Tag Archives: relaxing ukulele

LIVE 168 • Monsarrat Ave (Kamaka HF-3D)

Fingerstyle, Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a recent recording of “Monsarrat Avenue.”  This original solo ukulele piece pays tribute to the mellow vibes of the area around Monsarrat Avenue, which runs near Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head towards Kapiolani Community College.  There are so many little things to love on (or just off) Monsarrat: the Honolulu Zoo and its fence with local artists selling their wares, the wafting of music from the Kapiolani Bandstand or the Waikiki Shell, Kapiolani Park itself with the powerful beauty of Leahi, Diamond Head, in the background; nearby is a lovely little district of restaurants and shops.  After that, you pass rows of Kaimuki homes with people riding their bikes on quiet side streets as Monsarrat Avenue meanders and changes name to Diamond Head Road; it then passes by Kapiolani Community College – home of a popular (crowded) weekly Farmer’s Market – and curls around the back side of Diamond Head.

Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Deluxe Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3D, high G with either Uke Logic Soft Tension or Ko’olau Aho strings, and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-27 flat wound third string) and a Telefunken M60 small diaphragm condenser microphone.

LIVE 155 • 4+ Minutes Ukulele Improvisation (Kamaka HF-3 Tenor)

Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s some improvisation I recorded one day on a standard Kamaka HF-3 tenor ukulele.  The Kamaka tenor is a classic ukulele sound – for strumming of course, but also for single note lines.  The strings are the stock Kamaka brand black nylon strings with a wound low G – the Kamaka nylon strings have a soothing, mellow, jazzy tone – but also some nice sparkle and definition.  It’s a classic set that wears well.  Hope you enjoy.

Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3, low G with stock Kamaka brand black nylon strings and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-30 flat wound fourth string) and a Neumann TLM 103 microphone.

LIVE 141 • “Horn” Improv – Nick Drake Uke Cover

Classic Rock, Live, Ukulele, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s an improv around Nick Drake’s “Horn” I recorded one day between takes of another song I was working on.  Appearing as a sort of interlude on the Pink Moon album, Horn is a fascinating little study of a song in its own right.  I love the simple, atmospheric melody, and think it translated well to ukulele.  Hope you enjoy.

Recorded with a Kamaka Koa Deluxe Tenor ukulele (Kamaka HF-3D, high G with Uke Logic Soft Tension strings and a Thomastik-Infeld CF-27 flat wound third string) and a Telefunken M60 microphone.