Billie Jean Ukulele Tutorial (Part 1)

[@dakshanshchawda162]

Billie Jean is what got me interested in ukulele and finally it's happening!!

[@catrizearthshine2789]

Same here!

[@aaron3890]

Same here!! James' famous video on here convinced me to "convert" from guitar to ukulele once and for all. Can't wait to be able to actually play the piece!

[@catrizearthshine2789]

I did not play any instrument before and... uh... am still working on my Ukulele skills. Got myself a teacher now. 😁

[@dakshanshchawda162]

@@catrizearthshine2789 me too! (except for the teacher part; am learning it on my own)

[@tubeyou89119]

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is what got me into ukulele, but Billie Jean is the one that I see all the possibilities with the instrument.

[@aurumarma5711]

I don't actually want to learn how to do it, I just want to watch you do it, and have my brain accept that it's being done.

[@JuniperCo]

😂😂👍👍

[@davidraposo6857]

A couple years ago, I had watched for the first time a video (by markwitz) titled, "James Hill, "Billie Jean" With His Imaginary Band," where you played this in front of an audience, and this spiked my interest for the ukulele. I have watched all of your videos and your tutorials have brought me to such a point that I can't put my uke down! Thank you for being such an inspiration to my life and all the other ukuleleists out there. As said by Jake Shimabukuro, "If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place!" Can't wait for part two!!

[@flyingdiva1871]

THANK YOU JAMES HILL! Whenever someone seems amused by a uke as an instrument I show them a video of James Hill playing Billie Jean. Shuts them up every time.

[@jameshillmusiq]

😁

[@thelegend54]

At last...At long last...BEHOLD! Prometheus has graced us mere mortals at long last with his fire of knowledge! Long have I awaited this moment...

[@jameshillmusiq]

😆 🔥

[@greatwoman3825]

😍

[@hact_888]

Thank god i found your channel. I already saw your video on Facebook

[@dedereimer5472]

I LOVE that you can easily SEE where your fingers are.

[@jameshillmusiq]

Thanks to everyone who tuned in for the live premiere of Part 1! I thought we could stick around and chat after the video but I guess it closes the chat once the video is finished? At any rate, we can do it all again tomorrow for Part 2. Things really heat up in Part 2 so buckle up and I'll see you there! Here's the link to join the premiere and chat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYLSoaeGpMyem6c

[@shabbirhaidershishir4534]

You are such an inspiration for me that I've started following your hairstyle 😁... Love your chord melody tutorials hundred times. Just waiting for you to prepare a tutorial on Hotel California... Fingers crossed for tomorrow

[@amyreese7509]

James Hill - just checked out Ukulelex.com. It’s something to strive for after I complete my lessons in Uketropolis (which I’m enjoying so much). Thank you for your teachings and your acknowledgment that passing on your skills makes for a better community !

[@alynawatersmusic]

Thank you!

[@davidraposo6857]

Uke on!!!!

[@terence13th]

Are u hammering while playing the bass line? Because when I'm strumming for yhe drum part, The unmuted strings get played. Please help

[@moonfire12gmailcom]

Thank you in advance for your generosity in sharing this gem with us! Seeing you do this live at Sawchyn Guitars really blew me away and opened my eyes to new uke possibilities.

[@davidemery4759]

I just bought my Ukelele and remembered James’ video playing Billy Jean live and I'm back and I found this. *chefs kiss*

[@tubeyou89119]

Have seen others doing this tutorial, but hey FINALLY THE ORIGINAL!! This is the HOLY GRAIL!! It's not easy but I am determined to learn this. Thank you so much James!!

[@spanishjo4282]

I award you the best charismatic stylish Billie Jean ukulele King 2021

[@ashanhimself6350]

The thing I've been waiting for this whole time

[@Name-is2bp]

I'm playing it on the guitar, just put a capo on the fifth fret. amazing 🤗🤗 thanks James

[@amsd5780]

AYYYYYE A TUTORIAL CAME OUT!! YOU DONT KNOW HOW LONG IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS THANK YOUUUU

[@cr8070]

j ai vu vos videos, tres sympa, et j adore ce rithme et merci pour cette premiere lecon.

[@kellenstevens7073]

I play guitar but I'm getting a uke for Christmas because I saw you performance of this on youtube. thanks man your the best

[@martaarroyovidal1983]

OMG!!!!!!!... F.. miracle!!!!.. the ONE good thing that has come from this quarantine... THANK YOU MY BEAUTIFULL FRICKING GENIUS!!!!!!

[@NateHolms]

when I watched your first video on Billie Jean, I instantly felt this urge to get a ukulele. So the next day I ordered one and iv'e been playing it ever since, thanks for the inspiration James.

[@terepaule2633]

hello james!!! I don't know if you'll read this but aside from u being generous enough in making this tutorial, just wanna say you're also a pretty awesome teacher!!! i'm currently learning this and am blown away by how you explain things easily. please do continue inspiring us, much love from the Philippines! 💗🇵🇭

[@JesseHarveyMusic]

Thanks sooo much for this tutorial man! It really opened a whole new world of possibilities for me on the uke! :)

[@sulaku]

Oh my god, extremely looking forward to learning the song, thank you so much! I have grabbed my ukulele, waiting for the bell rings!

[@chicago911susy]

This is fantastic ! It will take me the rest of my life to learn, but practice I will! Thank you James Hill!

[@alenbrackovic7657]

No it wont. You'll just end up losing a fingernail when the percussion part comes in. Enjoy the jam

[@paulambry]

Is it too early to declare this the tutorial vid of the decade? No. I didn't think so either. Thanks Mr Hill.

[@MichaelMcBride58]

I'm looking forward to this. And a tutorial on Jim's amazing version of "Voodoo Child" would be incredible too!

[@ghostcarrillo]

Loooooooooooong over due! I started playing the ukulele (my very first instrument ever) when I first saw him play his version of Billy Jean 3 years ago. Now I’m playing the guitar lol but thank you James Hill. You’re the reason I’m playing now :)

[@musicsommelier]

Such a good tutorial!!!

[@chacaldesign]

Excelente!!! Un abrazo desde Panamá!!!

[@chrish2996]

You are a legend. So talented. Great video James

[@leeoliva455]

Tu eres mi everest!

[@Dashslapp]

Great tutorial vid. I like your teaching style and your v good at delivery of information. Thankyou for post. My 9 year old is practicing now

[@jackyip111]

James, people admire your magic and you reveal it! My appreciation to you.

[@UkuLangley]

Come (alumni/guest) teach at the Langley Ukulele Association!! You are inspiring.

[@tritongail]

awesome James

[@nineleafclover1477]

So cool! Thank you James!

[@sulaku]

Awesome! Thank you

[@1724nine]

I saw your video that was live doing Billie Jean. That was so crazy incredible!! Note your teaching it! Wow!! I’m going to subscribe now.

[@tyleremery7088]

Good point about playing the bass line only on the C string. I have a low G and was just planning on learning it that way, but I'll definitely learn this way too so that I can do it regardless of the G string.

[@jameshillmusiq]

Definitely works on low G too. A little bit easier, in fact. But this way is universal!

[@anythingelseno]

subscribed 💪🏻 love it

[@MichaelNatrin]

So cool.

[@TheClassyCoconut]

James you absolute madman, can't wait for this live lesson. My uke hungers for the forbidden knowledge

[@andyduinker461]

You rock Mr. Hill !

[@morfonv]

I love youuuu thanks for this ❤️

[@Lilamorrr]

How can this happen..I'm shocked.Because I saw your video years ago but last year I bought a ukulele and before I was saying I can't play like this but suddenly I said at the beginning of February that "I wish it had a tutorial because I wanna learn so much" and than i saw today to this .Maybe I feel that you will do this tutorial.I don't know but this is a real miracle for me.Also the like button was 999 before I touched and I became 1000th.I also believe that the number 1 meaning about is created with thought.this is a big miracle for me.I hope you can find like that what are looking for in your life.Thank you 1000 times and I hope that you keep making these tutorials 😊💖🎼🎸🌈🍀🌞

[@Frank44060]

This is so awesome! Thanks for this and ALL of the great content you put out. I've learned so much!

[@RileyKnifeandTool]

This guy is a good teacher.

[@jovanastojanovic2580]

Bestie i started playing the uke cause of this. Love ya ♥️

[@glad5324]

Merci James!

[@ГітаЗахир]

What ukelele do I need for this ?

[@anj.guitarscapes]

Dude I've been waiting for this since i saw you in another live video. I don't even play the ukelele. Awesooome

[@palzongbhutia9904]

Thank you so much.. for this tutorial 🌻

[@heriothandyman3148]

Having had the pleasure of meeting you and mixing you; your performance stuck in my mind for years and has led me to this video today. Haven’t spent a good while practising, I have even further respect and enjoyment of your show! I do indeed believe!

[@nomis.k]

Just watched ur performance in California 2011, u are amazing !!!

[@sarahyehya5149]

Ive been waiting too long for this!!!

[@sherella6889]

amazing!

[@hannabondarenko9740]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial

[@grafzettel]

I'm waiting for this so long...😄

[@lenns_artwork]

great skills👍

[@herbertbrockhaus6887]

Super …. super …. super!!! Super explained!!!

[@flyingyogateacher]

WOW...THANKS SO MUCH

[@ГітаЗахир]

What type of ukelele is that someone please ? And how come he can link it to speakers ?

[@shellydianenovascotia3914]

So disappointed I missed this...darn it.....so excited to play and see if I can follow along! Thanks James...you have made one Truro girl very happy :-)

[@jameshillmusiq]

No worries, Shelly. Tune in today for part 2!

[@dinoakina4352]

Thanks vary much

[@southerngirlsociety]

At this point, I think we have all heard you do Billie Jean so many times that while we absolutely love it - literally every time... we are DYING for you to do something new. By new, I mean... I'd give the world to see you do "Devil Went Down To Georgia" by Charlie Daniels!! If anyone can do it all on one ukulele without accompanying instruments, it's you!! AND, you know we're going to want a tutorial too so just go ahead and do that as well. LOL! I'm paying for your online lessons right now and probably will be for a while since my hope and dream is to get the teacher certification as well so consider this my paid subscription request. LOL! No joke.

[@gaylemg]

Woooo!!! Yeah man! Thank you 💞

[@shabbirhaidershishir4534]

I wish i could fast forward time... Cant wait 😍

[@soni8777]

Aaaaa i am waiting its still so new even after year eeeyah!❤

[@yugalupasani4126]

do you play ukulele?

[@michaeljohns5154]

you are awesome! That is just crazy awesome! Thank you :)

[@cathywilson5190]

Honestly you are amazing, such a great and talented player . Fantastic tutorials. Thank you so much for sharing ! Appreciate you! :-)

[@dv8tion913]

thank you James you're so awsome

[@ZAIvibe]

This is so amaziiiiiiing

[@NPOSK]

Thanks for sharing sir James, you are a big inspiration to ukulele enthusiasts. Anyway who doesn't know James Hill, ha ha ha

[@pelinsu7812]

omggggg you're the guy who performed this on a scene I loved your performances !!

[@brandondanganan6662]

This is awesome, thank you man for making this!

[@mistykaren_]

Awesome! Can't waiiiit!

[@AashisKharel]

I saw your Amazing Ukulele Drum beat video and I'm truly amazed. Somehow found your official channel after 1,2 minutes search. Haha. But you're amazing guy. Love from Nepal 🇳🇵❤️

[@Juliequeen771]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@julianh.7874]

Holyy yes im exited

[@carltrinkwon7739]

Waiting, Uke in Hand !!

[@juddeemaxwell7590]

Thanks.

[@jgzw_06]

I've waited long enough for this video 📹😭

[@mr-riyanz]

Thank you for toturial..

[@HaoTuckPang]

Love it, finally found my teacher on Billie Jean

[@bartomiejorowski4940]

I'm already warming up :)

[@gavincox795]

Very cool, I saw a vid of you performing this, freaking awsome. I'm gonna practice frig out of this.

[@Ozrockerie]

OK - So this song is going to take a lot of time to learn. I haven't even tried to play chords this far up the fret board before (a 3 1/2 years playing intermediate player). When I said I wanted to challenge myself - yep - it's a challenge. All I'm going to do till I've mastered it is those three chord changes in the riff. I can do this. Go away arthritis stiffness.

[@ignatiusb.samson977]

Ok.... is no one going to talk about the epic Lp collection in the background? I'd love to hear more about that as well.

[@edetzen]

A long time ukulele myth is finally revealed! I eager for the tutorial since I watched the video eight years ago! So amazing and magic! Could I share tutorial part 1, part 2, and UkuleleX on my blog in Taiwan?

[@jameshillmusiq]

Of course, feel free to share. Taiwan... I miss you!

[@edetzen]

@@jameshillmusiq Welcome to Taiwan again!

[@coyamanoukulelelabo]

Yes we got you he he;) Oh I really enjoyed this! I was playing in key Fm→Fm6→Fm-7→Fm6 but now I got it! Thank you for sharing James! Uke on🙌

[@dylanlikesfood]

That's amazing how you can do that! I'm so glad you are teaching us. I've got the chords and drum beat at the same time but still gotta get the bassline. One thing I noticed though in your other videos is on the C note you dont have your finger on the 2nd fret. What do you do to still make it sound the same? I have small hands so if it's an easier pattern that would be greatly appreciated!

[@BunnyJoker]

I have the exact same question. Why the tutorial teaches it differently from how he plays on live shows?

[@syoti69]

oh look its the legend

[@aminulislamjoy8252]

we also need a video on smooth criminal

[@AlejandroCarlstein]

First at all, thank you for sharing. Much appreciated. I was mystified when I first saw you play it. :) Second, if I might ask, what is the brand and model of Ukulele that you are playing with on this tutorial? Third, what advice you provide to someone that is going from a regular ukulele to an acoustic ukulele like the one you're using? Thank you for your time.

[@marklaurenceagbayani1045]

Is that a tenor size ukelele sir?

[@chaihu7758]

Hi James, are you going to attach these videos to the course on uketropolis?

[@uketropolis]

No, this is a separate bonus. Only available on KZbin. Ukulele X course is: Play kick drums, snares and hi-hats on your ukulele. 3 LESSONS Play chords and melodies while playing a drum beat. 5 LESSONS Use a pair of chopsticks to go where no ukulele has gone before. 7 LESSONS

[@katesaz_a8947]

Hello! Thanks for the video and sorry for the stupid question) why are we playing the chords like this? I thought Am7 is a chord where you Don’t touch anything? Or is this just another way to play the chord?

[@gavine2363]

FINALLY OMG

[@chetanmali3969]

finally a james hill tutorial yaasss

[@ThreeLittleKids]

This was a awesome. We need a # so we can post our progress on IG

[@uketropolis]

Will be looking for #billiejeanuke #billiejeanukulele #ukuleleX #jameshill #jameshillukulele

[@mariekedewitte9418]

WEEHOO ! ! Fantastic...thank you, thank you thank you : ) P.s. anybody know what brand this uke is?

[@jameshillmusiq]

Thanks, Marieke. This uke is a beautiful custom tenor by Pat Megowan: patmegowan.com/