Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/fusing-ukulele-jazz-big-bands-tuup114/ What happens when you rearrange a Western Ukulele Instrumental Concept Album for Jazz Big Band? This Week Aldrine and Mike are sharing their experience playing and planning for the KCC Jazz Festival. We start off with a relatively quick convers…

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/essential-festival-items-tuup113/ What are Essential Items you bring to a Festival? Do you even need to bring an Ukulele to a Festival, and should you bring your most “Expensive Ukulele” or should you bring a “Beater”? The team tries to help a viewer define a group of notes, and e…

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/memorizing-without-sheet-music-tuup112/Is Sheet Music necessary for Memorizing a song? In this Week’s Podcast Aldrine will show you how you can build your Music Instincts; Memorize songs using Numbers and Feelings; and play the “Wrong” Chord while playing the “Right” Song. We’re g…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/tapping-in-two-minutes-tuup111/ Learn how to Tap in 2 Minutes! This week, the guys are challenging Aldrine to teach a Tapping Riff as fast as he can. After Aldrine’s Tapping Speedrun, he explains the theory behind Tapping. The Team discuss learning Party Trick Riffs vs learning to…

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/building-confidence-through-little-oopsies-tuup110/ What does Pirate Ships, Sister Act and Building Confidence have in common? Answer: This Week’s Ukulele Underground Podcast. The guys start off the Podcast by playing their Song Submissions for the Songwriting Challenge, and making p…

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/scrappy-youth-vs-mature-musician-tuup109/ What is the difference between a Scrappy, Up and Coming Musician VS a Mature Musician who has been around the block? What are the traits of Inexperienced Players and what are the qualities of Tasteful Players? What Jamming Faux Pas should you…

Show Notes and Timestamp: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/harsh-truth-among-impostors-tuup108/ What was a Harsh Truth Aldrine needed to face in order to improve as an Ukulele Player? Aldrine shares the precise moment when someone gave him a “Harsh Truth” that pushed him to being a better player. We also hear how Aldrine learned to grow from …

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/03/warm-ups-that-make-you-swole-tuup107/ Learn these Secret Warm-Ups that will maximize your (Finger) Muscles, and get you SWOLE! Before Aldrine reveals his secrets to the perfect Warm-Ups, he talks about his busy Weekend spent going to an awesome concert, and hanging out with Ukulele H…

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/first-gig-fumbles-tuup106/ We’re taking a retrospective look back at Aldrine’s first unpaid Gig vs his first paid Gig. Aldrine also reveals the source of his Stage Anxiety, and if he regrets making mistakes while on stage. The guys give suggestions for playing odd time signatures bef…

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/entering-the-flow-state-tuup105/ Today, the guys are joined by Mike "INSERT NICKNAME HERE" Odo to help explain what the "Flow State" is, and how musicians find themselves in that state. Before the guys dive into this topic, you know that they have to take a couple of detours talking …

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/the-first-roadblock-tuup104/ What was the first Roadblock Aldrine experienced? Aldrine explains the first situational Roadblock he ran in to on his uke journey, then he tells what song and technique he faced as a Roadblock. The guys also discuss the importance of figuring out music b…

Show Notes and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/02/how-to-spice-up-boring-strumming-tuup193/ Is Strumming “Boring” for you? This Week, UU tackles why people get Bored with Strumming, and the different ways you can take a “Boring” strum and Spice it up! Before the team unveils their Spicy Secrets, Aldrine demonstrates Arpeggios and wh…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/01/apologetic-harmonics-tuup102/ The podcast continues from last Week when Aldrine explains Harmonics and how he used it to play Creep with Cynthia Lin. Before Aldrine demonstrates the many types of Harmonics (Natural, Artificial, Chordal, and Pinch), we expose the “High” budget of the podca…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/01/revisiting-bodysurfing-tuup101/ What is Aldrine listening to? We start off this week’s podcast with Aldrine talking about revisiting and reinventing Bodysurfing which leads into a discussion on what Ukulele Music he’s been listening to. A member ask how would Aldrine tackle learning a dif…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/01/favorite-moments-tuup100/ For our 100th Episode, we have Funkmaster Mike returning to share what were his Favorite Moments from the Past 100 Episodes. Before the guys share their favorite Podcast Memories, Mike talks about going to the Rose Bowl. The crew also discusses Ideal Action Heigh…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/01/award-winning-podcast-tuup99/ CAN YOU SMELL WHAT UKULELE UNDERGROUND IS COOKING? You are now listening to An AWARD WINNING Podcast. The team is flying high after their recent Ukies Award. This podcast is definitely packed with all the quality (Power Rangers, Wrestling, Legends of the Hidd…

Show Notes and Link: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/12/the-chord-tone-rabbit-hole-tuup98/ For the last podcast of the year, the guys ask Aldrine what Music "Rabbit Hole" he got into this year? Aldrine list several Music Obsessions he's had this year, but the most noteworthy is Chord Tone Soloing. He explains what Chord Tone Soloing is, and how…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/12/the-3-keys-to-ukulele-success/ What 3 Keys should you learn before joining a jam? Aldrine list songs in these 3 keys that will help you learn and familiarize yourself with the chords and notes in the keys. The guys talk about practicing with Backing Tracks and how Playing Along to the ori…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/12/the-best-holiday-uke-songs-tuup96/ The UU Boys are sharing what Holiday Uke Songs they blast during the season. Along the way, the guys get sidetracked with stories of musician's enjoying their own music, and get into their favorite non-uke Christmas Songs. Aldrine also offers advice for …

Show Notes and Video Podcast: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/11/sheet-music-vs-music-theory-tuup95/ What is more important: learning to read Sheet Music or learning Music Theory? The UU team discuss the value of both, and how much you actually need to be a proficient uke player. Alongside this topic, Aldrine demonstrates how he's still discove…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/11/our-biggest-buyers-remorse-tuup94/Being the last podcast before Thanksgiving (and Black Friday), Aldrine shares what accessories are great buys, and which ones have caused him buyer's remorse. The guys also cover why you should learn different chord positions, their opinions on woun…

Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/11/string-wars-return-of-g-tuup93/ Aldrine Guerrero has returned to his home podcast of K-Town in an attempt to rescue his friend, Aaron "The Voice" from the clutches of the vile gangster, Colonel K. Little does Aldrine know that the GALACTIC UNDERGROUND has secretly begun construction on a …

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/11/making-fancy-chords-easy-tuup92/ This Week Aldrine is demystifying and demonstrating "Fancy Chords" aka "Neal Chords". Aldrine shows his favorite "Easy" Fancy Chords and how you could substitute them in chord patterns. As the podcast progresses, Aldrine dives deeper into the chordal…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/10/fingerpicking-fingerstyle-chord-melody-oh-my-tuup91/What is the difference between Fingerpicking, Fingerstyle and Chord Melody? With Fingerpicking being thrown around as a catch-all term, we ask Aldrine what his definition of Fingerpicking is and how is it different from Fingersty…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/10/overlooked-music-skills-tuup90/This week, the guys are having a discussion about music skills that are overlooked by beginners, but essential to being a better musician. Aldrine makes his argument of Form, Phrasing and Playing with Others. Mike adds in Listening, and Slowing Down. K…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/10/woodshed-the-musicians-hyperbolic-chamber-tuup89/ Musicians say you need to lock yourself in a Woodshed and Practice to get better. We think the term should be updated to training in a Hyperbolic Chamber. This week, Aaron ask Aldrine what Woodshedding means to him, and what are exam…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/10/why-is-ukulele-great-for-songwriting-tuup88/ Funkmaster Mike is back this week to give his tips for Songwriting. The guys start off the podcast explaining why the Ukulele is great for Songwriting. Aldrine shares his suggestions for getting out of a 4 chord loop, while Mike passes …

Show Notes and Video Podcast: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/10/straight-vs-curly-koa-tuup87/ Straight VS Curly Koa. Glossy VS Satin Finishes. Aldrine explains the differences and gives examples of ukuleles that use Straight and Curly Koas, and ukuleles with Glossy and Satin Finishes. Before diving into that, Aldrine gives his secret remedy fo…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/09/ukuleles-biggest-misconceptions-the-ukulele-underground-podcast-86/ It's a special Aldrine and Kahai show at home. Because Aaron is taking a break this week, Kahai throws some hard hitting questions at Aldrine like what musicians would he want to see use uke more, and what are the…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/09/aldrine-and-aarons-stories-from-the-road-tuup85/ The boys are back, and ready to share some stories from the road. Before they jump into it, Aldrine demonstrates the most common problem people have with bending and how they can fix it. The guys thank everyone for coming to their sho…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/09/music-snobbery-elitism-magic-mike-tuup84/ We're making Magic Mike work on his own Birthday. Mike is back to share what instrumentals he thinks should be translated to ukulele, if you need to play in the original key, and if it's wrong to play with sheet music. Arguing against him (n…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/08/top-3-underrated-influential-ukulele-songs-tuup83/ Here are Aldrine's Top 3 Underrated Influential Songs. Do you agree, do you think there are more underrated ukulele songs that deserve to be on the list? Before Aldrine list his Top 3 Underrated songs, he lists some appropriately ra…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/08/the-songs-that-made-us-tuup82/ On this week's podcast Aldrine reveals, the first song he learned, and the first (couple) songs he was proud to have learned. Aldrine also explains what makes a good first song, and what made him proud to learn I'll Be Your Baby Tonight and Guava Jam…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/08/tremolo-through-the-ages-the-ukulele-tuup81/ We hope you're hungry for some Tremolo action because in this Week's podcast, Aldrine will demonstrate every alternative to picking with your thumb nail. The guys discuss the trade-offs to each style of tremolo, and how it is a specialty …

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/08/top-3-ukulele-players-with-the-best-tone-tuup80/ Which Ukulele Players have the best tone? On the first Monday Ukulele Underground Podcast, we're grilling Aldrine on who he thinks has the best tone in the Ukulele World. Aldrine narrows down his list to 3 (with some honorable menti…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/07/the-best-chord-melody-song-tuup79/ What makes While My Guitar Gently Weeps the Best Chord Melody Song? The podcast starts with the UU team contemplating dying while playing ukulele, and what happens to your ukulele postmortem. Aldrine demonstrates what goes into a simple Chord Mel…

Video Podcast & Show notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/06/new-strings-new-mindset-tuup78/ How long do you try new strings before you switch them out? The UU force is back to answer this question, and more on this week's podcast. Aldrine shares some of his favorite places that they performed at, and what effects pedals he thinks works well …

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/06/bass-underground-tuup77/ The Bass has taken over the Underground! With Aldrine out of the office, the guys get to probe Mike for his thoughts and opinions on U-Bass, Gummy Strings, and finding a good teacher. The B-Team also discuss instrument preferences, how useful Skill "Rankings…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/06/ukulele-for-sausage-fingers-tuup76/ If you have Sausage Fingers should you play a bigger ukulele, or should you stick to the traditional sizes? Mike argues for bigger ukuleles for Sausage Fingered Individuals. Aldrine argues for people buying the instrument that they want. We also…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/05/heavy-instruments-odd-reggae-tuup75/ Magical Funkmaster Mike is making his return to the podcast to discuss everything from Reggae in odd time signatures to the weight of instruments affecting their sounds. We also deliberate our favorite tonewoods, stealth tuners vs gilbert tuner…

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/05/sammy-six-fingers-tuup74/ Meet the Ukulele Player with Six Fingers (not really), Sammy Turton. Sammy is a "Magical" Ukulele Player who specializes in Harmonics and Fingerstyle. Being a fellow Video Game lover, the guys talk about Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Persona 5, and Video …

Video Podcast & Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/05/the-ukulele-bible-tuup73/ We've uncovered the holy ukulele relic that not only influenced Aldrine, but a generation of ukulele players, and Ukulele Underground as a whole. Watch as Aldrine fanboys over the recording of the Ukulele Bible aka Pure Heart's Hot Hawaiian Nights. We prod …

Show Notes and Video Podcast: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/04/a-serious-ukulele-podcast-tuup72/ A Serious Ukulele podcast for Seriously Serious people. NO jokes, NO 90's cartoon references, NO video games, and definitely NO wrestling. This week, we are only answering the most serious questions like modifying your uke for strings, plugging in…

Video Podcast and Show Notes: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/04/hot-seat-podcast-tuup71/ You're watching the Hot Seat! It's the podcast with hot questions and even hotter seats! Today, we're joined by Magic Mike. On a totally normal Podcast, the guys are answering questions about classical guitar strings, t shirt collections, and calluses. The…

Video Podcast, Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/03/everybody-makes-mistakes-tuup70/ While this podcast is all about making mistakes, and moving on, there was absolutely no technical or audio mistakes during the filming (sarcasm). We might have had a little bumpy start, but the 4 amigos are back this week to give tips on Fir…

"A humble ramen shop coming to Logan Square in 2023" by the one and only Ramen Lord. This shop could be the most anticipated ramen shop of our lifetime. In this episode, I candidly chat with friend, fellow ramen freak, and soon to be King of ramen in Chicago. Be prepared for a long episode. No edits, no cuts, just raw Ramen Lord cooked to perfectio…

Video Podcast, Show Notes and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/03/let-the-hate-solo-tuup69/ "Good! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate Solo through you!" Biggest Lord of the Rings Fan, Matt Dahlberg, joins us this week to only talk about Lord of the Rings. We might also discuss Soloing, Warped Ukes, Travis Picking, Arranging S…

Video Podcast, Show Notes, & Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/02/casual-name-dropping-tuup68-ft-brittni-paiva/ Three Time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Winner Brittni Paiva, joins the UU Crew this week. We learn about Brittni's accolades and famous collaborations. We also get advice from Brittni ranging from production tips to travelling pointer…

Video Podcast, Show Notes, and Links: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2023/02/mini-uke-mashups/ This week we're discussing Mini Ukes, Glossy Finishes, Flamenco tips, Mashups and Medleys. Some Congrats are in order for Aldrine's new baby, and Aldrine explains what he's been doing the past week. Mike shares stories and highlights Ukulele Retail in 202…

Today's guests are Chef Daisuke Watanabe of Ramen Feel in Tokyo, Japan and Chef Erik Bentz of Cafe Mochiko in Cincinnati, OH with a special appearance by everyone's favorite apprentice, Jeffrey The Wang. On January 8, 2023, two incredible ramen chefs from two completely different backgrounds came together through the power of ramen and made our ram…