Ukulele iPhone Case

Check out this Ukulele iPhone case! 

This case was made with leather, it has a hand stitched finish, and a laser ingraved design.  It also has a back pocket! 

You can find this case at the bRainbowshop.

-Lauren

What is a Kalimba?

The Kalimba, is an African thumb piano.

Traditionally, the Kalimba is made up of a wooden board with varying numbers of tines secured to it.  The tines are longest in the middle of the instrument, and shorter towards the edges.  You can tune the tines by pulling them out to lengthen them, or pushing them in to shorten them.

The Kalimba is usually held in both hands, with both thumbs plucking the tines.

There are many different types of thumb pianos.  Some are large, and played with thumbs and fingers.  The thumb piano belongs to the bar percussion family (lamellophones).

Here is Carol of The Bells on an Alto Kalimba:

-Lauren

Aquila Strings Review

Hello!


I own a soprano Makala Dolphin uke, and I love it. What I didn't love, though, were the strings it came with. So, after about a month of owning it, I decided to buy some Aquila strings for it. I didn't like the original strings because they tended to have a buzzing noise to them and weren't as... cheerful sounding as I would have liked.
But why did I choose Aquila?
Firstly, I had read a few reviews that recommended Aquila strings for their great sound and life span. The feedback for them were positive, and people said that the strings brought life to any ukulele you bought them for.
Secondly, when I read about what they were made from, I was, I admit, intrigued. They're made from nylgut. "Nylgut has a specific density and acoustical qualities nearly identical to that of gut, and is the first truly successful synthetic version of the natural product. Other strong points of Nylgut are its elevated resistance to wear under tension-greater than that of gut- but even more important is its extraordinary immunity to changes of climate, considerably better than that of Nylon and thereby ensuring a superior stability of tuning under normal conditions." <- http://www.aquilausa.com/uke_strings.html
So yeah, I was sold. I bought them off of Amazon for a decent price and got them in the mail four days later. Once I got them on the ukulele it took about two days for the strings to stretch and keep their tune. Once I could play it without re-tuning the strings every other minute I absolutely LOVED them. They sound great; clear and a lot louder then the Nylon strings my uke came with. They don't buzz like the Nylon, they feel better against my fingers, the sound resonates great, and I even like the look of them better.

Here's what they looked like when I got them on my ukulele:

Remember when (and if) you buy these strings, make sure you check the size. If you have a soprano like me, you'll want to get the soprano Aquila strings. If you have a tenor or a concert, you'll want to get the strings for those sizes. I really like these strings, and if you get them, I sincerely hope you enjoy them!

-Ashley

Free Ukulele Tab Somwhere Over the Rainbow

Intro:   C  G Em Am D G
G         B
xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxx
C      G
Way xx high
C         G           Em
There's x land xxxx I xxxxx xx
Am         D   G
Once xx a xxxxxxx


G          B
xxxxxxxxx xxxx the xxxxxxx
C         G
Skies xxx blue
C       G               Em      Am
And xxx dreams xxxx you xxxx to xxxxx
       D       G
xxxxxx do xxxx true


G
Some xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx x xxxx
    C                                Em
And xxxx xx xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx far xxxxxx xx
      G
xxxxx troubles xxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx
 C
Away xxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxxx
       Em           Am   D
xxxxxx where xxxxxx find xx


G         B
xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxx
C         G
Bluebirds xxx
C         G        Em
Birds xxx xxxx the xxxxxxx
Am          D          G
Why xxxx, oh xxx xxxxx I


G
Some xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx x xxxx
    C                               Em
And xxxx xx xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx far xxxxxx xx
      G                          
xxxxx troubles xxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx
 C
Away xxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxxx
       Em           Am   D
xxxxxx where xxxxxx find xx

G          B
xxxxxxxxx xxxx the xxxxxxx
C         G
Bluebirds xxx
C         G        Em
Birds xxx xxxx the xxxxxxx
Am           D         G
Why xxxx, oh xxx can't x

  G
If xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxx
  C
Beyond xxx xxxxxxx
Am      D        G
Why, xx why xxxxx I

Free Ukulele Tab Sanctus Real: Lead Me

Lead me: Intro: C, Am Verses... C                                  Am I xxxx xxxxxx x xxx xx xxxxxxxx xxxx Am Almost xxxxxxx C In xxxxxxx xxxxxx x xxx xx xxxxxxxx xxxx Am Always xxxxxx                G But xx xxx xxxxxx, x xxx xxxx xxx xxxxx (end with C) Bridge:    Am                  F S- xxxxx, xxxx xx xxxxxx       C              G T- xx xxxxxxxxx x xx xxxxx xx xx     Am                  F Oh, xxxxxx, xxxx xx xxx xxx    C To xxxx xx           G xxxxx xxx xxxx xx

How to Get a Better Tone Out of Your Ukulele

In this post I'll share a few tips on how to get a nice tone on your Ukulele.

 Tip #1:  Make sure the back side of your Uke is not pressed against your body while you play, because it will smother the sound.  Hold it a few inches away.  This will allow for the wood to vibrate and create more sound.

 Tip #2:  Find your Ukulele's sweet spot.  This will be where your sound is warmest.  It's usually located where the finger board connects with the body.

 Tip #3:  When you strum, hold your hand in a fist with your pointer finger extended to strum.  This ensures that no extra fingers will bump or rub strings, and make unwanted muted or buzzing noises. 

Happy Ukulele-ing!

-Lauren

Handmade Ukulele Case

Check out this Ukulele case:

If you are anything like me, you love the beach.  Warm sand between your toes, colorful flowers, the sound of crashing waves, and bright sun rays kissing your skin.

I can't live anywhere near a beach, but I do own a Hawaiian instrument: the Ukulele.  Everytime I hear it playing it reminds me of a day in the sun.

This wooden case made by Walter Alexander, is covered in a collage of postcards, matchboxes, and drink coasters from Hawaii.  I love it because it gives that warm Hawaiian feel.

Check out Walter's Etsy Shop!

-Lauren