How To Play The Ukulele Music Of Leonard Cohen

[TheUnpredictable88]

Hi I'm your new subscriber

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@TheUnpredictable88 Thanks for subscribing.

[miakilborn]

Thank you, this was really really wonderful.

I love Leonard Cohen and I am just starting to learn the ukulele.

Could you post the chords for each strumming pattern? It would make it a lot easier to play along with.

Thank you

[Twinkletooth3]

To words you rock!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@Twinkletooth3 Thanks.

[liquidkudzu]

@Twinkletooth3 Don't you mean "two" words?

[distrofia]

thanks for everythinng!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@distrofia Thank you.

[MissPlease]

Thank you this is so helpful!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[mesatweenie]

hi im thinking about getting a ukulele for my birthday and i thought i might ask how much money are ukulele's generaly (UK) ?

also why do americans say 'half note' and things instead of 'quaver' and things ?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is difficult to answer that. £50 or less for a laminate instrument. £100 upwards for an all-solid uke. Don't know the answer to the second question.

[mesatweenie]

@KenMiddletonUkulele thanks

[Candyface81]

i love these patterns!!!!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for watching.

[r7yrb7]

Thanks Ken. You're helping train my right hand for picking styles that really bring out the beauty of the Ukulele.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Glad to be of help.

[Pavignon]

I wanna know those chords.

[FunkKlock]

thanks man that was pretty helpful i just bought a uke 2 weeks ago

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for watching.

[Jimnickm]

That was great and generous of you and also very brilliant!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[oamolive]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledges, so useful. Your Leonard Cohen arragements are so brilliant. Merci beaucoup!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for watching.

[ReactionShot]

Thanks so much. I'm just learning to play the ukulele and I'm a big big fan of Leonard Cohen. It was such a treat to find this here. It really made my day.

Any chance you'd venture into a Tom Waits song or two?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much. Sorry, I don't think I knbow any Tom Waits songs.

[surfgirlhj]

You are awesome! You are a great instructor!

[madeliefffje]

That was very helpful! Could you put up some more strumming patterns?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. No more strumming patterns for the moment, I'm afraid. Sorry.

[boom911boom]

can you do this without haveing to grow really long finger nails? you don't get this problam on electric you can just tap ={

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, but fingernails give you a really clean note.

[dashw900i]

wow you have a really great voice, really intresting :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[JelleDemonie]

@dashw900i Idd, sounds really distuinguished :)

[Elsoldador]

OMG he's Grampa Youtube!

[b4u8me2day]

excellent tutorial

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[dwrdcszz]

Ken thanks for your reviews I was able to make a consience purchase of a nice Kanlie's K2 tenor first i purchased a pono tenor and did not find the sound as nice as i thought and after a couple of days decided to just bight the bullet and buy the Kanilie if that is how you spell it. It is my first uke but i am a guitar player so I am coming along fairley fast. Thanks I will look for more of your lessons.

Ed

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Congratulations.

[SparkyCola3]

Yes! I was hoping you'd done a tutorial like this - excellent! Thanks so much, =)

[ryder848]

Hi. I'm new to the ukulele scene, and i was wondering what type of ukulele would be good for a beginner?

By the way. great lesson!

[pizzafrenzy]

I recently bought a soprano, and it's nice.

However I find most tutorials are done on concert, so that might be a better type to go with

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. I'd go with a tenor (if male) and a concert (if female). Get a solid body if possible or at least a solid top. Somrthing like an Ohana TK-35G.

[NikiSmile1224]

you are a great!!! teacher and ihave been looking for someone who is good and you are the best so far thankyou

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. I haven't done many teaching videos though.

[batknox7]

I've been looking for theses patterns for years and you're a great teacher. I've been working on the stranger song using that signature Lenny style you explained so well. Now to capture the speed.See ya in 6 months.Can't thank you enough

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. I think it is about timed I did another Cohen song too.

[joekrump123]

this is great

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[0bliv1on]

Wow! Keep up the great work! :D

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[purenight77]

hey very nice video, can i ask what are your strings made of? because mine are nilon and they dont sound anything like yours, iv been trying to find somthing that sounds lke yours.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Aquila Nylgut strings.

[oplatree]

wonderfull!!!!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[love1dove]

your very good!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[Sandykicks57]

you remind me of my grandpa, i like you

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Haha. Thanks.

[Theellebelly09]

TashyWashyo you can get one on ebay i got mine there

[TashyWashyo]

Hey. Nice video! Do you know where I can buy a nice uke for $50 or under ?

[bmservers]

hawii

[smnk3]

hey man great video, thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[StruanSkye]

im just concentrating on his GLASSES!! WOW

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

What's wrong with my glasses?

[itsgordonyadigg]

Is the Mitchell MU70 12-Fret Concert Ukulele good for beginners?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have no idea. I have never heard of that brand. I'm sorry.

[itsgordonyadigg]

its alright thanks anyway it on the guitar center site

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is a Kanile'a.

[tmcdizzle827]

fantastic lesson! what kind of ukulele is that?

[Woody263]

Great video man!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks, Woody.

[chrisg14mac]

Ken - Your Kanile'a sounds incredible. I just placed an order with Kanile'a for one myself (a tenor). It will arrive in 3-4 weeks. I can't wait!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I have never regretted getting mine. Have just been playing it, in fact.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Dm to Am7

[ErranOG]

them come so much alive in way I haven't seem before. They have duende, man! Keep going, you are one of those people that nake life worth living.

Just one question that I was wondering if you could take the time to answer: I think you were playing That's no way to say Goodbye at the end of this video. What were the chords you were using? I have been looking for them but I haven't managed to find them anywhere.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much for that comment.

If I were going to record that song today, I probably play it in C. I'd use the chords C, Am, F and G. Check on Chordie or one of the other sites for different keys.

[ErranOG]

Hey Ken!

I found your videos when I was looking for inspiration for my new ukulele career the other day. And what an inspiration I found!

To begin with I was delighted to see that you had a huge collection of recordings of Leonard Cohen songs on ukulele, since Cohen happens to be my Prophet. And I was even more enraptured when I heard you performing them. Not only are they amazingly well done, you also make

[Ozziewozzie2007]

Your ukulele is the best quality sound i ever heard.

Very good teacher you are Ken, wish I could meet you in person.

My ukulele has an ovation curve on the back and its slippery when playing, any advice?

Also although the ovation ukulele is high quality and expensive, still does not beat the sound of your 100% wood ukulele.

Am i right in saying that the wood is the secret to the beautiful sound???

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

That's the reasons I sold my Ovation guitars. you can wear a strap standing up, but sitting down, they just slide off your lap.

4 factors to a good sound: good uke, good strings, how it is played, how it is recorded.

[Ozziewozzie2007]

Thanks very much, Ken.

Unfortunately, where i came from which is the "land below the wind" the music shop don't sell any high Q uke because of lack of demand. Even the top guitar shop where i got my ovation uke, the music teachers there did not even believe that we play serious music with it. I think their eyes nearly pop out when I strum the basic chords G, C, D and the sevenths on it.

I guess when i go visit the music loving country, i make sure i bring home one.

[leoamae]

Thanks, Ken! Consider it paid forward. This helped me shake some ingrained patterns I have programmed in my hands from guitar-playing days. Transitioning to uke is a little harder than I thought!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

They certainly are. I learned every Cohen strum and pick in the early 70's, and they still work today. For some reason this video has proved to be really popular as well.

[cptkaboom]

i am so glad i have found your videos today! they have made my day! this one has actually cleared up a few problems i had! thank you so much!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

My pleasure.

[sizzleascencion]

can u make one vid for how to play accidentaly in love on ukelele??

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't know that song.

[waterdog226]

Thanks so much for doing this video! I re-visit it frequently. You are an amazing teacher! I will be able to practice this for years, (I hope). I have a hard time with the indivdual nail-string plucking because my nails just do not seem to hold up. I have read some of your comments on your introductions when you have torn a nail etc. Mine wear down quickly. Any advice?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Clear matt nail polish make last a bit long. When I was learning classical guitar I used to put super-glue on them.

[benmealer]

Thanks for this, Ken. I've made that first picking pattern my weekend project and I've finally got it down. Still a little confusing to play it while I sing, but I'll get it.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Ben.

[chrisstanny]

ken/later on in your video you are not telling us your left hand fingering..if you did it would make it more easy for us newcomers to understand and play along..think your great mate ..thanks.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I was concentrating on the right hand technique.

[chrisstanny]

excellent ken i find your videos so educating.thankyou once again.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[LordButtercracks]

Nice Uke work there.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[LordButtercracks]

You're Welcome Sir!

[Lennart1492]

hi can you tell me how your uke is tuned and wich one it is? (tenor or conzert)

my picking sounds very diffrent

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is a tenor. It is tuned normally (gCEA), with a high G 4th.

[Lennart1492]

ok now i got it thanks

[Puptart2]

This is BRILLIANT! The detail in your teaching is very accessible and solidly illustrated, very well broken down. I love Cohen as well and have enjoyed all your reviews and your playing very much. I'm especially glad to see all the finger picking as I used to noodle with classicals. You've given us a lot to learn and taught it so well.

Juicy stuff! Thank you so very much for really putting your heart into giving to the community. :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much for that encouraging comment.

[GoodPieToGoGo]

this great, I learned a lot, thanks

[DrGessler]

that was excellent, thanks so much for posting!!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

A pleasure. Thanks.

[jayen33]

That was a GREAT lesson. So nice to see some of mystery slowed down to an understandable pace. I'm very encouraged and hope to master one or two of those patterns. Thank you, very much.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you so much.

[BigNick897]

thankz im realli inspired to keep playing and trying new thingz on da ukulele=]

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[bushel888]

great! i'm the 13,000 visitor!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[gangstahgal23]

thanks pal

[grassshk]

Wow. Excellent lesson. Thanks! I'll need to practice a *bit* more!

[KenMiddletonGuitar]

Thanks for the comment.

KEN

[tatertot88]

so he pronounces it with a YOU so what?

are you going to get pissed at him because he says "torch" instead of "flashlight"?

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[puppetanimation]

What a great video, I'm just starting out but one day I hope to play like that. thanks for the tips!!!

[guitarsnpucks]

"oo-koo-lay-lee" not "YOU-koo-lay-lee" u people are pissin me off!

[stevenwhiteley]

its oo-koo-lay-lee dumbass

[guitarsnpucks]

that's what i put you fucking retard " oo-koo-lay-lee" NOT i repeat NOT "YOU-koo-lay-lee

[uketip]

Nice tutorial Ken, I love Leonard Cohen!

[MauriceFlower]

Yes, very pedagogic. Good presentation. Good sound, light and picture. But I dont åplay any instrument. I am going to send this to a guitar-friend who is going to buy a ukulele.

[UkuLeLesReggAe]

oooooo-kooo-leh-lee

[THELIGHTMONSTERS]

i am a professor and you are a good teacher your very clear

[orangetoes223]

thank SO much. This is truly informative.

[redtortoise76]

What an interesting instrument! Never seen this before, it looks like a bass yet it sounds like a guitar, nice

[pete1030]

Excellent, thank you. Well spoken and well played. Masterful fingering.

[REMIT]

WOW!  This is a marvelous tutorial Ken. You've got great fingers. I can get three out of my four to work, but with the variety of styles you've demonstrated I working on the simpler ones.

You have a wonderful library of tutorials!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the kind words. They are appreciated.

KEN

[joshd108]

amazing tutorial

calming voice as well

thanks!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you Josh.

KEN.

[jxblair]

Incredible tutorial. You are very skilled and put together great tutorials. Thanks for your efforts.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks, that's a real compliment. KEN.

[catch22221]

Great work Ken, glad to see some people still appreciate Leonard Cohen.

[ladybape]

top stuff Ken, Excellent tutoring. Many thanks and best wishes

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you. KEN.

[NinaCoq]

Can you teach "The Future"? ;-)

Seriously, this is a great tutorial and the rest of yours are excellent also. Thanks Ken.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the nice words.

I have several other songs in mind for lessons. I'll have a look at The Future though.

KEN

[KamakaTexas]

Excellent tutorial! I love your focus on

Cohen's music. It truly adapts well to the

ukulele. Good luck to you in the contest!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you. I had been meaning to do a guitar lesson on Cohen for ages. I'm now glad I did it on the ukulele. KEN

[seeso]

Very cool!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for the rating. Greatly appreciated. KEN.