UKE Magazine April 2018 Song Contest

April Ukulele Song Contest!

UKE Magazine has teamed up with Logjam to offer a song competition inspired by the theme of Spring! The competition will be judged by the three members of The League Of Ukulele Gentlemen, and entries must be in by the end of April 2018.

On offer to the winner is fantastic Logjam Travelog stompbox, giving you rhythm while you strum! The winner will also receive a care kit for your new instrument, plus it will be personalised with your name!

Rules

* To enter, record your song on video and send an email or private message with a link (preferred), or post it to the UKE Magazine page. It will be featured/shared to the main UKE Magazine Facebook page in due course.

* Worldwide entries allowed - but the Logjam prize can only be sent in the UK. In the event the winner is from outside the UK, the winner will get a year's UKE Magazine subscription, and the stompbox will go to a UK runner-up.

* Original songs and covers are allowed, but must have a connection to the theme of 'spring'. The judges have final say on whether the song fits the theme!

* All recordings MUST be made for this competition - entering something previously recorded is not allowed.

* All recordings MUST mention the video is for this competition, either spoken at the beginning of the video, or mentioned in a caption.

* Your video can, but doesn't have to feature you playing and singing.

* No instrumentals for this competition please - it's too hard to say they connect with the theme.

* Other instruments are allowed but videos must feature ukulele prominently.

* Groups can enter, but only one prize is given.

*Closing date 30 April 2018

* The judges decision is final

Issue 13 - Competition

For Issue 13's competition, you can win a Bohemian Oil Can ukulele. To do so, you'll need to download and print 'Mr Parbulele', the mascot of the Parbold-based ukulele festival. Details of how to win are in the magazine, which can be ordered from the magazine shop.

Click the image below to open an A4 pdf which you print or save to your device.

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Issue 13 - Pachelbel's Canon Arrangement

In Issue 13 of UKE Magazine, I have shared an arrangement of Pachelbel's canon. While you can play it at any speed you fancy, and interchange the different sections as you wish - this is how the original version would sound if you stick rigidly to my arrangement.

You can order Issue 13 here - http://worldofukes.co.uk/uke-magazine-shop/uke-magazine-issue-13

Kala Elite USA Made Ukes - 35% Discount

KALA ELITE UKULELES NOW HAVE 35% OFF!

These handmade all solid Hawaiian koa ukuleles from the USA are rich-sounding, neatly made and very playable instruments, with a wide neck that gives you more space for your fingers.

We have 5 different models available with this discount. USE THE DISCOUNT CODE MATTISFORTY at the checkout to activate the discount!

Kala 1KOA-SG Elite Soprano – Gloss - WAS £949 - with discount £616.85

Kala 1KOA-C Elite Concert Ukulele – Natural - WAS £899 - with discount £584.35

Kala 1KOA-CG Elite Concert Ukulele – Gloss - WAS £1,029 - with discount £668.85

Kala 1KOA-T Elite Tenor Ukulele – Natural - WAS £949 - with discount £616.85

Kala 1KOA-TG Elite Tenor Ukulele – Gloss - WAS £1,099 - with discount £714.35

Imua Ukuleles Back In Stock - Just Look At These Beauties!

Imua Ukuleles Back In Stock - Some of the most beautiful ukuleles in the world!

Wow. Sometimes a package of ukuleles arrives from a supplier and all you can do is let out a little whimper of happiness as you unpack each one! That was the case with this shipment of Imua ukes from Hawaii. Sometimes, pictures speak louder than words...

A selection of the Imua ukuleles in stock at World of Ukes

Imua ukuleles, all made from superb quality Hawaiian koa.

Just look at the body of this Imua iCG-C5 Concert Ukulele

A tenor cutaway uke has also arrived, wow!

We've had chambered body Imua tenor electros in before, but not with gloss finish and koa top - even more beautiful than before.

Imua's fantastic long neck soprano ukulele and traditional Hawaiian soprano uke are now both back in stock too.

UKE Magazine Awards - The Winners

Over the last few months, UKE Magazine has run a series of awards - using a public vote to determine the winners. Instead of prizes, we chose to donate to the charity of the winner's choice, so you'll see the good causes they selected too...

A full run down of the winners is also available in print in Issue 9 of UKE Magazine, the UK's dedicated magazine for ukulele players - http://worldofukes.co.uk/uke-magazine-shop/uke-magazine-issue-9-march-2017

Issue 8 - Sam Muir's Classical Corner Notes

In Issue 8, Sam Muir gives readers the chance to tackle the piece, 'The Rakes of Mallow', with her arrangement in ukulele tab. You can view her accompanying notes here.

World of Ukes Store Open - Retail Premises & Online!

Some of the finest ukuleles in the world are now on display in a dedicated, boutique showroom - based in Carlisle. World of Ukes officially opened on 22nd September, with a launch party attended by Dead Mans Uke, The Mersey Belles and Liam Capper-Starr.

As well as the showroom, a new online store allows customers to purchase the exclusive ukes on offer. You can look for soprano ukuleles, concert ukuleles, tenor ukuleles or baritones & basses right now if you wish!

A selection of pictures from the World of Ukes ukulele store launch party!

Issue 7 - Paul Mansell's Flamenco Notes

Paul Mansell's Flamenco ukulele piece appears in Issue 7 of Uke Magazine. Here, you can read his extensive notes that go alongside the tab in the mag. 

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Issue 7 - Sam Muir's Classical Corner Notes

An Irish piece from Sam in this issue, Brian Boru's March. You can look at the performance notes and bar by bar breakdown in this document below.

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Issue 6 - Sam Muir's Classical Corner Notes

Sam Muir was back in UKE Magazine Issue 6, giving us the opportunity to try and learn Andante in G by Mauro Giuliani. Here we have the notes that accompany, and simplify the piece.

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Mike Flaherty - Vocal Exercises - Issue 5

In Issue 5, Mike Flaherty looks at vocal warm ups.

Here is his example audio file of Exercise 2 - Jaw Muscles

... and now for Exercise 3 - The Tongue

Sam Muir's Classical Corner for Ukulele - Issue 5 Companion Notes

Issue 5 of UKE Magazine sees the introduction of classical guitar and ukulele performer and author Sam Muir join the team with a series of fascinating pieces to learn.

Here are bar by bar companion notes to accompany the piece by Fransisco Tarrega.

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UKE MAGAZINE ISSUE 4 IS NEARLY HERE!

As you can see here, Jake Shimabukuro, the famous ukulele virtuoso is still reading Issue 3. Nothing wrong with that as it featured the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain amongst many other things! BUT, he'll soon be reading our next issue, which is at the printers. It will be ready for release at the end of the first week of December. That's when you can get your hands on Issue 4, which features the aforementioned Jake on the cover, with interviews with the Mersey Belles, Bill Collings and stacks more stuff inside. 

COVER STARS READING COVER TO COVER

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Well, we've known for a long time that UKE Magazine readers were discerning and sophisticated! And what more proof is needed than this shot of Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain members enjoying a quick read before going on stage. The cover stars of Issue 3 certainly look fascinated, and why not? As well as their own in-depth interview there are instrument reviews, interviews with ukulele makers, competitions and much more!

ISSUE 3 - OUT NOW!

It is here! September's Issue 3 has arrived and subscription copies are in the mail! Landing on doorsteps will be our fabulous, full colour magazine, featuring an in-depth interview with the Director of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, George Hinchliffe. UKE Magazine has the honour of an exclusive feature on the Orchestra as they celebrate their 30th birthday!

There's plenty of gear to size up too, with our in-depth concert electro reviews, as well as a roundup of all the top stuff as chosen by a ukulele dealer. Those wanting to progress in their technique will welcome the return of Phil Doleman and Ben Rouse, as their ukulele tabs seek to push our technique ever forwards! 

As ever, we at UKE Magazine are delighted with the public response to this fully independent publication. From the subscribers to those who have given across-the-board 5-star reviews, we couldn't make this magazine without your input and support. We're really thankful that together, we can continue to make this magazine a success.

ISSUE 3 IS OUT IN SEPT

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The third issue of UKE Magazine is in production, with a release date at the beginning of September! This promises to be an exciting issue, as we team up with the fabulous Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain to celebrate their 30th anniversary! Orchestra Director George Hinchliffe talks at length on the origins of the ensemble, their years of touring and plans for the future. The UOGB feature will be a two-part special, with more to come on The Ukes in December!

In addition we're delighted to welcome Pete Howlett to the magazine. As you will know Pete is an exceptional luthier, who builds amazing ukes. He starts a series of features covering different tonewoods this issue. Staying on the building theme, we talk to Andy Miles, who makes tiny nano ukuleles in his shed, AND speak to the famous Japanese maker Takahiro Shimo.

There is a review of the ukulele festival scene over the summer, tunes to learn and master, reviews of rival concert electro ukuleles and input from all parts of the UK ukulele world. It is available to order straight away!

BEN ROUSE UKE TAB - ISSUE 2

Issue 2 features a tab from the wonderful Ben Rouse... if you want to hear how it sounds with a uke in expert hands - here is the video of Ben demonstrating Sweet Blue Belles, enjoy!

“This piece should be played slow and with feeling, think of yourself on a blanket in a meadow early summer. Remember to try and make each note ring out and shower lovingly with vibrato. The chords should be raked so each note is played.”

— Ben Rouse

PHIL DOLEMAN UKE TAB - ISSUE 2

Issue 2 has started to land on doorsteps. If you're keen to get cracking with the Phil Doleman clawhammer tab and like me desperately need to hear what it should sound like first, here's a video Phil made to help!

ISSUE 2 - ON SALE NOW!

The second issue of UKE magazine has now arrived! We've pictured it here alongside the Joe Brown signature soprano ukulele that you can win if you order a copy. If you visit our Uke Magazine shop, there are options to buy this single issue, or order it as part of a subscription. Pre-sales and orders are going well, so we expect to sell out of issue 2 before too long, so don't delay! It is packed with content for the UK ukulele player; to learn new techniques, hear from pro performers and discover the latest ukulele gear.