P.S. I Love Uke
July 30, 2009 7:58 PM Subscribe
This is possibly (but probably not) the ideal place to mention that The Beatles Rock Band opening cinematic is a thing of unequivocal beauty.
posted by pokermonk at 8:21 PM on July 30, 2009 [12 favorites]
posted by pokermonk at 8:21 PM on July 30, 2009 [12 favorites]
Wow, pokermonk, that is fantastic.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:32 PM on July 30, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 8:32 PM on July 30, 2009
I had a dream a few weeks ago. I had been a member of The Beatles, and we were reuniting after decades. It was tense, and I knew I was part of the problem, and I had always been a bit of a jerk when I was younger, especially to Paul. So I called him over. I told him that I hadn't ever told him something, and I should have: That I really respected him as a songwriter.
Then I burst into tears. I mean, in my dream, I was just sobbing. I felt a little guilty, because John could see, but I figured he already knew how much I respected him.
I recently told a friend about this dream, and she asked me if I was repressing anything that might manifest itself symbolically as this dream. I told her I don't think so. The truth is, I do respect Paul as a songwriter. And, telling her this, I felt myself choke up again.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:01 PM on July 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
Then I burst into tears. I mean, in my dream, I was just sobbing. I felt a little guilty, because John could see, but I figured he already knew how much I respected him.
I recently told a friend about this dream, and she asked me if I was repressing anything that might manifest itself symbolically as this dream. I told her I don't think so. The truth is, I do respect Paul as a songwriter. And, telling her this, I felt myself choke up again.
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:01 PM on July 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
I see your Beatles and raise you Camper Van Beethoven: Take the Skinheads Bowling on uke. There's some false starts, so wait for it...
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 9:07 PM on July 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 9:07 PM on July 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
Excellent idea. I am puzzled by it being oriented as for a left-handed player. Unless the creator of the site is signalling Paul McCartney....
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:08 PM on July 30, 2009
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:08 PM on July 30, 2009
This is possibly (but probably not) the ideal place to mention that The Beatles Rock Band opening cinematic is a thing of unequivocal beauty.
It really is, isn't it? When I saw it a month or so ago I was amazed how well it really captured the Beatles. So many other Beatle-inspired things fall flat.
My favorite thing about Ukelele Beatles Fun! is the tagline self improvement for free.
posted by oneirodynia at 9:25 PM on July 30, 2009
It really is, isn't it? When I saw it a month or so ago I was amazed how well it really captured the Beatles. So many other Beatle-inspired things fall flat.
My favorite thing about Ukelele Beatles Fun! is the tagline self improvement for free.
posted by oneirodynia at 9:25 PM on July 30, 2009
(researches ukeleles, discovers they're tuned completely differently from guitars, crys a bit.)
posted by dunkadunc at 9:51 PM on July 30, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 9:51 PM on July 30, 2009
I had a dream a few weeks ago. I had been a member of The Beatles, and we were reuniting after decades. It was tense, and I knew I was part of the problem
Every time Yoko Ono posts here it gives me the willies.
posted by twoleftfeet at 10:28 PM on July 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
Every time Yoko Ono posts here it gives me the willies.
posted by twoleftfeet at 10:28 PM on July 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
"Heroin" on the ukulele
from description: "Oh yes, if you don't like grimaces you shouldn't watch..."
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:38 PM on July 30, 2009
from description: "Oh yes, if you don't like grimaces you shouldn't watch..."
posted by drjimmy11 at 10:38 PM on July 30, 2009
Jesus tapdancing Christ, The Beatles-Rockband is gonna make about a billion dollars.
A couple hundred of which will have been mine at one point.
09/09/09 seems so far away.
posted by Sphinx at 11:03 PM on July 30, 2009
A couple hundred of which will have been mine at one point.
09/09/09 seems so far away.
posted by Sphinx at 11:03 PM on July 30, 2009
Between the ukulele fingerings and that awesome trailer for Beatles Rockband - it's a good night. :-)
posted by pianoboy at 11:33 PM on July 30, 2009
posted by pianoboy at 11:33 PM on July 30, 2009
Don't let me bring you down, but Yellow Submarine designer Heinz Edelmann died recently. He probably won't get an obit here but I thought he deserved a mention.
posted by tellurian at 12:03 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by tellurian at 12:03 AM on July 31, 2009
the uke site is fantastic, as is the Rock Band cinematic, though the fact that the E chord at the end of Day in the Life doesn't resolve is driving me nuts.
i'm not near an instrument, so I can't play one. aaarrgh.
posted by Jon_Evil at 12:08 AM on July 31, 2009
i'm not near an instrument, so I can't play one. aaarrgh.
posted by Jon_Evil at 12:08 AM on July 31, 2009
(researches ukeleles, discovers they're tuned completely differently from guitars, crys a bit.)
While your ukulele gently weeps.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:55 AM on July 31, 2009
While your ukulele gently weeps.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:55 AM on July 31, 2009
I just bought a uke, so this is exciting!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:43 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:43 AM on July 31, 2009
researches ukeleles, discovers they're tuned completely differently from guitars, crys a bit.
The relationship between the strings on the ukelele is the same as the four high strings on guitar (D-G-B-E) as if you had the guitar capoed at the fifth fret (G-C-E-A). Meaning the chord names and fingerings are the same. Just fill in the fingering on the guitar's low-E & A string. With a very small amount of effort you can transcribe any ukulele strumming into guitar strumming and vice versa. Once you realize this, ukulele becomes MUCH easier if you are coming from a guitar background.
However, just playing a guitar capoed at the fifth fret won't sound like a ukulele because the most common ukulele tuning has the top string tuned to within a whole step of the bottom string.
Anyway, great find! I can't wait to play through a few of these.
posted by SugarFreeGum at 4:48 AM on July 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
The relationship between the strings on the ukelele is the same as the four high strings on guitar (D-G-B-E) as if you had the guitar capoed at the fifth fret (G-C-E-A). Meaning the chord names and fingerings are the same. Just fill in the fingering on the guitar's low-E & A string. With a very small amount of effort you can transcribe any ukulele strumming into guitar strumming and vice versa. Once you realize this, ukulele becomes MUCH easier if you are coming from a guitar background.
However, just playing a guitar capoed at the fifth fret won't sound like a ukulele because the most common ukulele tuning has the top string tuned to within a whole step of the bottom string.
Anyway, great find! I can't wait to play through a few of these.
posted by SugarFreeGum at 4:48 AM on July 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
You can never have enough uke. Thanks for this!
posted by buriednexttoyou at 5:20 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by buriednexttoyou at 5:20 AM on July 31, 2009
There were birds
on a hill
but I never heard them singing
no I never heard them at all
til there was uke
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:31 AM on July 31, 2009
on a hill
but I never heard them singing
no I never heard them at all
til there was uke
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:31 AM on July 31, 2009
Uke ant do that.
posted by yhbc at 5:49 AM on July 31, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by yhbc at 5:49 AM on July 31, 2009 [3 favorites]
George Harrison apparently was quite the ukelele fan. At the Concert For George, the memorial concert Eric Clapton organized a year after his death, Paul McCartney told a little story about how every time people went over to have dinner with George, he'd get out his collection of ukeleles and invite his guests to have a jam session. (Paul told this story before launching into the first verse of "Something", on the uke. Which worked surprisingly well.)
I read later that George also started taking a ukelele with him when he traveled so he could jam with friends he ran into -- and then, after too many of his friends had to decline because they didn't have an instrument of any kind themselves, George started traveling with TWO ukeleles. You have to like a guy who always kept himself prepared for the possibility of spontaneous ukelele duets.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:09 AM on July 31, 2009 [8 favorites]
I read later that George also started taking a ukelele with him when he traveled so he could jam with friends he ran into -- and then, after too many of his friends had to decline because they didn't have an instrument of any kind themselves, George started traveling with TWO ukeleles. You have to like a guy who always kept himself prepared for the possibility of spontaneous ukelele duets.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:09 AM on July 31, 2009 [8 favorites]
I read later that George also started taking a ukelele with him when he traveled so he could jam with friends he ran into -- and then, after too many of his friends had to decline because they didn't have an instrument of any kind themselves, George started traveling with TWO ukeleles.
Smart guy. I really think the ukulele is sort of contagious. I bought one recently because I was frustrated at how my ability on the banjo had totally plateaued. Now my fiance, who hasn't played any non-rock band instruments in years, keeps stealing it. I think I'm going to have to buy another.
(I also bought a cheap mandolin, but I've been having so much fun on the uke that I haven't even taken the time to tune it yet.)
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 6:19 AM on July 31, 2009
Smart guy. I really think the ukulele is sort of contagious. I bought one recently because I was frustrated at how my ability on the banjo had totally plateaued. Now my fiance, who hasn't played any non-rock band instruments in years, keeps stealing it. I think I'm going to have to buy another.
(I also bought a cheap mandolin, but I've been having so much fun on the uke that I haven't even taken the time to tune it yet.)
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 6:19 AM on July 31, 2009
You know, every time I learn something new about George Harrison, it just reinforces why he's my favorite Beatle.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:19 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by ocherdraco at 6:19 AM on July 31, 2009
I want to be
under the sea
in an octopus' garden
with uke
uke tell lies thihkin' I can't see
uke can't cry 'cause it's laughin' at me
I'm down [I'm really down]....
I want uke
I want uke so bad
I want u-u-u-uke
I want uke so ba-a-a-ad it's drivin' me mad it's drivin' me...
posted by Jon_Evil at 6:47 AM on July 31, 2009
under the sea
in an octopus' garden
with uke
uke tell lies thihkin' I can't see
uke can't cry 'cause it's laughin' at me
I'm down [I'm really down]....
I want uke
I want uke so bad
I want u-u-u-uke
I want uke so ba-a-a-ad it's drivin' me mad it's drivin' me...
posted by Jon_Evil at 6:47 AM on July 31, 2009
Just got my first uke Wednesday, can't wait to dig into this!
posted by escabeche at 7:22 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by escabeche at 7:22 AM on July 31, 2009
duncadunk, the Baritone Ukulele is tuned exactly like a guitar's four high strings.
posted by Cookiebastard at 7:29 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by Cookiebastard at 7:29 AM on July 31, 2009
All I want is uke!
Everything has got be just like uke want it to.
Beeeecause....
posted by grubi at 8:34 AM on July 31, 2009
Everything has got be just like uke want it to.
Beeeecause....
posted by grubi at 8:34 AM on July 31, 2009
This may seem petty and nitpicky, but in the lyrical transcription for "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", they misprint 'pataphysical as pathopysical. I mean, come on, pathophysical isn't even a word.
posted by idiopath at 9:41 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by idiopath at 9:41 AM on July 31, 2009
Maybe this should be an AskMe, but....
Anyone know of any other great Uke sites similar to this?
posted by evilelf at 10:14 AM on July 31, 2009
Anyone know of any other great Uke sites similar to this?
posted by evilelf at 10:14 AM on July 31, 2009
Thanks! Super fun... I think 'Something' on that site was in the wrong key. It works very well in 'C'
posted by schmorker at 10:24 AM on July 31, 2009
posted by schmorker at 10:24 AM on July 31, 2009
Oh my God. I've been playing uke for 20 years and now it becomes popular?
Time to move on to the hammered dulcimer.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:37 AM on July 31, 2009
Time to move on to the hammered dulcimer.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:37 AM on July 31, 2009
I've been pondering a uke purchase for months. This has finally pushed me over the edge. Yay!
Sorry, Astro Zombie.
posted by somanyamys at 11:11 AM on July 31, 2009
Sorry, Astro Zombie.
posted by somanyamys at 11:11 AM on July 31, 2009
Greg Hawkes from the Cars playing Eleanor Rigby as a one-man uke quartet
posted by aquanaut at 11:28 AM on July 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by aquanaut at 11:28 AM on July 31, 2009 [1 favorite]
UkeFilter: How much do I have to spend to get a uke that stays in tune?
posted by starman at 12:19 PM on July 31, 2009
posted by starman at 12:19 PM on July 31, 2009
I spent about $80 on a Washburn uke that seems ok.
Sites: ukuleledisco.com used to be very good but seems to have dropped off the face of the internets. There's a uke post in the blue that has some good links.
posted by NailsTheCat at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2009
Sites: ukuleledisco.com used to be very good but seems to have dropped off the face of the internets. There's a uke post in the blue that has some good links.
posted by NailsTheCat at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2009
How much do I have to spend to get a uke that stays in tune?
My flea stays in tune unbelievably well. I also have a cheap (~$60) Hilo baritone uke that hasn't stayed in tune very well, but the strings may still be stretching. It's still fun to play, though.
They really are magical instruments. Contagious, too. I brought mine to school to play between classes, and two went out later and bought ukes for their kids. I posted a few You(uke?)Tube videos, and now I get mail from inspired relatives who bought their own.
I got both my ukes (and all my music stuff) from the local mutants at Hix Brothers Music. They're a bunch of swell weirdos, so I figure they deserve a little link love as long as we're talking about where to buy ukes.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 1:06 PM on July 31, 2009
My flea stays in tune unbelievably well. I also have a cheap (~$60) Hilo baritone uke that hasn't stayed in tune very well, but the strings may still be stretching. It's still fun to play, though.
They really are magical instruments. Contagious, too. I brought mine to school to play between classes, and two went out later and bought ukes for their kids. I posted a few You(uke?)Tube videos, and now I get mail from inspired relatives who bought their own.
I got both my ukes (and all my music stuff) from the local mutants at Hix Brothers Music. They're a bunch of swell weirdos, so I figure they deserve a little link love as long as we're talking about where to buy ukes.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 1:06 PM on July 31, 2009
I have a Lanikai LU-21, which I bought because someone recommended it on AskMe a while back. It looks like it's $60 on Musician's Friend (it was on sale when I bought it; think I paid about $50). Now that I've been playing it for a while, it stays in tune really well, and it was the perfect price for me, considering I'd never played before and didn't want to be out a lot of money if I gave up on it.
posted by rebel_rebel at 1:39 PM on July 31, 2009
posted by rebel_rebel at 1:39 PM on July 31, 2009
Oh my God. I've been playing uke for 20 years and now it becomes popular?
I thought Tiny Tim made it popular back around 1968...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2009
I thought Tiny Tim made it popular back around 1968...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2009
I've been playing uke for 20 years and now it becomes popular?
Oh, wow, this thread is hilarious to read using the yaoi manga definition of uke.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:02 PM on July 31, 2009
Oh, wow, this thread is hilarious to read using the yaoi manga definition of uke.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:02 PM on July 31, 2009
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posted by useyourmachinegunarm at 8:10 PM on July 30, 2009