The Live Ukulele Podcast
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
105 episodes
Singing Expression & Lesson with Joey Bradley
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. He critiques my singin...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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55:23
Huh? What? My Plan For Not Going Deaf as a Musician
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.<...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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32:36
TLUP Classic: Kelly Hyde
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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1:06:13
Stories About Plugging In + New Uke Ebook
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 liv...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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47:53
Mim's Inside Scoop on Setups and the Ukulele Business
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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1:07:21
When to Give Up on Playing Something
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:
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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26:43
Jamming Under the Influence(r): Jiggy with Viggy
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:
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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1:03:25
Out With the Old, In With the New - Uke Style!
Welcome to the first episode of season 6 of the Live Ukulele Podcast! This week I share some updates and dig into the concept of "killing your babies," letting go of things that are holding you back in your music.- Changelog:
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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35:06
2024: Is it Over Yet? A Live Ukulele Review
Recap of 2024 and the challenges, successes, and plans for the future.- Ways to support: https://liveukulele.com/support/- Easy songs database:
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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38:44
Digesting my New Single: The Story and Arrangement Behind "Eat You"
This episode breaks down the meaning and arrangement of my new single, "Eat You." Hear the isolated multitracks and the story behind the humorous message.SHARE on FB: "Eat You" music video:
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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49:57
Kingside: Exploring Ensemble Playing with Brad's Band
In this episode, Brad is joined in the studio by the members of his band, Kingside: https://kingside808.com/. They talk about the process of creating interesting arrangements, playing as a unit, being self...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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1:17:30
September is Improv Month!
Several opportunities this month to learn improvising and soloing:- Zoom workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/9-28-24-workshop/Keep an eye our for my soloing...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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20:24
Eminent Ukulele with Kimo Hussey
A conversation with ukulele grandmaster, Uncle Kimo Hussey. We talk about his breaking into the scene as a fresh Air Force retiree, his approach to teaching, how he arranges, and much more.- Solo arranging workshop:
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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1:05:39
U-Basics - Bass for Ukulele Players
How to transition into the role of bass/U-bass player for simple ensemble playing. In this episode I provide some basic tips and thoughts on how to hold down a solid low end, find a responsible pocket, and be an asset to the band.
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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38:56
Bryan Tolentino: Professional Fairy Duster
A conversation with Hawaiʻi's own Bryan Tolentino on being a hired gun and all the skills and musical sensibilities that are required for the job. Bryan has played and recorded with many top Hawaiian musicians, including: Raiatea Helm, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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1:02:31
Too Much of a Good Thing? Notes on Learning
In this episode I muse on how social media has changed learning ukulele and how to get the most out of using TABs!- Kingside: https://www.kingside808.com/- The Music Lesson book by Victor W...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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36:01
Kevin Brown: Finding the Hawaiian Sound
In this episode I talk to Maui's own Kevin Brown. A slack key guitarist and vocalist, Uncle Kevin has been weaving Hawaiian sounds since the early 70s with his band, The Waiʻehu Sons. Now primarily a solo artist, we chatted about his start in m...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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1:02:10
TLUP: After Hours - Change Strings With Me
Some last minute talk story as I head to Maui for Uncle George's ukulele workshop.
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39:55
Spice Up Your Covers with New Genres
In this episode I discuss and demonstrate the power of playing the same song in different styles. This trick can help you find inspiration and an interpretation of a stale song that can be more authentic to what you want to hear!
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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34:12
Learning a Song ALL the Way Through
Can you get by with piece of a song or do you really need the whole thing?- Moveable chord shapes workshop replay: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27-24-workshop/- ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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29:23
I'm a Proud Uke Student at the School of Hard Knocks
Sharing some stories and thoughts on receiving critique and the power of being open.Register for my Basic Moveable Chord Shapes workshop: https://liveukulele.com/register/4-27...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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37:00
4stringboy: Shredding, lack thereof, and innovating a new thumbpick design
Sammy Turton is a Denmark-based British ukulele player. He teaches out of a studio in Copenhagen and is a top-notch social media era virtuoso who would often rather create soundscapes than shred. In this conversation we covered teachin...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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1:00:40
The Most Important Part of Jamming Your Uke
In this episode I talk about how to improve your timing, how it's not as hard as people think, and give some examples of what to practice.🔥 Sign up for my Understanding the Fretboard Zoom Workshop:
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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50:03
Hualalai Keohuloa: Rock Music is Hawaiian Too
Some of the very best artists in Hawaiʻi are unknown outside of 50 miles. So is the case with my friend, Hualalai. In this episode we talk about all music being "Hawaiian" if you have Hawaiian blood, the importance of music/ukulele in day-to-da...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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1:05:51
Using Better Arranging to Take Your Ukulele Playing to the Next Level
Some thoughts on how to vary your song approach and arrangement to create dynamics, emotion, and interest. Don't work super hard on learning to pick every syllable, instead use broad strokes within your playing and get more results for your eff...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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49:27