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
In this season finale episode I share some updates about my work and a realization about character in ukulele styles.
- Become a member: https://liveukulele.com/register/member/
- Step By Step: Single String Picking (GCEA & DGBE versions): https://liveukulele.com/store/step-by-step-picking/
Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resource...
Maia is an instrumental ukulele virtuoso from Oʻahu who accompanies her playing with a wonder singing voice! She DJs dance parties and incorporates the uke into EDM genres.
In this episode we chat about artistry and forging a fresh path.
This interview is from earlier in the year. Check out @maiashizue for the latest on Maia's journey!
Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on ne...
In this episode I sit down with Dizzi Diamond to talk about music, freestyling, beauty, and her 8-string baritone ukulele.
- Dizzi's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DizziDiamond1212
- Brad @ Slack Key Show: https://www.showclix.com/event/brad-kevin-shem-sept10-2025
- "Pandanus" baritone TAB: https://liveukulele.gumroad.com/l/mbuiwv
Join me for some thoughts on ukulele week and how the uke isn't Portuguese, what it's like to have nervous students, and why "perfect" kinda sucks.
- Step By Step picking ebook: https://liveukulele.com/store/step-by-step-picking/
- Dagan & Da Kine Sound: https://www.instagram.com/da_kine_sound/
- Kingside: https://www.youtube.com/@Kingside808
- Private lessons with Brad: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-less...
A quick reflection on dancing around the other musicians you play with. Push, pull, be dynamic!
Join 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:/...
Here's the conversation with one of my main mentors that we're all been waiting for! Truly just scratching the surface of the stories this amazing man can tell from his life. If you enjoy Uncle's stories, check out his hilarious books, A Hawaiian Life and A Hawaiian Life Vol. 2.
- Uncle George's website: https://kahumoku.com/
- Slack Key Show website: https://slackkeyshow.com/
- The Ukulele Podcast (not to be confuse...
In this episode I talk to next-generation slack key/ukulele player, Keʻala Lindsey, about learning by osmosis, Hawaiian immersion, and songs that don't land well with local boys.
Keʻala's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ke.alamokihana/
Join 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/
Suppo...
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.
Join 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:
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/view
This Kani Ka Pila Classics series on The Live ʻUkulele Podca...
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.
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 ca...
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=sypX1ZYHpx8EA2UV
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/
Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and access to exclusive resour...
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/14563632
- Point A: https://b...
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!
Fretboard Mastery For Uke mini-series: https://liveukulele.com/register/fretboard-mini-series/
Join my newsletter: http...
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.php
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/
@jiggywithviggy
Viggy's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jiggywithviggy
-Jake Shimabukuro "Eleanor Rigby": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
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: https://liveukulele.com/updates/
- Baritone learning philosophy: https://liveukulele.com/baritone/learning-philosophy/
Recap of 2024 and the challenges, successes, and plans for the future.
- Ways to support: https://liveukulele.com/support/
- Easy songs database: https://liveukulele.com/songs/easy-ukulele-songs/
- Workshop replays: https://liveukulele.com/store/#replays
- Get a Zoom lesson with me: https://liveukulele.com/store/one-on-one-lessons/
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: https://www.facebook.com/61556463131359/videos/374799105684672
- NEW Soloing Masterclass: https://liveukulele.com/store/soloing-masterclass/
- Become a supporting member: https://liveukulele.com/registe...
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