Uketropolis: Ukulele Q&A with James Hill
232 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago -Every week Uketropolis.com founder James Hill answers student questions about playing ukulele and interviews innovative ukulele educators.
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Episodes
Eve Goldberg Interview
October 28, 2020 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBThe first Uketropolis interview! Meet Eve Goldberg, musician, activist, teacher and songwriter. Find out more at www.evegoldberg.com.
#9 - Eve Goldberg Interview
October 28, 2020 15:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBThe first Uketropolis interview! Meet Eve Goldberg, musician, activist, teacher and songwriter. Find out more at www.evegoldberg.com.
C Salutation
October 21, 2020 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBJames unveils "C Salutation," a simple piece to help you relax and practise at the same time. Download the score and audio tracks for free at https://www.uketropolis.com/salutation
S1 E8 - C Salutation
October 21, 2020 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBJames unveils "C Salutation," a simple piece to help you relax and practise at the same time. Download the score and audio tracks for free at https://www.uketropolis.com/salutation
#8 - C Salutation
October 21, 2020 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBJames unveils "C Salutation," a simple piece to help you relax and practise at the same time. Download the score and audio tracks for free at https://www.uketropolis.com/salutation
Forgotten Twins
October 14, 2020 16:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MB1) A forgotten pair of chord twins. 2) The difference between good pain and bad pain. 3) How a chord can be Am7 and C6 at the same time.
#7 - Forgotten Twins
October 14, 2020 16:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MB1) A forgotten pair of chord twins. 2) The difference between good pain and bad pain. 3) How a chord can be Am7 and C6 at the same time.
S1 E7 - Forgotten Twins
October 14, 2020 16:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MB1) A forgotten pair of chord twins. 2) The difference between good pain and bad pain. 3) How a chord can be Am7 and C6 at the same time.
#6 - King Tonic, Queen Dominant.
October 07, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB1) Left-hand vs. right-hand muting. 2) Why the I chord is called the "tonic." 3) Ideas for differentiation in multi-level ukulele groups... because every ukulele group is a multi-level ukulele group.
S1 E6 - King Tonic, Queen Dominant.
October 07, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB1) Left-hand vs. right-hand muting. 2) Why the I chord is called the "tonic." 3) Ideas for differentiation in multi-level ukulele groups... because every ukulele group is a multi-level ukulele group.
King Tonic, Queen Dominant.
October 07, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB1) Left-hand vs. right-hand muting. 2) Why the I chord is called the "tonic." 3) Ideas for differentiation in multi-level ukulele groups... because every ukulele group is a multi-level ukulele group.
Searching for the key
September 30, 2020 16:06 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBJames P. on "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo" My pinky finger is a little slow to get to that B-flat chord! James Hill replies "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo Not to worry, James... it will come with practise! You can try rolling the chord (i.e. dragging the thumb across the strings so that the onset of each note in the chord is slightly staggered). This will give your pinky finger a *fraction* of a second more time to get in place. That might be all it needs. -- Amy on "Lesson 1: The F...
#5 - Searching for the key
September 30, 2020 16:06 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBJames P. on "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo" My pinky finger is a little slow to get to that B-flat chord! James Hill replies "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo Not to worry, James... it will come with practise! You can try rolling the chord (i.e. dragging the thumb across the strings so that the onset of each note in the chord is slightly staggered). This will give your pinky finger a *fraction* of a second more time to get in place. That might be all it needs. -- Amy on "Lesson 1: The F...
S1 E5 - Searching for the key
September 30, 2020 16:06 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBJames P. on "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo" My pinky finger is a little slow to get to that B-flat chord! James Hill replies "Lesson 5: Streets of Laredo Not to worry, James... it will come with practise! You can try rolling the chord (i.e. dragging the thumb across the strings so that the onset of each note in the chord is slightly staggered). This will give your pinky finger a *fraction* of a second more time to get in place. That might be all it needs. -- Amy on "Lesson 1: The F...
S1 E4 Bonus - I have an iDEA
September 25, 2020 14:30 - 9 minutes - 8.52 MBI recommend you listen to Episode #4 before diving into this bonus episode. So you've learned to count "by two" through the musical alphabet: A, C, E, G, B, D, F. Now you can quickly name the notes in any one of those chords by leapfrogging; what are the notes in a C chord? c, e, g. The notes in an F chord? f, a, c. Awesome! But if you listen closely, some of the chords you create will be major and others will be minor. Just remember: "I have an iDEA." That will remind you that ...
I have an iDEA [BONUS]
September 25, 2020 14:30 - 9 minutes - 8.52 MBI recommend you listen to Episode #4 before diving into this bonus episode. So you've learned to count "by two" through the musical alphabet: A, C, E, G, B, D, F. Now you can quickly name the notes in any one of those chords by leapfrogging; what are the notes in a C chord? c, e, g. The notes in an F chord? f, a, c. Awesome! But if you listen closely, some of the chords you create will be major and others will be minor. Just remember: "I have an iDEA." That will remind you that ...
#4 Bonus - I have an iDEA
September 25, 2020 14:30 - 9 minutes - 8.52 MBI recommend you listen to Episode #4 before diving into this bonus episode. So you've learned to count "by two" through the musical alphabet: A, C, E, G, B, D, F. Now you can quickly name the notes in any one of those chords by leapfrogging; what are the notes in a C chord? c, e, g. The notes in an F chord? f, a, c. Awesome! But if you listen closely, some of the chords you create will be major and others will be minor. Just remember: "I have an iDEA." That will remind you that ...
S1 E4 - Practise with your eyes closed. Seriously.
September 23, 2020 16:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBBarbara on "Lesson 5: Carnival of Venice (Interlaced)" When playing a song like this, I often find myself playing one string off on my right or left hand (sometimes both) because I am looking at the music. Do you have any suggestions on how not to get "lost"? James answers: Hi Barbara, good question! I second what Zsolt said and I'll add this. It sounds a bit odd, but try playing with your eyes closed! Even if that means you just memorize a small part of the piece (1 or 2 measures)...
Practise with your eyes closed. Seriously.
September 23, 2020 16:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBBarbara on "Lesson 5: Carnival of Venice (Interlaced)" When playing a song like this, I often find myself playing one string off on my right or left hand (sometimes both) because I am looking at the music. Do you have any suggestions on how not to get "lost"? James answers: Hi Barbara, good question! I second what Zsolt said and I'll add this. It sounds a bit odd, but try playing with your eyes closed! Even if that means you just memorize a small part of the piece (1 or 2 measures)...
#4 - Practise with your eyes closed. Seriously.
September 23, 2020 16:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBBarbara on "Lesson 5: Carnival of Venice (Interlaced)" When playing a song like this, I often find myself playing one string off on my right or left hand (sometimes both) because I am looking at the music. Do you have any suggestions on how not to get "lost"? James answers: Hi Barbara, good question! I second what Zsolt said and I'll add this. It sounds a bit odd, but try playing with your eyes closed! Even if that means you just memorize a small part of the piece (1 or 2 measures)...
S1 E3 - Pinkie on C?
September 17, 2020 02:12 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBSusan on "My Open Strings: Highlights" I am starting with my grade 9s tomorrow. I tuned them all Friday afternoon but because of Covid I am not going to touch them right before they do or approach a student. Neither can they pass around the class tuners or tune each others. I sure hope we all tune by ear together. James answers: Good luck, Susan! I'm sending good vibes your way. It may be a blessing in the end... tuning one's own uke is a great skill. If you can help them to become...
Pinkie on C?
September 17, 2020 02:12 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBSusan on "My Open Strings: Highlights" I am starting with my grade 9s tomorrow. I tuned them all Friday afternoon but because of Covid I am not going to touch them right before they do or approach a student. Neither can they pass around the class tuners or tune each others. I sure hope we all tune by ear together. James answers: Good luck, Susan! I'm sending good vibes your way. It may be a blessing in the end... tuning one's own uke is a great skill. If you can help them to become...
#3 - Pinkie on C?
September 17, 2020 02:12 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBSusan on "My Open Strings: Highlights" I am starting with my grade 9s tomorrow. I tuned them all Friday afternoon but because of Covid I am not going to touch them right before they do or approach a student. Neither can they pass around the class tuners or tune each others. I sure hope we all tune by ear together. James answers: Good luck, Susan! I'm sending good vibes your way. It may be a blessing in the end... tuning one's own uke is a great skill. If you can help them to become...
Why use your pinkie on C?
September 16, 2020 02:12 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBJames answers questions from JHUI Level 1. JHUI is the world's first and most comprehensive ukulele teacher certification program (learn more at http://www.jhui.org). Questions: 1) How to tune ukuleles in the time of COVID? 2) Why use your pinkie to play the C chord? 3) What chords are you using to accompany the C scale?
S1 E2 - You're going too fast!
September 10, 2020 02:12 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBJohn on "Lesson 3: The Jazzy Twins" When you're playing Lil Liza jane fast it very hard to follow you specially when your learning those notes. James answers: Good point, John. You can slow down both the video and the interactive score. To slow the video, click on the "gear" icon at the bottom of the video, click "speed" and select a slower speed. For the interactive score, use the "speed" buttons (+/-) below the score. Also, if you want to take it *really* slow for practise, you c...
You're going too fast!
September 10, 2020 02:12 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBJohn on "Lesson 3: The Jazzy Twins" When you're playing Lil Liza jane fast it very hard to follow you specially when your learning those notes. James answers: Good point, John. You can slow down both the video and the interactive score. To slow the video, click on the "gear" icon at the bottom of the video, click "speed" and select a slower speed. For the interactive score, use the "speed" buttons (+/-) below the score. Also, if you want to take it *really* slow for practise, you c...
#2 - You're going too fast!
September 10, 2020 02:12 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBJohn on "Lesson 3: The Jazzy Twins" When you're playing Lil Liza jane fast it very hard to follow you specially when your learning those notes. James answers: Good point, John. You can slow down both the video and the interactive score. To slow the video, click on the "gear" icon at the bottom of the video, click "speed" and select a slower speed. For the interactive score, use the "speed" buttons (+/-) below the score. Also, if you want to take it *really* slow for practise, you c...
S1 E1 - How do I know when I know it?
September 03, 2020 01:41 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this episode we focus on Book 1 of The Ukulele Way. JP asks: Is it recommended to be able to play through at 100% speed repeatedly without mistakes before moving to the next lesson? Excited to learn more but don't want to be sloppy either. James answers: Hi JP, great question. The short answer: get it 80% perfect then move on, circling back to review in two lessons' time. Why? 1. Because getting stuck is no fun. 2. Because things that seem difficult now may seem easier after y...
#1 - How do I know when I know it?
September 03, 2020 01:41 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this episode we focus on Book 1 of The Ukulele Way. JP asks: Is it recommended to be able to play through at 100% speed repeatedly without mistakes before moving to the next lesson? Excited to learn more but don't want to be sloppy either. James answers: Hi JP, great question. The short answer: get it 80% perfect then move on, circling back to review in two lessons' time. Why? 1. Because getting stuck is no fun. 2. Because things that seem difficult now may seem easier after y...
How do I know when I know it?
September 03, 2020 01:41 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this episode we focus on Book 1 of The Ukulele Way. JP asks: Is it recommended to be able to play through at 100% speed repeatedly without mistakes before moving to the next lesson? Excited to learn more but don't want to be sloppy either. James answers: Hi JP, great question. The short answer: get it 80% perfect then move on, circling back to review in two lessons' time. Why? 1. Because getting stuck is no fun. 2. Because things that seem difficult now may seem easier after y...
Welcome to Uketropolis, a podcast with real ukulele answers to real ukulele questions.
September 01, 2020 16:00 - 2 minutes - 2.59 MBWelcome to Uketropolis with James Hill, a podcast with real ukulele answers to real ukulele questions.
Welcome to Uketropolis!
September 01, 2020 16:00 - 2 minutes - 2.59 MBWelcome to Uketropolis, a podcast with real ukulele answers to real ukulele questions. I'm your host, James Hill. I'm a lifelong ukulele player, teacher and believer in the power of ukulele to make positive change in the world. I've written and co-written several ukulele methods including Booster Uke, The Ukulele Way and Ukulele in the Classroom. I'm also the co-founder of the JHUI Teacher Certification Program and in 2019 I brought all of these education projects into one place and...