Mele Hawaiʻi Ukulele Lesson #30 | A Skill EVERY 'Ukulele Player Should Have

0:37 - 1930’s Martin 2M soprano
1:51 - Espaniola Signature ‘ukulele
3:10 - String change begin
Recorded this “DIY how to change your strings” vid back in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and I put off editing for a while and ultimately the footage was lost. I recovered it recently and edited to give you a real time, practical tutorial on how to change strings on a soprano 'ukulele with a "pull through" bridge system. What better test subject than this AMAZING 1930’s Martin Style 2M uke I rescued from an estate sale!! This is by no means THE definitive be all end all string change guide. Just my way of doing things that has worked for over 25 years of professional playing and maybe you’ll gain a tidbit of info from my experience. Hope you enjoy!!
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[@ericacarlisle6085]

What a great instrument, can’t wait to see it in action on a future video 😊

[@jonathanavila7949]

Great video! Was wondering if for a future song, you could do a tutorial for Pūpū o Ni'ihau. Not on the mele aloha book, unfortunately, but a great song.

[@ukuleleprojecthawaii]

Great video.. I love that ukulele

[@StevenEspaniola]

Mahalo!!

[@StevenEspaniola]

Thanks watching and for following!!

[@garygotori5022]

I don’t like the tails (bridge end) long. Some times they act as a snare and vibrate on the sound board. Beautiful ukulele !!!

[@StevenEspaniola]

Yup same! My reason is for aestbetics…lol

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Helpful. Thanks.

[@StevenEspaniola]

Thanks for watching!! Will have more vids like this every now and then

[@lennpryor5247]

Nice video 🤙🏼 learned a trick or two. Mahlo! Where can someone buy your custom Kanile’a if they are curious? Kanile’a doesn’t always list their variety of customs on their site.

[@StevenEspaniola]

Mahalo nui Lenn!! Great question! Unfortunately can’t just order my model directly from the site…hopefully that will change soon! For now, have to call them direct and request the “Steven Espaniola” model. It’s saved in their catalog and ready to run quickly when you order. Of course, you can still make your own tweaks like fret markers, high gloss finish, etc…but why do that!! 😂

[@808stream]

Mahalo nō! Question: Have you or will you do a video of how to strum hawaiian dance style? I've been trying to practice on my own but it just doesn't sound right. The super fast strumming when playing prelude before starting a mele.

[@StevenEspaniola]

Aloha! I havenʻt done one specifically focusing on the vamps, but i do cover the strumming pattern you would use in some of the mele vids I’ve done…either the “classic” or “‘olapa” strum patterns are probably what you’re talking about. Pretty common in most hula. I can definitely try to make a vid and look at those intros more closely ;) Mahalo for following!!

[@808stream]

@@StevenEspaniola Oh yes that's what I mean! Mahalo nō! I appreciate your time, talents and videos!

[@StevenEspaniola]

Just FYI, I also accept private students too ;)

[@bigrecord]

Thank you sir. Quick question...when should one change the strings?

[@StevenEspaniola]

Excelent question!! Couple of different ways. Usually the instrument will have a harder time staying in tune, so you’ll be needing to periodically adjust and re-tune. Another way to check is run your finger on the underside of each string on the side that touches the fretboard. You will feel slight grooves if they need to be changed.

[@bigrecord]

Awesome advice...thank you. My grandparents purchased a soprano Kamaka in the early 70s when they visited Hawaii and gave it to me when they got home. Have taken excellent care of it but never learned how to play it until last year. Shipped it to the Kamaka family a year and a half ago to go over it since it was 46 plus years old. They restrung it for me and I had no clue when to change them. I really appreciate your kindness!

[@StevenEspaniola]

@@bigrecord No prob!! Maybe I’ll do a separate vid on “when to change”!! haha….definitely cherish that uke! Sounds like a nice legacy piece!