Tag Archives: Japan

Saboten No Hana (サボテ ンの花) Recording
18
Oct

My goodness, its been 10 days since I last updated anything here.
Time certainly flies, as I’ve been rather busy with work itself.

Anyway, for those of you who have checked out the Ichigo Ichie Live 2007 post earlier, there is this song entitled サボテ ンの花, which translates to ‘Saboten No Hana‘. I first came across this song in this particular YouTube video. It cause my attention and I started figuring out how to play it, by watching the video over and over again. The song is actually off a Japanese Dorama Under The Same Roof. The artist is named TULIP.

So here it is, my recording of the song. This time, I tried using back my normal mic used for MSN video call chats. Distance wise, I was about half a meter away from the mic. Mixed it with SONAR’s reverb, without any compression this time. The recording is much softer, but I kinda liked it.

I appreciate any feedback from anyone~

 

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!

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:

ICHIGO ICHIE LIVE 2007
8
Sep

I was surfing YouTube the few days back and I stumbled across a Japanese guy with the nickname artkazu8, who has various musicians’ live performance videos in his upload list. And Jake was one of them!

The concert name was ジェイク　シマブクロ ／一期一会　ICHIGO ICHIE LIVE 2007. This is after quite some time, whereby I have seen Jake play life with a full band behind him.

I could recognise a few songs, such as First Love by Utada Hikaru and サボテ ンの花 (I first saw him play this song on a Japanese live morning show on YouTube).

Take some time to watch the videos of the concert below. (Thanks artkazu8~!)

雪の華
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9kRKp_yEhY

First Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbu01WuasJ0

ロビン ソン
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn0kn2Hnh7I

I Love You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3EsFO3aU-Q

Sweet Memories
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT76xl0t53M

見上げ てごらん夜の星
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs8EB11rIwI

さよな ら
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_G7Xvfun0

秋桜
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbiBf3OYnBU

オリビ アを聞きながら
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJHQyRC9OlY

卒業写 真
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzPfPq4NgrA

時の過 ぎゆくままに
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2VNiU_zyRw

サボテ ンの花
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0CnYhW24c

Jake’s New Album – YEAH
7
Sep

Jake has recently released a new album entitled “YEAH” in Japan!

The album tracks are as follows:

1. My Dream
2. Variation on a Dance
3. Bach Part-Two Invention No.4 in Dm
4. Piano-Forte
5. YHEAH
6. Sunset With You
7. Trapped
8. Five Dollars Unleaded
9. Don’t Break Your Heart
10. Ichigo Ichie
11. Everything Is Better With You
12. Fula girl 2008
13. My Dream -instrumental-

There seem to be some errors in the spellings of the tracks, when I view it from www.amazon.co.jp. I’ll leave it as it is, until I get my copy of the album to verify.

The album can be purchased at this link.