Ukulele Underground Podcast

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/08/learning-from-the-kids-tuup129/ This week, Kyle is strumming out of the shadows, and joining the UU team to talk about reaching the next generation of Ukulele players, and what the Kids can teach us. First, Kyle is recapping his recent travels, and what was the best thing he ate while in Europe. Aldrine summarizes the first AG Academy Recital, and how the Kid’s Summer Class went. We also talk about the state of Ukulele on Kauai, and how Kids can be our role models. Kyle participates in his first #Answerin5 to answer questions about tips for practicing and improving, favorite Filipino foods, Iam Tongi’s contribution to Jawaiian music, and his opinions on the Paris Olympics.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/07/ukulele-history-in-a-song/ In this Week’s Podcast, we’re getting a History Lesson of someone who was not only influential to Ukulele, but also to Hawaii as a whole. Before we dive into History, we summon Mike to give recommendations for Sheet Music apps. He also gives his own History Lesson of an iconic Effects used in a lot of The Beatle’s works. Aldrine shares his song for the songwriting challenge which incorporates a technique to manually replicate a phaser effect. Kahai’s song is based of a Samurai Bunny Comic made by a Local Author. Aaron’s Song is based on the life of the person who may have been the catalyst that brought the Ukulele to Hawaii. This Week’s Podcast is jam packed with new things to learn.

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/07/wearing-it-like-a-medal-tuup127/ This Week’s Podcast, Aldrine is opening a special present and callback to a previous podcast where he says, “I would Keep it like a Medal.” Before Aldrine gets to open his Surprise Gift, he also gets a Personal Medal for facing his Fears on Stage. After Aldrine put on his new “Medal,” the guys try the Hot Sauce, Bacon Jam, and Smoked Honey sent from a loyal UU Member. Aldrine quickly answers What is the meaning of life before explaining some of his favorite Ukulele, and Non-Ukulele Intros to Songs. The Team give their thoughts on Tuning Baritones like Tenors, Tips for Ukulele Slippage when Chord Changing, and Buying a New Uke or Changing the Strings? Check out the Podcast for Everything else Answered and Explained in this Week’s Show.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/07/the-most-technically-difficult-song-tuup126/ What makes a song Technically Difficult? Aldrine explains what might be the most Technically Difficult song that he performs, and What is the most Technically Difficult song he has written. He also shares other Ukulele Professional’s Songs that are hard to nail down without being the person who wrote it. Before that we start off the podcast with a recap of the Hawaii Ukulele Festival, and a call for a personal apology from Jollibee. The guys talk about a new Children’s Ukulele Book, and use that as inspiration for the next Songwriting Challenge. Aldrine’s serves his thoughts on the Wimbledon Finals, the Oha Series from Kanile`a, and the best Filipino Restaurants on Kauai. The guys also give tips for Performance Anxiety, and buying your first ukulele.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/07/music-theory-charades-tuup125/ With our Favorite Guest back on the podcast, we’re challenging Mike and Aldrine to play a game of Music Theory Charades. Before the game, Mike shares what some of the best selling ukuleles and ukulele accessories are. The guys answer a question on Tuning Ratios, and give their opinions on different tuners. Aldrine is tasked to play or describe Music Theory Terms without using the words in them, then Mike has to give a definition for those terms in 5 words or less. The UU Team pick a winner for the last Songwriting Challenge before answering questions about starter ukulele books, songs to test ukuleles, and what is the first effects pedals ukulele players should own?

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/07/sci-fi-uke-song-tuup124/ Hear 3 interpretations of a Sci-Fi Song using the Ukulele. The guys are playing their Songs for the Songwriting Challenge this week. They also discuss their ideas behind the songs, and how songs will write themselves. Aldrine answers a question about the Wahine `Ilikea Play Along, and his Signature Ukulele before talking about his two lost sentimental Ukuleles. Aldrine answers a couple of questions using 5 words which leads into a more than 5 word answer about respecting Hawaiian Music. 

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/06/underrated-ukulele-bands-tuup123/ This week we ask Aldrine to shed a spotlight on Underrated Ukulele Artist/Bands that you should know. First Aldrine covers the obvious choices (Pure Heart and Ka`au Crater Boys), then he lists the Bands that include Ukulele Players who may be overlooked, and what songs from the bands you should be listening to. An Audience member from Monopolele ask Aldrine how he got his Tone/Sound at the Festival. This leads to an in depth tech talk, and a deep dive into EQ settings. At the end of the Podcast, the guys introduce a new segment to Answer Questions Quickly.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/06/one-form-for-fingerpicking-strumming-rolls-tuup122/ Learn the One Form to rule them all (Strumming, Fingerpicking and Rolls). Aldrine shows the importance of the Basic Form, and how it helps with transitioning between different rhythmic techniques: Strumming, Fingerpicking, Rolls, Chunks, etc. He also gives an important tip if you want to smooth out your Fingerpicking to Strumming Rhythm. The guys offer advice for improving your Singing Rhythm and How to Get Over a Slump before setting up the Teki Giveaway / Songwriting Challenge. Aldrine answers the most asked questions from the Youtube Channel, and discuss Lap Steel / Slide Ukulele.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/06/with-love-from-italy-tuup121/ Aaron and Aldrine are back to talk about their trip to the Monopolele Ukulele Festival in Monopoli Italy. Good times with great uke players! The guys also discuss what music gear they travel with and passing the torch to the next generation of uke players.

Video Podcast and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/06/favorite-videos-from-16-years-tuup20/ In a totally normal podcast, the guys are taking turns and naming their 3 Favorite things from all of UU. See what they picked, and click on the video podcast link to check out all the things mentioned.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/big-bandito-tyler-tuup119/ In this special Pre-Recorded Podcast, we talk to Sarah Tochiki, the Music Director for both Kauai Community College and Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. She is also the person who re-arranged songs from Bandito Tyler for Jazz Big Band. A few weeks ago we Recapped the Kauai Jazz Festival, but this week we pick Sarah’s Brain for how she came up with the Arrangements. As we talk about each song, Aldrine shares the background history of the Bandito Tyler album, and we learn about the Real People who inspired the Characters. Sarah explains how she accomplished the challenging task of balancing the songs original essence while also adding more to the instrumentation. Mike contributes his own perspective as a member of the band, and as the person to plant the idea of re-arranging Bandito Tyler. We hope you guys are as excited to see what else can come from Future Ukulele and Jazz Collaborations.

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/name-the-quote-tuup118/ Content Warning: If you’re Sensitive to Mouth Sounds or Eating, you may want to stop listening after 36:15 With Kyle back on the podcast, the guys are trying a new Ukulele Challenge, Name that Quote: Jake or Jac-Ob. Kahai is challenging Aldrine and Kyle to guess whether Jake Shimabukuro or Jacob Collier is the source for different Quotes. This leads the guys into discussing what Music Quotes have stuck with them through the years, and what Lyrics just won’t leave their heads. A viewer asks where they can start learning Ukulele, so the team gives their suggestions for beginner songs. A UU+ Member asks about how they can move forward in their music journey? The latter half of the podcast, the guys are doing a Hot Sauce Taste Test. Aldrine gives advice on how to transition from chords to fingerstyle, and Kyle gives his best advice for anybody looking to improve.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/chord-substitutions-tuup117/ If you find a song “Boring”, use Chord Substitutions to spice them up. Kahai Challenges Aldrine to demonstrate a couple of ways you can change a song by “Replacing” one or two chords. Aldrine starts by adding notes to the base chord to make new Substitutions. On the next Level, Aldrine shows how you can use Relative Chords as Substitutions, and how you can combine both techniques to make a song your own. The guys also discuss how knowing some Music Theory is a good shortcut to find new Substitutions, but if you want to jump in, it can be as easy as Adding or Subtracting fingers from a Chord. The team shares some of their favorite examples of Musicians who didn’t know Music Theory, but still made great Music. Viewers ask about Baritones as Starter Ukes, and what Amp Settings should be used for Ukuleles before the guys open a gift box from UU Member, Rux.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/gigging-dos-donts-tuup116/ This week, we’re hanging out with friend of the show, Kyle Furusho, and finding out the biggest Do’s and DON’TS for Gigging Musicians and Audience Members. The Podcast starts off with a question from Kyle’s biggest Fan, Mickey Aüto. Then we ask Kyle how he makes a Setlist, and how he handles unknown Song Requests. Aldrine ask Kyle how to deal with someone picking up your tip jar, and explains why audience members should never do it. A viewer asks how they can break into Gigging, and if it’s ok to write a “Song Menu” instead of taking request. The guys explain why they don’t want to play certain songs, and how song request can break the flow of a show. The podcast is topped off with some stories of unwanted additional performers.

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!