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The Live Ukulele Podcast

Brad Bordessa
108 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 21, 25

Join Brad Bordessa, a professional ukulele teacher and performer, for insightful deep-dives, interviews, and fun on The Live ʻUkulele Podcast! In these episodes you'll explore important uke lessons, hear first-hand stories from the Hawaiʻi music scene, and get to know some of the biggest names in the ukulele community.With a background in Hawaiian music, Brad approaches the ukulele from the intuitive side. Through tips and tricks to improve your mentality surrounding music and the philosophy of the ukulele, he provides encouragement and permission to explore this four-stringed instrument in an organic way that works best for you.Guests from Hawaiʻi and abroad join in to share heartfelt and insightful off-the-cuff conversations on a huge range of topics.Tune in every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month for a new episode and be sure to subscribe.

Episodes

This episode throws back to season 2, episode 14 when I talked to my friend, Isaac Wang, about the beginning of our music careers and the website. I also share an update on the George Kahumoku Slack Key & Ukulele Workshop.Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
Pronouncing the Hawaiian language correctly is one of the many important ways foreigners should respect the people, place, and culture of Hawaiʻi. In this episode, I walk through the basic pronunciation of Reverend Dennis Kamakahi's classic song, "Kōkeʻe."Follow along with the words here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XsKAZqHEMVpDwDKFnSXGCxOFxJEwqwIb/viewThis Kani Ka Pila Classics series on The Live ʻUkulele Podcast aims to provide malihini a better understanding of the lyrics to popular ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi kani ka pila songs. Since these songs are enthusiastically sung and strummed more often than others, they're also unknowingly mispronounced by more people.By ensuring you're saying the words correctly, you preserve the meaning of a song, demonstrate your effort to honor the language, and bring a greater depth to your presentation of Hawaiian music that can be both felt and heard.Because I am poʻe haole (caucasian) in Hawaiʻi who plays Hawaiian songs and has the privilege of playing ʻukulele for - and with - Hawaiians, I am extremely anal about using the correct pronunciation. These episodes are a small way that I can give back to the Hawaiian music scene by educating fellow malihini.I have studied Hawaiian at UH Maui with Leinoa Kong and Kīʻope Raymond, and later with Lanakila Mangauil, Kaliko Beamer-Trapp, and others. While I am not a fluent speaker, I am certainly versed enough to assist other English-first speakers in avoiding the main pitfalls of sung Hawaiian.Resources:-Hakalama practice: https://oleloonline.com/0404p-hakalama-practice/-Ka Alala with Malu States: https://www.kaalala.com/-Malu on pronouncing "Hawaiʻi": https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ky8xgn7appQSupport the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
Many people get caught up in the latest ukulele technique or strum they're learning and automatically add it to every song. This is a surefire way to make every song boring and cliche. It's important to step back and observe the overall effect of your musical choices as a critical listener. In this episode I share some thoughts on looking past your ego to serve music in the best way possible.Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
Singing is a wonderful way to accompany your ukulele playing. Anyone can use it to create more diverse arrangements and connect better to the expression of their music.In this episode I sit down with my friend, Joey Bradley, for a discussion and lesson on singing. Joey is a great singer and shares some tips that benefit all of us ukulele players who are less comfortable with our voices. I sing often on stage, but I wouldn't call myself a comfortable singer. Joey shares some tips and critiques my singing with some practical feedback.Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
Working musicians are often around loud sounds. Ukulele players not so much, but it can still have an impact on your hearing. In this episode I discuss some areas that I try to be cautious and provide some tips for saving your hearing.Kingside: https://kingside808.com/Andrew Talks to Awesome People hearing panel: https://www.youtube.com/live/KTJKsskbTxQ?si=sypX1ZYHpx8EA2UVSupport the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
In this rebroadcast of one of my favorite podcast interviews, I speak to songwriter and baritone uke rhythm whiz, Kelly Hyde.Kelly's site: https://www.kellyhydemusic.com/Kelly's music on Bandcamp: https://kellyhyde.bandcamp.com/Plug In ebook: https://liveukulele.com/store/plug-in/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
This episode celebrates the launch of my new ebook, Plug In! It's all about choosing the right gear and getting the settings right so you get the best sound out of your ukulele pickup. I share some stories from my evolution of understanding live sound and some of the best bloopers.Learn more about Plug In: https://liveukulele.com/store/plug-in/Hualalai: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1213820/episodes/14563632Point A: https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/album/point-aIf Only: https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/album/if-onlyEat You: https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/track/eat-youKingside: https://kingside808.com/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
This month's guest runs one of the most well-regarded online ukulele shops in the USA. Mim has been a longtime proponent of providing a setup for every instrument sold. In this episode we peek behind the veil of the ukulele selling business and find out why she brings a fret-rocker to NAMM!https://mimsukes.com/Fretboard Mastery For Uke mini-series: https://liveukulele.com/register/fretboard-mini-series/Join my newsletter: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
We often get over-determined to practice and play something. When is a good time to let go? In this episode I try to answer the question: when should I give up on a chord, song, or technique?Live Ukulele store: https://liveukulele.com/store/Ukulele Story by Herb Ohta, Jr.: https://www.herbohtajr.com/index/merchandise/recordings/ukulele_story.phpSupport the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/
Victoria aka Jiggy with Viggy joins the podcast for a fun exploration of arranging songs for ukulele, what it's like to be a big deal on social media, and how "Vicky" became "Viggy"!Jiggy with Viggy: https://jiggywithviggy.com/ @jiggywithviggyViggy's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jiggywithviggy-Jake Shimabukuro "Eleanor Rigby": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UM7CXjzXRA- James Hill "Viva La Vida": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIsvlEijJk8Support the showJoin my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resources: https://liveukulele.com/signup/Support the podcast: Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/register/supporting-member/?coupon=SUPPORT5 Buy video lessons or a book: https://liveukulele.com/store/ Use my Sweetwater affiliate link next time you need to buy some gear! https://sweetwater.sjv.io/9WbER0. Gear I use to create this podcast: https://liveukulele.com/about/my-gear/#recordingCREDITS- Hosted, produced, edited, and mixed by Brad Bordessa - Theme music by Brad Bordessa: "Fallout," "Eat You," and "Sister's Got a Gun" available on https://bradbordessa.bandcamp.com/