GEORGE STONE UKELELE BLOG

TELEVISION CHANNEL!

2011-05-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

Next events directly on your computer live!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/george-stone-broadcast-live
Next will be June 1 2011, 20h (spanish time) THE OPEN-MIC LIVE!

CONCERT!!! PROPER DIJOUS A CALELLA !!! AL SE7!!

2011-05-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

GEORGE & BIKE - TAKE THE LOW RIDE

2011-05-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

2º OPEN MIC - DIMECRES, MIERCOLES, WEDNESDAY 1 DE JUNY 2011!!!!

2011-05-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

And hope start tomorrow or after tomorrow posting the videos of the last open mic, cool place, cool people, cool players, we have it! once a month come to Barcelona, bring your ukulele, and show us what you can do, we'll be very pleased to meet you.

THE 1ST BARCELONA OPEN-MIC SESSIONS - THE VIDEOS!

2011-05-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

What can I say, an image, in that case a collection of 15 videos can make a great idea of what Barcelona is capable to offer once a month in Macondo (C/Conca 21, Barcelona), this is just the start of the great nights that will come. Hope you enjoy watching as we enjoyed organizing and playing on that event.I will not comment about, all the players and the videos are for me the best I've ever heard comming from our little and beauty Barcelona. Only can say GRACIES, GRACIAS, THANKS to all the players, excelent skills showed, awesome persons they are, all, to David Prat the co-organizer, excelent video controller, to David and the people that works on Macondo, we meet this night and we have lot more nights to share and work together, to the assistats of the event, thanks for comming, hope you've enjoyed, and finally to all of you internet watchers to keep the ukulele flame alive. Cheers everyone!

No more waits, ... the videos start right there, we miss the begining, and at the end no more tape to record, sorry about that, next 3 june, friday will be better :

Nota importante "SOLO" para los participantes, tengo los videos con mejor calidad, tanto de audio como de video, si me contactais a upsidedontown@hotmail.com miramos la manera de que os grabe y os haga llegar una cópia en DVD, un bonito recuerdo.

Ukulele Open Mic. APRIL 27

2011-04-24T00:33:00.000-07:00

This week starts in Barcelona the Open Mic Sessions (will try to be once a month) that I'll be proud to support and play in, so, if you are on Barcelona this wednesday, don't miss it! Also if you are ukulele player and want to show us what you play come, find me and you will be on the list of players

This time will Play (not definitive list):

Victor Garcia · Irene Martín ·

Dani Tomas · Pasquale Esposito ·

Uke Tom · Of course, myself. George Stone

more info on

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161558683902987

All I Do Is Dream Of You - Classics directed by Nobody

2011-04-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

"All I Do Is Dream of You" is a popular song. The music was written by Nacio Herb Brown, the lyrics by Arthur Freed. The song was published in 1934. It was originally written for a 1934 movie, Sadie McKee. The first recording of the song was on April 23, 1934, by Dick Robertson and Angelo Ferdinando's Hotel Great Northern Orchestra. The song has since been recorded many times. Early hit versions included Jan Garber and Henry Busse.

HD video. Introducing Nobody, our flamant, awesome, new video director, and good friend, we shoot in the roof of his home in Pineda, the town close to Calella, Barcelona, where I live. All done in one day, shooted and edited, he's a really master on that, sure will come better things with.

Thanks for watching, see you next post.

Honey - Classics with Ohana Sopranino!

2011-04-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Seymour Simons returned to Detroit after service in WWI and built a reputation as a pianist and songwriter, providing material for stage stars Nora Bayes and Elsie Janis. In 1919 he wrote “Just Like A Gypsy” with Bayes, who, in addition to being a popular entertainer, was already a songwriter best known for “Shine on Harvest Moon,” written with her performer/husband Jack Norworth in 1910. “Just Like a Gypsy” was recorded in 1941 by Maxine Sullivan and in 1946 by Peggy Lee.
A collaboration in 1926 with Richard Whiting produced “Hello, Baby,” recorded by Ruth Etting, and the popular “Breezin’ Along With the Breeze,” in conjunction with Haven Gillespie, which was first recorded by Josephine Baker, used in the film Pete Kelly's Blues (1955), and sung by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in their 1954 film, The Long, Long Trailer. The trio also collaborated on “(I’m in Love with You) Honey” (1928) which appeared in the film, Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945). With Gus Kahn, Simons wrote “Just Can’t Be Bothered with Me” (1929) and “Sweetheart of My Student Days” (1930).

Entering the Ohana Sopranino, Uke Tom let me, but definetly, I want one of my own, great uke, fully playable and good sounding, and ... cheap! Thanks Ohana, great deal.

My Little Grass Shack - Classics with Uke Tom!

2011-04-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi was a popular song written for the July 4th canoe races in Kona in 1933. Tommy Harrison gave the song to Johnny Noble to publish, who revised the music to give it a new melody without changing Bill Cogswell's words. Once published, the song became a major hit, and has since been recorded many times. Noble turned over the royalties to the Sherman Clay in San Francisco for $500.00 advance royalty, giving the credit to Cogswell and Harrison.

The title refers to Kealakekua Bay where Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. The song mentions Hōnaunau, site of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, also located in the Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. The lyrics also refer to the Reef triggerfish by its name in the Hawaiian Language, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa.

And here I am with my new dearest friend Uke Tom and his Musical Saw, we meet in the Ukefesta and sure will be more collabs together, he is a great ukelelist and a great person, we'll try next with 2 ukes, soon

The Frim Fram Sauce - Back on classics!

2011-04-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

"The Frim Fram Sauce" is a jazz song, made famous by The Nat King Cole Trio and performed by a variety of musicians over the years. "The Frim Fram Sauce" was written in 1945. The lyrics were written by Redd Evans, who wrote words to a number of Cole songs. The music was composed by Joe Ricardel, known as the co-writer of the "Brooklyn Dodger Jump", among others.
"The Frim Fram Sauce" is best remembered for its silly lyrics. The narrator speaks to a waiter in a restaurant, as if in the process of ordering food. Throughout the song, the customer lists numerous real foods that he doesn't want, such as pork chops and fish cakes. In the chorus, he explains what he really wants: some "frim fram sauce" with the "ossenfay" and "chifafa" on the side. Of course, none of these foods really exist, so at the end he gives up and says: "If you don't have it, just bring me a check for the water!"
Although considered a novelty song, "The Frim Fram Sauce" has nonetheless endured as a memorable tune of its era. It has been performed by numerous artists including Ella Fitzgerald (with Louis Armstrong), Slim and Slam (Slim Gaillard and Slam Stewart), Les Brown, King Crimson, John Pizzarelli, Diana Krall, who both included the song in her 1993 debut album Stepping Out as well as in her 1996 Nat King Cole tribute album, All For You, and Mandy Mann (2005). American blues guitarist Bob Brozman also included a version of the song, with somewhat revised lyrics on his 2007 album, "Post-Industrial Blues".

And I've included a entry in this video for the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain but I don't have no answer about, I was waiting to do this post but finally did it, maybe I extralimitated, but Ally say have fun, and this is what I've done, no intentions to win, just participate

Ooopss, please, I apologize for the comment, YES they included my entry on the contest, and YES, by the moment I am THE WINNER, look http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ukulele-Festival-of-Great-Britian-2011-Competition-Page/139231919479542
You can also vote for me, if you want, by clicking first on I Like on the page, and then I Like on the video 010, my entry, ( the second I like only appears if you first click I like on the page) easy to make a dream come true, thanks, deadline will be May 29.

To my friend Choan

2011-04-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

He have the spanish ukulele shop http://ukecosas.es/ and is a good friend.

The Brave Coast Avengers in Ukefesta, April 1, 2011

2011-04-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

What can I say, excelent place, awesome organisation, cool bands and ... we

Ain't she sweet - More Ukulele Classics

2011-03-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

"Ain't She Sweet" is a song composed by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics) and published in 1927 by Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc./Warner Bros., Inc. It became popular in the first half of the twentieth century, one of the hit songs that typified the Roaring Twenties. Like "Happy Days Are Here Again" (1929), it became a Tin Pan Alley standard. Both Ager and Yellen were elected to membership in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Milton Ager wrote "Ain't She Sweet" for his daughter Shana Ager, who in her adult life was known as the political commentator Shana Alexander.

Follow this TAB maded by doctor uke, enjoy, this friday is The Ukefesta, time to rehearsal. Til' next post, have good days, XD

The Ukulele Bug - Terry Hill Original

2011-03-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Who's Terry Hill? Terry is a great friend that I have in Mason, Michigan. He and his beauty wife Laura post awesome funny ukulele videos, look his channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/truckubuddy

He come with this great idea, that's exactly the kind of things I like to do, when someone ask you, - Can you sing my song?, Automathically I have to say YES, ABSOLUTELY. His song is good, he let me do my own version, so there it is, hope you like.

Wach the original, and have the words and chords on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6V24jwzc8w

And another fanthastic version of the song by a great woman on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3NQAsca3hc

Day-O Banana Boat Song - Ukulele Classics (Video too!)

2011-03-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)"

Is a traditional Jamaican mento folk song, the best-known version of which was sung by Harry Belafonte. Although it is really Jamaican mento, the song is widely known as an example of calypso music. It is a song from the point of view of dock workers working the night shift loading bananas onto ships. Daylight has come, the shift is over and they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home.

Here is my interpretation.

George Stone, voice, soprano uke & foot-tambourine

You can for example go HERE to see the lyrics for and follow this pattern:

Day-o, Day-ay-ay-o
D A7 D

Daylight come and me wan' go home

All the song is that way, so if you are on a trial to learn how to play ukulele this seems a easy one to try to cach, for experienced, also can have fun, tune A D F# B, now you have D on C and A7 on G7, and for sure you know lot of fingerstyle can fit inbetween, one way or another, have fun and see you soon!

Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue - Ukulele Classics

2011-03-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

"Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" was a popular song of the 1920s, music by Ray Henderson, lyrics by Sam M. Lewis & Joseph Widow Young, first recorded by The California Ramblers in 1925 on their self-titled album The California Ramblers.
The simple, four-verse song remained popular during and after World War II and has endured as a representation of the culture of the 1920s and of the experiences of a soldier coming home after an extended military stay.
Because of the first lines of the lyrics, it is sometimes identified as "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue".

This is my interpretation:
George Stone: voice, chorus, Martin Soprano Ukulele, clicks, kazoo.

Multi track recording. 6 tracks. March 2011. Calella (Bcn)

Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone
Hope you like is wonderfully tabbed on the Ukulele Ike's 1st Songbook, very useful, tuned in F Bb D G, soon I'll post the Tab for it, ...see you soon...XD

With My Little Ukulele In My Hand - Ukulele Classic

2011-03-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

"With my Little Ukulele in my Hand" (1933)

Originally composed and interpreted by George Formby, Jr., OBE (born George Hoy Booth on 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961)

That was an British singer-songwriter and comedian, remembered for playing the banjo ukulele or banjolele and as a singer of light, comical songs, who became a popular star of stage and screen.

This is my interpretation:
George Stone: voice, Martin Soprano Ukulele, clicks.

Multi track recording. 4 tracks. March 2011. Calella (Bcn)

With My Little Ukulele In My Hands - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

You can find HERE an awesome Tab done by Alligator Bogaloo to follow up!

Hope you enjoy, see you next post, XD

George

Ladies and Gentlemen ... George Stone and His Ukulele

2011-03-22T04:58:00.000-07:00

And also I've recorded some demos to work in. Now I have problems with the recording software and the new soud card, arrrgghhh!!, but nothing but good microphone recording, same live sesion as last week but way better, I hope.

And also talk about this caracter I've found, pure classic ukulele style, it fits quite well, I show you soon a photo session I'm preparing. Ok, no more waits, there go the audios, hope you enjoy:

Ain't She Sweet - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

Everything I Have Is Yours - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

Ja-Da - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

Singin' in the Rain - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

Ramona - George Stone and His Ukulele by GeorgeStone

That's it, only me and a Martin Soprano uke, lil' reverb, I like it!

George

Looking Back! Ukulele Classics

2011-03-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hi my friends, today I do a review of the classic ukulele tunes, interpreted live by myself, Think those songs everyone that plays ukulele will know, so here we go, new crooning experience, XD

I start with the most famous song of George Formby ever, he is one of the golden persons of this uke world, despites tones of english sense of humour and also his skill as a player is awesome, he creates a school, and also I want to add that if you try to do Formby's voice will result so addictive, XD, so here we are, WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS

George (not Formby) . When I'm Cleaning Windows by GeorgeStone

I want to continue this journey with the Beatle's also most famous song for Ukulele, seems it's maded for, but the original is more rock slyle, AIN'T SHE SWEET

George's - Ain't She Sweet by GeorgeStone

And last, FIVE FOOT TWO

George's - Five foot Two by GeorgeStone

Hope you'll enjoy, see you soon!
George

Cliff Edwards "Ukulele Ike"

2011-03-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

Ain't this sad?

Let's do something to honour what he let to us ... (comming soon)

A quick one while he's away!

2011-03-11T02:50:00.000-08:00

I will say only :

http://ukefesta.com/es/

First ukulele festival in Barcelona, April 1 2011, see the web to know all about.
Guess who's gonna play in the open mic.? XD

Guess Who's Back?

2011-03-11T02:22:00.000-08:00

One month til I say i will come back to blogging and I didn't do, busy and empty to writte new contents, because you know, is hard job, and you don't be payed for, and in my case, you must add I'm Ukulele Teacher, also I'm playing ukulele by myself and in a band called Hit Parade, we're now recording our first CD, too, and I also have a rock band called Remences where I play electric guitar and I'm the lead singer too, also writting the first ukulele book in spanish, so I've been kinda busy.

But, I don't want to stop blogging, because I like writte, mostly writte about my own thoughts, see my songs, and I will redirect this blog as a showcase of myself, what I've been doing, or what I will do, and of course I will not forget but more sporadicly to add some interviews with people I consider is interesting to talk with, about ukes or music or whatever.

One more thing, I think I'm done with the translating thing, this about do spanish and english make long long articles, and I'm catalan, not Spanish, my own language is not the spanish and I really don't like to use, so, this is my blog and I can do whatever I want, if you want this in spanish, please wait til google translator show you the option for, or use google chrome if you dont have the google bar.

Let's take a view of what this last month I've done:

Starting with this cover, fabulous Elton John's song, but maybe better this other one I've done more recently, I tunned the Martin Soprano in D and play like C so I up 1 tone the hole song, much better for my voice, and another thing, I've meet a New Zeland good friend, Shane McAllister, he have a cool band named The Sopranos, and we are making a collab, to try it I've put myself with the kroma help in the particular home Shane have.

Talking about this collab, we record a demo about, we're going to make a together video

YOU GOT A FRIEND IN ME - SHANE & GEORGE by GeorgeStone

And last but not least, I do a video with the great song My Babe that Manitoba Hal have in his record, sure his is way better but mine have this bit crazy funny, XD

And that's it, many things still to come up but by this post this is it, hope you enjoy.

More soon, more soon than you expented, XD

George Stone

Hey, I'm still here / Hey, todavia estoy aquí

2011-02-04T02:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry mates, I know I've started with lot of posts and news but now I'm kind of busy and seems I don't continue blogging, not true, just gimme one more week to fix up little things I have to do and will be back on line with new contents, here and for you ukulelist and ukulele lover! Thanks

Lo siento amigos, se que empecé este blog con muchos posts y novedades pero ahora he estado muy ocupado y parece que no continue bloggeando, no es verdad, dadme una semana más para acabar de fijar algunas cosillas y volvere a estar online con nuevos contenidos, aqui y para ti, ukelelista y amante de los ukeleles! Gracias

A Couple more from Hit Parade

2011-01-30T23:14:00.000-08:00

We have new Headquarter!

This week I've been composing

2011-01-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

And I make 2 new songs, this is because I have a new Tenor uke, not definitive, but quite good.
I have to thank Choan from ukecosas.es, make me grow, and loose money, XD

THE RE-ENTRANTS

2011-01-16T02:19:00.000-08:00

When I start the blog, my intention was this, know all the people in the ukulele movement, know all the bands, and I'm surprisingly doing it, mostly when the bands come and suggest that they also will be interested in answering the questions (this is a good point because they're also ukulele lovers and they're on with the news about), mostly when we're not talking about whatever people you don't know, or someone that you don't like, mostly when this band is my favourite, yes, if there's a cover band that I can consider (because I'm saying this) the best ukulele cover band ever this only can be THE RE-ENTRANTS (hope UOGB don't feel angry to me for sayin this and start a thumbs down campaign, XD), the british duo that do awesome works adapting to the ukulele the most famous and infamous rock and pop songs ever, a true lesson to how to work out well done things. as JH will say: -Are you experienced?. Meet THE RE-ENTRANTS (a pleasure, an honour, ....XD)

Cuando empecé el blog, mi intención era esta, conocer a todo el mundo en el universo ukelele, conocer a todas las bandas, y estoy sorprendido por conseguirlo, más si son las própias bandas las que te sugieren que ellos estan interesados en responder algunas preguntas ( un gran punto para ellos que te demuestra que no solo son unos grandes amantes del ukelele sino que estan enterados de las últimas noticias al respecto), más cuando no estamos hablando con unos cualquiera que no conoces, o alguien que no te gusta, más porque esta es mi banda favorita, si, si hay una cover band que yo pueda considerar la mejor (por que tambien lo estoy diciendo yo) tendriamos que hablar de THE RE-ENTRANTS, este duo británico que hace trabajos impresionantes de adaptación al ukelele de las más famosas e infames canciones del rock y el pop, una verdadera lección de como se deben hacer las cosas bien. como Jimmy Hendrix diria - Are you experienced?

Te presento a THE RE-ENTRANTS (un placer, un honor,...)

Who are you? where did you come from? when and how you know each other?
Quien sois? de donde venís? cuando y como os conocisteis?

Phil Doleman (the one with the glasses!) and Ian Emmerson. Ian played lead guitar in several rock bands previously, and I played guitar, bass and banjo in a variety of bands. We’ve both written and recorded original material in the past too. We met through the Ukulele Cosmos internet forum (www.ukulelecosmos.com) in 2007. I guess we’d both being playing uke for about 4 years then.

Phil Dolemal (el de las gafas) y Ian Emmerson. Ian tocó como guitarra principal en muchas bandas de rock, y yo toqué guitarra, bajo y banjo en unas cuantas bandas también. Los dos escribimos y grabamos material original en el pasado. Nos encontramos por el Ukulele Cosmos (foro de internet) en 2007. Así que los dos hemos tocado ukelele por 4 años juntos.

When starts The Re-entrants? why?
Cuando empezais con The Re-entrants? porque?

Well, when we met up in 2007 it was initially just for a jam. We both wrote a list of 20 songs we’d like to do and brought them along. We realised we were about the same age, have a similar look and were amazed to find 13 of the songs on our lists were the same! We played for a while and just seemed to click, and thought maybe we might be able to get some gigs...

Bien, cuando nos encontramos en 2007 fué inicialmente para una jam. Los dos hizimos una lista de 20 canciones que nos gustaria hacer. Nos dimos cuenta también que estamos más o menos en la misma edad, tenemos un look similar y nos maravilló encontrar que 13 de las canciones de la listas eran las mismas! Tocamos un poco y parecimos conectar, y pensamos que a lo mejor podriamos ser capaces de hacer algún concierto...

You both are a awesome arrangists, covers like Sweet Child and many others (thriller, the ace of spades, ghost town,...) are masterpieces of the ukulele covering, how you do it? which is the process to decide what's gonna play each one?

Los dos sois unos arreglisas espectaculares, versiones como Sweet Child y muchas otras (thriller, the ace of spades, ghost town, ...) son obras maestras del versionado con ukelele, como lo haceis? cual es el proceso para decidir que hace cada uno?

Thank you! First of all we try out the vocals to see who it suits best, then choose a key. The key we play in is often picked to allow a riff or solo to fit into the range of the ukulele. We then do a rough run through, usually from memory, before we listen to the original record and hear all the bits we missed or forgot! That’s when the real hard work begins, and we gradually try and incorporate all the key elements of the song, work out vocal harmonies, etc. When deciding who does what, we have never let egos get in the way. The main thing is to get the song sounding right. Often one of us may already know the song well, so in that case they may end up playing the solo or riff. We try and divide the work equally so no-one gets bored!

Gracias! Primero provamos las voces para saber quién encaja mejor, después elegimos el tono. El tono en el que tocamos es normalmente elegido para incluir un riff o un solo que encaje en el rango del ukelele. Después nos metemos al tema, normalmente de memoria, antes de escuchar la grabación original y escuchar todos los trozos que nos hemos olvidado! Aqui es donde realmente el trabajo duro empieza, gradualmene incorporamos todos los elementos clave a la canción, nos curramos las harmonias vocales, etc. Cuando decidimos que hace cada uno, nunca dejamos que el ego entorpezca el juicio. Lo más importante es tener el sonido sonando bien. A menudo uno de los dos conoce la canción muy bien, en ese caso es este el que termina haciendo el riff principal o el solo. Elegimos y dividimos el trabajo por igual así nadie se aburre!

Any troubles by covering these ultra-famous songs? I'm asking because big record companies seems to feel angry if an ukelelist covers one of them songs, mostly happens in Youtube but you also recorded them, is this a hit and run story?

Algún problema versionando estas megafamosas canciones?

All the songs on our CDs are licensed for release, so no problems there, that's all legal and above board. Without the license we would not have been able to get our songs onto iTunes. You can’t really do that for YouTube though, so you just have to take your chances.

Todas nuestras canciones tienen licencia para la edición, así que no hay problemas. todo es legal aqui. Sin la licencia no habriamos sido capaces de incluir nuestras canciones en iTunes. Realmente no puedes hacer lo que haces en Youtube, así que tienes que tomar tus alternativas.

3 CD's availables, how you recorded them? 3 CDs a la venta, como los grabasteis?

Very simply! We record them live into a couple of mics. The mics are plugged into a mixer and the mixer into a digital recorder. We then put the recordings onto a PC to master them. We don’t do any overdubbing or editing. Our live CD was recorded by the sound engineer at the gig, straight from the desk into his laptop.

Muy simple! Lo grabamos en directo con un par de micros. Los micros a una mesa de mezclas y la mesa de mezclas a un grabador digital. Después pasamos las grabaciones por un PC para masterizar. No hemos añadido ninguna pista o editado. Nuestro CD en vivo está grabado por nuestro técnico de sonido en un concierto, directamente de la mesa a su portátil.

Lot of concerts (how many until now?), successfull band, tell us a little about, any funny story ?
Muchos conciertos (cuantos hasta ahora?), una banda de éxito, contadnos un poco, alguna anecdota?

At the time of writing we’ve done 216 gigs, in pubs, clubs, theatres and festivals. Funny stories? Well I got mistaken for Boy George THREE TIMES at a music festival (Boy George was playing at the festival and had the same colour hat as me!). Oh, and we once played the Dr. Who theme tune to a Dalek.

En este momento hemos hecho 216 conciertos, en pubs, clubs, teatros y festivales. Anecdotas? Je, me confundieron con Boy George TRES VECES en un festival de música (Boy George tocó en el festival y llevaba un gorro del mismo color que yo. Oh, y una vez le tocamos el tema de Dr. Who a un Dalek.

Some have an envious attack when you come with your signature aNueNue ukuleles, for me, I think that's great, for both of you, aNueNue have a good marketing strategie and oh, as a player if somebody is interested on do a signature model that have to be awesome. How did all this come from? Did you decide how they will be? how are those ukes? you play live with them?
Muchos han tenido un ataque de envidia cuando aparecisteis con vuestros aNueNue signature, para mi pienso que es muy bueno, para los dos, aNueNue tiene una buena estrategia de márqueting y oh, como ukelelista si alguien está interesado en hacer un modelo exclusivo con tu nombre tiene que ser maravilloso. Como surgio todo esto? Decidisteis como tenian que ser? Como son estos ukes? tocais con ellos en directo?

We bumped into Steven Sproat at a festival (he also has an aNueNue signature model), and at the same time there were some aNueNue ukes on display which we played and liked. We got talking to them and they asked us what we would like. We came up with the specification and they turned it into a design. Ian’s is a soprano and mine is a concert. They great ukes and work well on stage and we have played them at several gigs so far. It’s amazing really to think there is an instrument out there with your name and band logo on it!

Estando en un festival con Steven Sproat (el también tiene un aNueNue signature) al mismo tiempo que habian unos cuantos aNueNue en exposición que provamos y nos gustaron. Hablamos con ellos y nos preguntaron que nos gustaria. Volvimos con nuestras especificaciones y ellos las convirtieron en diseño. El de Ian es un soprano y el mio un concierto. Son buenos ukes, se portan bien en el escenario y hemos tocado con ellos un montón de conciertos. Es impresionante pensar que ahí fuera hay un instrumento con tu nombre y el logo de tu banda en el!

Live gear, which ones you like to use? (ukuleles, effects, amps,...)
Equipo de directo, que os gusta usar? (ukeleles, efectos, amplis,...)

We have a few ukes, but only a few are ‘stage ukes’ that have pickups fitted. As well as the aNueNue ukes mentioned above, Ian has 2 matching Black Applause ukes, a Triangular uke made by UK luthier Rob Collins (www.tinguitar.com), a Kiwaya KTS-7 and a Risa solid, all sopranos.
My other stage ukes are all made by UK luthiers. I have 3 ukes by Rob Collins (a pear-shaped concert that looks a bit like a mandolin, a triangular one which is the twin brother of Ian’s and a small bodied ‘travel’ uke shaped like a Martin Backpacker) and two by Pete Howlett, a solid body electric concert and a koa concert (www.petehowlettukulele.co.uk).
All our stage ukes have undersaddle pickups and we plug them into LR Baggs preamps. We don’t use any effects and we don’t usually use amps. We have our own PA system, or we’ll use the PA that the venue has.

Tenemos unos cuantos ukes, pero solo unos pocos son los "ukes de directo" porque tienen pickups incorporadas. Así como los aNueNue mencionados anteriormente, Ian tiene 2 Applause negros, un uke triangular hecho por el UK luthier Rob Collins (www.tinguitar.com), un Kiwaya KTS-7 y un risa sólido, todos sopranos.

Mis otros ukes de directo son todos hechos por luthiers de UK. Tengo 3 de Rob Collins (un concierto en forma de perla que parece una mandolina, uno triangular que es el hermano gemelo del de Ian y un "travel" uke con el cuerpo empequeñecido como el de Martin Backpacker) y dos hechos por Pete Howlett, uno de cuerpo sólido y el otro de koa, los dos conciertos (www.petehowlettukulele.co.uk). Todos nuestros ukes de concierto tienen un pickup montado debajo del puente y los enchufamos a los preamps LR Baggs. No usamos ningún efecto y normalmente no usamos amplis. Tenemos nuestro própio PA, o usamos el PA que el evento tenga.

How many ukes do you own? which ones are your favs?
Cuantos ukes teneis? cuales son vuestros favoritos?

Ian has 12, and his absolute favourites are his Kiwaya KTS-7 and his Rob Collins solid body

electric ‘sopranano’, which is tiny (smaller than a Kala pocket uke!)

I have 8, and my favourite changes on a daily basis!Ian tiene 12, sus favoritos son su Kiwaya KTS-7 y su Rob Collins electrico sopranano, que

es mas pequeño que el Kala poket!
Yo tengo 8, y mi favorito cambia según el dia!

Future band plans? will be possible to see/hear original Re-entrant songs? have you think about this?
Planes para el futuro? va a ser posible ver/oir canciones originales de Re-Entrants? habeis pensado en esto?

More gigs, and bigger and better gigs! We’re also working on a new CD. We’re not going to do any originals. We’ve done originals separately, but The Re-entrants is all about fun, with no artistic pretentions. We also make our living doing this, so it’s important that we don’t let our egos get in the way of giving the audience what they want. (george: if can I say something,i will say, never say never, XD, just in case, maybe the future never tell us what we're gonna do)Mas conciertos, mas grandes y mejores giras! Estamos también trabajando en un nuevo CD. No, no vamos a hacer originales. Lo hemos hecho por separado, pero Re-entrants es divertirse, sin ninguna pretension artística. Lo hemos convertido en una forma de vida, así que es importante darle a la audiencia lo que quieren dejando de lado egos

When Spain? Cuando España?

We’d love to come to Spain. Nos encantaria venir a España

Did you think the ukulele lives a worlwide boom?
Pensais que el ukelele vive un boom mundial?

Yes, definitely, but we still get asked what ‘those small guitars’ are! When we first started playing, roughly 8 years ago, it was very hard to buy a decent uke in the UK. Even when The Re-entrants started we were still often importing instruments. Nowadays every music shop has ukes on the wall and they are popping up being played by famous bands and in commercials.Si, totalmente, pero todavia somos preguntados que son esas pequeñas guitarras! Cuando empezamos a tocar, hace 8 años, era muy dificil comprarte un uke decente en UK. Hasta cuando The Re-entrants empezamos todavia a menudo importabamos los instrumentos. Pero estos dias cada tienda de música tiene sus ukes en las paredes y se popularizan por que las bandas famosas también lo tocan y en los anuncios de TV.

And last, any advice for the spanish ukulele players?
Y última, algún consejo para los ukelellistas hispanos?

Have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously, don’t be afraid to try new things. The uke is an amazing instrument, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Find other musicians to play with, it’s much more fun and you’ll learn things so much more quickly. Get the best uke you can afford and play it every day.

Diviertete, no te tomes demasiado en serio, no tengas miedo de provar nuevas cosas. El uke es un instrumento apasionante, no dejes que nadie te diga lo contrario. Encuentra otros músicos para tocar con ellos, es mucho más divertido y aprendes las cosas más rápido. Comprate el mejor uke que puedas y tocalo cada dia.

That's it, thanks Phil, thanks Ian for sharing your time with us, to the reader, just remember you you can go to www.thereentrants.co.uk, just in case you liked this interview and want a big dosis of Re-entrants by buying some of them CD's or see more photos and videos. They are great, no doubt about.
Esto es todo amigos, gracias Phil, gracias Ian por darnos un poco de vuestro tiempo, al lector, solo recordarte que puedes ir a www.thereentrants.co.uk en caso de que te haya gustado esta entrevista y quieras una dosis mayor de Re-entrants comprandote sus CD's o viendo más fotos y videos. Son grandes, no lo dudes.

VIDEO-CHARLA CON CHOAN EN UKECOSAS

2011-01-12T00:40:00.000-08:00

THE ONES TO WATCH : TODD BAIO

2011-01-12T00:31:00.000-08:00

Hoy continuamos la sección de no te debes perder, con otro ukelelista al que el tiempo seguro que pondrá en su lugar, por su buen gusto y por su buen hacer, además, conocias el ukelele barítono? aqui un gran ejemplo de como usarlo. Ladies y caballeros Mr. Todd Baio

When you discover the Ukulele? why? Cuando descubres el ukelele? Porque?

i discovered the ukulele in 2005. i started posting some of my folk music on www.ezfolk.com and realized they had a whole section on their site dedicated to the ukulele and ukulele musicians. i was a bit intrigued honestly. so as i began to search around this section, i took notice of all the different styles of music being played on the instrument. that variety mixed with the ukulele's unique re-entrant sound captivated me. shortly thereafter, i sold an electric bass guitar i had and bought a Lanikai Tenor ukulele.

Descubrí el ukelele en 2005. Empezé steando en internet mucha de mi música folk en www.ezfolk.com y me di cuenta que tienen una gran sección de la página dedicada al ukelele y a ukelelistas. Estaba un poco intrigado, honestamente, así que empezé a buscar información sobre esta sección. También me di cuenta de los muchos y distintos estilos musicales que se tocan con el instrumento. Esta variedad mezclada con el único sonido reentrante del ukelele me cautivaron. Al poco después, vendí un bajo eléctrico que tenia y me compre un ukelele Lanikai tenor.

You are a experienced guitarrist, tell us about you before the ukulele

Eres un experimentado guitarrista, cuentanos un poco de ti antes del ukelele

yes, i've been playing guitar pretty steadily for the last 22+years. aside from having a few lessons, i pretty much taught myself to play by: learning how to tune the instrument, learning chords from "Mel Bay's Book of Guitar Chords" (with picture diagrams) and just practicing for about 2 hours a day for the first year or so. i had a small folk trio for a short bit in high school. i played bass in this band, but then right out of high school, i was able to form a trio (guitar, bass and drums) that would play live and record for the next couple of years (1990 to 1993-ish). i also played bass in another rock band concurrently during that time. i was heavily influenced by folk music, the second ska wave of the early 80's, and the punk rock/underground music movement from the early 80's through the 90's. in 1994, i had another quirky folk trio (i played guitar, mandolin, a little banjo, and sang) that played through 1996 and from 1995 to 2006 i was often busy with church music. from 2006 on i've mostly been active in the folk music scene througout the state of Arizona.

Si, he estado tocando guitarra desde hace 22 o más años. Después de unas pequeñas lecciones, me preparé para tocar aprendiendo a afinar, aprendiendo acordes del libro Mel Bay's Book of Guitar Chords (con diagramas) y solo practicando unas 2 horas al dia el primer año. Tuve un pequeño trio de folk en el instituto. Toqué el bajo en esta banda, justo después del instituto estaba listo para formar un nuevo trio (guitarra bajo bateria) que toco en directo y grabó los dos siguientes años (1990-1993 finales) tambien toque el bajo en otra banda de rock de la epoca. Estoy muy influenciado por la musica folk, la segunda ola de ska de principios de los 80 y el punk y la musica underground de principios de los 80 a los 90. en 1994 tuve otro trio folk (tocaba guitarra, mandolina, un pequeño banjo y cantaba) este tocó hasta el 1996 y desde 1995 a 2006 estuve a menudo ocupado en musica de iglesia. Desde 2006 he estado bastante activo en la escena de la musica folk en el estado de Arizona.

Your prefference is for the bariton ukulele, why?

Tu preferencia es por el baritono, porque?

you know, that's a great question. let me first say that i am a HUGE fan of the ukuele's 're-entrant' sound. i love all sizes of ukulele, but i started messing with the baritone ukulele a couple of years ago and i fell in love with it too. i've got big hands and the bari is very comfortable for me to play, but it's also a nice 'warm' sounding instrument for simple accompaniment with my singing. when i travel, my preferred choice is to have one Baritone uke and one Soprano uke ha ha ha. Polar opposites :)
Tu sabes, es una buena pregunta. ejame decir primero que soy un GRAN fan del sonido re-entrante los ukeleles. Me gustan todas las medidas de ukelele, pero empece a provar el baritono hace un par de años y me enamoré. Tengo las manos grandes y el barítono es para mi mu cómodo para tocar, además es un bonito y cálido sonido de acompañamiento conmigo cantando. Cuando viajo, la elección es tener un barítono y un soprano jajaja. Polos opuestos :)

How many ukes you have? Which are your favourites?

Cuantos ukes tienes? Cuales son tus favoritos?

i currently have 6 or 7 ukuleles. my favorite players right now are my Kala Spruce-Top Baritone, my Kala exotic-mahogany Tenor, my concert sized Fluke ukulele, and my makala dolphin soprano ukulele. there are some others that i'd love to add to my collection (i've also sold a few ukuleles), but that will have to wait ;)
.Ahora tengo 6 o 7 ukeleles. Mis favoritos ahora on mi Kala Spruce Top Baritono, mi Kala caoba-exotica Tenor, mi Fluke concierto y mi Makala Dolphin Soprano. Hay muchos otros que me gustaria añadir a mi colección (he vendido algunos), pero esto tendrá que esperar ;)

You do a blog too, play the ukulele in good skill level, make so funny cartoons, why you are not living with your art? Haces un blog también, tocas ukelele con un buen nivel, haces dibujos muy divertidos, porque no vives de tu arte?

yes i have a couple of blogs where i feature my writing, rambling, music and artwork. you can find them here: www.brothersonnysblog.blogspot.com and www.youdoart.blogspot.com thank you for the nice comments on both my music and my cartoons. you could say that i work 'part-time' as a musician. i've only begun to get really active again with my cartoons just this last year, but would love for some opportunities to open for that as well. i really would like to be able to live off of my creative endeavors, at least i think i would, but at present, i have a 'day job' like many other artists and musicians i know. i resolved a few years ago to just keep 'doing' art and music and sharing as much encouragement as i can....if more opportunities open up, that would be lovely.
Si, tengo un par de blogs donde expongo mi escritura, rambling, musica y arte. los puedes encontrar aqui www.brothersonnysblog.blogspot.com y www.youdoart.blogspot.com gracias por los bonitos comentarios en los dos mi musica y mi arte. Podriamos decir que trabajo de músico a tiempo parcial. He empezado a estar activo con mis dibujos solo desde el año pasado, pero me gustaria que tuvieran alguna oportunidad también. Lo que de verdad me gustaria es poder ser capaz de vivir de mi creatividad, al final lo conseguiré, pero en el presente, tengo un trabajo como muchos otros artistas y músicos que conozco. Tomé la determinación hace años solo de no parar de hacer arte y música y compartir esta forma de ver las cosas tanto como pueda ...si aparecen mas oportunidades, eso seria encantador.

Have you recorded or plan to record soon? which are your future plans?

yes, i have one gospel folk cd that i did in a studio in 2005. you can sample that here: www.cdbaby.com/cd/toddbaio if any readers are interested, please contact me directly and i'll take care of you. i also have some 'homemade' cds that i sell. i am a fan of old folk recordings and old 'field' recordings of people just making music in their homes, at parties, and in churches, etc....so i like to record my own music. i have these available on my you tube page: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OckglgltSt0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSOJb1Zx2bk

Si, tengo un CD de gospel folk que grabe en estudio en 2005, lo puedes escuchar aquí www.cdbaby.com/cd/toddbaio si hay alguien interesado, por favor contactar conmigo directamente, yo me ocupare personalmente. Tambien tengo algunos CD's "hecho en casa" que vendo. Soy un fan de antiguas grabaciones de folk de gente que hace música en sus casas, fiestas y en iglesias, etc... así que me gusta grabarme mi própia música. Tengo estos que puedes conseguir en mi página de youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSOJb1Zx2bk y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaRg8LqIMqM

regarding the future? mirando al futuro?
well, honestly, i just want to 'keep on keeping on.' i'd love to do some more recording in the studio, but i still like doing my cds with my homemade artwork, etc. i'd like to become even more efficient at that. there's a possibility of me setting up an www.etsy.com page for both my music and artwork, and i usually receive some calls to do paying concerts from time to time. i would love to see that increase in the future. i love making my contributions to the world of folk music because i just never know who i may encourage by way of the songs i sing or words i share. i like spreading encouragement however i can.
Bien, honestamente solo quiero seguir adelante. Me encantaria hacer más grabaciones en estudio, pero tambien me gustan mis CD's con mi arte "hecho en casa". Me gustaria ser más eficiente en esto. Hay posibilidades de que salga en la página www.etsy.com con mi músca y mi arte, y también recibo esporadicas llamadas para tocar en conciertos de vez en cuando. Me gustaria incrementar esto en el futuro. Me gusta hacer contribuciones al mundo de la música folk porque no se a quien animo con las canciones que canto o con las letras que comparto. Me gusta repartir ánimo siempre que puedo

the allways question is : Did you feel the ukulele lives a worldwide boom?
La pregunta de siempre es: Crees que el ukelele vive un boom mundial?
if i am understanding you correctly, i'd say yes, i believe we really are experiencing a 'revival'of the ukulele as a popular instrument. it seems, at least according to some, that we're in the 3rd wave of the ukulele's surge in popularity. i know for myself, for the last 6 years, i've seen and heard nothing but an increase in 'ukulele activity' on commercials, soundtracks, cartoons, movies, and well-known artists who have picked them up. i think it's just great, but my encouragement would be for ukulele musicians and musicians of all types to check out the music of Manitoba Hal, the Re-entrants, Gus and Fin (GUGUG), Howlin Hobbit, Robin Tesch (BaronK69), Bruce Baird, Bosko and Honey, Fabio Koryu Calabro, Paul Moore and Ukuleles for Peace, Jeff Haun (uncle Jeff), Lisa Hatfield, Kenny and the Kaptains, and many many more. these folks are just 'doing the stuff.' they make great music, their unique, and they are examples of what the 'humble lil' ukulele' can do....
Si te he entendido correctamente, iré que si, creo que estamos viviendo un revival del ukelele como instrumento popular. Lo se de primera mano, desde hace 6 años, he visto y oido como se incrementa la ukelele actividad en anuncios de TV, bandas sonoras, dibujos animados, películar, y artistas muy conocidos tambien tocando uno. Yo creo que es genial, pero mi apoyo es para ukelelistas, te recomiendo la música de Manitoba Hal, the Re-entrants, Gus and Fin (GUGUG), Howlin Hobbit, Robin Tesch (BaronK69), Bruce Baird, Bosko and Honey, Fabio Koryu Calabro, Paul Moore and Ukuleles for Peace, Jeff Haun (uncle Jeff), Lisa Hatfield, Kenny and the Kaptains y muchos muchos más. Estos músicos son los que realmente hacen la movida, Hacen muy buena música, son únicos, y son ejemplos de lo que puede hacer este pequeño instrumento...an advice for the spanish ukulelel players, why must they try baritone?

un consejo para ukelelistas españoles, porque deberian probar el barítono?

thank you for the interview George. i'd advise Spanish Ukulele Players to get a a steady diet of www.ukulelehunt.com read your blog, surf You Tube for other ukulele players (to get creative ideas) and take a little time to research other great ukulele blogs out there. i for one, am a huge fan of the Humble Baritonics blog http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com which is dedicated to the baritone ukulele. i think the Baritone Ukulele is worth trying because it is a great instrument, it's a comfortable instrument for those of us with big hands, you can tune it with the re-entrant style tuning if you want to and....it's a little bit 'ukulele' and a little bit 'guitar' the best of both worlds really :)

Gracias George por la entrevista. Me gustaria aconsejar a los ukelelistas españoles que mantengan una dieta de Ukulele Hunt, que lean tu blog, que naveguen por Youtube para ver otros ukelelistas ( y obtener ideas para su creatividad) y tambien que se tomen un poco de tiempo para buscar esos magníficos ukelele blogs que hay por ahí, soy un gran fan de Humble Baritonics http://humblebaritonics.blogspot.com que está dedicada al ukelele barítono. Yo creo que vale la pena provar el ukelele Baritono porque es un gran instrumento, es práctico para gente que tenga manos grandes, lo puedes afinar también con la cuerda re-entrante si quieres... es un poco ukelele y un poco guitarra, lo mejor de ambos mundos, de verdad :)

UKECLASES UKEFÁCIL

2011-01-03T00:04:00.000-08:00

Un nuevo año empieza y con el energias renovadas para seguir adelante con este proyecto, hoy estamos aqui para hablar con una persona que esta haciendo mucho por la enseñanza del ukelele en castellano de manera atruista, estoy hablando de UKECLASES UKEFÁCIL un canal de Youtube lleno de tutoriales para aprender a tocar tus canciones favoritas en castellano, digno de admiración. A new year begins and I have like new energies to continue this blog project, today we are here to talk with a person that's been doing a lot for the teaching of the ukulele in spanish, I'm talking about UKECLASES UKEFACIL, a Youtube channel full of tutorials to learn how to play your favourite spanish songs, something to admire

¿Cuando descubres el ukelele? When you discover the ukulele?

Lo descubro no hace mucho tiempo al hacer un pedido por internet que no superaba la tarifa de portes gratuitos y para ello pedí un ukelele baratísimo por el valor del coste del envío.

I discover the uke not long time ago because I have an internet order that didn't have enought to get the free shipment, so i order a cheapo ukulele in order to fix this.

¿Cuando empezaste con tus tutoriales para ukelele?
When starts your ukulele tutorials?

En marzo del 2010 con un móvil a modo de prueba con ¿cómo afinar un ukelele?
Pensé que era una buena idea enseñar de una manera muy fácil empezar a tocar este gran instrumento. Evitando posturas difíciles y cejillas, y por ello cambio el tono de muchas canciones.
Pienso que hay un vacio en la enseñanza en general de instrumentos musicales. Hay muchos videos geniales pero no destinados para los que empiezan ya que muestran sus resultados ya acabados.
Además de la guitarra rítmica toco el cuatro venezolano, y de éste último apenas hay información en internet y ahí surgió ukeclases.
In march 2010 with a cell phone in a test mode with How to tune your ukulele. I thought it was an easy way to teach this great instrument. Out of dificult chord positions or cappos, that's why I change the tune of most of the songs.

I think there's a void in the teaching of musical instruments. You have lot of awesome videos but they are not for the people that starts because they focus on the final product.

Moreover i play rithm guitar with the Cuatro from Venezuela, and for this instrument you almost can't find any information and that's the reason why appears Ukeclases.

¿Cuéntanos como te va? How is it going?

Nunca pensé que en los primeros ocho meses iba a tener tanta aceptación.
Never thought that in the first 8 months I will have this kind of success.

¿Alguna anecdota divertida? Any funny tale?

El verme tocando en un Festival de Navidad vestido de Papá Noel.

See me playing in a Christmas Fest in a Santa dress.

Además de los videos de internet ¿Qué haces?

Apart of the internet videos, what you do?

Además de informático soy profesor en una academia y también a nivel particular. Las edades de mis alumnos son de lo más variado, van desde los 5 hasta los 75.

I'm informatic professor in an academy and in personal teach too. The ages of my alumns are lot of different, from 5 to 75 years old.

¿Cuántos ukeleles tienes? How many ukelele you have?

Por orden de preferencia actual (aunque mi preferencia cambia de un día a otro) son:

Kala KA ASAC T, Ohana Ck-35G, Ohana Sk-35G, Risa eléctrico, Kala KA SMHTEC (electroacústico) y Ohana SK 50WG.

Además tuve los tres diferentes tamaños de Kala (KA-S, KA-C y KA-T) que he ido regalando a mis sobrinos.

Todos ellos comprados en UKECOSAS a mi amigo Choan.

By preference (even my prefference will vary from one day to other) are: Kala KA ASAC T, Ohana Ck-35G, Ohana Sk-35G, Risa eléctric, Kala KA SMHTEC (electroacústic) and Ohana SK 50WG.
And I haved the 3 different sices of Kala (KA-S, KA-C y KA-T) that I've been giften to my nepews.

All of them buyed in UKECOSAS to my friend Choan.

¿Cuáles son tus planes para el futuro? Future plans?

Me encantaría ganarme la vida con el ukelele o la enseñanza de instrumentos de cuerda en general.

I would like to reach my life by teaching ukulele or any stringed instrument

¿Has pensado en editar un DVD con una selección de tus videos?
Have you thought in edit a DVD with a selection of your videos?

Me gustaría pero de momento no lo veo rentable. I would like but not now

La pregunta del millón, XD, ¿Por qué nunca sale tu cara en los videos? ¿vergüenza?

The million dollar question, XD, why never appear your face in the videos? are you shy?

Me llamo Alberto Gómez y no sale mi cara por dos razones: una es que quiero que se vea bien el ukelele y las manos, y la otra es que

estoy lleyendo a la vez la letra y los acordes y quedaría mal.

My name's Alberto Gomez and my face is not showed because 2 reasons: one, I want to show the ukulele and what the hands do, and 2nd, I'm reading the song and chords and it will not be good to see.

Una pregunta que siempre hago es si consideras que el ukelele
vive un boom mundial y ¿Cómo ves el ukelele en España?
I allways ask about the ukulele and his worldwide boom and how you see it in Spain?

Creo que si a nivel mundial (sólo ver internet) , pero en España aún poca gente lo conoce. Llegará un momento que sea un instrumento de iniciación a la música (colegios, academias ...) y que casi todo el mundo tenga uno en su casa...

Pon un ukelele en tu vida...seras más feliz.

I think you're right ( just watch internet), but still in Spain is a thing of few. It will come the time that this instrument will be the beginning of learning music (schools, accademys,...) and everyone will have one in them home.

Add an ukulele to your life...you will be more Happy

Gracias amigo Alberto por tus Ukeclases, sigue así. Puedes ver su canal de Youtube pulsando AQUI. Thanks Alberto for your Ukeclases, keep this way. You can see his Youtube channel by clicking HERE

PROFESOR ON-LINE

2011-01-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

LIVE TAKES/TOMAS EN DIRECTO

2010-12-31T09:43:00.000-08:00

T'hat's it, recorder with micro and no effects, the sound as it is, a bit naked, XD

Esto es, grabado con camara y micro externo, sin efectos, el sonido como es, un poco desnudo, XD

HAPPY 2011!!! FELIZ 2011!!!

Y Tu Regalo es ....

2010-12-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

Bien, esto no se si es colaboración, mutuo acuerdo, o como deberia enfocarlo, bien digamos que un amigo tuyo tiene una muy buena idea, y además tu amigo se vanagloria de predicar que cuando veas una buena idea la robes, pues sobrepasando eso le comente que podriamos hacer esto, para el lector, es una muy buena base para empezar a descubrir el mundo del ukelele, y además, es gratis, ya tardas, clica en la portada, dejate llevar por esos segundos de espera que el servidor gratuito te va a hacer sufrir y disfruta de unos consejos/guia para que des tus primeros pasos en el mundo del ukelele, disfrutalo, y si te gusta ya comentaras que te ha parecido. La edición inglesa del ebook la podeis descargar AQUí. Igual de bueno, "El Original" donde podreis ver distintos contenidos.

Well, this is a collab, mutual accord, or, how am I suposed to say this?, let's say you have a good friend that have a good idea, and also your friend is supporting the thing saying things like "if you like that idea, stole it", well going steps forward to this I ask him if he agree to do this and he love the idea, for the reader, is a good quick book that you can have a quick view to the ukulele world, and It's free, come on, you're late, click on the cover and wait for the seconds the free server is gonna make you wait and enjoy that happy advices to the ukulelel world, enjoy it, and if you like I hope you can share some comments. The english version you can download HERE. Same good book, "The Original One" where you can see different contents.

y si te falla el clicar en la imagen, pues: and just in case the image-link fail try:

http://www.4shared.com/document/Dpa98ts4/asiquerecientienestuprimerukel.html

Espero que te guste y te aficiones al uke

Olvido 2 cosas muy importantes, la primera dar las gracias una vez más a Al Woodshed el apoyo y el material prestado, y la paciencia también, XD, y la segunda, que el libro es interactivo, clica en los contenidos para ir a sus paginas web explicativas, muevete por el indice a los contenidos y vuelve atras clicando en el titulo de cada pagina, diviertete, tienes para un rato.

I almost forgot 2 important things , 1st is give the thanks, once again, to Al Woodshed for the support, for the book itself, and second, the book is fully interactive, click on the contents to go to web pages, move on the index and te contents and go back by click on the tittle of the book on every page, have fun, you have for a while, XD

PRODUCTO NACIONAL / MADE IN SPAIN : ECLECTIC ZOO

2010-12-26T04:09:00.000-08:00

Si vais por la mágica y preciosa ciudad del sur de España, corazón de Andalucia, Sevilla, podeis tener la suerte de encontraros, cada vez más a menudo, en un bar haciendo unas tapitas para cenar escuchando además a una formación de autentico lujo, uno de sus integrantes es un gran amigo internauta del que os escribe, mister Fran Spain, ya hablaremos más en otro artículo de el, XD. Vamos por Eclectic Zoo.

If you are about to take a trip to the south of Spain, in the heart ot Andalucia, Sevilla, you can have the luck to find, every time more often, in a bar eating the famous Tapas to dinner and also listening to a very good band, I'm also lucky to say one of this band members is a very good ciber-friend of the writer, Mr. Fran Spain, but we will talk with him in another article,XD. le'ts see Eclectic Zoo

Quienes sois? Who are you?

Eclectic Zoo son: Jose Luis Pérez Barcia -guitarra eléctrica-, Pedro Vicente Pardo -contrabajo- y Francisco Cornejo Dueñas -ukelele y percusión- (no necesariamente en ese orden). Los tres hemos pasado por proyectos muy variados hasta encontrarnos, grupos de música cubana, folclore canario, tunas, villancicos sudamericanos, coro de ópera, trios de boleros, orquestas, etc... de aquí viene lo de "ecléctic" jejejeje

Eclectic Zoo are: Jose Luís Perez Barcia -electric guitar-, Pedro Vicente Pardo -doublebass- and Francisco Cornejo Dueñas -ukulele and percussion- (not strictly in this order). We both have pass throught lot of different projects to at last find us, cuban music bands, Canary Islands folk music, tunas, villancicos from south America, opera chorus, bolero, bands, etc ... here comes the name eclectic, XD

Cuando empezasteis, donde y porque? When you start? and why?
Todo empezó con una "ukedada" que organizamos en Sevilla en el 2008 (¿o fue el 2007?) con motivo de la visita del genial Gerald Ross y su encantadora esposa. Vinieron "Perilous Mojo" (Rob Collins de http://www.tinguitar.com/ y Claire Deakin) desde Inglaterra, otra pareja desde Alemania (no recuerdo sus nombres), el grupo de impresentables -entre los que me encontraba- que estaba organizando una orquesta de ukeleles en Sevilla ("Frikilele" era el nombre que se barruntaba... es un proyecto en barbecho que algún dia recuperaremos) y un buen puñado de amigos mas... Se nos ocurrió preparar unos temas para ese dia y gustó bastante;además tuvimos la suerte de que Gerald Ross nos acompañara en algún tema con el Lap Steel, una gozada!!! (en youtube está el "man in constant sorrow" que tocamos con él ese dia).

All starts with a ukemeeting we organize in Sevilla in 2008 (or was 2007?) because of the visit of the genius Gerald Ross and his charming wife. They come too Perilous Mojo (with Rob Collins and Claire Deakin) from England, another couple from Germany ( don't remember them names), the usual suspects -I was there- who was organizing an Ukulele Orchestra in Sevilla ( Frikilele was the name for ...is a project still waiting to come) and a buncha lotta friends more ... We think about songs for this special ocasion and we succeed, also we have the luck Gerald Ross was in the band in some songs with the Lap Steel, awesome!!! (you can find in Youtube the man in constant sorrow we play with him this day)Al año siguiente volvimos a organizar la "ukedada" sevillana con la asistencia de Yan Yalego y Rob Collins (se está convirtiendo en un gran luthier de ukeleles, su "sopranano" es algo bestial). Volvimos a ensayar 2 días para repasar los temas y montar alguno nuevo. Gustó tanto que nos exigieron que convirtiéramos el trío en algo estable y... ¡¡¡HASTA HOY!!!

Next year we make again the ukemeeting sevillane with the performing of Yan Yalego and Rob Collins (he is becoming a great luthier of ukes, his soprano is astonishing) We made 2 days rehearsal to prepare again the songs and make something new. The people love it and make us become in a more stable trio and ... UNTIL NOW
Como está funcionando la banda? sois una banda de directo muy cercano con el público, cual es la respuesta? How is going the band? you are a very closer performance band, what the people think about?
Qué vamos a decir, que estamos empezando pero que nos va muy bien. La gente se sorprende con el formato del grupo, no es muy común por aquí la combinación de estos tres instrumentos con tres vocalistas. Una vez que pasa la sorpresa, la gente reacciona sobre todo con las versiones "eclécticas" de temas conocidos (y eso que aun no han oido los temas que estamos preparando para los próximos conciertos jejejeje)

What can we say, we're starting but we're going very well. People don't expect this kind of formation, not very often you will find those 3 instruments with also 3 voices. When surprise ends, people love covers "eclectics" of the common songs (and they still don't hear the ones we're preparing for the next concerts, XD)
Teneis un local fijo de conciertos o una ruta programada? o vais a lo que salga, XD? You have a place where usually play or kind of touring list? or just go arround like rolling stone, XD?
Claramente, a lo que salga. Estamos empezando... Estamos haciendo conciertos en locales pequeños para asentar el repertorio. Nos han llamado para varios sitios pero aun estamos resolviendo temas como el del equipo de sonido. A partir de Enero empezaremos a rodar mas en serio.

Absolutely, rolling stones. We're new band ... We're playing in small places to fix up the set list. We be called to play around but we're still figuring out things like the sound system stuff. Comming next January we will start to go more seriously.
Como veis el ukelele y su auge en España?, yo no se en Sevilla, pero en Barcelona todo el mundo parece conocer o tocar uno How you see the ukulele and his reach in Spain? i don't know Sevilla but in Barcelona everybody seems to know or play one
No tienes mas que ver un rato de publicidad en televisión. De cada 10 anuncios, al menos 3 llevan ukelele en su banda sonora. No estamos al nivel de Inlaterra, USA o Alemania, pero cada vez se ven mas músicos y aficionados a nuestro instrumento. Es comprensible en un país donde tenemos el timple canario, el guitarrico maño, los guitarros mallorquín y valenciano, etc..., una gran variedad de instrumentos muy parecidos al "uke".

You just have to look to the commercials on TV for a while. On every 10 commercials, almost 3 they have ukulele in them soundtrack. We're not on the England level, neither USA or Germany, but you can see more musicians and aficionados to our instrument. In Spain we have the Timple from Canary Islands, the Guitarrico from the Aragon, the Guitarros from Mallorca Island and Valencia, etc..., huge range of instruments kind of the uke.

Cuales son vuestros proyectos? habeis pensado en grabar y editar vuestra música? What are your following projects? have you consider to record and edinting your music?

Seguir divirtiéndonos y divirtiendo. Si, estamos discutiendo la posibilidad de grabar algo en directo o, si somos capaces de generar "recursos", meternos en un estudio. ¡¡¡EL 2011 DIRÁ!!!

We will continue to have fun and give fun. Yes, we're discussing this possibility, record something live or, if we are capables to reach it go to recording studio. Next 2011 will tell
Futuros conciertos? Future concerts

Los que salgan y nuestras mujeres nos permitan. Estamos acabando de ultimar para Enero/Febrero un recorrido por 3 locales de Sevilla, uno en Córdoba y otros 2 ó 3 en Granada. A parte de eso, "a lo que salga"!!!!

All that come and our wifes let us do. We're closing schedule for January/Feb touring on 3 places in Sevilla, one in Cordoba and 2 maybe 3 in Granada. Apart of this, up to whatever!!
Futuros planes? Future plans?

Seguir divirtiéndonos y divirtiendo. Este proyecto empezó como un juego y aun no sabemos donde nos llevará. Nos gustaría asistir a algún "ukefest" en el extranjero, como los de Hollesley, GroB Umstad, New York o alguno que se organizara en nuestro pais... ya veremos. Again have fun and give fun. This project starts like a joke and we still don't know where we will go with it. We will like to go to any Ukefest outside Spain, like Hollesley, GroB Umstad, New York or maybe one maded in our country... will see.
Un consejo para alguien que empieza a tocar un ukelele?

Advice for someone that starts to play ukulele
¡¡¡QUE LEA ASIDUAMENTE EL FANTÁSTICO BLOG DE GEORGE STONE!!!

Read often the awesome blog of George Stone!!! (I hate you!)

Podeis contactar con esta banda en su facebook. http://www.facebook.com/eclecticzoo para mas información.

You can contact with the band on them facebook for more info

Este es el inicio de la sección PRODUCTO NACIONAL, espero que os haya gustado la entrada y aprovecho para desear un feliz 2011 a todos los lectores, y a los que no tambien, de este blog. Gracias a todos.

This is the start of the MADE IN SPAIN, section on the blog, hope you like the entry and also I will like to share to everybody a Happy new Year, to all readers, and all that doesn't too. From this blog. Thanks everybody.

HUCKSTER - MANITOBA HAL

2010-12-23T13:15:00.000-08:00

From the great seeing of the Jordan bay there's a town in New Scottia, Shelbourne, nice place, but this here may doesn't matter, except because there's a hero there. I'm here to talk with the magnificent ukulele bluesman Manitoba Hal, well now I use to talk an intro about, but I think he don't need this, because who plays ukulele and don't know who Manitoba Hall is?, but now english reader you must understand that in Spain there's a poor information in this languaje, so all invited to read a lines of his, AWESOME 3rd album, Huckster

Desde la gran vista de la baia de Jordan hay una ciudad en Nueva Escocia, Shelbourne, bonito lugar, pero esto aqui no deberia importarte, excepto porque hay un heroe allí. Estoy aqui para hablar con el magnifico ukelele bluesman Manitoba Hal, bien ahora haria una gran introducción pero creo que el no lo necesita, porque quien toca ukelele y no sabe quien es Manitoba Hal?, pero ahora tambien lector inglés has de entender que en España hay muy poc información, así que todos invitados a leer estas lineas de este , ESTUPENDO tercer album, Huckster.

This is your 3rd ukulele album, no? how is going ?

Este es tu tercer album de Ukelele, no? como esta yendo?

This is my 3rd all Ukulele CD by myself but I did record two other ukulele CDs with bands. One was with a band called King Ukulele in the year 2000. That CD was called Yaaka Hula Dickey Dula. The 2nd ukulele CD was with a band called The Incombustible Men and the CD was titled LOU OW!. Both were more novelty based recordings and featured a full band and even a horn section on the first CD. I may release a compilation CD featuring selections from these CDs? We'll see.

Es mi tercer album de ukelele en solitario, pero tambien he grabado otros 2 albums de ukelele con bandas. Una se llamaba King Ukulele en el año 2000. El CD se llamaba Yaaka Hula Dickey Dula. el segundo CD fué con una banda llamada The Incombustible Men y el CD se llamaba Lou Ow!. Ambos eran más de novedad en función de grabaciones y presentaba una banda completa y incluso una sección de vientos en el primer CD. Tengo que editar un CD recopilatorio con una selección de estos CD's? lo veremos

What we will find in this album?

Que vamos a encontrar en este album?

Huckster is definitely the strongest recorded work I've ever created. I tried to capture the feeling of being in the room with me as I played the music. That's why I ended up recording live-off-the-floor. I set up 5 mics and just went for it.

Huckster es definitivamente el mas fuerte trabajo e grabación que nunca hayá creado. He intentado captar el sentimiento que transmite una habitación conmigo, que es como toco música. Así es como he teminado grabando en vivo en el suelo. Instale 5 micros y a ver que salia.

Where you recorded? Donde lo has grabado?

I recorded Huckster in my home studio. I have a small studio room that over looks the harbour and I set up 5 mics, one on my voice, one on the uke, one on the floor and two mics to capture the ambient sound of the room. Then I pushed record and just played my heart out. The result is very live and full and you can occasionally hear a car going by on the street below or a bird calling.

He grabado Huckster en mi estudio casero. tengo una habitación pequeña con vistas a la baia y instalé 5 micros, uno en mi voz, uno en el uke, uno en el suelo y dos mas para el sonido de ambiente en la habitación. Pulsé el botón de grabar y toqué con el corazón. El resultado es muy vivo y lleno y puedes ocasionalmente oir un coche pasando por la calle o un pajaro cantando

Why you decided to move from the guitar to ukulele?

Porque te moviste de la guitarra al ukelele?

The switch just kind of happened gradually. I started carrying the uke with me to shows around 10 years ago and I used it as a little treat or break in the show. I would change things up from blues guitar to a little uke song to keep the audience watching and interested. Over time there just became more and more uke played and now it's almost the other way round. I play a little guitar to change things up. The growth in interest in the ukulele also makes it easy to change. Finally there is a practical reason. A friend of mine who is a very talented slide guitar player and a booker at a major festival said to me that there were a ton of middle aged white blues guys trying to get work at festivals and hardly any blues ukulele players. So it's a practical decision too. And I love it.

El switch es una cosa que pasa gradualmente. Empecé a llevar el uke conmigo a los shows hace 10 años y lo he usado siempre como una treta, o un break en el show. Quiero cambiar de guitarrista de blues a una pequeña canción con uke y mantener a la audiencia espectante e interesada. Al passar del tiempo se convirtió el uke en el máss tocado y ahora es casi como al revés. Toco un poco de guitarra para cambiar las cosas. El creciente interes por el ukelele tambien te hace facil el cambiar. Al final hay una razón práctica. Un amigo mio que es un talentoso guitarrista de slide y también que hacia reservas en los mayors festivales me dijo que hay una tonelada y media de tipos de mediana edad bluesmans intentando encontrar trabajo en los festivales pero raramente ukelelistas de blues. Asi que es una decisión práctica. Y me encanta

How did you do this endorsements, Risa and aNueNue, what have your ukulele signatures? Are they the gear you usually uses?

Como hiciste esos endorsements, Risa y aNueNue, que tienen tus modelos de signatura? Son los que normalmente usas?

Endorsements is a big topic. The bottom line is that I love their product and I do use them live in my show. I am proud to represent their efforts to the world. I play my RISA tenor ukes in all my shows and aNueNue are issuing a signature model tenor uke that will take it's place in my performance. The RISA uke I use is a standard model that anyone can buy, the aNueNue will also be available for retail purchase.

Endorsement es un gran tópico. En definitiva se trata de que me encanta su producto y lo uso en vivo en mishow. Estoy orgulloso de representarlos en sus esfuerzos por el mundo. Toco mi Risa tenor ukes en todos mis shows y aNueNue estan haciendo un signature model tenor uke que tomará su lugar en mis actuaciones.

Talking about gear, your "one man band" concept is so original, is it hard to do it live? which is the gear you use for that?

Hablando de equipo, tu concepto de "banda de uno" es muy original, es duro de llevar a directo? que equipo usas para esto?

The one man band concept comes from the fact that I could never keep a band together but I wanted to do more than just play the rhythm of the song. So I found some technology that allows me to play one part of the song and then it records it and loops it so I can play a different part of the song. I do this live with each song and nothing is pre-recorded. It all happens in the moment so it's organic and a real performance. I use the Boss RC-20XL loopstation as the primary tool but I've also added an octave pedal which lowers my uke 1 octave to sound more like a bass and a distortion pedal for a little "grease" when I solo.

El concepto del hombre banda viene del hecho que nunca he podido mantener una banda junta pero siempre he querido hacer más que la parte rítmica de la canción. Así que encontre cierta tecnologia que me permite tocar una parte de la canción y grabarla y loopearla así que puedo tocar diferentes partes de la canción. Hago esto en vivo con cada canción y no hay nada pregrabado. Pasa en el momento, muy orgánico y una actuación real. Uso el Boss RC-20XL loopstation como instrumento principal pero tambien he añadido un pedal octavador que me baja una octava mi uke para parecer como un bajo y un pedal de distorsión para una poco de "brillantina" cuando hago un solo.

When will start the Huckster tour? any dates in Spain, XD?

Cuando va a empezar el HUckster Tour? alguna fecha en España, XD?
I start touring with Huckster this spring in February. I'd LOVE to come to Spain to play but I have no dates yet. Can you hook me up with some? I'd be thrilled to come over and play for Spanish audiences. Voy a empezar el Tour de Huckster esta primavera, en Febrero. Me ENCANTARIA venir a España a tocar pero no tengo fechas todavia. Me puedes hechar un cable? estaria emocionado de venir a tocar para las audiencias hispanas.

A question I allways ask is, as a ukulele player, did you feel this is a worldwide boom?

Una pregunta que siempre suelo hacer, como ukelelista, sientes que estamos en un boom mundial?
Yes I have noticed that the uke is going through a boom. I started playing in 1995 and there was only a few people doing anything then. Flea Market Music had just gotten started and the internet was just in it's infancy. Sites like YouTube have fueled the interest and there has been a community of players connecting where prior to the internet there was one or two in a town who were interested. I lived in a city of almost 700,000 people and in 1995 I was one of the only musicians who played the ukulele. Now it is much different.

Si me he dado cuenta que el uke esta en un boom. Empece a tocarlo en 1995 y solo habia unos pocos haciendo algo entonces. Flea Market Music acababa de empezar y internet estaba en su infancia. Paginas como Youtube han hecho crecer el interés y hay comunidades de ukelelistas conectados cuando antes de internet habia uno o dos en una ciudad que estaban interesados. Vivo en una ciudad de casi 700.000 habitantes y en 1995 era el unico musico que tocaba ukelele. Ahora es muy diferente.

Wich ukes are your favs? why? Que ukes son tus favoritos? Porque?
Oh gosh. I love all ukes. I find it hard not to want them all. I would have to say my current dream ukes are almost anything by MyaMoe, any of the non-traditional uke designs like cigar box ukes, airplane ukes etc... The phrase I use when asked how many ukes I need is this..."just one more."

O gosh. Me encantan todos los ukes. Encuentro duro que no los quiera todos. Voy a decir que ahora mi uke de ensueño son casi todos los de MyiMoe, alguno de los no tradicionales diseños de uke, como los cigarbox, ukes airplane, etc... La frase que digo cuando me pregunto cuantos ukes necesito es esta ..."solo uno más".
Advice for the spanish ukulele players Consejo para los ukelelistas hispanos.Play with all your heart and soul. treat the instrument like a real instrument and see where you can go with it. AVOID the novelty. I know, I went there too. It's easy and it's fun but it becomes easy for people to dismiss the instrument that way. Reach for the stars and challenge yourself to play serious music on this little wonder. It will surprise you every time.

Toca con toda tu alma y tu corazón. Trata el instrumento como un instrumento de verdad y mira hasta donde puedes llegar con el. Evita la novedad. Lo se, he estado ahí también. Es fácil y es divertido y se convierte en fácil para las personas desprestigiar el instrumento de esa manera. Alcanza a las estrellas y desafiate a ti mismo a tocar musica seria en esta pequeña maravilla. Te sorprenderá siempre

You like it, you want it, so click here to order your Huckster, Thanks Hal.Te gusta, lo quieres, clicka aqui para ordenar tu copia de Huckster, Gracias Hal.

Sharing Songs / Compartiendo Canciones : Somewhere over the Rainbow

2010-12-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

2 weeks ago I upload this video to the channel

Hace 2 semanas subí este video al canal

There you have the full Tab to play along
Aqui teneis la Tab completa para tocar conmigo

THE ONES TO WATCH / NO TE DEBERIAS PERDER

2010-12-20T14:39:00.000-08:00

UKISOCIETY

Starting one more section to this Blog, that begins to be big and big, hope don't loose control, XD, seriously, this section goes about the people you must watch, in another introducction I talk about the importance of the webs and youtubbers, well this is a section excussive for youtubbers, we will try, if we got the chance to talk with the worlds famous youtubbers, so let's start THE ONES TO WATCH

Empezando otra nueva sección en este Blog, esto se esta haciendo grande, y más grande, espero no perder el control, XD, en serio, esta sección es sobre gente a la que deberias ver, en otra introducción ya hablé de la importancia de las webs y de los youtubbers, bien, esta es una sección exclusiva de youtubbers, vamos a intentar, si tenemos la oportunidad, de hablar con los más famosos youtubbers mundiales, así que aquí empieza NO TE DEBERIAS PERDER

The fist time i saw one of his videos I know this guy can be like one of the best mates I have, he have the power to transmit fresh air, you can see on him that kind of love for the ukulele and for many things like humour or sci-fi, that is absolutely charming, and he do authentic masterpieces that have to be in the history of the Youtube videos, Ladies & gentlemen, for me is an authentic pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Alan Jones a.k.a:

La primera vez que vi uno de sus videos supe que este tipo podria ser como uno de mis mejores amigos, el tiene el poder de transmitir aire fresco, puedes ver en el todo el amor por el ukelele y por otras cosas como el humor o la ciencia ficción que es absolutamente encantador, y el ha hecho autenticas obras maestras que deberian estar en la historia de los videos de Youtube. Señoras y Caballeros, es para mi un autentico placer presentar a Mr. Alan Jones a.k.a.:

When did start your passion for the ukulele? Cuando empieza tu pasión por el ukelele?
I played ukulele a lot when I was a child, but didn't get obsessed about the uke until after I was married. I think because we stayed home more after that, I found the ukulele a great pastime. I also started playing in a church band, which welcomed my ukulele performances. That helped me get more practice and experience performing in front of people.

Toque ukelele un montón cuando era un niño, pero nunca se convirtió en una obsesión por el uke hasta que me casé. Yo creo porque estamos mas en casa desde entonces, así que encontre en el ukelele un gran pasatiempo. Tambien empecé tocando en una banda de Iglesia, que agradecieron mis actuaciones con el ukelele. Esto me ha hecho cojer práctica y experiencia tocando delante de la gente.

When did you start to make your own videos and why?

Cuando empiezas a hacer tus videos y porque?

I uploaded my first Youtube video in May of 2007. I did it because I saw other ukulele videos that I enjoyed. I noticed in the comments of these videos that there was a friendly world-wide community of ukulele players and I wanted to become acquainted with these people. I'm now friends with people who live all over the world. They aren't close friends, but I love them dearly and would miss them if I couldn't communicate with them. I think my world view has expanded because of my involvement on Youtube.

Subí mi primer video a Youtube en Mayo de 2007. Lo hice porque ví otros videos con ukelele y me gustaron. Me di cuenta en los comentarios de estos videos que hay una amistosa mundial comunidad de ukelelistas y quise darme a conocer entre esa gente. Ahora soy amigo de gente que vive en el mundo entero. No son amigos cercanos, pero los quiero cariñosamente y los hecharia de menos si no pudiera comunicarme con ellos. Pienso que mi visión del mundo se ha expandido por haberme involucrado tanto en Youtube.

Your way to do with the videos is you like to talk , introduce the videos, use lot of humour, and a adquired taste to shoot and to act in front of the camera, where did all of this come from?Tu manera de hacer videos, te gusta hablar, introducir tus videos, usar mucho humor, y un innato gusto para filmar y para actuar en frente de la camara, de donde te viene todo esto?

I think it all comes from a deep personal need to feel liked and accepted by a certain group of acquaintances. I have an odd sense of humor and it isn't appreciated by most of the folks I see on a daily basis. The internet allows me to use my personal taste in humor and deliver it to an audience who will enjoy it.

Yo creo que todo viene por unas ganas en lo profundo y personal de sentirse apreciado por los que te rodean. Tengo un sentido del humor muy peculiar y no es muy apreciado por la mayoria de gente que me encuentro a diario. Internet me permite usar mi personal vivión del humor y entregarselo a una audiencia que lo va a disfrutar.

263 videos! In these you have moments and song for everything, which ones are your favorites?263 videos! En estos tienes momentos y canciones para todos los gustos, cuales son tus favoritas?

I feel I do 2 types of videos: Serious performances and silly videos but they all fall under the category of "Joy of Ukulele". I hope that my Youtube channel demonstrates the fun a uke can bring a person and the huge variety of music it can be used in. I've taken many videos down because I didn't like the performance or video quality. My favorites are the ones that are still up. I'm probably proudest of my "two-second songs". They were written quickly but are usually very catchy. I like it when inspiration strikes fast!

Siento que hago 2 tipos de videos: Serios y locos, pero ambos estan bajo la categoria de "disfrute del ukelele". Espero que mi canal de Youtube demuestre lo divertido que un uke puede darte y la gran variedad de musica donde puedes usarlo. He sacado muchos videos porque no me ha gustado la actuación o la calidad del video. Mis favoritos, los que todavia están. Estoy probablemente orgullosisimo de mis "canciones de 2 segundos". Fueron escritas muy rápido pero son muy ingeniosas. Me gusta cuando la inspiración se venga rápido.

You love plastic ukes, are they good? Te encantan los ukes de plástico, son buenos?
They are fun. The older Islanders and T.V. Pals sound good enough, but I wouldn't compare them with quality wooden ukes. I like the uniqueness of playing a plastic uke. There's an even tighter bond between plastic uke players than regular uke players. We're weirder, I guess!Son divertidos. Los antiguos Islander y T.V. Pal suenan bastante bien, pero no los compares con ukes de buena madera. Me gusta el toque único que te da el toca un uke de plástico. Hay un lazo mas estrecho de union entre los ukelelistas de plastico que entre los ukelelistas normales. Somos los mas raros, creo

Quiero hacer más viol-ukes para vender (todavia estamos pagando la adopción) Quiero aprender a tocar el bajo mejor, y aprender a tocar la bateria. Bajo y bateria se han convertido en más y más importantes en mis canciones y versiones. Para los videos, tengo una lista de canciones que quiero versionear (de los dos tipos, en serio y en broma). Hay canciones que quiero escribir, pero que todavia no he encontrado ese momento de inspiración para acabarlas. Voy a provar a tocar Otamaton, un curioso instrumento de Japón. Espero que gente me mande acerca de esto. Y dile a Santa que quiero un Xilofón! :)

Creo que es un Boom mundial, pero es muy dificil juzgar cuanto de popular hay realmente en las cosas. Internet ayuda a que gente con gustos similares se encuentre. Estos pueden parecer grandes grupos, pero los has comparado con otros grupos? Hay más gente tocando ukelele que gente que escucha a Lady Gaga? No lo se. El ukelele está en su tercera época de popularidad, estoy con ello! Tocando ukelele me recuerda ser feliz, a no tomarmelo todo muy en serio y a simplemente desconectar y hacer musica a veces. Me gustan todos aquellos que tienen esa oportunidad. Y el ukelele puede tocarlo todo el mundo. Es el gran Equalizer!

To end the interview an advice for Spanish youtubbers or ukulele aficionados?Para acabar un consejo para youtubbers españoles y ukelele aficionados?
Find other uke players near you and get together, both for real and on-line, to jam and share the uke love! Spain has such a rich tradition of guitar that I'd like to see that passion spread to the guitar's smaller, smarter brother, the uke! :) Encuentra otros ukelelistas cerca de ti y queda con ellos, real y online, para tocar juntos y compartir el amor por el uke! España tiene una rica tradición de guitarra y me gustaria ver esa pasión puesta en la pequeña guitarra, el hermano pequeño, el uke!:)

You've liked it, wach his channel HERE to enjoy lot of more good videos.

Te ha gustado, mira su canal clicando AQUI para disfrutar de muchos más buenos videos.
Thanks Ukisociety!
GS

As a ukulele player, what you think about this worldwide boom? Como ukelelista, que piensas de este Boom mundial?
I guess it's a worldwide boom, but it's so difficult to judge how popular things are these days. The internet helps people with similar likes find each other. These groups can look huge, but are they compared to other groups? Are there more people playing ukulele compared to those who listen to Lady Gaga? I don't know. If the ukulele is indeed in its third wave of popularity, I'm all for it! Playing the ukulele reminds me to be happy, to not be so serious and to simply stop and make music sometimes. I'd like everyone to have that opportunity. And the ukulele can be played by everybody. It's the great equalizer!

How many ukes do you own? Cuantos ukes tienes?
I don't know. Between 40 and 50, I think. No lo se. Entre 40 y 50, creo.

Which is the last acquisition in your ukulele collection? which ones are your favs?Cual es tu última adquisición de la colección? cuales son tus favoritos?
I was given a Mainland "Reggae" plastic ukulele (from GS, sorry, I want a chilli one, just in case Santa come, XD) . That's my latest. Although I'm currently cobbling together my second "viol-uke", which is a violin body connected to a ukulele neck. My favorites are my Mainland mango concert, Ko'olau koa soprano, vintage Martin Style 0 soprano, maple tenor from Bluegrass Ukuleles and my purple T.V. Pal plastic! Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably tell you 5 other ukes!Me han dado un Mainland "Reggae" plastic ukelele (de GS, lo siento, Yo quiero un Chilli, en caso que Santa viniese, XD). Este es mi último. Además estoy ensamblando mi segundo "viol-uke", que es un cuerpo de violin conectado a un mastil de ukelele. Mis favoritos son mi Mainland Mango Concert, Ko'olau Koa Soprano, un vintage Martin Style 0 soprano, un tenor de arce de Bluegrass ukeleles y mi púrpura T.V. Pal de plástico! Preguntame mañana y te dire otros 5 ukes totalmente distintos.
Future plans? Planes para el futuro?
I want to make more viol-ukes to sell (we're still paying for our last adoption). I want to learn to play the bass better, and learn to play a drum kit. Bass and drums have become more and more important to my songs and covers. As for videos, I have a list of songs I want to cover (both silly and serious). There are songs that I want to write, but haven't had the inspiration yet to finish. I'm going to attempt to master the Otamatone, a curious instrument from Japan. I also hope that people will send me stuff. Tell Santa that I want a stylophone beatbox! :)

A Simply contact mic pick-up / Una Simple pastilla de contacto microfonica

2010-12-20T03:45:00.000-08:00

DIMARZIO PICK-UP ACOUSTIC MODEL

For most of you ukers that have one that wants to amplify or record, and don't have the money to spend in a preamp microphone, or don't want to drill and install an internal pick-up, the easy solution is the contact pick-ups, you have now a wide range of them, now I'm describing the one I use, that's my gear section, XD, but more or less others offers same results as mine.

Para muchos de vosotros ukers que pensais en amplificar i/o grabar vuestro uke, y no teneis el dinero suficiente para comprar un microfono preamp, o tampoco quereis taladrar e instalar una pastilla interna, la solución más fácil es la Pastilla de contacto, ahora hay muchas y muy diferentes, voy a describiros una, la que yo uso, esta es la sección mi equipo, XD, mas o menos las otras te van a dar los mismos resultados.

As his own name indicates, the pick up must be added to the surface of the ukulele, very important is you get sure the metal part is really contacting the surface of the uku or the noises of the vibration will don't let you hear the sound, is up to you try the time you want to fix the Pick-up in the surface, because depending on the position you put, the sound will be extremely variable, I show in a picture where seems to work for me, also you can see my very particular way to fix the pick-up on the ukulele, because the gum they usually give to fix is abrassive and my uke does not have a glossy finish so is a way to fix it and don't hurt so much the wood.

Como su própio nombre indica, la pastilla tiene que estar adherida a la superficie del ukelele, un detalle muy importante es asegurarse que la pastilla esta bien adherida a la superficie o todas las vibraciones de la tapa se transmitiran en golpes, es tiempo que experimentes porque dependiendo de donde fijes la pastilla el sonido va a variar muchisimo, En la foto puedes ver un sitio donde parece funcionar para mi, y tambien puedes ver la forma particular de fijar la pastilla en el ukelele, porque la goma que el fabricante suministra es abrasiva y mi ukelele no tiene un acabado satinado brillante así que es mi manera de no dañar tanto la madera.

The cable is a 3m long Dimarzio low impedance cable, and ends on a Jack pin, directly to plug in Amplifier or Computer Sound Card. Cheap and works! maybe should be the ukulele.

El cable es de baja Imperancia de 3 metros Dimarzio, y acaba en un conector de Jack, para enchufar directamente a un amplificador o a una targeta de sonido. Barato y funciona! aunque puede que sea por el ukelele.

Nuevo en el Ukelele? / New to ukulele?

2010-12-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

Cosas que debes saber cuando empiezas

Something you must know when start

En lenguaje coloquial, para que sea fácil de entender algunos consejos para nuevos en el ukelele.

In a common language, to be easy understand some advices to new ukulele players.

Tendras que aprenderte y memorizar las posiciones de los acordes cuanto antes, a medida que vayas recordando automaticamente el acorde crecerá tu rapidez a la hora de cambiar, empieza usando el acorde C y cambia a F, para el C usa el tercer dedo y para F usa el primero y el segundo, comprueva que a la que lo haces unas cuantas veces adquieres velocidad, bien pués así con todos los acordes, no desesperes, todo acaba saliendo.

You must learn and memorize the positions of the chords as soon as possible, the more you rememeber the faster you will be, start with the C shape and change to F, use 3rd finger to C and 1st and 2nd to F, you will see after do this for a short time you will go quick, well, this is the way, you must do it with all the chords, and don't panic, you will succeed.

Las cuerdas de tu ukelele son en las notas gCEA, es decir, empezando por arriba g corresponde a un sol, C a un Do, E a un Mi y A a un La, esto puede que al principio no te sirva de mucho, si te digo ahora que tu g es minúscula porque se trata de una cuerda reentrante te dejaré frio pero es importante para afinar tu ukelele. Lo que si debes saber es que las cuerdas "finas" van una en casa extremo del ukelele. Recurre a lo fácil al principio, comprate un afinador, los hay ya para ukelele y si no uno cromático, no te compres uno de guitarra solo porque te haras un lio gordo al afinar, XD

The strings in your ukulele are this notes gCEA, or, starting from the top Sol, Do, Mi and La, at the begining this will don't serve you so much, if I tell you right now your g is not caps because is a reentrant string you will not understand but is important to tune your ukulele. The thing you must know is the slimmer strings are on the outside of the ukulele. Make it easy at start, buy a electric tuner, you can find for ukulele, or cromathic, don't buy a guitar one or you will be in troubles to tune, XD

d d u u d . Esto es un patrón rítmico, una de los mas fáciles que hay, d corresponde a down/hacia abajo y u es up/arriba. Practicalo con los acordes que sabes, es decir haces todo el patron con un acorde, cambias de acorde y repites el patrón, y sucesivamente. Es importante un patrón rítmico, al principio harás los mas sencillos, pero si sigues practicando hay muchos y muy dificiles patrones, y puedes tapar cuerdas de tal manera que acentuas el sonido en momentos de tu ritmo. d d u u d .

This is a rythm pattern, one of the easy ones, d is down u is up. Practice it with the chords you know, do the patern with the chord one, change, do the pattern with chord two, and more, more...Is so important do a rithm pattern, at the begining you will do easy ones, but you have lots and so difficult ones, you can stroke or sound to enfatice your song.

Si has elegido la opción, uno baratito para aprender, muy loable, así es como hemos empezado casi todos, a la que tengas oportunidad cambiale las cuerdas, prueva unas Aquila, o si tienes algo mas de dinero unas Worth, puede que tu ukelele no se convierta en un Martin, pero vas a agradecer y notar una gran mejoria en el sonido de tu ukelele.

If you have chosen the option, cheap one to learn, so respectable, this way we start too, when you got a chance restring it, try Aquila or if you have a little more money Worth, maybe your ukulele not become a Martin, but you will see and notice a great improvement in the sound of your ukulele.

Usa internet como buscador de tus canciones favoritas, no tienes mas que gogglear el título de la canción y le añades Ukulele Chords, y vas a encontrar la mayoria de canciones, las que no, seguro que las encuentras para guitarra, pues usa estas!, el acorde es el mismo (es la misma nota) lo único que cambia es la posicion de la mano al hacer el acorde.

Use internet as a finder of your favourite songs, goggle it! you only have to type the tittle of the song and add Ukulele Chorsd, and there you have most of the songs, if you don't find them for ukulele, use guitar ones, the chord is the same, the thing that change is the position where the chord is.

Y el consejo más importante de todos, practica, practica, practica y practica

And the most important advice, practice, practice, practice and practice

Ukecosas tu tienda online de ukeleles / Ukecosas your online ukulele shop

2010-12-18T01:21:00.000-08:00

Probablemente no lo necesita, es más estoy haciendo esto sin avisar o sin comentarlo antes, pero es algo que es necesario en un blog de información.

Así que nuestra más grande recomendación para todo aquel que esta pensando en comprarse un ukelele, comprar cuerdas, fundas, afinadores, y demás parafernalia relacionada con el mundo del ukelele, libros,.... es para Ukecosas.es ,

Tienes una magnifica web donde puedes encontrar todo lo que buscas, sirven a toda la Peninsula, rapido, y 100% envio profesional, además ofrecen la posibilidad de ponerte en contacto de multiples maneras para que estes completamente seguro de tu transacción.

Vais a recibir un trato estupendo, no lo dudes, si quieres comprate un uke, hecha un vistazo por esta web antes de decidirte, te gustará.

Probably they don't need it, I'm doing this without say to them or comment, but I think is something necessary in a information blog.

So, our most bigger recommendation to everyone who lives in spain and is thinking on buy an ukulele, buy strings, sleeves, tunners and the some other more stuff where the ukulele is about, books, …. is for Ukecosas.es

You have a AWESOME web where you can find whatever you want, they serve, sorry, only Spain, quick & 100% professional, they offer also the chance to get in direct contact by lot of different ways to be sure about your deal.

The most remarkable of them is the kinddly way they do the thing, handeled with care, no doubts abou it, if you want to buy an uke, take a look first to this web before you decide, you will like it.

Aqui tenemos a Choan haciendo una reseña de un uke nuevo que puedes encontrar en su web.

Here is Choan making his own review of a new uke you can find in the web

Interview / Entrevista

2010-12-16T04:18:00.000-08:00

Al Woodshed – Ukulele Hunt

We, as a ukulele players, are living this new beginning of the history of the instrument with a lot of different factors to make consider this a Boom, some will say is because now lot of brands and shops make easy to have one, others may say is easy to play (oh, I hate that one, this ain't easy, bro), others say is a cheap instrument (please look the Martin 5K, cheapest!) but if you don't consider internet, Lord, you are blind, from youtube videos to bloggers you have huge range of information to can grow up, share to friends, and I think maybe this is the truly start of the ukulele mood. This is one internet blog too so ...
Nosotros, como ukelelistas, estamos viviendo este nuevo comienzo de la historia del instrumento con diferentes fantores que hacen considerar esto como un Boom, muchos diran que ahora muchas marcas y tiendas hacen facil el tener uno, otros diran que es facil de tocar (odio esta, no es fácil, amigo), otros diran que es un instrumento barato ( por favor miren el Martin 5K, baratisimo!), pero si en una de tus opciones no está internet, Dios, estas ciego, desde videos en youtube a bloggers, tienes una gran cantidad de información para permitirte crecer, enviar a tus amigos, yo creo que este es realmente el inicio de la moda ukelele. Este tambien es un blog de internet, así que ...

Talking about that, I think probably the number one, or one of the best internet pages is Ukulele Hunt, for those who don't know this is an English page, where you can find news, tabs and chords, reviews, sections as Saturday Night Uke Tube where you can see the newest and best videos from youtube every week, and it's full, full of entries, so you have days can be exploring contents, and also work as a ukulele finder, I used to, if is something I need to find any info for sure I will find something on that page.
Hablando de esto, yo pienso que la página numero uno, o una de las mejores páginas de internet es Ukulele Hunt, para aquellos que no la conozcan es una página inglesa donde puedes encontrar novedades, Tabs y acordes, revisiones, secciones como Saturday Night Uke Tube donde puedes ver los mas nuevos y mejores videos de ukelele cada semana, y que esta lleno, pero que muy lleno de entradas, así que puedes pasarte dias enteros explorando contenidos, y que además funciona como ukelele buscador, yo lo uso a menudo, si hay algo que necesito encontrar alguna información, seguro que voy a encontrar algo en esta pagina.

And the creator of all this is not a staff of persons who decides, and is also not a big crew that develop the contents, is just one single person from a computer in somewhere England, ukulele player, aficionado, writer, composer, youtuber, and a very nice and kind person that haves a little of his time to share some words to this ukulele blog, Ladies & gentlemen is for me an honour to present my 1^st interviewed on that section, Mr. Al Woodsheed

Y el creador de todo esto noo es un equio de personas que decide, tampoco es un gran colectivo de gente que se dedica a desarrollar contenidos, es solo una persona desde Inglaterra desde un ordenador, ukelelista, aficionado, escritor, compositor, youtuber y una persona realmente maja y encantadora que nos ha cedido un poco de su tiempo para compartir unas lineas en este ukelele blog,
Damas y Caballeros, es para mi un honor presentar mi primera persona entrevistada en esta sección, Mr. Al Woodsheed

Aqui tenemos a Al en sus videos, su principal característica, nunca sonrie

When starts all?, when you decided start Ukulele Hunt? and why? Cuando empieza todo?, cuando decidiste empezar Ukulele Hunt? Y Porqué?

I started the site in May 2007. I had quit my job (again) and finally come to the conclusion that I was unemployable. I couldn't spend all day doing something I didn't care about all day long. I'd been doing some general music blogging and also some tabbing for guitar but there was very little ukulele stuff around. So I decided to make a go of it.Empecé el sitio en mayo de 2007. Dejé mi trabajo (otra vez) y finalmente llegué a la conclusión que yo era inempleable. No puedo pasarme el dia haciendo algo que no me importe el dia entero. He hecho algo de blogging con musica en general y tambien haciendo Tabs de guitarra, habia poco material sobre ukelele por ahi. Así que decidí empezar este camino.

People sometimes don't look at the point of this page, that is to sell the books you also do, how many do you have done right now? how it goes? La gente no mira el objetivo de la página, que es vender los libros que tu tambien haces. Cuantos van ya? Como va la venta de libros?

I'm not entirely sure myself. I think I've done 10. Sales-wise, they're doing far better than I ever thought they would. I had in my mind that if they only sold enough to give me a living wage if I moved to Eastern Europe, it'd still be worth it. But it's been going very well.No estoy muy seguro. Creo que he hecho 10. Ventas? Estan yendo mejor de lo que nunca hubiera esperado. Tenia en mente, si solo vendiesen lo suficiente para tener un salario si me muevo a Europa del Este, aun valdria la pena. Pero la verdad es que esta yendo muy bien

Talking about the contents of the hunt, lot of them with a hard work to prepare, make arrangements, recordings, Pdf documents, is a way to keep you alive? XD or is other thing more than the marketing strategies of a book writter?
Hablando de los contenidos del Hunt, muchos de ellos con un gran trabajo de preparación, hacer los arreglos, grabaciones, documentos Pdf. Es una forma de mantenerte vivo? XD o tambien es algo más que una estrategia de marketing de un escritor de libros?

Yes, that's a very good way of putting it, I think doing the blog is a way of keeping me alive. Before the blog I didn't have any direction or purpose. And while it's not fighting for freedom or curing cancer, it is something I can be a bit proud of.
The blog isn't there to promote the ebooks. The books are there so I can do the blog.Si, es una interesante forma de verlo, pienso que haciendo este blog es una manera de mantenerme vivo, cierto. Antes del blog no tenia ninguna dirección u objetivo.Y mientras uno no esta luchando por la libertad o curar el cancer, esto es algo de lo que puedo estar un poco orgulloso.
El blog no está ahí para promover los ebooks. Los liros están ahí, así que puedo hacer el blog.

Where goes now the ukulele mood? we pass from Formby copies to all music market pop covers to people that develope them own music, where are we now?Donde va ahora la moda ukelelista? Hemos pasado de Formby copias a todas las canciones del mercado musical pop versioneadas a gente que desarrolla su própia música, donde estamos ahora?

That's a really good question. There are a few things that come to mind. I think some of the people who were attracted to the ukulele because it wasn't a mainstream sound are moving away from it. You can see this with people like Dent May and Jens Lekman.Esta es realmente una buena pregunta. Hay algunas cosas que me vienen a la mente. Pienso que a mucha gente que le ha atraido el ukelele lo ha hecho precisamente porque la industria musical lo considera fuera de esta. Puedes ver esto con gente como Dent May y Jens Lekman.
With ukuleles being seen more widely, I think you'll hear it more and more in the background of songs. It's one of those instruments that is lying around in the studio and ends up on the track. So it crops up in strange places like Trent Reznor's new band.Con los ukeleles apareciendo mas comunmente, creo que puedes escucharlo cada vez más en el fondo de muchas canciones. Es uno de esos instrumentos que corretea cada vez más por los estudios de grabación y termina en una pista de tu grabación.Tambien surge en los sitios más raros como la nueva banda de Trent Reznor.
Another thing happening is that you're getting a lot of kids for whom the ukulele is their first instrument. And some of them are very talented. Obviously that's nothing new in traditional ukulele circles, but I think we start hearing the ukulele used in pop and indie music less as a novelty and more integrated into the sound.
Otra cosa que está pasando es que les estás dando a un monton de niños su primer instrumento y es un ukelele. Y muchos de ellos son muy talentosos. Obviamente no hay nada nuevo en los circulos tradicionales de ukelele, pero pienso que empezamos a escuchar ukeleles usados en música pop y indie, cada vez menos como una novedad y cada vez más integrados en el sonido.
I think it's a bit optimistic to say that the ukulele is going to be as popular as it is now forever. The history of the instrument suggests otherwise. I hope the ukulele becomes seen as another instrument that can give you a certain sound or spark off other ideas, that you don't get from other instruments.
Pienso que es un poco optimista decir que el ukelele va a seguir siendo tan popular como ahora. La historia del instrumento sugiere otra cosa. Espero que el ukelele se convierta y sea considerado otro instrumento que puede darte un sonido característico o la chispa para ideas, que no puedas obtener de otros instrumentos

And in the all stars ukulele players, who is on? don’t have to be a hughe list Y en el All Stars de los Ukelelistas, quien está ahora de moda? No tiene que ser una gran lista

The most exciting ukulele players around are James Hill and tUnE-YaRdS. I retain a great affection for Cockland http://www.myspace.com/cockland but I seem to be the only one (and he doesn't seem to be going any more).Los ukelelistas más fascinantes del momento son James Hill y tUnE-YaRdS. Tengo un gran afecto por Cockland http://www.myspace.com/cockland pero parece ser que no soy el único (y parece que él no tiene pansado continuar)

As a ukulele player your preference is for a tenor size, why? which ones are now your favourites? Como ukelelista, tu preferencia es por el Tenor, Porqué? Cuales son ahora tus favoritos?

When I started out soprano was my favourite. Then it was concert. Now tenor. I think the larger ukuleles give you more scope for expressiveness - better dynamics - and there's more room for finger trickery. Also, I usually go for tenors when I do videos because it makes it easier for people to see what my fingers are doing.
My favourite uke at the moment is my KoAloha Sceptre. It just responds so well to your playing.
Cuando empecé el Soprano fué mi medida favorita. Después fue el Concierto. Ahora Tenor. Pienso que los ukeleles más largos te dan más espacio para la expresividad – mejores dinamcos- y hay mas espacio para trucos con los dedos. También, normalmente uso tenores cuando estoy haciendo un video porque hace facil a la gente ver que estan haciendo mis dedos.
Mi uke favorito del momento es mi Koaloha Sceptre. Responde muy bien a mi forma de tocar.

Aqui le tenemos con su Koaloha Ukulele Sceptre

For the future, what are your planning? Para el futuro, cuales son tus planes?

I'm working on a book at the moment. A proper paper book for a proper publisher. I'm working hard to try to make it the most comprehensive uke book around. I hope it's going to be really big. (we hope too)
Estoy trabajando en un libro actualmente. El libro correcto del publicista correctoo. Estoy trabajando duro para intentar hacer el más comprensivo libro de ukeleles que haya por ahí. Espero que sea realmente grande (lo esperamos tambien).

Any advice for the spanish ukulele players, here is also growing up. Algún consejo para los ukelelistas españoles, aqui también esta creciendo.
Listen to and steal from as wide a variety of sources as possible. And practice. Escucha y roba de la mayor cantidad y variedad de fuentes posibles. Y Practica.

And this is the end of the interview, long? Short? Time now to the reader to make an opinion.
Al, thank you so much for opening this interview section on the blog, I appreciate so much to let me share here a little of your time and kind. Hope this was interesting for the reader, and place them to this site for future interviews.

Y hasta aquí la entrevista, larga? Corta? Es tiempo ahora que el lector de su opinión.
Al, muchas gracias por este comienzo de entrevistas en el blog. Aprecio mucho que me hayas dejado un poco de tu tiempo y sobre todo tu amabilidad. Espero que haya sido interesante para el lector, y les emplazo aquí en esta pàgina para futuras entrevistas.

The huge video collection / Toda la colección de videos

2010-12-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

Sit down, relax, push play, and here they are, all the videos I've done
Sientate, relajate, dale al play y aqui estan, todos los videos que he hecho

Sharing songs: Chupee (Cocoon) / Compartiendo Canciones

2010-12-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

Let's start this section trying to share to you links where you can download a PDF document with the chords or the Tab to play songs, is the way that I do, sometimes you can find the Ukulele tab, sometimes you got to transport a guitar tab, sometimes you have to figure out by yourself because there's not much information available.
Vamos a empezar esta sección intentando compartir con vosotros links de descarga de documentos PDF con los acordes o la tablatura para tocar la canción, es la manera de la que lo hago yo, a veces puedes encontrar una tablatura de ukelele, a veces necesitas transportar una de guitarra, y a veces te la tienes que sacar tu mismo porque no hay información.

Ok here we go, if it works you should be able to download by clicking HERE
Allá vamos, si esto funciona deberias ser capaz de descargar el archivo clicando aqui

I'm sorry Al to don't ask about permission first but I'm sure you will understand is only for a good reason, with no money involved and allways keeping clear to the readers this is taked from UKULELE HUNT web page, thanks!

My Gear: The Uke - Martin S-0 / Mi Equipo: El Uke - Martin S-0

2010-12-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is it, for most a crappy thing, for me, one of the best thigs can happen, many improvements have done this little thing to make me don't desire or envy others with dozens of different kinds ok ukuleles, I do what I do, I have what I have, I can't afford others, so my way of thinking fits well with the situation, XD

Aqui está, para muchos una pequeña basurilla, para mi una de las mejores cosas que me han pasado, este pequeñin ha superado con creces mis espectativas y me ha hecho no desear o envidiar a otros con muchos y muy diferentes ukeleles, hago lo que hago y tengo lo que tengo, no puedo comprar otro, asi que mi manera de pensar encaja con la situación, XD

Let's talk more about this uke, but in another moment, i go to sleep.
Hablamos más sobre el instrumento, pero en otro momento, voy a dormir.

George Stone

Merry Christmas! / Feliz Navidad!

2010-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Special mention to that one because was so funny to make, XD
Mención especial para este, porque fué muy divertido hacerlo, XD

More Golden Age Stuff (2) / Más de la época dorada

2010-12-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

The Golden Age Stuff/ Material de la Época Dorada

2010-12-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

Well I call this time, now, this way, because is now and not before I think I got a big improvement with my skill playing, with my uke, the recording studio, the way to do arrangements, everything
Bien, me gusta llamar easí a esta época, ahora, porque es ahora y no antes que creo que he dado un gran paso en mi forma de tocar ukelele, con el instrumento, el estudio de grabación, la manera de enfocar los arreglos, todo
Let's see some examples Veamos algunos ejemplos
Here we have a instrumental attempt to the cover that
Iz do of Somewhere over the Rainbow

Also Intrumental, I cover Survivor on the ukulele and them famous Eye of the Tiger

A Little Presentation / Una Pequeña Presentación

2010-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hi!, I'm George Stone, a 30 something ukelele aficionado trying to share with you his experience, and his attempts to success in the music business (none) XD.
Hola!, me llamo George Stone, un 30 y pico ukelele aficionado intentando compartir contigo su experiencia, y sus intentos de éxito en el mercado musical (ninguno) XD
Let's see my recently last video:Veamos mi último video:

Here we are again Gerry G. and George Stone, this time messin arround with some multitrack recordig live sesion, The place, the Recording Studio Karkinyoli Records, in the Black Mountain.hope you like and sub the channel.
Aqui estamos otra vez Gerry G. y George Stone, esta vez jugando un poco con una sesión de grabación en multipista. Tel lugar, el Estudio de Grabación Karkinyoli Records, en el Mont Negre
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS OF THIS SONG, BUT THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS, THANKS!

Wellcome everybody to the Blog of George Stone / Bienvenidos todos al Blog de George Stone

2010-12-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

As a Badass now I'm gonna follow this diary to talk about my news, olds, experiences or whatever, be wellcome to subscribe and comment.
Como la persona inquieta que soy a partir de ahora voy a llenar este blogg con novedades, viejedades, experiencias o cualquier cosa que se me ocurra, sed bienvenidos a subscribirse y comentar.

George Stone
13-12-2010