Last weekend I performed at the Midwest Ukefest in Indianapolis. I was blown away by the virtuosity demonstrated by numerous performers. In fact, I thought I was going to be playing a lot of uke during the weekend. I played two uke songs during my Friday night set, and that's it! I played the steel all weekend (it's great being one of the few steel players in residence, you become the expert ).
One performer who impressed me was the the young Canadian ukuleleist James Hill. Here is a clip of him from last weekend performing "Summertime" and "Flight of the Bumblebee". Both tunes are performed using the standard uke tuning (with the high 4th string).
Wow! A star is born. It's always a humbling experience to see such great, young players out there.
Chuck
Brad Bechtel
From: San Francisco, CA
Posted 4 Nov 2005 10:17 am
Now if this was done on a lap steel, I'd bee happy to leave it here. However, this belongs in Music, not No Peddlers, so that's where it's going. Thanks for sharing!
HowardR
From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Posted 5 Nov 2005 4:48 am
Wow......that is some playing. Is he using a pick?
There are some uke players out there who defy the stereotypical. Jake Shimibukoru (spelling?), Dan Sawyer,and James Hill is right up there.
Gerald -- Not to be contrary, since you were there and I wasn't (arrrrrgggg -- lucky. I would have loved to have been there). I know you said he performed these with high A tuning (I'm assuming he tunes his tenor in the tighter/louder ADF#B tuning), but I swear I hear a low A at the very beginning of FOTBB (the opening arpeggio).
Again, it could be I'm just hearing things, too, as it's early Saturday morning after a gig last night!
James Hill and Jake Shimabukuro are both exiting players, and are the Roy Smecks of today. Thanks for sharing that!
I am assuming that he is using a standard uke tuning, either A or G with a high fourth string. The reason I say this is, we were all standing around backstage and James Hill was talking about a new uke he wanted to have built. He mentioned that he wanted the re-entrant(or high 4th) tuning on it and he implied that was all that he played. Maybe I heard him wrong or maybe I just filled in the blanks in my head, I don't know.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
quote:Todd,
I am assuming that he is using a standard uke tuning, either A or G with a high fourth string. The reason I say this is, we were all standing around backstage and James Hill was talking about a new uke he wanted to have built. He mentioned that he wanted the re-entrant(or high 4th) tuning on it and he implied that was all that he played. Maybe I heard him wrong or maybe I just filled in the blanks in my head, I don't know.
Hey Gerald -- yeah, weird. I don't know. Perhaps he was alluding to the fact that the one he wants built would be re-enterant (as opposed to what he usually plays)?
If you go back to that opening arpeggio in FOTBB (after he picks that initial high F#), it definitely sounds like a low A.
Whatever the case, that boy can play! I especially love the teenage girl screams from the audience, and his reactions. Teenage girls screaming with joy at a ukuulele player in the year 2005.
I pointed out in another forum flea-mkt-music.com he throws the lick from AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" in there somewhere too. Another form of South Pacific island music, rock bands from Australia.
Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Posted 5 Nov 2005 8:44 am
OK, here's the story. On a uke bulletin board they are discussing JH's uke and yes, the one he is playing in the video has a low fourth string. I heard wrong.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
The tune's okay but it's the lyric's that really tell a story.
Eric West
From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
Posted 5 Nov 2005 12:32 pm
Yeah BABY!.
I have GOT to get me one of THESE....
EJL
HowardR
From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Posted 5 Nov 2005 5:21 pm
Was he using a pick?
Gary Boyett
From: Colorado/ Lives in Arizona
Posted 5 Nov 2005 5:28 pm
Wow, that dude is incredible. Do you think someone can someone tab that out in C6th for me? Non-pedal (of course)
Kris Oka
From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted 6 Nov 2005 9:18 am
Hey Gerald, I heard James Hill at a Uke Fest in Santa Cruz,CA last year. He got a standing ovation for his rendition of the "Flight of the Bumble Bee." He also gave a clinic and talked about his theory and style of playing. He let me play his uke and I believe he uses a low G. BTW, his uke is custom made by G-String Ukulele in Hawaii and cost $5,000. His website is: www.ukulelejames.com Some old timers have told me that the tune is really not that difficult to learn and the challenge is to play it as fast as James does.
Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Posted 6 Nov 2005 9:58 am
Kris Oka writes:
Quote:
Some old timers have told me that the tune is really not that difficult to learn and the challenge is to play it as fast as James does.
A lot of tunes are like that. I have no trouble playing the "Minute Waltz", it only takes me a half hour.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 06 November 2005 at 09:58 AM.]
Rick Collins
From: Claremont , CA USA
Posted 6 Nov 2005 2:54 pm
Gerald, I see the cord leading to an amp __ where is the pickup located in the acoustical uke?
Thanks, Rick
Kris Oka
From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted 6 Nov 2005 5:55 pm
Rick, a Fishman blender acoustic pickup is attached somewhere under the bridge. I believe he uses a pre-amp attached to his belt. James and Jake Shimabakura like to play fast and it really wows the audience. Both players have it all and may reflect the future direction of playing the ukulele. Itis unfortunate the uke hasn't really caught here in the States. Rumor has it that in Canada all grade school children must learn to play the ukulele as part of their music program. What a great idea.
HowardR
From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Posted 6 Nov 2005 6:43 pm
Was he using a pick?
Rick McDuffie
From: Benson, North Carolina, USA
Posted 6 Nov 2005 7:04 pm
Gigs abound, I'm sure.
[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 06 November 2005 at 07:05 PM.]
Donny Hinson
From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Posted 6 Nov 2005 7:56 pm
Disgusting.
Holy $#!%. It's not even a black ukelele!
Wonder if anyone will ask what kind of pickup he has?
How utterly depressing.
I mean, here's this young "geek" with little more than a cigar-box with 4 strings, and he's laying down stuff that even our best steelers (with 40 years' experience) can't do with three times as many strings, 11 pedals, and 8 knee levers.
See! I told 'ya!
We're not worthy.
This is why serious musicians won't take us seriously.
).
Thanks for the link.
