the Happy Coconut » Hawaiian Music

Ukulele Lesson by Bruce Shimabukuro

Sushi Monster — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:59:05 +0000

For those of you who are thinking about learning to play the ukulele but don’t know where to start, here’s a video to give you a starting point. Bruce Shimabukuro, an ukulele instructor and performer, was gracious enough give us a quick lesson on strumming and picking. It’s not really a lesson on how to play the ukulele but more of just an overview of some of the basics.

One of the places where he teaches is at Ukulele Pua Pua in the Sheraton Waikiki. The store is managed by Tyler, who is also an ukulele player. In fact, I believe they will both be performing at some event at the Waikiki Trade Center on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. But anyway, Ukulele Pua Pua has the biggest and most diverse selection of ukuleles I have ever seen! Besides the usual ukuleles, they had some that were shaped like a jukebox and other non-traditional shapes. They have everything from quality entry level ukuleles all the up to some costing thousands of dollars. For those of you who are in the area, I recommend going to one of their free lessons to see if you enjoy the ukulele enough to buy one and sign up for more classes.

Although this is the first time I met Bruce, I actually saw him play a few years ago in Fukuoka, Japan. The Oahu Visitors Bureau put on some kind of Hawaii Expo at a major shopping mall. Bruce and his band got the crowd going with their energetic music and style. I remember thinking way back then that this guy had talent and charisma so it was nice to finally meet him in person. Although I don’t play the ukulele (my sister got all the musical genes), I have can tell that Bruce is a great teacher.

Anyways, here’s the video of him demonstrating some basic picking and strumming. Please give us your feedback on this video as we hope this is just the first of a series of video lessons.

Traci Toguchi – Midnight Christmas CD

Surfa Aunty — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:49:24 +0000

Midnight Christmas CD

Traci Toguchi, most of us remember her as the former 1995 Miss Hawaii, and along with her many talents and accomplishments, has a created this Christmas CD – Midnight Christmas with some popular holiday songs.

Click here to hear a sample: MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS (Joy to the World)

**To purchase the CD click on CD image above***

Old Flight Footage Over Oahu

Sushi Monster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:23:48 +0000

Take an aerial video tour of Oahu to the soothing steel guitar music of local musician, Paul Togioka.

Music by Paul Togioka

Images of Hawaii (video)

Sushi Monster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:56:40 +0000

One of my friends put together a slide show of pictures from around Hawaii set to the music of his friend, Paul Togioka. Enjoy!

Hawaii Scenic Photos by Off-Centre Photography (turtleonthesea.com), Hawaiian music (“Debra’s Lullaby”) by Paul Togioka (paultogioka.com). Presented by HawaiiClothingCompany.com

Remembering Slack Key & Gabby Pahinui

Surfa Aunty — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:26:25 +0000

I heard this song - “Moonlight Lady” by Gabby Pahinui and it brought back great memories like concerts at Waikiki Shell. Anyone have any other memories? The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band gave me my first introduction to slack key guitar music and when I hear their music it brings back a comforting and relaxing feeling of great times.

What started as a backyard jam folk type Hawaiian music, slack key today has grown in audience, even to the point where the album “Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key” winning a Grammy Award! There are regular musicians who perform slack key at various local events and activities.

Hear “Moonlight Lady” : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teyfBnDZwTk