In this final episode of Season 3, we tackle a thorny musical question: how can your ukulele be in tune and still play out of tune? It's a question that will take us on a fascinating listening journey. Ultimately, you'll discover why tuning to the song may be the only way around this tuning paradox.

In this final episode of Season 3, we tackle a thorny musical question: how can your ukulele be in tune and still play out of tune? It's a question that will take us on a fascinating listening journey. Ultimately, you'll discover why tuning to the song may be the only way around this tuning paradox.

The Tuning Paradox

Jazz teaches us many things. Even if we're not playing jazz, we can apply the lessons learned to many areas of music-making. In this episode: how jazz teaches us to do more with less (e.g. easier ways to play the B-flat chord), and how jazz encourages us to find our own personal musical style (e.g. artfully re-writing a melody to fit within a smaller range of notes).

Jazz teaches us many things. Even if we're not playing jazz, we can apply the lessons learned to many areas of music-making. In this episode: how jazz teaches us to do more with less (e.g. easier ways to play the B-flat chord), and how jazz encourages us to find our own personal musical style (e.g. artfully re-writing a melody to fit within a smaller range of notes).

What everyone can learn from jazz ukulele

There's an open question in the ukulele community: what to do when the tuning of the baritone doesn't mesh with the tuning of the other ukuleles in an ensemble? In this episode we explore this vexed question and as well as some possible solutions. BONUS: this episode includes a preview of my ukulele-orchestra arrangement of George Bizet's "Farandole." It's a banger.

There's an open question in the ukulele community: what to do when the tuning of the baritone doesn't mesh with the tuning of the other ukuleles in an ensemble? In this episode we explore this vexed question and as well as some possible solutions. BONUS: this episode includes a preview of my ukulele-orchestra arrangement of George Bizet's "Farandole." It's a banger.

Cliffhanger

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a bridge between standard tuning and baritone tuning? Turns out, there is! In this episode: how to make the transposition between standard and baritone tuning in the most painless way possible.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a bridge between standard tuning and baritone tuning? Turns out, there is! In this episode: how to make the transposition between standard and baritone tuning in the most painless way possible.

A Bridge Between Tunings

Are your hands too small for baritone ukulele? Probably not. That being said, there's one chord that might give you trouble: the diminished 7. In this episode: a workaround for the diminished 7 that works on all sizes of ukulele, not just baritone.

Are your hands too small for baritone ukulele? Probably not. That being said, there's one chord that might give you trouble: the diminished 7. In this episode: a workaround for the diminished 7 that works on all sizes of ukulele, not just baritone.

Show of Hands

A bonus lightning round of the most common baritone-ukulele questions. 

A bonus lightning round of the most common baritone-ukulele questions.

Baritone Bonus!

People who love baritone ukulele really love baritone ukulele. Why? We kick off Baritone Month with a simple question: "What makes baritone ukulele so great?"

People who love baritone ukulele really love baritone ukulele. Why? We kick off Baritone Month with a simple question: "What makes baritone ukulele so great?"

Baritone: What's the Big Deal?

This month is all about our favourite BIG ukulele. Welcome to the land of D-G-B-E tuning! Tune in starting next week for episodes about the benefits of baritone, how to make the transition to bari painlessly and how to better understand the place of the baritone in ukulele ensembles. #BariIsBeautiful

This month is all about our favourite BIG ukulele. Welcome to the land of D-G-B-E tuning! Tune in starting next week for episodes about the benefits of baritone, how to make the transition to bari painlessly and how to better understand the place of the baritone in ukulele ensembles. #BariIsBeautiful

June is Baritone Month!

Navigating the ukulele fretboard is a bit like playing chess: sometimes it's mathematical, other times it's intuitive. Because there's no perfect solution for left-hand fingering it's a perennial topic among players of all levels. In this episode I offer three principles you can use when coming up with your own fretboard fingerings.The examples in this episode come from Americana Ukulele, the latest Uketropolis online course. Click here to get two free lessons.

Navigating the ukulele fretboard is a bit like playing chess: sometimes it's mathematical, other times it's intuitive. Because there's no perfect solution for left-hand fingering it's a perennial topic among players of all levels. In this episode I offer three principles you can use when coming up with your own fretboard fingerings.The examples in this episode come from <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Americana Ukulele</a>, the latest Uketropolis online course. <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to get two free lessons</a>.

My Three Principles for Left-hand Fingering

It's one of the most common student questions: when I'm improvising or composing, how do I know which notes to use? In this bonus episode, we explore practical and intuitive ways to create melody. Spoiler alert: in the end, there's only one scale you absolutely need to know...

It's one of the most common student questions: when I'm improvising or composing, how do I know which notes to use? In this bonus episode, we explore practical and intuitive ways to create melody. Spoiler alert: in the end, there's only one scale you absolutely need to know...

How do I know which notes to noodle on?

Every week Uketropolis.com founder James Hill answers student questions about playing ukulele and interviews innovative ukulele educators.

Booster Uke is one of the most popular courses at Uketropolis for good reason. Who wouldn't want to learn easy ways to play Blues, Gospel, Pop and Jazz tunes? It's pure musical magic courtesy of a fretboard phenomenon called Chord Twins. But what happens at the fringes of the Chord Twin concept? What happens when we stop analyzing and, instead, use pure intuition to navigate the fretboard?

<a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/boosteruke" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Booster Uke</a> is one of the most popular courses at Uketropolis for good reason. Who wouldn't want to learn easy ways to play Blues, Gospel, Pop and Jazz tunes? It's pure musical magic courtesy of a fretboard phenomenon called Chord Twins. But what happens at the fringes of the Chord Twin concept? What happens when we stop analyzing and, instead, use pure intuition to navigate the fretboard?

Fringe Twins

Alex Beds interviews James on his Ukes With Podcast. Get to know Alex better: Ukes With Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ukeswithalex/episodes  Alex's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ukeswithalex  Alex's Website and Original Songs: https://www.alexbeds.co.uk/  Southern Ukulele Store: https://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk 

Alex Beds interviews James on his Ukes With Podcast. Get to know Alex better:<ul> <li>Ukes With Podcast: <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ukeswithalex/episodes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ukeswithalex/episodes</a> </li> <li>Alex's YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/ukeswithalex" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/ukeswithalex</a> </li> <li>Alex's Website and Original Songs: <a href="https://www.alexbeds.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.alexbeds.co.uk/</a> </li> <li>Southern Ukulele Store: <a href="https://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk</a> </li></ul>

Alex Beds Interviews... James!

Brad Bordessa

Brad Bordessa's new online course brings important elements of traditional Hawaiian teaching into the digital age. It's a brave new approach to online education... and it might just work.

Brad Bordessa's new online course brings important elements of traditional Hawaiian teaching into the digital age. It's a brave new approach to online education... and it might just work.

Brad Bordessa's Brave New Approach To Online Teaching

Slide ukulele slows us down and helps us savour the music we make. Here's how to get started with this beautiful style right away: an easy, gentle and fun introduction to the "slow uke movement." Bonus: get two free slide ukulele lessons with me here: https://www.uketropolis.com/slide. Enjoy!

Slide ukulele slows us down and helps us savour the music we make. Here's how to get started with this beautiful style right away: an easy, gentle and fun introduction to the "slow uke movement." Bonus: get two free slide ukulele lessons with me here: <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/slide" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.uketropolis.com/slide</a>. Enjoy!

Slide Ukulele

What does it mean to explore the fretboard in all directions? It brings discoveries at every turn: move across the strings for speed and efficiency and or along a single string to gain understanding. To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to uketropolis.com/podcast  Get two free lessons from my new course Americana Ukulele. Go to uketropolis.com/americana 

What does it mean to explore the fretboard in all directions? It brings discoveries at every turn: move across the strings for speed and efficiency and or along a single string to gain understanding.<ul> <li>To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">uketropolis.com/podcast</a> </li> <li>Get <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">two free lessons</a> from my new course Americana Ukulele. <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go to uketropolis.com/americana</a> </li></ul>

North, South, East and West

What is the jazz strum and how can it be so simple given the complexity of jazz? Find out in this episode.  To discover the world of ukulele jazz, go to: www.uketropolis.com/jazz or www.uketroplis.com/baritonejazz (get a free lesson!) To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to uketropolis.com/podcast (it's free to attend).

What is the jazz strum and how can it be so simple given the complexity of jazz? Find out in this episode. <ul> <li>To discover the world of ukulele jazz, go to: <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/jazz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.uketropolis.com/jazz</a> or <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/baritonejazz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.uketroplis.com/baritonejazz</a> (get a free lesson!)</li> <li>To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">uketropolis.com/podcast</a> (it's free to attend).</li></ul>

The Jazz Strum [BONUS]

Why is the ukulele better at dancing (i.e. rhythm) than it is at singing (i.e. lyrical melody playing)? What can we do to get the most lyrical sound from the ukulele? Find out in this episode of the podcast. To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to uketropolis.com/podcast  Get two free lessons from my new course Americana Ukulele. Go to uketropolis.com/americana 

Why is the ukulele better at dancing (i.e. rhythm) than it is at singing (i.e. lyrical melody playing)? What can we do to get the most lyrical sound from the ukulele? Find out in this episode of the podcast.<ul> <li>To join the next live taping of the Uketropolis Podcast, go to <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">uketropolis.com/podcast</a> </li> <li>Get <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">two free lessons</a> from my new course Americana Ukulele. <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Go to uketropolis.com/americana</a> </li></ul>

Song and Dance

Join me on a new musical adventure as we explore the wide-open spaces of Americana Ukulele! Watch my performance of "Are You My Sunshine": https://youtu.be/OsAMEyCStxQ  Get 2 free lessons on slide ukulele: https://www.uketropolis.com/slide  Sign up for the full Americana Ukulele course: https://www.uketropolis.com/americana 

Join me on a new musical adventure as we explore the wide-open spaces of Americana Ukulele!<ul> <li>Watch my performance of "Are You My Sunshine": <a href="https://youtu.be/OsAMEyCStxQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/OsAMEyCStxQ</a> </li> <li>Get 2 free lessons on slide ukulele: <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/slide" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.uketropolis.com/slide</a> </li> <li>Sign up for the full Americana Ukulele course: <a href="https://www.uketropolis.com/americana" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.uketropolis.com/americana</a> </li></ul>

Americana Ukulele Has Landed

My new online course, Americana Ukulele, is coming out on Thursday, March 9th! The course includes lessons on bottleneck slide ukulele, clawhammer, three-finger bluegrass picking, Travis picking, mandolin-style chords and flatpicking. It's gonna be big fun. Join me on March 9th for a special episode of the podcast; I'll walk you through the course and demonstrate the songs and techniques it includes.

My new online course, Americana Ukulele, is coming out on Thursday, March 9th! The course includes lessons on bottleneck slide ukulele, clawhammer, three-finger bluegrass picking, Travis picking, mandolin-style chords and flatpicking. It's gonna be big fun. Join me on March 9th for a special episode of the podcast; I'll walk you through the course and demonstrate the songs and techniques it includes.

Recognize This Little Ditty?

One of my favourite episodes from the podcast archives, this is "House of Mirrors." It combines creativity, pedagogy and technology in a novel way that can bring more excitement into your own ukulele practice. Join me on the first Thursday of every month for Uketropolis LIVE! on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jameshillmusiq/streams. Bring a question; these conversations become future episodes of the podcast. See you there!

One of my favourite episodes from the podcast archives, this is "House of Mirrors." It combines creativity, pedagogy and technology in a novel way that can bring more excitement into your own ukulele practice. Join me on the first Thursday of every month for Uketropolis LIVE! on my YouTube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jameshillmusiq/streams" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@jameshillmusiq/streams</a>. Bring a question; these conversations become future episodes of the podcast. See you there!

House of Mirrors

Every week <a href="http://Uketropolis.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uketropolis.com</a> founder James Hill answers student questions about playing ukulele and interviews innovative ukulele educators.

Uketropolis: Ukulele Q&A with James Hill

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!