I have a index finger amputated at the first joint.....This picking technique, without using my shorty index finger is the answer! I am liberated from the pick! THANKS KEN! May goodness be heaped upon you!
@craigmitchell8892 Жыл бұрын
This is so beautiful mate, the only reason I learn any style is really just to improvise. dont know why I chose clawhammer ukulele as my first dive into a stringed instrument but damn I cant wait to be able to express into the instrument like you are here. Beautiful! sometimes people in all areas of music get so caught up in learning licks and songs and people forget the pure ecstasy that is dipping into the improvisational well
@KenMiddletonUkulele Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful comments.
@StubyStubyDoo12 жыл бұрын
Absolutely superb Ken. Sitting here with a massive smile and frowning at the same time - Hell it'll take me years to get close to replicating that!
@JeffreyHarthSailing8 жыл бұрын
Like sittin' around the fire at my grandparent's house picking; each cousin chiming in with a different instrument, Pawpaw on the fiddle, and Mawmaw singing the hymns. Thanks!
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
Yes, and it's a great tune to pick.
@astaandcandy53258 жыл бұрын
GSDirtboy how does he strum and pluck at the same time
@Swinglele8 жыл бұрын
I haven't heard anything like this in a while... amazing arrangement and improv!!
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@lotsadog11 жыл бұрын
Ken I really enjoy your style of play. Beautiful music my friend. Thank you so much for sharing.
@nikkidavies465011 жыл бұрын
I must say im becoming a huge fan, really shows how amazing a uke can sound in the right hands.I am only a beginner but u are an inspiration...many thanks
@songandancedaisy12 жыл бұрын
Wow, I love that sound! The versatility of the ukulele never ceases to amaze me - and you know how I love your playing and your arrangements! Posting this one to my blog pronto.... :)
@luke10356 жыл бұрын
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for posting.
@KenMiddletonUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for listening.
@chuckjeffery9442 жыл бұрын
Outstanding!
@KenMiddletonUkulele2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Chuck.
@peterc973110 жыл бұрын
Simply wonderful.
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it. I am pleased with how it has turned out.
@bonakshed12 жыл бұрын
Wow amazing technique.Thanks for the video.
@mre_man3 жыл бұрын
Beautiful playing.
@KenMiddletonUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much. I appreciate it.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lynda. On a guitar you would use a flat pick. Lots of bluegrass uses it. Pick and strum.
@TheWildlifeStudio12 жыл бұрын
Now you are making me really jealous Ken! Smashing rendition. Ian
@kevininman20135 жыл бұрын
I love the song and the set your on!
@KenMiddletonUkulele5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for listening.
@SusanJones-de4mb10 жыл бұрын
Love this song ! Well done !
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
thanks for your comment.
@HaileMecael3 жыл бұрын
You should make a video of that technique 😉 wicked
@KenMiddletonUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Yes, nearly every other note is the thumb. Thanks for watching.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
It is just a way of playing where you use one finger and and thumb. The finger strikes the melody note with the nail.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Russ.
@capnralph12 жыл бұрын
Great job Ken.
@jgordon76612 жыл бұрын
!!! as nice as any I've heard! Well played, Sir!
@KenMiddletonUkulele11 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Steve.
@ddofat12 жыл бұрын
I love this! I wish I could play like you.
@postcardsfromheaven12 жыл бұрын
that is the first time i have seen and a ukulele claw hammered , great work on that tune im adding it to my favorites . tell us about the log cabin your in while playing . thanks for sharing vernon
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@lemoinexavier12 жыл бұрын
I keep it by my regular strum ... 10 weeks of practice is not enough to learn this. nice work, thx!
@russbuss41512 жыл бұрын
very good Ken. you play that technique well.
@lesliemccoy126510 жыл бұрын
Sweet and perfect.
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
Thanks for listening.
@PhilUSAFRet12 жыл бұрын
Whoooooaaaaa! What were you doing when that song was popular? Nice job...kind of the Kimo Hussey of clawhammer! Beginners trying to learn it get tripped out by starting out using too many "claws." A nice tutorial on your technique would be nice!
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks. No finger tapping. Just regular claw-hammer: thumb and middle finger. Certainly bending the notes - I always bend the notes.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
It is not a technique I use very often. I find I can get more notes in the accompaniment if I just fingerpick. I enjoy using it though.
@blackattackcat8 жыл бұрын
Fantabulous!!!
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
+blackattackcat Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Yes, beginners also often try to follow a set pattern (bum chick-a) and it doesn't always work that easily.
@MrSocrates712 жыл бұрын
Great piece of claw hammer, Ken, any chance you could redo this (and maybe others) as a tutorial? As a new comer to the uke, well banjo uke actually, I'm keen to learn great tunes such as the one you offer here. I'm just starting to get the claw hammer technique down, so ready for new challenges and music making via songs (especially country, blues, folk etc). Anything you can offer this way is most welcome. Many thanks. Rob :)
@KingLama16 жыл бұрын
cool.... relaxing technique....
@KenMiddletonUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@beckybites87728 жыл бұрын
Sounds awfully like The Rolling Stones 'Factory Girl' from their Beggars Banquet album. Beautifully executed with such a simple instrument (in the right hands) Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comments, Becky.
@pfrogner12 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed that very much!
@1Sewstuff7 жыл бұрын
Wow! Inspiring.
@alibates71877 жыл бұрын
Tha s fantastic! Wow!
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@esperanzamendoza60483 жыл бұрын
I loved it!!
@KenMiddletonUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Esperanza.
@davidlawson727612 жыл бұрын
Very nice, Ken!
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching.
@judgewudge10 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your reply. I just know that someday I want to play a ukulele like you. I am now going to your other KZbin posts. I would like to know where and when I can see you at a festival or concert. I' located in Florida.
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I will probably only be at the Wine Country Uke Fest this year in the US. That's a long way from FL though. Try to persuade the people who run the Florida Festival (Tampa Bay) to book me and I will certainly be there.
@joaniev12 жыл бұрын
Brilliant! if only it were as easy as you make it look!!!! :)
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for watching.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment, Stew.
@mctrmt12 жыл бұрын
You've gone back in time to before indoor plumbing, but you still play very well.
@stevewalther22935 жыл бұрын
Bravo....
@adamz8 жыл бұрын
I like this a lot, Ken. I'd love to be able to jam like this someday, I could pass a lot of time this way. Anywhere you'd recommend I'd go to learn this piece (and the chords you're playing)?
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
Just watch my left hand. And learn the clawhammer technique. Try Aaron Keim's YT channel.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
I would like to do more tutorials, but, at the moment, time is an issue. I do clawhammer as a workshop though. Ask your local festival organiser to get me there.
@joeshea101012 жыл бұрын
very nice ken and it just gets better, clawhammer works nicely, are you using your thumb at all?
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
I took a bit more care recording this one. Thanks Ian.
@Burps___12 жыл бұрын
sincerely nice. if ever a song and style would sound superb on a banjo ukulele, that's the one, ken
@vaughanudall7 жыл бұрын
Bravo!
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@judgewudge10 жыл бұрын
I would like to have you as a teacher. I love your claw hammer. Do you teach?
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
I taught music for 35 years. Now I only do workshops at major festivals. I am teaching in Paris this weekend. I don't do private lessons though. Sorry.
@agrlfmtx9 жыл бұрын
Love it Ken!! T:)
@KenMiddletonUkulele9 жыл бұрын
A Girl from Texas Good morning, Theresa. Thank you.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Yes, I suppose it is a bit trickier than it looks. Thanks.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much, Jeff. I don't use this technique very much. I generally prefer fingerpicking.
@cariboubill12 жыл бұрын
Sounds great, Ken. It just doesn't seem natural to pick the tune with the back of your middle finger for me. ...Bill
@JokoLondo3 жыл бұрын
THis tune reminds me of a melody learned in music class in school as a child, but then it was called "Mountain Dew". Are the songs one and the same, or just very similar? Wonderfully played, as always. Ah I see now it's an improv... DId you have music class in Lewisville, TExas too?
@KenMiddletonUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Mountain Dew has a very similar start and the chord sequence and general shape of the melody are alike, but it is not really the same tune. I have only ever been to Texas twice, Joko - both times to Dallas. Never taught a music class there though.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Yes, I think this type of playing can sound good on a banjo uke.
@f1948s8 жыл бұрын
Very nice Ken. I am trying to get my grandson into a ukulele. I see you are playing it looks like the concert (soprano) version. Correct me if I am wrong. I was looking into getting him a baritone model so that later he could easily go into guitar. Do you have any advice that you could give me? I sure like the sound of yours.
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
That looks like a concert. Don't get him a baritone if you are going to tune it to regular GCEA (like sops, concs and tenors). A baritone is great if you stick to DGBE tuning.
@f1948s8 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ken. I got him a concert since it was easy for him to hold and finger. Anything larger would have been a real challenge. I have a question for you about the tenor ukuleles. I have an Alvarez and have a difficult time playing bar chords at the first fret. I know tension is higher on tenors but can you tell me the normal height of the strings at the first fret like from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string. I am trying to find out if there is any way I can lower the string height since I have done this type of stuff on mandolins and guitars. I just do not have any info about standard string heights on tenors to figure out if the nut grooves need to be deepened or the bridge needs to be sanded down. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
Find someone who can lower the action at the nut. I can't really explain how to do it in a comment. There should never be a problem barring at the first fret though.
@youelad7 жыл бұрын
very good ! is there a tab for this song ?
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Not in this arrangement.
@jamesvicary42473 жыл бұрын
Sweet!
@KenMiddletonUkulele3 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@nezumichat12 жыл бұрын
you're my hero :)
@Spreemusik210 жыл бұрын
Great!
@KenMiddletonUkulele10 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@renebleu35424 жыл бұрын
Hello Ken ! What is the name of this model please ? Regards,
@KenMiddletonUkulele4 жыл бұрын
It is my Ohana TK-35G. Had it a long time.
@renebleu35424 жыл бұрын
@@KenMiddletonUkulele ... on this video, It looks like the TK50G... What do you think (comparing with...) about that another one please ?
@frostfox12087 жыл бұрын
really enjoying your video. I guess you are using your middle finger to strike downward on strings and not your index finger?
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
I use both, but I tend to have more control with the middle. That's what I am using in this tune.
@thekgt1868 жыл бұрын
Since seeing this video my whole approach to ukulele has changed. Thank you. I hope I will get to this degree one day; out of interest, around how many years did it take practising claw hammer to be able to play comfortably?
@KenMiddletonUkulele8 жыл бұрын
Not long. About a year. ButI have been playing the ukulele for 60 years. Thanks for watching.
@angelofmusic4777 жыл бұрын
If you want to learn the claw hammer, try the drop thumb claw. Some of the students including myself , found that the drop thumb claw hammer is easier to learnt before progressing to the full bum ditty with alternating middle strings at every cycle of strum.
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Clawhammer isn't my main style. You can get the right hand technique in a few months. But the left-hand technique is a bit trickier.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
As you know, my real house is very old. It has indoor plumbing now, but we count it a luxury.
@luke10356 жыл бұрын
Tutorial please???
@KenMiddletonUkulele6 жыл бұрын
Sorry.
@luke10356 жыл бұрын
Ken Middleton awe man! What have you got to lose? I’m a beginner, I’m really into the blues and I’m trying to become a better musician. Please help me on the road to educating myself as I’m sure you have been helped by those in you’re life. If someone didn’t agree to teach you then maybe you would never have discovered you love of music.
@spacemooseprime Жыл бұрын
You deserve more likes
@KenMiddletonUkulele Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@agrlfmtx9 жыл бұрын
I also like this in Black and White...:)
@KenMiddletonUkulele9 жыл бұрын
A Girl from Texas I use B&W to try to give it an oldy-worldy look. Also, I got the photo of the log cabin from Google and the colours didn't quite match. I have been to real log cabins like this one though, but in Tennessee.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world (Beach Boys).
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
It is a bit weird at first, Bill.
@GaryVuorela9 жыл бұрын
Hi Ken Picking nice song,very nice,peace GARYV
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Only if you like the sound of banjos!
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Yes, there is more gospel to come. Soon, I think.
@RondelayAOK7 жыл бұрын
tops.
@KenMiddletonUkulele7 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Practice it slowly at first. Thanks.
@KenMiddletonUkulele12 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it. I am pleased with how it has turned out.