The Live Ukulele Podcast

<p>Join Brad Bordessa, a professional ukulele teacher and performer, for insightful deep-dives, interviews, and fun on The Live ʻUkulele Podcast! In these episodes you'll explore important uke lessons, hear first-hand stories from the Hawaiʻi music scene, and get to know some of the biggest names in the ukulele community.<br><br>With a background in Hawaiian music, Brad approaches the ukulele from the intuitive side. Through tips and tricks to improve your mentality surrounding music and the philosophy of the ukulele, he provides encouragement and permission to explore this four-stringed instrument in an organic way that works best for you.<br><br>Guests from Hawaiʻi and abroad join in to share heartfelt and insightful off-the-cuff conversations on a huge range of topics.<br><br>Tune in every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month for a new episode and be sure to subscribe.</p>

2024: Is it Over Yet? A Live Ukulele Review

Recap of 2024 and the challenges, successes, and plans for the future.- Ways to support: https://liveukulele.com/support/- Easy songs database: https://liveukulele.com/songs/easy-ukulele-songs/- Workshop replays: https://liveukulele.com/store/#replays- Get a Zoom lesson with me: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-lessons/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support...

10-19
18:54

Digesting my New Single: The Story and Arrangement Behind "Eat You"

This episode breaks down the meaning and arrangement of my new single, "Eat You." Hear the isolated multitracks and the story behind the humorous message.SHARE on FB: "Eat You" music video: https://www.facebook.com/61556463131359/videos/374799105684672- NEW Soloing Masterclass: https://liveukulele.com/store/soloing-masterclass/- Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5- LISTEN: "Eat You" on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/alb...

10-05
49:57

Kingside: Exploring Ensemble Playing with Brad's Band

In this episode, Brad is joined in the studio by the members of his band, Kingside: https://kingside808.com/. They talk about the process of creating interesting arrangements, playing as a unit, being selfless as a musician, and much more. A great listen for ukulele players who play or would like to play in a group.- Alan Ku: bass @alankuaudio- Brad Bordesa: ukulele @bradbordessa- Nick Rohfeld: drums @nickrohfeld- Ryan "Higgs" Higgins: guitar @higgsofficial---Check out my new single, "Eat You...

09-21
01:17:30

September is Improv Month!

Several opportunities this month to learn improvising and soloing:- Zoom workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/9-28-24-workshop/Keep an eye our for my soloing masterclass at the end of the month!Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons...

09-07
20:24

Eminent Ukulele with Kimo Hussey

A conversation with ukulele grandmaster, Uncle Kimo Hussey. We talk about his breaking into the scene as a fresh Air Force retiree, his approach to teaching, how he arranges, and much more.- Solo arranging workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/8-24-24-workshop/- Sign up for my newsletter: https://liveukulele.com/signup/- Uncle Kimo's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KimoHusseyUkuleleSupport the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access...

08-17
01:05:39

U-Basics - Bass for Ukulele Players

How to transition into the role of bass/U-bass player for simple ensemble playing. In this episode I provide some basic tips and thoughts on how to hold down a solid low end, find a responsible pocket, and be an asset to the band.Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coup...

08-03
38:56

Bryan Tolentino: Professional Fairy Duster

A conversation with Hawaiʻi's own Bryan Tolentino on being a hired gun and all the skills and musical sensibilities that are required for the job. Bryan has played and recorded with many top Hawaiian musicians, including: Raiatea Helm, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta, Jr., Aunty Genoa Keawe, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Hōkū Zuttermeister, Marlene Sai, Melveen Leed, Jerry Santos, Nathan Aweau, Frank Hewett, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Owana Salazar, Weldon Kekauoha, Natalie Ai, Napua Greig...

07-20
01:02:31

Too Much of a Good Thing? Notes on Learning

In this episode I muse on how social media has changed learning ukulele and how to get the most out of using TABs!- Kingside: https://www.kingside808.com/- The Music Lesson book by Victor Wooten: https://www.vixmerch.com/collections/vix-education/products/the-music-lesson-paperback-book?variant=31786157899837Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Beco...

07-06
36:01

Kevin Brown: Finding the Hawaiian Sound

In this episode I talk to Maui's own Kevin Brown. A slack key guitarist and vocalist, Uncle Kevin has been weaving Hawaiian sounds since the early 70s with his band, The Waiʻehu Sons. Now primarily a solo artist, we chatted about his start in music, gigging and recording in the 70s, and how to sound Hawaiian.- Uke Logic strings: https://theukulelesite.com/accessories/strings/ukelogic-strings.html- Kimo Hussey: https://www.youtube.com/user/KimoHusseyUkulele/videos- Jason Jerome/Lahaina Music: ...

06-15
01:02:10

Spice Up Your Covers with New Genres

In this episode I discuss and demonstrate the power of playing the same song in different styles. This trick can help you find inspiration and an interpretation of a stale song that can be more authentic to what you want to hear!- Register for Faster, Smoother Chord Changes ZOOM workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/5-25-24-workshop/- Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5- My band, Kingside: https://kingside808.com/Support the sho...

05-18
34:12

Learning a Song ALL the Way Through

Can you get by with piece of a song or do you really need the whole thing?- Moveable chord shapes workshop replay: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27-24-workshop/- 5/25/24 Zoom workshop on making smoother, easier, buzz-free chord changes: https://liveukulele.com/register/5-25-24-workshop/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting me...

05-04
29:23

I'm a Proud Uke Student at the School of Hard Knocks

Sharing some stories and thoughts on receiving critique and the power of being open.Register for my Basic Moveable Chord Shapes workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27-24-workshop/- Institute of Hawaiian Music: https://www.maui.hawaii.edu/ihm/program- George Kahumoku, Jr. Slack Key & ʻUkulele Workshop: https://kahumoku.com/workshops/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele....

04-20
37:00

4stringboy: Shredding, lack thereof, and innovating a new thumbpick design

Sammy Turton is a Denmark-based British ukulele player. He teaches out of a studio in Copenhagen and is a top-notch social media era virtuoso who would often rather create soundscapes than shred. In this conversation we covered teaching, Brexit, performing solo ukulele for the first time, and his search for the perfect (felt) thumbpick.Find Sammy on: https://www.4stringboy.com/ and across the social networks as @4stringboy.Join my Basic Chord Shapes Zoom workshop: https://liveukulele.com/regi...

04-06
01:00:40

The Most Important Part of Jamming Your Uke

In this episode I talk about how to improve your timing, how it's not as hard as people think, and give some examples of what to practice.🔥 Sign up for my Understanding the Fretboard Zoom Workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/3-23-24-workshop/- Hawaiian Songs For Ukulele course ("Ua Noho Au A Kupa"): https://liveukulele.com/store/hawaiian-songs/- "Zap" by Eric Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtRk1YSpcKUSupport the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updat...

03-16
50:03

Hualalai Keohuloa: Rock Music is Hawaiian Too

Some of the very best artists in Hawaiʻi are unknown outside of 50 miles. So is the case with my friend, Hualalai. In this episode we talk about all music being "Hawaiian" if you have Hawaiian blood, the importance of music/ukulele in day-to-day life, and our role in the TMT protest of 2015.Live Ukulele Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556463131359Register for Zoom ukulele fretboard workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/3-23-24-workshop/Hualalai's YouTube: https:/...

03-02
01:05:51

Using Better Arranging to Take Your Ukulele Playing to the Next Level

Some thoughts on how to vary your song approach and arrangement to create dynamics, emotion, and interest. Don't work super hard on learning to pick every syllable, instead use broad strokes within your playing and get more results for your efforts!- New forum area: https://community.liveukulele.com/session/sso?return_path=https://community.liveukulele.com/- Ukulele Chord Shapes print book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ukulele-chord-shapes/print/- Easy ukulele songs database: https://liveuku...

02-17
49:27

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel: Giving Back Four Strings at a Time

Hawaiʻi's premiere ukulele power duo tell all! From integrating into the Hawaiian uke scene to fundraising for Maui to the DIY ukulele artist experience.- Craigh and Sarah's website: https://www.craigandsarah.com/- Four Strings at a Time: https://fourstringsatatime.org/- Music & Meals for Maui Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGHFq-CE2JI- Kākoʻo Maui Fund: https://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/helpmaui/kakoomauifund/- Maui Food Bank: https://mauifoodbank.org/- Jason Jerome/Lahaina Mu...

02-03
01:05:51

Iteration: Better MPG for Your Ukulele!

How to adapt material for any stage of your learning and use it for more purposes.- Ukulele Chord Shapes print version: https://liveukulele.com/store/ukulele-chord-shapes/print/- The Ukulele Way: https://www.uketropolis.com/theukuleleway- "Kawika" by The Sunday Manoa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obd87eTV1CA- The Groove Workshop by Victor Wooten (now available as a digital stream): https://hudsonmusic.com/product/groove-workshop/- My newsletter: https://liveukulele.com/signup/- Live Ukulel...

01-20
42:58

Practicing Perfection: Brittni Paiva on Ukulele, Progress, and the Craft

Amongst the greatest virtuoso ukulele players from Hawaiʻi is Hilo's own, Brittni Paiva. We talk about crazy practice hours, the new-age uke scene, music production, hearing your own songs on the stereo, and new original music.Episode resources:- Brittni's website: https://brittnipaiva.com/- Brittni's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrittnipaiva/- Brittni's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittnipaivamusic- Brittni's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iambrittnipaiva- New song "Heartb...

01-06
39:55

2023 Season Finale - Updates, an Anthem, and Mahalos

A look ahead to upcoming projects, general talk story debrief, a song, and closing thoughts.- ʻUkulele Chord Shapes print edition: https://liveukulele.com/store/ukulele-chord-shapes/print/- One-on-one uke lessons with Brad: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-lessons/- A Legacy of Hawaiian Song & String by Raiatea Helm: https://www.kcpstrings.com/a-legacy-of-hawaiian-song-string- Maui Ola fire relief donation hub: https://www.mauiola.org/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free ...

10-21
32:12

Purina Megel

Man, I'm loving this ukulele tabs website https://www.ukulele-tabs.com/search-ukulele-player.html It's like my go-to spot for finding awesome songs to play on my uke. The search feature is a lifesaver. I can type in my favorite artists or songs and, bam, there are the chords and tabs. Makes learning new tunes a breeze.

10-13 Reply

Daniel Ho

You are a real ukulele guru! Also,you're an old soul, I like to listen to you, everything you say makes sense and sounds so humble...Thanks, Brad!

09-20 Reply

Recommend Channels