Hey UUers!

Are you ready to kick your weekend into gear with a little uke love!? This week on Uke Minutes, Aldrine takes it back to the beginning with a few simple tips on strumming for beginners! Especially when you’re starting out, it’s important to relax, find the proper position, and ease into a natural rhythm. Practice your strumming, don’t think too much, and you’ll find a strum that sounds good and is just right for you!

Hope you’re doing great, people of the Underground. There’s some exciting news coming soon for UU – so exciting that we’re just about to burst in announcement anticipation – but you’ll have to wait and see! Keep practicing, friends & rock on.

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

Are you ready for this!? Yup, that’s right, it’s Uke Minutes … Episode 150!! On this special episode of Uke Minutes we’re back on the DIY train as Aldrine shows you how to make your very own custom ukulele stand for under $10. Go to it all you handy uke players – try it out and let us know how it goes!

For more Do-It-Yourself ukulele stuff, be sure to check out Uke Minutes 4 (DIY Ukulele Humidifier) and Uke Minutes 50 (DIY Ukulele Wall Hanger). Have fun and keep strummin’!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

For your info
Parts List:
- 1/2″ PVC Pipe (Cut into two 6″ pieces, four 4″ pieces, and six 2″ pieces)
- 3/4″ Pipe Insulation Foam
- Four 90 degree Connectors*
- Two T-Connectors*
- One Threaded T-Connector (top threaded, sides non-threaded)
- One Threaded 3-Way Connector (one threaded inlet, two non-threaded)
- One 12″ long, 1/2″ thick PVC Pipe, threaded on both ends

Hey UUers!

Merry Saturday (& Happy Christmas Eve)! This time on Uke Minutes, Aldrine breaks down the basics of how to hold your ukulele. There are a couple of pointers to keep in mind but most importantly, be sure to find the position that’s the most natural and comfortable for you. Try it out and let us know what you think!

Keep rockin’ your uke (around the Christmas tree!) and have a very happy holiday season!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

Wintertime is in full swing & the holidays are right around the corner! For those of you thinking about stuffing some stockings with uke strings for your favorite ukulele player, this week’s episode of Uke Minutes just might come in handy. Here Aldrine shows you several types of ukulele string material and how they may help to shape the natural sound of your ukulele. Each ukulele responds differently to different strings, so be sure to try them all out on your uke and see what sounds the best to you!

Hope you’re staying warm – keep strummin’ and Happy Holidays!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

When it comes to holding chords, there are a few basic chords that still strike fear in the hearts of ukulele players. The dreaded E! The menacing Bb! Most of what makes these chords tough is that they either require all four of your fretting fingers to hold OR they require you to hold down multiple strings with one of your fingers.

In the past, we taught you how to hold barre chords (bar chords), but on this week’s episode of Uke Minutes you’ll learn how to barre specific strings in “How to Hold Multiple Strings with One Finger”. So try it out and let us know what you think!

Also *THIS JUST IN* there is an awesome new Ukulele Underground T-shirt in the UU Store now available for your purchasing pleasure!

The design comes in regular sizes AND (for the first time ever!) in KIDS sizes! Be sure to pick one up and gift it to the ukulele player in your family who deserves some extra flavor and style points. Click HERE for more info!

Happy Holidays, UUers, deck those halls with ukulele cheer!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

A while back we taught you how to do Ghost Notes and Muted Ghost Notes on your ukulele. With these two techniques, we primarily focused on using ghost notes while picking and ghost noting on the G, C, and/or E strings. On this week’s episode of Uke Minutes, Aldrine shows you how to apply a ghost note to the A string to add a little sophistication to your strumming.

Try it out and let us know what you think! Have a uke-riffic weekend and keep strummin’!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

It’s the weekend … do you know where your uke is at? This time on Uke Minutes we talk about Finger Picking Rhythm and how to finger pick in time with the music. Basically, take the beat of the song and play your finger picking pattern so that it lands on the beat. There are many ways of doing this so check out the video for a couple ideas, experiment, and see what you get!

Have fun with this one – find a friend to jam with this weekend and take turns finger picking and strumming your favorite songs!

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

Saturday is here! That can only mean one thing – another awesome episode of Uke Minutes for you to watch and play around with. In this week’s episode, Aldrine shows you how to create your own finger picking patterns! Try it out, create to your hearts content, and let us know what you think.

ON SALE!

Also, as October winds down and Summer officially turns into Autumn, we’re rolling out with a SALE on UU End-of-Summertime Tees! Each one is one of a kind due to a unique screen printing process, so pick yours up now while they’re still available (once they’re gone, they’re gone forever!).

Have a spooktacular Saturday! Rock that killer uke of yours (+ extra points if you can work it into your Monday night costume!)

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

You may remember a nifty little technique that we showed you awhile back called “Golpe” (if you don’t remember, click HERE to see the tutorial!). While in Oregon for the Eugene UKEtoberfest, we got to meet ukulele virtuoso, Craig Chee, who showed us his way of applying golpe to his playing. So this week’s episode of Uke Minutes features Craig and his Advanced Golpe technique. It’s a little advanced, so try it out, take it slow, and don’t go too crazy. Also, you may not want to use your most expensive uke to learn this on – you’ll be hitting your soundboard … with your nails!

For more on Craig Chee or to pick up his new album, check out www.CraigChee.com

Hope your Saturday is amazing! Keep on ukin’ until your fingertips are happily tender.

Aloha,
-UU Staff

Hey UUers!

Only two more events left on the UU Pacific Northwest 2011 Tour! Tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 16) Aldrine will be doing a workshop at Queen’s Closet in Tacoma at 4pm. After that we’re all heading over to the Lakewood Elks Club Lodge for a LIVE Performance at 7pm! Can’t wait to see everyone there!

On this week’s episode of Uke Minutes, Aldrine tackles the age-old question, “How do I switch chords quickly?” An easy way to switch chords quickly and cleanly is to practice switching between two chords over and over again. Use the up strum just before your chord change to let go of your fretboard and set up for the next chord. This gives you a little extra time and allows you to stay on beat. Try it out and let us know what you think!

The Ukulele Underground 2011 Live Tour has been a blast – THANK YOU so much to everyone in Oregon and Washington for showing us so much ukulele love and hospitality. Still got a few more events, so if you can make it out to see us while we’re still on the mainland, we’d be totally stoked to meet you! Have an awesome Saturday & see you at the shows!

Aloha,
-UU Staff