In honor of the passing of one of music’s most influential artist, this week’s MVOW comes from our member keonepax with his rendition of Michael Jackson’s “One day in your life”

Michael Jackson once said on one of his performances that this was one of his favorite songs and that he loved ballads. Everything is soft and slow and that allows you to listen to the lyrics and really feel the music. Keonepax did an awesome job at all these elements. He kept it nice and simple and let the words ring out in order for us to take in and fully appreciate the meaningful lyrics of this tune. Don’t count out his ukulele playing though. Although simple, the notes coming from his ukulele complimented his voice and words really well. 

Rest in peace Michael Jackson and we’ll keep your melodies alive through our humble little instrument. 

-UU Staff

Got questions about blues chords? Post them HERE!

Hey UUers!

Is the sunny summertime a little too happy and fun for you?? Regain that cold sadness of the forgotten winter by playing yourself some BLUES!

In this week’s episode of Uke Minutes, Aldrine breaks down how to find some “bluesy” sounding ukulele chords for any key! Here’s how to do it:

1. Pick a key and find the Chord Family.
2. Take the 1, 4, and 5 chords in the chord family and add 7ths to them.
3. Play them in order or mix them up to find what sounds bluesiest for you!

For cheaters, here are the easy blues chords for some common keys:
Key of C – C7, F7, G7
Key of D – D7, G7, A7
Key of E – E7, A7, B7
Key of F – F7, Bb7, C7
Key of G – G7, C7, D7
Key of A – A7, D7, E7

Try them out and get the blues!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

This time on uke got mail… 
Seeso and Crystal send us emails to answer. 
Watch the episode and find out!

Tune in por another live ukulele lesson with Aldrine!

>>——– Live Ukulele Lessons with Aldrine Guerrero ———<<

What’s up homies?

This week we’ve got an awesome video of the world record attempt at most ukuleles playing the same song at the same time. Our very own Ben Speed shares with us his video experience in East London where all the madness took place. 

Streets crowded with ukuleles and ukulele players. What more could we ask for? You could definitely feel the love and positive vibes emit from just watching the video. 851 Ukulele players participated in this attempt at the world record. Doesn’t it make you feel nice and tingly? 

Create your own little mishap and meet ukulele players locally. Check out our FORUM full of willing ukulele jammers. Jam out and break a record of your own. Most ukulele players playing Mmmbop perhaps? Rock out and share the ukulele peace and joy wherever you go.

-UU Staff

Got questions about making your own Wall Hanger? Ask them HERE!

Hey boys and girls of the Underground!

Can you believe it!? It’s Uke Minutes 50! Wait, let me say that again … Uke Minutes … FIFTY (pause again for dramatic effect). Crazy.

In this very special episode, Aldrine risks life and limb to create a very cheap ukulele wall hanger for around $8 that works amazingly well. Here’s the parts list just in case you were distracted by the awesome sound effects in the video:

2 – 6′ long, 3/4″ thick trim board (or similar sized lumber). We reused some wood from an old bed frame.
5 – U-shaped tool hangers, plastic coated.
3 – 1 1/4″ long wood screws for screwing the two pieces of wood together.
6 – 2″ long wood screws for attaching your wall hanger to the wall.

Tools: electric drill, screwdriver, tape measure (to space the each tool hanger equally), stud finder.

Check it out, create your own, and modify the procedure to fit your needs! And if you have any questions, we’re always here to help. Keep rockin’ that uke all summer long (so you can show up all your friends when the break is over)!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Oooh – one more thing! We got our new shipment of UU Shirts! Thank You to everyone who has been waiting like forever and a day for their size/color shirt to be in stock at the UU Store. They are now here. Yay!

6/17/2009 Live Lesson Replay: Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.

It’s SUMMERTIME! Most of you are out of school and enjoying the sweet sweet Monday of NO HOMEWORK DUE. Nothing better to make you feel the summer than a video straight from the heat of Texas. This week on MVOW our very own Rod brings us an Israel Kamakawiwo’ole classic “Maui Hawaiian Sup’paman” that was recently covered on the live lesson. 

For many, Iz’ tunes are what made them pick up and learn the ukulele. His unique style and tenor voice not only touched locals from Hawaii but many who have visited here and heard his songs. If you have the itch to play “Over the rainbow” on ukulele, it’s most likely because of “Bruddah” Iz.

Alrighty folks; this summer just keep it “cool” and “chill” out. Make a video or two and perhaps maybe even gain some “fans” …okay fine, that last one wasn’t very punny.

Rock out like it’s still the weekend and Monday is a national holiday.

-UU staff

Got questions about pimping your uke? Post them HERE!

Hey UUers!

This week on Uke Minutes, Aldrine shows you how to remove surface scratches from your ukulele, clean away fretboard grime, and generally pimp out your ukulele. Check it out and bring the bling!

For this episode, we used 3M Rubbing Compound (though other brands of auto rubbing compound will work), a clean rag, and a Planet Waves Microfiber Polish Cloth (which works great, just by itself!). This technique works best on ukuleles with gloss finishes and helps to remove most surface scratches (ones usually made from strumming a little too hard).

Things to remember: Use an even, circular motion when applying and removing the rubbing compound, try your best to keep the compound away from edges or corners on your ukulele, and always use protection when handling. Repeat as necessary.

Use your weekend wisely, UUers – practice that new song that you’ve been working on, record yourself, and post it in the Forum so we can watch it and comment “Great job!!!1 Got tabs??“. Hope your Saturday is stupendous!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Sorry this is a late post folks! It was up on Aldrine’s YouTube but because of UU gremlins, it didn’t make it here on the front page. Here it is now so check it out!

Which size ukulele is capable of all genres? Where is Mika?

All these and more on this weeks episode of UKE GOT MAIL!

-UU staff