ROY SMECK Tiger Rag

[@edmondscott7444]

Roy Smeck = marvellous.

[@matthew1906]

Roy Smeck, the Wizard of the Strings, is largely forgotten today. The multi-instrumentalist was equal in talent to Django Reinhardt. Having a comedic act likely cost him the respect he deserves as an artist.

[@SonBrimmer]

I meet so many people who play the Uke and it's crazy that most of them have never heard of Roy Smeck or know anything about this style. not only does this kick ass, but its part of our musical heritage as Americans!

[@clockguy2]

Born Leroy Smeck, 6 February 1900 - 5 April 1994. I read that he practiced all the time. He even got fired from a job because they caught him playing uke in the bathroom when he was supposed to be working. He sometimes would even practice after he was in bed.

[@cloudmonkey2686]

Died the Same day as cobain.

[@natestein5988]

@@cloudmonkey2686 I thought the same thing.

[@dylan-kerry]

It doesn’t matter how many recordings of this piece one listens to, there’s always a new, completely original way of playing the Tiger you’ll have never heard before

[@kathleenebsen2659]

Roy Smeck! I saw a documentary interview with him on KZbin. He was selected as the very first subject of a talkie feature film from Warner Brothers! That’s why everyone at this time knew who he was. He spurred on the ukulele craze. If you watch performances of some balalaika music, there are similar show boat tricks.

[@f.w.2054]

How can anyone be so precise on such a small instrument?!!!!

[@stracepipe]

My fave all time recording is Roy Smeck and his Serenaders playing Love Walked In - I can't find a recording of it anywhere.

[@Saoff]

thanks! i used to listen to this endlessly, glad to see it back up!

[@ToddLorencmusic]

Just amazing!! He played a Martin soprano and it was an early 30’s model style 1

[@jerrytopinka]

I find it hard to believe that anyone in there right mind would not see the talent in Roy Smeck. Any musician that's made a name for themselves should be respected for their accomplishments. By comparing one player to another doesn't do anyone any good. Most of all you will miss what's really going on. Everyone has something to offer. Here's a quote for ya. "A genius can always learn from a fool, but a fool will never learn from a genius" Great Playing Roy Smeck.

[@naiwiteruya5390]

Watched this video clip for years never gets old, Roy smeck= wizard of strings

[@Dtrollmancan]

He is so fraking fast O_o, well now this my new goal on my practice

[@grumbarpanz]

good luck,

[@charleshopkins87]

Would have loved to hear him to the Tiger Rag with Larry Adler on harmonica, wonder if it ever happened

[@rockinroy]

what brand of coffee did he drink? this is timeless....what year is that???????? if you look at those in the background you can see this is not sped up.

[@ToddLorencmusic]

rockin roy it’s the 1930’s he played an early thirties Martin soprano!

[@lexingtonlad5745]

One word. Wow.

[@thesicilianguitarist]

I just don't get it... seriously...how could anyone hit the dislike button?!? Those idiots must have done it by mistake. Mr. Smeck has made over 500 recordings, played for Franklin D. Roosevelt, and invented the Vita-Uke. There shouldn't even BE a dislike button up in here!

[@dcs4947]

horrible quality, looks like it was filmed in 1920's!

[@jasonhawks2225]

@@dcs4947 oh My Fucking God ... If that's not a joke ...

[@dcs4947]

@@jasonhawks2225 dude, you got to get off the internet and recalibrate that sense of humour

[@SoFloSoFawny]

Now that’s how you should play your uke! Awesome!

[@Kevin-wr9um]

Decaf Roy, decaf.

[@oknwht]

Very nice!!! There is a group in Langley B.C. (that is in Canada) that do very well with the Uke. Check out the Langley ukelele Ensemble...they are my neighbours...:)

[@julianfalcon4739]

Wow. Amazing 👍

[@lexo30]

Avant-garde!!!!

[@taputapu4192]

tamegoro002さん 弦楽器の魔術師といわれていた人です♪ まさに神業ですね。

[@999manman]

Sonuva....that was FRAILING technique! I am gonna try and apply some of that to my guitar riffage!

[@madeleinebelle2105]

I have a Uke that's gathering dust, I feel stupid that I have yet to grasp one tune...seeing this fella hasn't helped one bit...can only imagine he started playing at 2 years old! >>> thankyou

[@kevinangus4848]

Look, it's Eddie VanHalen's father! Seriously. They just heard him play 57th Street Rag on the guitar. 😂

[@taputapu4192]

Saoff It preserved it in the personal computer.

[@G0UDG]

Awsum

[@Kirke182]

@matthew1906 Really? So he also played stringed instruments with only two fingers on his left hand?

[@dinodino2507]

Mano q cara incrível

[@PelicanBay1971]

Its easy to see where Eddie Van Halen got his talent...... this is his Dad for those who don't already know. Amazing family.

[@FujiAppul]

Really?

[@MaestroECMcCloud]

This is not Jan Van Halen. Therefore this is not Eddie Van Halen's father

[@ArmyK9]

Someone please assure me that wasn't a trick? Like camera being sped up or something? His skill is un-fucking-belivable!!

[@TonyGilbert1]

Nope roy was just that damn good

[@izzydsings]

Wow

[@samuraistalin]

@matthew1906 Tell George Formby that.

[@FoxyLobo]

Whoah

[@KillerAcro]

Salmon fish cake

[@HandlebarOrionX]

FUCKING METAL!!

[@HandlebarOrionX]

@@lazyrrr2411 It wasn't? It's kind of a pretty big complement. I was head banging the whole way through

[@willyrosenkrantz8037]

wtf?