Ukulele Underground Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Improvising Memes | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #115 Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/improvising-memes-tuup115/

How do you use “Memes” to Jump in on Songs and Improvise? Aldrine shares his secret tips to playing along to other people even when you’re unsure of the songs, keys, or chord switches. This leads into a discussion on improvising, and how you can use simple songs to “Meme” to your audience. Two viewers ask questions on plucking with your Fretting Hand, and improving your Strumming Speed. The guys respond to a viewers comment on being intimidated by the Improv Masters, Kalei and Corey, and show how even the pros use simple tricks to make effective solos. Aldrine gives his own examples of how he is trying to improve on his ukulele journey, and how he is still a student too. At the end of the day, everything comes down to having Fun!

Fusing Ukulele + Jazz Big Bands | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #114 Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/fusing-ukulele-jazz-big-bands-tuup114/

What happens when you rearrange a Western Ukulele Instrumental Concept Album for Jazz Big Band? This Week Aldrine and Mike are sharing their experience playing and planning for the KCC Jazz Festival. We start off with a relatively quick conversation about Double Flats/Sharps, Reading the Youtube Comments, and Aldrine’s T-Shirt, then we dive into Aldrine and Mike recounting the Jazz Festival. Aldrine explains what it was like collaborating with KCC Music Director, Sarah Tochiki to rearrange songs from his Album Bandito Tyler. Aldrine also shares his fears of playing at the Jazz Festival, and criticizing his own performance. We get some last minute questions about Beginner Ukulele Book Recommendations, and Chord Shape Viability before showing off gifts from UU Member, Yoda.

What to Bring to a Uke Festival | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #113 Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/essential-festival-items-tuup113/

What are Essential Items you bring to a Festival? Do you even need to bring an Ukulele to a Festival, and should you bring your most “Expensive Ukulele” or should you bring a “Beater”? The team tries to help a viewer define a group of notes, and explain why they aren’t pentatonic, and why you don’t necessarily need to name them. Aldrine explains the advantages and disadvantages of different Ukulele Bridge Types. The podcast is topped of with recounting the Kauai Ukulele Festival and giving a preview of Aldrine’s workshop for the Monopolele Festival.

Memorizing without SHEET Music | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #112 Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/memorizing-without-sheet-music-tuup112/ Is Sheet Music necessary for Memorizing a song? In this Week’s Podcast Aldrine will show you how you can build your Music Instincts; Memorize songs using Numbers and Feelings; and play the “Wrong” Chord while playing the “Right” Song. We’re giving all of our opinions on when it’s appropriate to use and perform with TABS/Sheet Music.

Tapping in 2 Minutes | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #111 Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/tapping-in-two-minutes-tuup111/

Learn how to Tap in 2 Minutes! This week, the guys are challenging Aldrine to teach a Tapping Riff as fast as he can. After Aldrine’s Tapping Speedrun, he explains the theory behind Tapping. The Team discuss learning Party Trick Riffs vs learning to apply the same Flashy Techniques. As an Example of Elegant Application of Tapping, the guys geek out about the genius of Jake’s Album and Song, Dragon. This leads to an appreciative analysis of Ernie Cruz Jr. and the rest of the Cruz family. A Songwriting Challenge winner is picked while also drifting into a tangent about Dead Media. Aldrine ask’s the last question of the podcast: what is the Algorithm’s effect on Creativity?

Building Confidence through Little Oopsies | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #110 Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/building-confidence-through-little-oopsies-tuup110/

What does Pirate Ships, Sister Act and Building Confidence have in common? Answer: This Week’s Ukulele Underground Podcast. The guys start off the Podcast by playing their Song Submissions for the Songwriting Challenge, and making plans to get their own Pirate Ship. A member ask Aldrine if there are specific Thumb Picks for Ukulele, and if he has recommendations? The team discuss how you can Build Your Confidence even if you make little “Oopsies” or play a wrong note? The podcast is topped off with what pickups does Aldrine use, and where can you get the best Acai bowl?

Scrappy Youth VS Mature Musicians | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #109 Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/scrappy-youth-vs-mature-musician-tuup109/

What is the difference between a Scrappy, Up and Coming Musician VS a Mature Musician who has been around the block? What are the traits of Inexperienced Players and what are the qualities of Tasteful Players? What Jamming Faux Pas should you avoid, and what can you do to Mature as a Musician? Find the answers to these questions plus our thoughts on High Humidity, Jazz, and Metal on today’s podcast.

Harsh Truth Among Impostors | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #108 Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes and Timestamp: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/harsh-truth-among-impostors-tuup108/

What was a Harsh Truth Aldrine needed to face in order to improve as an Ukulele Player? Aldrine shares the precise moment when someone gave him a “Harsh Truth” that pushed him to being a better player. We also hear how Aldrine learned to grow from these criticisms and how he changed his goals to better reflect himself. The guys discuss Wound, Unwound and Flatwound Low G Strings and what they prefer. A new Songwriting Challenge is set before Aldrine gets introspective on where his own Impostor Syndrome comes from, and how he deals with it.

Warm-Ups that Make You SWOLE | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #107 Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/warm-ups-that-make-you-swole-tuup107/

Learn these Secret Warm-Ups that will maximize your (Finger) Muscles, and get you SWOLE! Before Aldrine reveals his secrets to the perfect Warm-Ups, he talks about his busy Weekend spent going to an awesome concert, and hanging out with Ukulele Heavy Hitters. The guys answer the questions of will sanding and repainting an ukulele change the sound, and how do you turn a Melody into a Fingerstyle Song? Aldrine explains his recommended Warm-Ups and how focusing on Form is more important than speed. If you want to be the Strongest Ukulele Player you can be, check out this Week’s Podcast!

First Gig Fumbles | The Ukulele Underground Podcast #106 Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/first-gig-fumbles-tuup106/

We’re taking a retrospective look back at Aldrine’s first unpaid Gig vs his first paid Gig. Aldrine also reveals the source of his Stage Anxiety, and if he regrets making mistakes while on stage. The guys give suggestions for playing odd time signatures before Aldrine talks about his impostor syndrome. The UU team reveal their humble working conditions while also teasing some future plans.

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