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
Practicing ʻukulele is the most critical part of playing to get right. All of your work here compounds into your skills. Just practicing any ol' way can work, but you're often leaving progress on the table.
Here are some actionable tips to help you improve your productivity in the woodshed and get more musical skill along with your ʻukulele chops.
Join my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new ...
In this episode I talk to Maui's own, Vince Esquire! He's one of the most original-sounding ukulele players you'll run across and he lends his shredding skills to an all-ukulele band, Kanekoa. We chat about learning on tour with big name artists, the hustle of music, and playing soulful ukulele.
- Funkulele album: https://open.spotify.com/album/1biKk7u5cw3p5AfhdSWv1J
- Kanekoa: https://www.kanekoasounds.com/
- Fender Smolder pedal: http...
These things make me want to pull my hair out! Let's explore them together and learn what *not* to do to become better, more insightful ukulele players.
Whether letting your ego get out of control, playing over the top of everything, over-shyness, staying glued to your sheet music, or asking too many questions, these things are some of the top ways to become the world's most annoying ukulele player!
In this episode I chat with Jessica Maeve, a singer, songwriter, and ukulele player hard at work forging a path in music. Our conversation takes us from singing tips to gigging with the ukulele as a main instrument where it's not expected.
- Jessica's website: https://www.jessicamaeve.com/
- Jessica's Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/06LzkhEMItktSTIvLkzYxI
This episode is inspired by my old car that just keeps going. With some DIY adjustments, you can get the very best out of even a crappy ukulele. I discuss changing strings, adjusting the saddle height, and adjusting the nut height, along with a couple other little tips.
- Tie bridge/slot headstock restringing video: https://youtu.be/mUbvUMxhSEA?si=Veid7MXceNJFgHpj
- Thru-bridge/normal...
In this episode I chat with Marc Gallagher in the UK about writing songs on the ukulele, teaching kids, and how being honest and open is necessary and important, even if it sometimes gets you in trouble. He's a real deal working musician who's transparent perspective is refreshing. I very much enjoyed this interview and hope you do too.
- Marc's website: https://www.marcgallaghermusic.com/
- Marc's Bandcamp: https://marcgallaghermusi...
Welcome to 2026! In this episode I share some insight on how playing simple things one way or another drastically changes the sound of the music. We'll listen to some practical examples so you can start hearing the possibilities in your own playing.
- TOOL in Honolulu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmrRkcuhPJk
- "Black Hole Sun" baritone playthru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dqEiHg2Fm0
- Moises.ai: https://moises.ai/
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 resources: https:/...
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 new lessons and a...
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 my newsletter! It's free and I won't spam you. Get updates on new lessons and a...
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-lessons/
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://liveukulele.com...
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 confused with this pod...
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/
Support the podcast:
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 Podcast aims to prov...
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 resources: https://liveuku...
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