Claim OwnershipUkulele Underground Podcast
Subscribed: 204Played: 5,930
Subscribe
© Ukulele Underground
Description
Weekly in depth discussion on how to become a better Ukulele player with Aldrine Guererro and the Ukulele Underground crew.
188 Episodes
Reverse
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/entering-the-flow-state-tuup105/
Today, the guys are joined by Mike "INSERT NICKNAME HERE" Odo to help explain what the "Flow State" is, and how musicians find themselves in that state. Before the guys dive into this topic, you know that they have to take a couple of detours talking about Disney+ and the Rock. Back on topic, the UU team discuss what the "Flow State" feels like, experiencing Flow in a band, and what songs can put them into that state. They also list songs that get them Hyped before performances. The guys answer some audience questions about Widening the groove in your nut, and Traveling with your Ukulele. It's always a blast with Mike Around. Let us know what Mike's new nickname should be?
Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/the-first-roadblock-tuup104/
What was the first Roadblock Aldrine experienced? Aldrine explains the first situational Roadblock he ran in to on his uke journey, then he tells what song and technique he faced as a Roadblock. The guys also discuss the importance of figuring out music by ear, playing with others, and being In the Zone. Aldrine demonstrates Bending, and how to incorporate different techniques into your strumming. At the end of the podcast, the team talks about Practice vs Playing, and how limiting your practice time is actually good for you.
Show Notes and Timestamps:
https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/how-to-spice-up-boring-strumming-tuup193/
Is Strumming “Boring” for you? This Week, UU tackles why people get Bored with Strumming, and the different ways you can take a “Boring” strum and Spice it up! Before the team unveils their Spicy Secrets, Aldrine demonstrates Arpeggios and what you can do to practice your Arpeggios. The guys mention some “Boring” songs from the Kauai Ukulele Club, and what they did to add a new dimension to the Songs. This leads to a discussion about How to Start your own Uke Clubs, and the best practices for new clubs. The podcast is topped off with talks about the upcoming Festivals, Future UU+ Solos, the new Play Along, and Peter Moon’s Legacy.
Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/01/apologetic-harmonics-tuup102/
The podcast continues from last Week when Aldrine explains Harmonics and how he used it to play Creep with Cynthia Lin. Before Aldrine demonstrates the many types of Harmonics (Natural, Artificial, Chordal, and Pinch), we expose the “High” budget of the podcast, while Aldrine issues an apology for the lateness of the New Solos and Play Along. A viewer asks for advice on how to avoid aggravating their Tennis Elbow, while another UUer asks for an explanation to the Percussive Mutes. Both Topics lead into a discussion on the importance of Form, and some of the General Rules you want to follow. The guys explain why there is no “Best String Set” and how you would switch from a Low G to High G Ukulele. A new Cliffhanger Question is asked for next Week.
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
hmmm... regarding nut slots and the difference between hi and lo G slot width. best to have a luthier tweek the width I think. If the widening accidently deepens the slot the action may be impacted in an undesirable way. I have built 7 ukuleles and a good setup makes a big difference to the player. use a good luthier and you will be much happier...
not really a podcast but rather the audio from videos. lots of things are poorly explained for listeners.