Tempo. Kahai suggests working on Consistent Fingerpicking. Aaron reminds everyone to look back and think about how much you've improved. Giving advice on Arranging, Mixing, and Panning, the team start to talk about how Listening will make you a better Musician. One UU+ member asks, "what do you to do when you Plateau?" UU explains how there's always more to learn, and how learning music is a Journey not a Goal. Aldrine asks Kahai a hypothetical, "if you have to pick between Adam Neely and Jacob Collier?" Aaron tops off the podcast by talking about the Creative Itch, and how Failure is normal for everyone.

Podcast Show Notes and Links:
https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/07/tll-podcast-115-panning-for-diamonds/

TLL Podcast #114 - Growing Your Skill Tree Jul 18, 2020

Show notes

This Week, the podcast is filled with a variety of subjects. The guys start off by discussing how to define Skill Levels. Aldrine states the importance on not letting labels like Beginner or Intermediate define you. Aaron explains how learning music is more like Growing a Tree. Everyone needs a Foundational Base, but you can choose how to Branch Off. A member asks about Calluses which leads Aldrine to talk about what he's doing to keep his calluses, and new things he's been Practicing since lockdown. The same member asks about alternatives for tapping your foot to Keep Time. The team answers with a conversation about Feeling Rhythms in different ways, and using your whole body to Feel the Beat. Kahai plays his Anime Inspired Live Lesson opening song, and the podcast is finished with some book and string recommendations for Baritone Players.

Podcast Show Notes and Links:

https://ukuleleunderground.com/2020/07/tll-podcast-114-growing-your-skill-tree/

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