Talent And Skill On The Ukulele – Jake Shimabukuro

   I have to admit that I never really considered the Ukulele a very serious instrument. It seems so limited with only four strings and a two octave range. Of course, whenever an instrument can make music, it seems like someone comes along and masters it.

   I gained  a new appreciation for the Ukulele when I saw an amazing YouTube video by Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. His skill on the instrument is truly amazing and he has a rare talent for creating very moving arrangements of well loved songs. The video I have added to this post is of Jake playing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” written by George Harrison of The Beatles. It’s an amazing video to watch and Jake performed this same version on the Conan O’Brien show. His performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a huge hit on the Conan O’Brien show and prompted Conan to get up out of his chair and declare the performance as one of the best things he’s ever seen on the show.

   So enjoy the video of Jake Shimabukuro, I’ve also included a link to his website.

Jake Shimabukuro – While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Click for Jake Shimabukuro Website

Rogue Ukulele Starter PackThis uke kit is the real deal, not a toy. The neck is nicely shaped and finished in a satin lacquer to give it a great feel. The uke features a mahogany body, champion-style friction pegs, mahogany bridge, inlaid position markers, and Martin strings.

Epiphone Masterbilt UKE-500M Mahogany Ukulele Natural Satin Nickel Hardware*If you’ve got the urge to play serious ukulele, then this stunning model from Epiphone’s Masterbilt Collection will serve you well. Carefully crafted from solid mahogany, the body is expertly joined to the mahogany neck with a sturdy dovetail joint. Pearl dot inlays adorn the rosewood fingerboard. Nickel hardware. 13-5/8″ scale; 1-3/8″ nut width.

Martin Standard Series 3K Ukulele NaturalThe Martin 3K Ukulele is crafted with Hawaiian flamed koa top, back and sides —the traditional tonewood used for Hawaiian ukuleles — with a mahogany neck. Style 3 appointments, include a pointed fingerboard inlaid with black/white marquetry and a pointed ivoroid tail inlay. Loads of fun to play, the ukulele is tuned GCEA.