Ukulele-Banjo George Formby Style

[JChoneybell]

Nice

[sirgresley6007]

that is if you don't mind

[sirgresley6007]

can you play keep your seats please if you can do a video on that.

[ukulelezaza]

@sirgresley6007 Do you mean you want me to do Keep your seats please?

[locomotive67]

great stuff

[jblackbath]

Thumbs up if this makes you feel like you're in the middle of an old-timey 30s cartoon!

[piobaireachdjongleur]

chords please?!?! love it!

[TheMonsterInDeCloset]

That kicked ass!

[pdrow1]

Nice strumming! I've watched just about every video on youtube on how to strum in the Formby style and it just isn't happening...very frustrating. The split stroke I can do (sort of) but the rest sounds like pure rubbish when I try. 

[mrdavidjk]

very impressive

[bigmidds]

AWESOME!!!!! Watchin this has helped me make my mind up! I'm gonna learn how to play!!!

[TheMrOdagled]

Yeahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[harrychef]

Hiya Mate.. this video is amazzing..I can play all the strokes invoved but can seem to put them together like yourself, it never sounds like george. I have been trying for over a year, I have two banjo ukes 1 old & 1 new plus a concert & soprano wooden ones. any chance of tutorial on this particular solo. also what advice would you offer to me about my fingernails (i seem to catch the string on the upstrokes a little funny) I will make a new video for you to see within 7 days cheers

[bastion8245]

Hi. Love your playing. Just got myself a lovely UB3 and am trying to decide on best strings. Which do you use on your UB2. Thanks.

[potocrok]

GREAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!

[ChroniZSWE]

oh...my...lord... O_______o that was amazing style of playing! hahaha :D it made my day! :D

[Beafteck89]

I just learned the solo, from watching your video. Thank you! But I wanted to ask what key Formby sings this song in. For some reason, I can't find the notes with my ear, im either sing too low or too high, but when I sing with the recording, I can hit the notes spot on, so I must have my uke in the wrong key...

[wesmatron]

You've got that bang-on.

[evsynator]

wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Doomguy458]

Holy crap,the strum was so fast that the camera couldn't even pick up some of it!

[Beafteck89]

I'm curious Mr. Zaza. Where do you find the music for the Formby Songs that aren't readily available, like this one? Or do you learn by ear?

[ukulelezaza]

@Beafteck89 I've been a member of the George Formby Society for years and that's where I learned these tunes.

[Beafteck89]

@ukulelezaza I wish I lived over their so I could join. Sounds like fun!

[MrJnobianchi]

@Beafteck89 You should join anyway. Not all of the members live in the UK. Just visit the George Formby Society website. :)

[fishybishbash]

@ukulelezaza Bravo, one of my favourite GF solos - when I watch the films of him playing, the triple strokes look to me like he's actually flicking them off with his index finger like a normal stroke rather than bringing his thumb into play - is that the case? if it is, how the heck do you get back to the normal after the triple?

[ukulelezaza]

@fishybishbash The strum you mean is the shake: a quick down-up-down with the index finger (replacing one beat). I do it a couple of times in this video as well. Make sure the first down-up are short, not on all strings, followed by a strong down. Hope this helps...

[jam3s333]

Excellent! I would love to learn this piece, is there any chance you could do a tuition video for it?

[vindicari]

similar playing style to a churango, check out inti illimani, es mi tierra

[sooneryosaf]

Pretty damn good!

[mugambismonkey]

Awesome!

[lukekellycopy]

any fingerguards? ive strummed like that for 4 years and got 1 cut. basically have yopu ever got cut?

[Chikokishi]

Holy crap that is the most amazing thing iv seen in weeks. I like the triplet strums. hahah

[7948091]

frickin amaizing

[MrJnobianchi]

Wonderful - as usual - and thanks for posting.

Not only is it a pleasure to listen to your playing, thanks to you, I can pick up the strums very clearly. As you know its not always possible to glean what George is doing - especially when the director cuts away to that old dude on the stairs right in the middle of the solo!!!!!! TWICE~! :D

[Jukeboxfun]

Bravo!

[Newcomingmusic]

there are nine justin beaver fans in here

[brcp4321]

One word WOW ! what a master !

[kyledd009]

my mind was just blown amazing

[mjay216]

where can i find a cheap one

[27ChristianD]

Let me have your banjolele.

[27ChristianD]

Sickkkkkkkkk, brahhh.

[harrychef]

Can i achieve this sort of strumming on a wooden Uku

[ukulelezaza]

@harrychef Sure. It won't sound as punchy, but you can get the same rhythm going.

[superheromichael]

@harrychef try playing your uke with a pick (med-thickness) and you get a punchy sound too. :)

[tombland10]

@superheromichael i wouldnt recomond using a pick beaceause you cant do alot of the the formby style playing

[RandomTV47]

This is AWESOME!

[JChoneybell]

Very cool

[orfenandanarchy]

I need help. I have a very old banjo-ukulele. Is the bridge attached, or does the tension of strings hold it on?

[ukulelezaza]

@orfenandanarchy The tension keeps it in place. Measure from the nut to the twelfth fret, and put the bridge at the same distance from the other side of the twelfth fret. So the distance from the twelfth fret to the nut is the same as the distance from the twelfth fret to the bridge. Good luck!

[orfenandanarchy]

@ukulelezaza

Thank you very much! And to think I was going to glue it...

[clockguy2]

@ukulelezaza Shouldn't the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge be a pinch longer to compensate for deflection when you press down the string? The important part is that the open string and the note at the 12th fret be the same, just an octave apart. Excellent strumming style! gives me something to shoot for. Thanks for posting!

[LRMMcDonnell]

how do you strum that fast? you're amazing!

[GlassPike]

I really wanna see splitstroke played slowly, I don't understand

[Ohhhlover]

AMAZING!! love the little pink touch at 44secs, haha

[skaterwhale1]

sick

[LegallyMoi]

WOW that was amazing!

[nomoreyou1212]

is awe struck :O

[fodsaks]

There are cheap banjoleles out there, but only the good ones give you that authentic Formby jangly sound.

[Catherineone]

That was very nice

Thanks for posting

[JMRiccio]

YOu rule the s*it

[depoty]

brilliant brilliant brilliant

[theequasi]

Can anyone tell me what kind of Banjo Uke this is? It sounds amazing!!

[ukulelezaza]

Gibson UB-2

[theequasi]

Thank you. Great job, by the way. Your's is vintage but I would probably have an easier time finding a new one. Do you have any suggestions on what brand or model that I should look for?

[Pavignon]

thát, is kickass strumming :'D

[55pepperpot]

ive been playing a uke for 5 years but not as good as that.whats youre secret?

[ilikescreaming]

That's too much fun. I'm buying one ASAP.

[GrandadSue]

Im'e not a player . Just dropped on you while surfing Youtube.

What can I say ? Eerrrrrrrrr I enjoyed that.

[mags4269]

if you're ADF#B you should try the standard tuning of GCEA, that's what i play my banjo uke in.

[ukulelezaza]

I use BbEbGC on my uke-banjo. The higher pitch makes the uke ring a hundred times more than the C tuning. I don't like GCEA on uke-banjos at all, makes it sounds dull and lifeless.

[TheUkuleleBoy]

May I ask in what tuning you play? I have my uke tuned to ADF#B, but I don't seem to have the right pitch. Do you mind helping me out? Many thanks.

Rocco

[ukulelezaza]

Hi Rocco, my tuning is BbEbGC, half a step higher than ADF#B.

[TheUkuleleBoy]

Many thanks^^

[rippleway123]

Superb!!

[Pasgia2009]

Will you be careful what you do with your right hand seems impossible for any normal human being. Beware thee MIB!

Friendships

[yourliver1]

Aw maaaan. Ok.... new rule.... "all banjolele players must tune to c"

[harmonicgrunt]

WOW.

[brcp4321]

Yes Great but how do i do it any lesson for us lesser mortals ?

[ukulelezaza]

There are several Formby style tutorials on youtube, for instance by wardsoft and m134mr. Good luck!

[maccafan10]

Bloody great !! Just got one today and gonna master it

[ckyman354]

thats even more sick than the regular ukulele!! haha

[REALBACKDOORMAN]

I got an ancient George Formby soprano uke-banjo. It was a present....

But I think the Formby style is hard and difficult.

Good job, man!!!

[4crows]

Please!! Any suggestions on what to look for in a banjo -Uke or possibly what NOT to buy..thanks!!

[bagwhanbill]

cool5*****playing

[lifesucksdontit]

Damn. Good playin' son =D

[ubersoxfanjpm]

I would pay to be able to play like that

[galtomm]

What tuning do you use?

[f0restr0ck]

is there any chance you could post a tab. it's a lovely tune and i'd really like to learn it!

[saidthey198]

a real player ..

[galtomm]

Is your uke-banjo soprano tenor or baritone?

[ukulelezaza]

soprano. uke-banjo's only come in soprano size, i think.

[japroctor]

I posted a video response of my trying to play my little Ukulel which is poor compared to you playing the Yuk correctly I would love to apply your technique

[vivalabra]

do you play a ukulele-banjo like a normal ukulele?

[ukulelezaza]

yes, the chords and techniques are the same.

[vivalabra]

uuuuu a banjolele

[hairnet600]

wow

the playing on your user is tops too

much respect

thank you

[chumpers7]

The most brilliant display ukulele bango I ever seen. Hope to one day that I can play like that.

Thank You

[redspecialguy]

turned out nice again lol exellent

[pamabamatama]

sick! wow. i need to practice

[xxQueenRulesxx]

ive been looking everywhere to buy one for a reasonable price but i cant find one at all! does anyone have a good website or shop that isnt gibson..? i cant afford gibson..

xx

[Sampsoneh]

check ebay, or antique stores.  problem with ebay is you can get a great deal on a rare uke, only to find out is tone is well crap....good luck

[depoty]

could you do a 3 minute version of this style, that would be great.

You sure can play really well..in fact the best on YoUtUbE

[sniff001]

Any advice for a beginner on how to play the ukelele banjo ukulelezaza?

[sniff001]

Fantastic - I have a ukelele banjo from around the 1930's and I'm 15 but haven't a clue how to play it.

[02bishopt]

I'm thinking of buying one, i also don't have a clue how to play it. Want to buy one and learn.

[sniff001]

Yeah. I'd love to learn how to play mine. Anyway good luck yourself.

[02bishopt]

Cheers, you too.

[BlackDogLicorice]

Ok this is very strange. I'm also 15, and also have an ukuelele banjo, from around the same era. I can play it, but not very well at all. Might seema little random to say, but there you go.

[sniff001]

Nah its not random at all and I am glad I'm not alone for being a 15 year old banjo owner and I haven't a clue on how to play it!! I really want to learn too but don't know where or how. Send me a private message and I'll get in touch with you.

[karmicrevolutionary]

a reet beautiful job sir!!

gradely

[sourLemonzANDLimzeez]

holy shit!!!

[scibby2]

Inspirational - I'm desprately practising to get near this, thanks. That's a pretty wonderful UB2 as well...

[jinkies121]

sick

[dellinashell]

that is BRILLIANT!

[banjobilly9]

Very good to listen to and to watch.

It reminds of clawhammer banjo, where the

strumming hand seems completely out of sinc

to the sound thats coming off the instrument.

[barmypajamy]

This is as representative of 'Formby style' as Dick Van Dykes English accent was in Mary Poppins. In itself its good playing by an obviously talented player, but lacks the swing, shakes and other defining elements and feel of GF's style. Check out George playing 'She's got two of everything' on here to note the differences. Of course, everyone is welcome to their own interpretation, but I think holding this up as an example of the GF style opens it up for some (friendly) constructive criticism.

[cjwaywell]

Brilliant mate

[jawharp1992]

What kind of banjo uke it that?

[jawharp1992]

Never mind. I should have read the description first. I feel like a tard now. Well, you played well!

[briansixtyniner]

awesome solo,cant stop watching it,i have a ub2 but cant play it like you can,keep up the good work.

[umbyronco85]

Brian May posses one of those ukulele banjo original john Formby

[LRMMcDonnell]

Bloody flawless!

[joshuathebarbarian]

I am currently in the process of repairing a banjo uke, but struggling to find a bridge, ebay doesnt seem to have them, can you suggest anywhere that may supply them?

[guitarman63mm]

by bridge do you mean tailpiece or the bridge itself?

goldtone has them, that's for sure

[fullmatrix1]

eej! kun je niet een keer een video maken die laat zien hoe je dat slagje precies doet? dat zouden de meeste mensen wel fijn vinden.

[pqrslol]

Where would I be able to buy a ukulele banjo, seeing that guitar center doesnt seem to sell them.

[ukulelezaza]

I suggest you check Ebay.

[MrUkelelegirl]

@ukulelezaza HI , NOT MUCH GOOD AT EMAILING, ENJOYED THE SOLO, I USE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

SET OF CHORDS TO YOU, HAVE I EVER MET YOU, I JOINED THE G.F.S IN 1972, YOU MENTION ME IN YOUR

YOUTUBE VIDEOS, STEVE HELME

[ukulelezaza]

@MrUkelelegirl Steve Helme! You are one of my main inspirations for playing ukulele! I have a lot of old videos and audio cassettes from the Formby society and some feature your excellent playing. To me you've always been the best Formby impersonator, your rhythm is simply brilliant. Great to hear from you! We have never met. I've been to Blackpool about six times in the 90s, I guess at the time you weren't involved.

[MrUkelelegirl]

@ukulelezaza Thanks for the nice comments, not quite sure how this youtube thing works, I sent you a reply

by email tonight, did you get it, I enclosed my email address in case you wanted to contact me, dont know if

this method works, if you have normal email send me a message, someone has just posted me on youtube

doing THEY LAUGHED WHEN I STARTED TO PLAY, see what you think

Regards, Steve Helme

[rifraf77]

try searching for a "Banjolele". guitar center has them under that name.

[larrson87]

fantastic

[ErakTheWarrior]

Can you post the chord names? Thanks!

[japroctor]

Next question is regarding the excellent picture quality of your video I have been downloading from my Sony trv16e camcorder via USB to avi format then converting to wmv (windows media) but the quality is terrible kindest regards and your playing is absolutely excellent.

[netwitted]

Japroctor the simplest way to slow down the music is to use a tape recorder ( I use a dictaphone), recording at high speed and playback at low speed. This is low tech, and you lose the pitch, but it helps in understanding the strokes and rhythm. Still, the subtleties of Ukulelezaza's skills elude me, but I'm getting better! Thanks again, Ukulelezaza, for posting this bit of essence of George Formby style.

[japroctor]

I have been trying to play the banjolele strum for years i.e. the George Formby type solo's for years with out success, I notice that one comment said that it was possible to slow your strumming down any advice on how to do that would be very much appreciated.

[Petey1308]

Thanks for posting this!

Great playing ^^ I hope you don't mind me slowing it down to get the chords, been after them for ages ;)

Some hot strums to! :o

[kushtisasteem]

what a player if george was alive he would have a worthy rival

[briansixtyniner]

awesome close up of the solo,very helpfull to me as i am learning this,can you do our sergeant major? that would be great if you could.thanks for this.

[jawharp1992]

how much did that ukulele banjo cost ya? I want to do that now!

[Uketeufel]

Only one word: Great!

[sirant]

Man, that is sooooooooo awesome. Could you turn a fellow ukulele player on to some training materials or web tutorials which could help to learn that truly amazing skill? You are unbelievable and definitely would make George himself proud!

[Jukeboxfun]

I have been trying to play like that for 3 years now. I will not give up. That syncopated rythym is the best. You play this style so good, it makes me angry and envious.

[BigSteve02]

great playing although i have never heard the song "She's got two of everything" before. someone a long time ago told me that the instrument that is played in this video clip is a banjulele. was he right or wrong i would like to know.

[ukulelezaza]

Yes, you could call this a banjolele, although that is the same as calling a resonator guitar a dobro. Dobro is a brand name (there are many other companies making resonator guitars), and banjolele was originally a trademark name for the Keech banjo-ukulele, invented by the Keech brothers in the late teens to give the ukulele more volume.

[netwitted]

I've got the stroke down but can't co ordinate the left hand to the rhythm. I just taped you at a high speed and am playing it back on a lower speed to help . Thanks for the reply and encouragement; I'll get there ! What fun these ukes are...

[netwitted]

You've really got it! Best example yet. No way am I not going to learn this, no matter what it takes.You've demonstrated that it's worth the effort. Thanks

[ukulelezaza]

Thanks for your comment. It really isn't very difficult, if you're determined to learn this technique you'll get there. Good luck!

[briansixtyniner]

do you know of anyone giving lessons in the manchester area?

[briansixtyniner]

fantastic playing,do you give lessons?

[samoanguy]

you would play the tahitian ukulele very well...

[davethedrums]

That is just fantastic, how on earth do you do that roll stroke, a demo please

[RPike78088]

Fantastic - one can only aspire to play this well!

[RVS1977]

wow, which I could play like that. the right hand are amazing

[art2liv4]

Good playing!  I miss the funny lyrics, though.

[LuxAlchemist]

that sounded really cool, I play electric guitar, but that was amazing

[guitarman63mm]

how could you not give this 5 stars?

amazing

[delstar671]

i been sitting in front my the computer for awhile trying to come close to what you are playing. i need rhythm with this.

[ckeccles06]

he is playing SHES GOT TWO OF EVERYTHING by george formby and played bloody brilantly

[creamofcardstv]

I like your video clip and have rated it as awesome. Please check out my new clip of 1930's cigarette cards of George Formby, Errol Flynn, Gracie Fields, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire, and Vivien Leigh.

[LIVERLADD]

great video:) by the way just to mention that "The George Formby Apreciation Society" is trying to rase money for a statue to be built in his hometown. Any contrabutions welcome. They also use paypal.

[wildones]

That's some skill you've got there. I really must get myself a banjolele, my crappy old Mahalo Uke just doesn't cut the mustard. Not half loud enough.

[MrMandolin]

Obviously NOT a "beginner" (cough, cough)

[mythikyle]

TEE HEE....Nice one

[Slapshot770]

excellent. very cool

[ckeccles06]

iam blown away thanks

[shishilala]

WOW!

[archum]

mais comment il fait le bougre !

[leleuku303]

this is great! nice sound from that gibson, always loved there banjo ukes :) a nice old sculptor just brought me a george formby cd, and i need to know how this strum works, and possibly the sheet music too?

email it to me at oakshi@gmail.com. thanks!

[Mrphrozt]

i am not the player of this song but as a banjolele player i can tell you the strum method Formby favored which is heard in this song as well as many others is a combination of the Split Stroke and the Five Finger Roll, the tuning for this song is D which is (A D F# B), the chords used are Aminor, E7, G7 and C.

[Mrphrozt]

this is amazing playing, you must tell me how you tune your banjolele, please?

[ukulelezaza]

Bb Eb G C, which makes ik easier to play in jazz keys like Eb, Ab, F and Bb.

[georgeformbylegend]

Very nice Gibson UB2. Great playing too!

[troubleclef]

fabulous!

[MrUke]

Nicely done!! Great sound from that UB2.

[kharmachanic]

can we see that strum again in slow motion replay.. the one up on the freetboard.. that was cool.

[banjodulce]

Nice to hear some real playing. Great job!

[cpcvandal]

that was great!!

the strum how?