Uke Lesson: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World

[EnsembleOfShadowslll]

Man, u've got a dgreat voice!

[alika207]

@funkycowboy It's whatever note you have on the bottom string in the chord. For example, the bottom string is open on the C chord, open on the G chord, and has a finger on the second fret on the a-minor and F chords. Does that help?

[Jettie828]

when u flop down a finger. are u pinky muting or making chord inversions?

[JesseTinsley]

@Jettie828 Pinky (or whatever finger is available) muting.

[Davidoff73]

this is very good stuff THANKS

[ukuleleben1]

That was the best over the rainbow lesson iv seen so far.

[Pamelawilk]

thank you so much....you sound wonderful. I wish I could have heard the whole song. Thanks again.

[mediacommand]

Oh what a wonderful cave

[thesillyone42]

12 string guitar in background!

[TheSterm]

I think the echo was used for the actual singing itself to give it that nicer sound, and he just kept it throughout :) To be honest, i don't see why there's complaining. Wow, there's echo, so? Epic tutorial sir :D

[SuperRemixXx1]

Could i use a concert or soprano ukulele and just put a low g on it becuase tenor ukulele's are expensive and i am a beginner. Plz answer :)

[JesseTinsley]

@SuperRemixXx1 You may use any ukulele to play this song. I only described what gave Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version the sound it had. Also, getting a soprano strung low G is very difficult because the scale is so short and it's hard to find a string that will tune down to low G. Many sopranos only sound good when tuned ADF#B.

[BababoCopyrights]

wow AMAZING

[Vipeout]

2:52 what chord is that please?

[JesseTinsley]

@Vipeout It is E7, played 1202.

[Vipeout]

@JesseTinsley Thanks mate, I figured it out too. Of course sounds different due to the lack of a low g string

[rdyapo]

Very good, didn't need the echo.

[reneosiris19]

can you teach that mutihg stuff with the fingers again..?

[JesseTinsley]

@reneosiris19 See my newer video linked in the description above.

[taeuke]

you are amazing... i try on it... but too difficult for me...  I'm not low G, but will try on struming pattern

[tccincos09]

Hey is there any way I could get the chord chart for this song? I can't figure out when what chords are used during the song.

[floriental]

Magnifique explication, surtout pour le rythme... merci

[cigarettesNash]

I love the way you played sir! I just bought a Ukelele, I play the guitar, but am clueless how to play the Ukelele. Please give me some pointers! Thank you !

[ricardobw1]

i want a kamaka :C

[chazzywatto]

how the fuck can u dislike this!!!!!

[Phantasus87]

please someone with the strumming pattern?

[StormTheParade]

You say u can't sing like Iz, and that's true. But ur pretty close haha u did really good. -3 it!!

[MAGNASamoa]

Can you please help me with the strumming pattern ?

[Zirboman]

How is it to live in the outer space ???

[smile8e]

beautiful play congrat

i bought an ukulele to my friend and we would like to play this song together

[Schrack09]

Hey Jesse- what strum pattern are you using to play this? sorry for such a novice question but I just cant figure it out.

[Schrack09]

Hey Jesse- what strum pattern are you using to play this? sorry for such a novice question but i just cant figure it out.

[patzobonski]

Hi i have played some songs but none have had a reggae strum and i cant get my head round it can you help?

great vid

[itsmonti1]

Jesse you have been awesome in teaching the intro. I have been looking for that intro for a while. I am going to be in a talent show next week Tuesday and I wanted to play this song but couldn't figure out the intro until now when you showed me. Thanks again.

[Tipledan]

Well, that's wonderful and finally the bulb comes on for me with this explanation! How did I miss that G string tuning? Thank you a bunch.

[gildean]

mahaloz for sharing!!

[darkosimic86]

Well Done!

[caddog0sugar]

What is the strum pattern? Do I start off going down or up? I found a site that says Up, down, up

Up, down, up

Up, down, up

But that sounds weird :/

[ignateus]

@caddog0sugar If you havent got it yet.. i think it is - down up down up down down up down up down - over and over... i think... im still figureing it out

[amparoflores17]

hey how is the sturm please let me know that cuz i cant understand

[Reyendric]

so much echo

[climbtheplanet]

Jesse - i have been trying to figure out how to play this version on the mandolin, but I am still learning and I am failing miserably! I have seen (videos) of people playing it on the mandolin so I know it is possible, but I need help. Do I actually need to tune my mandolin like a uke or are there chord variations that will work as is? Any help you can offer is much appreciated. 

[JesseTinsley]

@climbtheplanet Boy, I don't know about the mando on this song. The gentle and friendly uke lends itself to the reggae beat, but the mando? Hmmmm.

[climbtheplanet]

@JesseTinsley , here is one example: Search "jill phillips somewhere over the rainbow mandolin" on youtube. Sorry, it wont let me post the link. Definitely different, more metallic and cold (of course) and in this case more rushed (it is a high school talent show after all!) and bluegrassy, but that can change with strumming. In her video there is no way to tell what is going on chord wise and I personally cant tell if it simply tuned differently than normal mandolin G-D-A-E.

[climbtheplanet]

@JesseTinsley In any case, it gives you an idea on what is possible. I was basically wondering if you knew what Jill is doing chord and tuning wise b/c I cant figure it out. I thought I would ask b/c you mentioned the mandolin in your description so I was hoping you might have some clues. Thanks again!

[zer0statusYT]

your voice is like literally coming from behind me and im using my laptop speakers

[oOoNinjaMushroomoOo]

EPIC VOICE MAN.

[bootiff24]

ei jesse really helped me! keep posting!

[jametheus]

The perfect video to learn IZ's wonderful version. However.........the audio is absolutely horrible! I wish Jesse would redo this You Tube video for the thousands who have such admiration for his talent and for his contribution. It is truly a shame the sound is so bad but thanks to Jesse for his work. Please redo it for all of us wanabe IZ's.

[ElizabethMasterMind]

ur awsome dude. ive been trying to learn this song for a long time but all the other tabs are crap. thanks.

[JosephDownUnder]

Man, that was just amazing. Thank you so much for your effort.  This is the one song that would make me learn the Uke.

[funkycowboy]

I hear the cords but I also hear a note before the cord is played. What is the note that is hit prior to the cord?

[timelesstruth]

Howdy Jesse-As a guitar "hacker," I bought my first (concert) ukulele and enjoyed the transition. Some of the fretwork was a challenge due to having large fingers. Since my daughter confiscated my instrument, I am in the market for another. You have inspired me to consider a tenor model. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift!

[smokeystriper]

wow that low G makes a huge diff. much more haunting. love it.

[TehCoGGii]

I nearly start to cry when you sung, you sound like an angel. :D

[alika207]

@jammingforChrist I bet that's because your G string is a high G. I have an Oskar Schmidt and had to ask my 'ukulele teacher to replace the high G with a low G. You'll need to find a thicker gauge string to do this, however.

[runforurlife100]

anyone else hear a major echo? LOL

[MangoKid1000]

Hey can I play this song with a tenor size ukulele?

[TJM356]

Hey Jesse-You have the best Iz strum going! Are you dampening all the strings with the quick flick of a finger or just the low G? Keep posting!

[JesseTinsley]

@TJM356 Dampen all the strings to stop the sound.

[crumpybumpystick]

Wow that was a great lesson--thank you! I would like to see you sing/play the whole song!

[JesseTinsley]

@crumpybumpystick I did it, but it was taken down for copyright infringement. Sorry.

[MrNuchum]

best one yet great

[jammingforChrist]

ok so, i am trying to tune my G to a LOW G and it sounds identical to my C string when i tune it down, i dont know why. I have a concert Oscar Schmidt ALOHA uke. ???any ideas?

[Rywen]

@jammingforChrist

Bro, you need a thicker string.

[vraego]

Hi Jesse - Great job on this. I think you nailed it perfectly. Do you have your cover anywhere (even to buy?). I'd be willing to give it a listen, it started off wonderfully! (Not that anyone can match him, but it's still great to hear)

Regarding Stephanie's question, I have a Fluke concert and it just doesn't sound the same. It's higher pitched (of course) but it just doesn't have that 'mellow' tune that yours and the original had. Maybe it's the strings? Or maybe I need a tenor? :)

[JesseTinsley]

@vraego If you have a concert or larger and a low G string, you should get some mellow sounds. A soprano and high G is plinky, no matter how you cut it.

[hermanE94]

what's with the voice dude!!

[jirachi212]

Wow i didn't expect you to sing it too. That caught me off guard. You were great thank you for this video i plan on buying a uke soon. Rest in Peace Israel.

[JesseTinsley]

@jirachi212 I'm glad this song crosses international boundaries and shares a sense of peace with you. I hope you have fun with your ukulele. It's fun, it's portable and people love it!

[JesseTinsley]

@JosieRosiePosie I don't know. The warning you get when they take down a video is pretty harsh and I don't want to jeopardize my other videos by trying again.

[stephanieknowsatc]

Would I be able to use a concert ukulele?

[JesseTinsley]

@stephanieknowsatc Yes. A concert is very close in sound to a tenor and will work fine.

[duendemacabron]

LOL!! YOU SING SO AWESOME!!! PLEASE GIVE US A COMPLETE VERSION!!! PLEAAAAASEEEE!!!! Saludos desde México...

[JesseTinsley]

@duendemacabron I have posted a complete version of the song, but Youtube has removed it for copyright infringement. Lo siento!

Jesse

[choezkevin]

i love your sound, do you use a Wound or Unwound g string? i know you use Worth strings, thanks! :)

[BCAtimsta]

best ever. this helped me so much. thank you :) and the low g sounds better on all songs now :)

[JesseTinsley]

@BCAtimsta I agree.

[HeartEmoBoys]

i cnt hear shit -.-

[TheFlyapple]

loved the video. but when i put my uke in the low G tuning, the G has an annoying habit of getting sharper and sharper by the second. a cure anyone?

[TheFlyapple]

loved the video. but when i put my uke in the low G tuning, the G has an annoying habit of getting sharper and sharper by the second. a cure anyone?

[sailfast11]

what is the strumming pattern?

[JesseTinsley]

@sailfast11 I can't explain it. I just copy. Reggae is a difficult rhythm for many people and it took me years to get it down.

[Bakamoo]

Best ever, finally. Thank you so much

[hikinguphigh]

best on youtube my miles keep playin

[hikinguphigh]

u r amaz i wanna learn

[smelsliketeenspirit7]

Nice one, well done.

[TheWhopperfy]

whats the tuning?

[JesseTinsley]

@TheWhopperfy Standard tuning is (top to bottom) G-C-E-A.

[aelievense]

Very professional video. I am a music teacher and though this video may be too advanced for the average youtuber, I found it quite helpful. Thank you!

Great sound!

[JesseTinsley]

@aelievense Mahalo!

[tikimurfi]

Thank you kindly.

[biigbeet]

u gavee me the chills when u started singing!

good joobb!!

[slowdeezy08]

where do you get a kamaka like that its stunning

[tullywork]

Do you have the notes/chords written down? I'm a uke rookie and would love them for my lessons!?

[kelchinn1]

You sound like GOD. lol

[DRR180]

@kelchinn1 I was going to say that too and I thought I was so witty.

[biglilfro]

damn... diz is the 14 times i watch this video but is still amzing......

u should go on american got talent, cause u hav a nice voice....

[biglilfro]

thankz for da lesson.......

but next time u should show us where exactly the finer goes... but love it.......

[janpietsnot]

is this a sopran ukelele?

[slowdeezy08]

@janpietsnot no it definity is not

by looking at the number of frets its not a soprano and kamaka concerts have a different headstock so its a tenor

[Genesisdea]

love it..actually is the only one that really sounds like the Israel's one. thanxs

[mehannahn]

really like it but what's with the echo???

[thesillyone42]

@mehannahn i guess, when he´s singing it sounds more amazing or somthing....

[mrduckiesduck]

Nice video. It's helpful.

PS Do you live in a yurt??

[JesseTinsley]

Ha! I spend a lot of time strumming my uke in my unfinished basement.

[sutho1969]

Thanks for sharing. I'm a guitar player, however SWOR made me go out and buy a Ukulele. Once gain, thanks for the tips.

[molinee]

Excellent... Thanks for taking time.

[franculas]

nice

[AaronHartwell]

Wow man. You totally rocked that. Nice.

[yvaner]

that's a gorgeous ukulele, and this is by far the best somewhere over the rainbow cover on youtube

[MrWoodHimself]

Nice voice. This is the closest sounding I've seen yet. It sounds just like it.

[Gioooo04]

You sound like god xD

Nice uke!

[lastinline99]

can you tune the regular g string to a low g string? or do you have to buy a "low g" string?

[JesseTinsley]

You have to buy a low G string or low G string set. You generally won't find them at your local music store, so try online.

[lastinline99]

thank you so much! your voice and song is playing is great. but hey, im a guitar player, and i should be getting a ukulele soon. any suggestions?

[Groudzy]

thank you very much, very good explicate.. and.. you have a very nice voice..

..happy new year !

[Walliewop]

you sound like god man:D

[GSBvideos]

great video, thx!

how much is a ukulele?

[MaltheGuldberg]

get a smaller room man

[ThePurpleRobotprod]

nice vid, the echo effect is annoying tho.

[purenight77]

what strings do you have? because i just got another new ukulele and mine doesnt sound like yours

[JesseTinsley]

I am using Worth Strings, the only set I've found that has a low G that is not metallically wound. They are pure flourocarbon, as opposed to nylon, and are a little more expensive than other strings.

[purenight77]

okay thanks =p ill go out and grab some, can i ask one more thing from you? whats a good why to tune my ukulele mines out of tune and all the sites and videos tell me to do it and it sounds off. thank you

[JesseTinsley]

I put my answer to this question in the video description because it's too long for the comment section. Thanks for commenting on my video.

[purenight77]

oh it is too sorry i didnt see it thanks

[jezander]

the strum patter is as follows: down down up up down up

do that strum patter 2 times on each chord

[JesseTinsley]

That's probably right, but it really doesn't describe the beat Iz produced, which included finger damping and slight rests between strums.

[BruddahKeoki]

what kind of ukulele do you have? and what is the strum pattern?

[JesseTinsley]

I have an old Kamaka tenor. I don't know how to explain the strum pattern. You just have to listen to Iz' recording and copy it.

[rdimaiojr]

greta info, the reverb is wild!

[saddlewest89048]

Thanks for the share Jesse!

(From Nevada).

[joshkl101]

great lesson.

[WoWjessi]

thumb, up down? or

thumb, down up

[JesseTinsley]

Thumb, down-up!

[WoWjessi]

how do you do that strum IZ does? you say its hard to imitate but how do you, i can play cords okay but the most important part i cant get. idk how to strum to songs haha.

i cant get a rhythem, up down up up down? how does IZ do it

reply please!

[bandb0i]

you hit the G or the C string on count on the down up up down up

[JesseTinsley]

Yes, you hit the G string as a pseudo bass string (as on a guitar). For the strum, you just have to copy and practice. I know of no way to count out the strum, you just have to copy and repeat it over and over.

[WoWjessi]

a low g-string haha :)

[QuantumReality1]

what a great lesson for such a beautiful song!

thanks for sharing Jesse!

[Anaroyondo]

Thank you so much ! You are the first who teach this song just as IZ would. You can't imagine how long i've been looking for this kind of video. Thank you thank you !

[tommart123]

Can't decide between concert and tenor. I'm not sure if i want the low G, i'd feel like maybe i'm not respecting the tradition of the instrument.

Can anybody advise me?

[JesseTinsley]

High G is traditional, but low G is very common these days, both in Hawai'i and outside.

[drummondF]

that echoing is giving me a headache

[cjcorreia10]

I think he did that cuz IZ's recording is echoed on his facing the future album... but he got that intro right.

[kavizsxc]

i bought a new ukulele and all the string are nylon and it is smaller then a 10a how can u make the top string low G

[JesseTinsley]

You need a special set of strings to get low G tuning and they need to be a quality set. Many ukes come with the cheapest strings available, which are tinny sounding. Also, low G stringing only works on well on a tenor or concert uke. For strings, search Ebay for "tenor low G ukulele string".

[saviorJay51]

Sounds close but this closer:

C Em Am F

C Em Am Am9 F F

C C Em Em F F C C

ooh... ooh...

F F E7 E7 Am Am F F

ooh... ooh...

Did you notice the Am9? Try the same strum but with these chords.

[JesseTinsley]

I am adding the Am9 in the intro, just before the singing starts. Also, Iz played C-G-Am-F in the intro, then switches to C-Em-Am-F during the song itself.

[Karlosgg14]

please tell me the tune of every string, because i don't play ukelele and i don't now what's the tune and whats a low G tune

[JesseTinsley]

The ukulele is tuned GCEA (top to bottom). The strings are at the same interval as the bottom four strings of a guitar, but tuned up a fourth, i.e., DGBE to GCEA. Most ukuleles are tuned with a G string that is an octave higher, but many modern players use a low G string.

[Karlosgg14]

thnks

[cjcorreia10]

G C E A with C being the lowest of the strings

[JesseTinsley]

I prefer that G is the lowest string.

[armyofda12monkeys]

Great teaching how to play the song the way he does it! that and the full chords on guy's website listed here in the More Info link (watch?v=35xvWUXfQTw) really help. Hardest part of the song is the Dm7 towards end

[JesseTinsley]

I think the hardest part is making the strum seem natural and comfortable for five-plus minutes. The Dm7 is the same as an F unless you're playing a guitar, so don't sweat that chord.

[sodapoptheclown]

hardly hear your voice... but the playing is spot on... having trouble getting the strum down... and hard to see your fingers when you are playing... maybe you could have called out the chords as you played them.. Very nice job!

[inteiorrd]

Good! Thank you Jesse.

[id4rox]

very well done. im still working on getting the strum down...

[mibooti]

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for!

[JesseTinsley]

Thanks for checking in.

[rhodesdarcy]

I've been searching for two days for someone who has a clue how to get Iz's sound - FINALLY, i've been using a saprano and plucking the low C - it was getting rather tricky as my first tune - but what a beautiful tune - you've solved the problem for me! thanks. The tenor uke obviously looks a little saprona next to the big dude so i had no idea. I know he was majic - i can feel it when i hear him, i just dont appreciated how hard that majic is - its too innocent to be hard surely :) thanks.

[JesseTinsley]

This song wouldn't be in the "easy" category because of the strum beat, the number of chords and the playing-singing challenge. Good luck!

[310lakers92]

can u make a video on how to tune a ukulele to sound like urs?

[HawaiianSquirrel]

WOW u r good

[deucehig]

you sound like god

[moonfiber]

brilliant

[laingrish]

I was kinda lost with my strumming..until I saw ur video...thanks!!!

[no1beatle]

im impressed 5stars

[duckfish550]

do konw of a ukulele tab website ?? any1 ?

[heyarhino]

If you use Ultimate-Guitar you can use the same chords and most of the time it sounds fine.