Jake Shimabukuro-While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Jake Shimabukuro plays his signature version of George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps, May 18, 2009 at the Four Seasons Hualalai. The concert was a benefit for Hawaii Performing Arts Festival.

[@a395205700]

This is the very first video that inspired me to play ukulele. Finally learned this song after playing ukulele for 7 months. Some days I practice 10 hours a day, I got mixed feelings when I perform the entire song for myself the first time. Thank you Jake, you are my inspiration.

[@sharifahaz-zahra4775]

even the shredding part??

[@randompersononinternet7472]

Make a tutorial .

[@ukewithme6792]

Damn, 10 yours a day?! I rarely sit myself down to practice.

[@nitimittal3707]

Do you have tabs?

[@a395205700]

@@nitimittal3707 Jake has so many versions of "weeps", I can send you a copy of one of the variation through email.

[@suanzytan]

Jake Shimabukuro, playing his ukulele while his guitar gently weeps.

[@bennitojoel6360]

Suanzy Tan its a ukulele my friend.

[@mugensamurai]

Oh the side guitar? Well what can I say sometimes you gotta please the main one first.

[@lorieevans2009]

HAHAHHAHAAAA oml thats so funny XD

[@rainorcoffee]

hahaha😂

[@bobsaturday4273]

no kidding !

[@richardmcroberts7436]

He’s just extraordinary. It’s a classic song , but Jake’s version is superb.

[@terinHI]

Guys, thanks for your interest. Jake is playing a custom koa tenor ukulele in standard tuning. His ukes are made by the Kamaka family in Honolulu. Google kamaka ukulele for more info. There's one very cool video about the company/family. They have been making quality instruments for generations. I'm not affiliated in any way. Aloha...

[@takewealth]

@Lucas Wang That's awesome Lucas.

[@Moonlight_li]

Hi Terry, thanks for your post! I'm actually a friend of Jake's a did a cover of his song Dragon here kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5amZqyGp7Ccors

[@jroxx11211]

pretty cool to see someone take an overlooked instrument and become a virtuoso with it.

[@MissionaryInMexico]

Well, not a virtuoso, but pretty darn good.

[@MissionaryInMexico]

Carys K virtuosos make no mistakes. Jake makes plenty of mistakes. He plays the ukulele about as well as I play guitar. I'm not a virtuoso. But I have been a world tour concert musician. So, in my expert opinion... versus your... whatever... he's not a virtuoso.

[@MissionaryInMexico]

@@caryskenway8034 Highly skilled. Oh, now that settles it... 🤣 Then by that measure, every musician with just more than average ability is a virtuoso. You forced me to go down this road even though it is extremely embarrassing to you... It seems I was misled in my 51 years of music making. That means that for 50 years, I have been a legitimate musical virtuoso on the piano, and for 43 years, I've been a virtuoso on the bass, for 41 years I've been a virtuoso as a drummer and hand percussionist, for 39 years I've been a virtuoso on the guitar, 31 years I've been a virtuoso on the mandolin and violin and banjo, and for 22 years I've been a virtuoso on the Australian Dijeridu. By your reading and devaluation of the word "virtuoso" then... I have won local, regional, national and international awards for my musical performances. And in my mind I'm only upper-average. So, thanks! I've been highly promoted, thanks to you! At least 75% of musicians, too... (not including people who pick up an instrument twice per month, but people who really play) are now virtuosos as of two hours ago. The world is truly filled with virtuosos everywhere you look because of you. Thank you so much for that. You have changed history! *Not.* Though I've performed in more concerts than can be counted on my ears nose fingers and toes, (my first public performance at age 7), I've played in at least 7 world tours, have appeared in numerous music CDs and have 3 music CDs of my own... Despite all that, I am STILL NOT A VIRTUOSO and in all modesty am at least the equal in at least 5 instruments, in comparison to our friend in the video. You completely miss the meaning of the word virtuoso. Go look it up again, this time looking at *all* the words that describe a virtuoso, and look at the included synonyms. I'm not going to do your work for you, I'm just pointing out how ridiculous you are for reducing the word virtuoso to include average musicians such as the one in this video, who does not come *close* to qualifying as a virtuoso because of his constant numerous mistakes. Just because he's developed his own style does not make him a virtuoso. You're taking two words "Highly skilled" which are on the extreme lower end of the definition of the Italian word "Virtuoso" but still way above the performance level of our friend in the video, and, you're omitting, *purposely* the other words in the definition that absolutely exclude our upper-average non-virtuoso, mistake ridden performance ukulele player here, that, by real definition also excludes most players worldwide. That leaves just a few musicians in the upper 1/4 of 1% who ever lived, to include Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Hedges, Jimi Hendrix and Neal Peart, (performing virtuosos) to Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Bach (composition virtuosos). People who make 2 or 3 identifiable mistakes in a single song, let alone one mistake, or let alone, upwards of 25 or more identifiable mistakes like this fellow on his ukulele, they simply exclude themselves from being anywhere near virtuoso level because they are not playing at high skill level. Sure guys like this *who are really good* are *fun to listen to* if you can overlook all the mistakes and you're not looking for legitimate virtuosity out of a performer... There are/ have been VERY FEW virtuosos on the planet. This ukulele player is decent, fun to listen to, but very far below virtuoso level by any definition of the word. Nice try. But... Big fail. Don't play with the English language to suit your own arguments because then you look like Obama and nobody will take you seriously. My 51 years of musical expertise versus your ability to "look up a word, then misrepresent it," well, "Whatever." Next thing you're going to say is that you're a unicorn. 🦄 Edited for typos...

[@MissionaryInMexico]

@@caryskenway8034 If you are a unicorn because *you say* you're a unicorn, and there are only two of the weakest words to identify you as a 🦄 unicorn in an online dictionary's definition, then, by all means, you're a unicorn. According to you. So... Now you're a unicorn. There we go, riddle solved! It was *never about Jake being a virtuoso, it was that you're a unicorn.* Thank you for clearing that up and making the most important point of the year. You're a unicorn. And in the same way you falsely claim Jake is a virtuoso, then so am I. Man you just don't get it. A 1/4 second Google search on the word virtuoso, misrepresented, versus my 50 plus years of the mastery of music. What a fool you are. And a unicorn. 🦄 🦄 🦄🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄🦄 🦄🦄 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄

[@MissionaryInMexico]

@@caryskenway8034 Down, girl. 🦄

[@klbax63]

I'm 53 and this is One of the most beautiful things I have ever heard the chords and those ringing harmonics were amazing

[@thomasjin1415]

klbax63 53? Man that's old

[@Autumn_Forest_]

53 is the new 33, and anyway, reaching any age is an utter privilege. Hopefully you'll come to realize this as you age (which I hope you have the privilege of doing). :)

[@ginah5979]

megamanzerolosthero hahaaa

[@eottoe2001]

The uke has a better sound than the mandolin or lute.

[@mahmoud-quran]

eottoe2001 true

[@elderstatesman9932]

It was so nice to see such a respectful audience that didn’t interrupt with a bunch of idiotic whoops and screams. This guy is amazing

[@anne1002]

😆

[@nuschlerclark895]

We love our musicians here! Much respect! The only whoops you’ll hear are when the kane kahiko hula halau are dancing. (ancient male hula groups) Screams, callouts are expected at the Merry Monarch Festival each year in Hilo, HI each year! Yahoo! Bruno Mars, Filipino, was born and raised here in Honolulu…homeless as a kid.

[@mallorylewis1418]

I think it's because the listener is 100% enthralled when he plays

[@jeremybuck1590]

Was lucky enough to accidentally stumble on a live performance within days of this video at a different venue. Been listening to him since.

[@hatfieldrick]

Surely it is impossible for a ukulele player to be any better than this. Absolutely, literally wonderful. All hail Jake!

[@N0T1VE_]

Jake is him

[@yesiam_orginal]

hmm 🤔 Ye I know And his name is mylow "Musical mylow"

[@nolantevaseu6904]

you should check out this kid named feng e he is awesome and he looks like he could surpass jake in a few years

[@rivas3110]

Not if my boy aukina has anything to say about that

[@dangerman808]

@@rivas3110 Aukina and my boy Barov can start a Sleep Token style band, but with ukulele and drums *handshake emoji*

[@JohnLeGear]

George Harrison would have been so proud to hear Jake's take on "Gently Weeps." Beautiful.

[@Techmoblad]

A dozen years later and we're listening to this legend's playing. Damn i can't get over that shredding part near the end it's so flawless (starts at about 3:31 btw)

[@kalvinkealoha]

Jake is insane, that uke is just an extension of his body, it's a part of him... amazing control of that instrument, homeboy goes unconscious after the 4min mark

[@sophien5416]

Jake Shimabukuro playing ukulele makes guitars around the world gently weep. 🌎 ❤️ 🎶

[@kiki12901]

Wow, George Harrison would be proud. Amazing job.

[@mirandapoh9198]

Yes my guitar is gently weeping because I'll never be able to play any instrument as well as Jake Shimabukuro… He is truly amazing at playing the ukelele!

[@BigOz517]

Jake is the king of the ukulele.Living in hawaii i watched him go from child prodigy to the best in the world,

[@kenpataky]

Incredibly weak ass Applause for one of the most amazing performances on ukulele in the history of the human race.

[@CeresKLee]

They were just too stun, but they each when out bought ukuleles.

[@RebeccaAuge]

Peaking . . . Outstanding!

[@brylorbs69]

If you ever see him in concert it's an experience you'll never forget!

[@hawaiidiver2]

Harrison's guitar weeping is his analogy of the Beatles break up. George had a house here in Hawaii and used to travel with 2 ukes in order to loan one to anyone that wanted to jam with him...

[@PuffythePig]

+hawaiidiver2 That sounds like him! George was a legend.

[@androidvan]

+hawaiidiver2 While my guitar gently weeps was recorded in Sept. of 1968. The beatles didn't break up until two years later. This song has nothing to do with the break-up of the band.

[@hellowaya]

+A Van Horne probably the indication already sparked two years prior the break-up.. I don't know.. Just guessin..

[@yerkyakit]

A Vann zxf

[@mugensamurai]

I've always wondered what George's opinion of Jake would have been. The man seemed to be so chill.

[@_Bat-Man_]

Any guitarist watching this knows this was pure gold.

[@TapDanceGuy]

Every time I watch this I sit in my seat stunned for a few minutes.

[@XPLOSV2]

So I watched this about 50 times a day on repeat... still doesn't get old.

[@sppl]

Those strumming patterns at the end...!!!

[@takewealth]

S P it's just DDU super fast. Truly an amazing breakaway solo.

[@boots8562]

I called Maui's Department Of Motor Vehicles today, this song was playing while on hold.

[@LVAgurl13]

How could the crowd not applaud louder?! -.- HE WAS AMAZING!!!!

[@edmeacham2616]

His original YT video of this is still my favorite, but when he starts to bring it home in this one... goose bumps.

[@PanioloBee]

Had the pleasure of seeing Jake perform. He has take the ukulele from the shores of Hawai’i to the world.

[@michelledestefano410]

Just saw him in Maui last night. What a tender spirit. Great show, great music, great guy!

[@samreecewellsable]

Those licks at the start are so fucking ace

[@crazymarf]

Then please, explain to me what is "intellectual" about not swearing. I bet it's ok to be randomly judgemental of strangers, as long as you don't use swear words.

[@ulisesanzures6368]

Kaptain Kid one day your going to enter a bar and then get shit kicked out of you for being socially stupid. Have fun having aspergers.

[@hansfranz8795]

Deez n Ffs, stop using Asperger's or autism as an insult.

[@patricioaliaga4024]

while my ukelele gently weeps...awesome version.

[@mikewelch4778]

Thank you Jake for making George proud, you killed it, the feeling and the sound. Don't ever stop playing. And now I have a Ukulele, thanks Jake for the inspiration. Peace

[@エネ-n1c]

Seriously the sound is so good that l cry in tears after listening to this

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Un-be-freakin-lievable, Jake! Best version of this song by anyone, and you do it on four little strings. Brilliant. Thanks!

[@Reggie2699]

Soul therapy!!!!

[@808pochRican]

Jakes hands are like lighting.... his band pure heart ...awesome. great guys all around.

[@faroukzawady3597]

I cried, laughed, cried again, smiled while crying. Wow this is so beautiful! He is so connected! Blessings.

[@trappersgetmorebeav]

This made my heart rate increase, so excellent.

[@kimiec]

My absolute favorite song by the Beatles. Jake does a wonderful job with his version, brought tears to my eyes.

[@zom-b-bunny2565]

It's amazing that it's been so long since this

[@alsdouble]

Just found this guy via Twitter. Another unknown genius which such a fine touch his chosen instrument.

[@markemanuelgeppert9228]

Thx for this great Ukulele Player. He got really the Spirit of George Harrison in his Blood and Heart.

[@asaphjeffrey]

the thing that gets me most , is that he arranges EVERYTHING he plays (wel, almost everything) himself. its almost like re-writiing the song. amazing

[@admin92706]

INCREDIBLE. The GOAT ukulele artist. Bravo! 👍

[@tammyabney4022]

I was at home woke up turned #9 on and this is what I heard. Wow! Woke my o'l man up and he's been up watching him ever since. Such a gentle moving soul. What a beautiful person. Sharing his talent and gift with the kids at school and the world. Thank you Jake. A San Francisco fan for life.

[@loganschaloske3435]

Easily one of my favourite musical performances I've ever seen.

[@ghostlydragonsptx3407]

George would have absolutely adored this... Thank you for an amazing cover!

[@anita.fringe]

Saw him perform tonight at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. WOW WOW WOW. Such a great player!!

[@robkunkel8833]

The art of performance theater, dance and music on one state. Jake becomes an embodiment of the instrument.

[@julieabernethy9703]

I am speechless.... absolutely beautiful (: Thank you.

[@bobbiecarrasco8241]

Jake your music is beautiful, you put your heart and soul in it!

[@CamberHill]

When you play I can hear the words.That's what makes your interpretation so powerful. The detail is so well crafted that I can hear the word by virtue of notes and rhythms.

[@takewealth]

Camber Hill well said

[@roysongco]

Flawless.. He is gifted.

[@winninghogwilliams7812]

This guy is a God

[@grunklkyle92]

Amazing! George Harrison would be very pleased with this boys rendition and talent, I'm sure.

[@MargaretONeill339]

Wow! I am so impressed by the amount of the sound you get out of thst small instrument! You play it with chord inversions like I would on the piano! No easy feat on the ukulele! Congratulations on such a high end performance!

[@CaptStabbinCabin]

The solo gave me chills! All I can say is wow Jake!

[@shovelhead4558]

Ukulele is a magical instrument this man is amazing

[@johncrawford7312]

There won’t be many better than jake if any. Brilliant.Jc Liverpool uk.

[@matrix26uk]

Jake up there doing his thang while I'm at home watching him with tears running down my face cos I STILL can't get a Bm to ring out!

[@Hosunlee89]

this is the most amazing thing I've heard. One of my favorite songs played on a uke by one of the greatest uke players. wow, just wow.

[@graviron]

Before 3:30 : tranquil moment of awe After 3:30 : endless eargasm

[@verdadkaysee957]

Well, he might be playing while the guitar is gently weeping, but I am not gently weeping after this performance!!! He is just amazing and what a lovely sounding instrument. Great song, great artist, great performance! Thanks Jake!

[@AmpsforBuddha]

I ran out of adjectives to describe how awesome this was.

[@PatrickHRoss]

A pure masterclass, shimabukuro is a god among men.

[@vicktuttle]

oh my gosh, this guy is amazing, my husband is a guitar player mostly but got a uke about a year ago and he plays on it just as much as his guitar now, hope some day he get's as good as this man does, love to see him play live sometime, if he's ever in Indiana

[@florentbrasquies2138]

So impressive. Great song, great interpretation ❤ my favorite song on ukulele by far

[@notsuretwo]

Incredible Jake. Your version, your playing, your passion. Rock on.

[@amazingsoapfarmyardcollect7406]

the gifted player some music is otherworldly magical thank you

[@Autumn_Forest_]

OMG, why did this make me cry?! I'm not sad at all; it's just so beautiful!! This never happens to me.

[@jeansebastienamyot179]

UUUUUNBELIAVABLE! I’m speechless! Virtuoso !

[@shahryartabibi3304]

this is the best version of this song😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@beachside1]

Jake is a giant..just look at that guitar hehe. I remember when it made one of his 1st videos on Y/T it was in Central Park...Strawberry Fields area. God how time flies

[@OdiosCreations]

George Harrison would approve

[@Youdoyouyeah]

Jake Shimabukoro! His genius on the Ukelele inspired me to pick up one and learn the instrument. It was this song especially that made my heart sing! ❤ thank you for bringing joy into my life Jake ❤

[@robertburr9612]

A GENUINELY CLASSICAL PIECE - WONDERFUL, BRAVO.

[@wenpeng2918]

How beautiful it is.

[@tex6285]

Jake is absolutely fantastic.

[@rain8844]

After listening to so many ukulele players from Hawaii I still have to say, you're the best! Truly amazing.

[@STILLPHENOM]

i think ure a lil late to acknowledge that now...theres a reason he travels around the world to play his ukulele.. i mean who else does that or even can do that? unless ure playing in some street..

[@nuschlerclark895]

Oh Jake is just the best! Lucky you live Hawai’i!

[@dadannie]

saw him play with jimmy buffet at byron bay bluesfest this year will never forget it magnificent

[@brianfoster7064]

This is such a grand and beautiful rendition of this song.

[@timothysellers2994]

Stunning.

[@idontneednostinkingchannel6848]

great job! we sure miss George.. you've done him proud here.

[@suedavis3525]

How can anyone dislike this sensitive, virtuoso playing? just fantastic

[@takewealth]

Sue Davis on god brotha

[@mikelsbug]

Holy S#_+!!! Absolutely...I'm at a loss, My life has changed. Your gift is Awe-inspiring...

[@johnrayson6212]

saw you at Lizottes Australia, still haunts me with your talent and gift that is beyond explaining just listen !

[@richardstark5587]

Again. Bravo.

[@paninilene]

This guy is sick! I've never heard anyone play like that on a ukelele

[@rogermcguire843]

A great goal to play like this.

[@TheJavaMonkey]

Dude is amazing.

[@fiercelittleginger]

the best player out there, ladies and gents.

[@andoanderson51]

i loved the original youtube clip where jake played this song. i like this version even more, The rubato the first run through was so effective and also there were more dissonant chords throughout in this version. What a musician! One of the things that is so compelling about our current music trends is the different textures and sonorities musicians employ. The ukulele as a solo rock instrument is a great example

[@druzzzzzz]

This version feels like he forgot how he used to play it and tried to make adjustments as he matured as a musician to make it sound cleaner. The original is superior, many different notes are used in this version.

[@JaiminRajani]

Best ukulele cover of the best song ever.

[@ANDYTPNE]

Wow, a fantastic cover of my favourite George Harrison song, I have just started learning the Ukulele, I never knew you could get it to sound like this, amazing.

[@DKashman]

I was just blown away.

[@glens39chevy]

Fantastic AGAIN!

[@elvis4all]

I've watched this over and over and it appears to me that what he's doing is playing this instrument quite well.

[@charlesaquilina5274]

Wow wow and wow. What a great musician!

[@scottt2012]

we'll be seeing Jake tomorrow night. quite stoked.