Jake Shimabukuro – Me and Shirley T
22
Sep

Hi people,

I’ve been feeling a little under the weather recently, but will still try my best to keep this site updated.

Still working on other transcriptions at the moment, so for today, I’ve decided to put in a recording my myself, playing Jake Shimabukuro’s Me and Shirley T. This was my first Jake song learnt. In the midst of my excitement, I even posted up a YouTube video of myself playing it, quite some time ago. At that time, I spent a few days learning it. My guitar background certainly helped me in the process of learning the song. You can watch it below:

Now when I look back at it, it’s quite sloppy at some parts.

As for now, here is my latest audio recording. Jake’s Me and Shirley T.

Cheers!

Transcribed Project: Pu Gong Ying De Yue Ding
21
Sep

The past few tabs that I have created, are rather unknown songs to many out there. They are more like my personal tabs. So, in order to change things a bit, I have decided to tab out a popular pop song by Jay Chou (周杰伦), entitled Pu Gong Ying De Yue Ding (蒲公英的约定). It’s off his album named Wo Hen Mang (我很忙). The song is in C Major scale.

I ran a quick search on Google and YouTube for “Jay Chou Ukulele”, and didn’t find anything directly related. So ‘I think’ this is the first ukulele tab for a Jay Chou song~! =D

This tab is complete from start to end. As all songs, there are repeats around. Feel free to improvise the strumming/plucking of notes. Play around with note dynamics, to give the song some feel. It’s best if we all got creative and try to create something different… Something that you personally like, and hopefully others will like it too!

As usual, if you have problems with any part of the song, drop me a comment/email. You may download the tab and MIDI at the Tabs Section.

Enjoy the tab.

=)

Transcribed Project: Shimokita Ijou Harajuku Miman
18
Sep

If you have read one of my previous audio posts entitled Fumiya Fujii – Shimokita Ijou Harajuku Miman, I mentioned that I would tab out the song.

I have finished the verses and chorus parts. The song basically repeats the same notes and chords around. If you have problems with any part of the song, drop me a comment/email. You may download the tab and MIDI at the Tabs Section.

Hope you all enjoy learning the song, as much as I did.

=)

Young Ukulele Virtuosos
17
Sep

I came across some young ukulele players while surfing around YouTube for ukulele players, and these 2 young players are definitely worth watching.

First up is young Ryan Imamura. He has also jammed with Jake Shimabukuro before. Here he is, playing Jake’s Me and Shirley T.

Next up is Ryo Natoyama. He is playing an improvised version of Jake’s song named Blue Roses Falling. His video had a lower quality sound, which I feel that it just doesn’t do him any justice!

Both are already playing at professional level! I really hope they make a name for themselves soon. The world needs such talent!

Ryan and Ryo, all the best to the both of you!

First Transcribed Project: Unknown Japanese Song
16
Sep

I was working in the office few days ago when I found a nice and slow instrumental song inside my colleague’s computer. The tune caught my attention and I was wondering at that point of time, if I could play it on the ukulele.

Unfortunately, my colleague didn’t know the composer/artist of the song. I don’t even know if the title ‘Sad to Say Goodbye’ is correct. But it was found in her “Japanese” songs folder. The song is written in D Major. I managed to figure out the chords and melody, and tabbed it out. It’s not a 100% note for note tab. I would normally improvise as I try to figure out songs.

You may download the MIDI and tab here (Tabs section).

I’ll post another entry once I get my tab recorded.. 

Meanwhile, you can also listen to the original song below:

I hope you all enjoy it, as much as I do.

PS: Do let me know the correct artist and song title, if you happen to know it~! Thank you!

Fixing your own Ukulele Saddle Pickup
14
Sep

I’ve been doing some small research on how to amplify my ukuleles, and I came across this YouTube video which teaches a step by step installation of the saddle pickup.

It didn’t seem that hard, but I don’t have the necessary tools to perform the job. For your info, Kamaka uses Fishman pickups on their ukuleles. Both passive and active. You can check out Fishman products here.

The Carpenters – Close To You
13
Sep

This weekend’s recording is a nice song, which dates back to my parents time. They were probably listening to this song over the radio.

The Carpenters’ Close To You.

Jake Shimabukuro did a great job of covering this song.
Inspired by him, I decided to give it a try by recording a shortened version of the song.

Once again, I used my digital camera on this one. Worried that I might damage the built-in mic of the camera over time, I played further away, and hence it doesn’t cut through as much. I’m thinking of buying a Shure SM57 recording mic to try out…. So stay tuned~

A few unforeseen extra sounds got included in the recording (MSN messenger and garbage man pushing the trash cart.)
Sorry for the interruptions…….

James Hill – One Note Samba
10
Sep

I was surfing around YouTube for the usual ukulele video watching, and I came across this nice video of James Hill playing a song named “One Note Samba”.

A very good performance by James, so I thought I’d share it with you all. Take some time to watch it below:

Fumiya Fujii – Shimokita Ijou Harajuku Miman
10
Sep

I came across this nice song when I was watching a Japanese Drama series named “Shimokita Sundays”. Somehow the tune just caught my attention, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to play it on the ukulele. Making good progress at the moment, so stay tuned for the video/audio recording.

As for the song, take a listen at it here:

Jake Shimabukuro – Touch
8
Sep

Hi people,

I’ve decided not to upload video this time around. Instead, I’m trying to do some audio recording.
Here’s a recording of Jake’s Touch. I like this song a lot, but somehow I can’t seem to play it gently enough like he does.

Life’s full of challenges, ain’t it?

And here’s the recording clip:
I recorded it on my digital camera, extracted the audio and added some reverb and compression to it from SONAR.