Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Tutorial)

Posted by chris on December 27, 2007

Dear Friends,

Well the Copyright Claim against this video has been dropped due to inaction by Range Road Music Inc. Maybe they’re just waiting to sue me, who knows.

In my interactions with them (through email), I was very surprised and disturbed by their supposed attitude toward music and copyrights. I explained quite clearly to them that I do not ever intend to profit from this video. It is but my service to people who wish to learn these two wonderful songs. I think they think this is still all about money for me. Frankly, I think it’s all about just money to them, rather than this wonderful legacy that their song (What a Wonderful World) has left. And for the thousands of people who are now able to share in this piece of music as a result of this video.

I’m not going to take down this video, but to all my viewers, please remember that as a person going in to Christian Ministry, I will have no means at all to defend myself should a law suit be brought up against me. Please keep in mind how you have been helped by this video, and maybe if I need it some day, you would be able to help me too.

Thank you all, once again for watching my video!
Chris

Filed Under: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Lessons, Ukulele, Videos

William Sharp said,

great tutorial! probably best on youtube.. but i was just wondering how do i know how long to keep strumming the same chord before the next one starts i have trouble with timing of switching.. and tips?
bernard caine said,

This is excellent wish u did more uke instructions(think about it please) im not a pianist.
Øyvind said,

This is a great lesson. But does we play 3th string, down up, up, down, up the hole time? And play we it always 2 times?( Im from norway so i dont speak very god english)
Vili Sega said,

Excellent I hope you will do more .So far you are the best Ive come across.(Not bad for a pianist he he he) Keep up the good work.
George Moore said,

Thank you very much for this instruction. You are the best on the web. You may have made a mistake in the video, please check it out. It appears the first time you show the Em it is an Fmaj, then you show the Em properly. Just a little confusion, but still excellent video. Thank you again.
QCRON said,

Thank You for the GREAT Video and your Web site with notes and lyrics help you sign and play and learn timing. This help clarify all the wrong information on the web.

I hope you do more on the Uke.

Thank You again.
rodrigo macedo said,

thank you
im from brazil, and i love IZ SONGS these one( WUT A WONDERFUL WORLD) TOUCHs my heart… and u did a good job posting this to us MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR MY BROTHER…..
ONCE AGAIN THANKS
RODRIGO MACEDO.
rodrigo macedo said,

ONE MORE QUESTION HOW CAN I GET A OFFICIAL UKE LE LE…??? THANKS
diogo said,

how do i tune my ukelele ? can u help me?
lessons said,

search “online ukulele tuner” on google, you’ll find one that’ll play the sounds for you.
mike said,

Yeah – Thanks for the quick lesson – up & jamming Bruddah IZ in no-time. On da beach in Hanalei – what a spot to try my new Uke!

RODRIGO MACEDO – you gotta come to Hawaii to get a UKULELE like Bruddah IZ! They’re hand-crafted from native Koa trees here in Hawaii (and can be ordered on the net). IZ (Israel K.) came from the forbidden Island of Niihau, then moved to Oahu.

G-String (Oahu) makes really beautiful ones – http://www.gstringukuleles.com
Island (Kauai) makes really beautiful ones – http://www.ukuleledirect.com
Mele (Maui) makes real nice ones – mixed woods & cheaper – http://www.meleukulele.com

Also- Be sure to order/play with GUT strings (nylon’s not nearly as good) – Italian brand Aquila (www.aquilachorde.com) – Baritone, Tenor & high & low-G. These strings make even bad Ukuleles sound sweet.

Keep up da kine tunes, Chris!
Ross said,

What kind of Uke. is that? Soprano, Tenor, or Baritone?
lessons said,

Can’t say for sure but it’s alot bigger than a typical uke so I’d guess tenor or baritone…
MDonati said,

Thanks so much for this! I’m doing some research to help my child’s public school music teacher, and found your site through your youtube video. It’s so good of you to offer this lesson!
MDonati said,

Can different types of ukes be used together by a group?
Dano said,

Chris,

Thanks for the music – it sounds pretty close to the real thing. You gotta work on the Hawaiian names though – I’ll try to help – Israel’s last name is pronounced like this – Ka Ma Ka We Wo O Le.

If you want to try another Hawaiian song look up Waimanalo Blues – pronounced Why Ma Na Lo….

Dano
florence said,

hey chris thanks for this excellent video
i’d like to learn the ukulele but don’t know which size to start with. your advice please! thanks
John said,

Excellent video. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
John Hasegawa said,

Great stuff champ!! Love what your doing. You’ve inspired me.
Ben said,

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot, you rock!
Patrick said,

I thank you for this song that is sublime.
I am French and I don’t speak English at all, therefore I serve myself of a translator.
I wanted to ask for what ukulele you use. There are 4 ways of it of which the soprano, the concert, the tenor and the baritone that have some different sizes.
Again thank you for what you give us.
Patrick
Jess said,

Hi Chris! I just got an ukulele, but i’m not sure what size it is. from the tip to the base it’s abt 19″, so i’m guessing it’s a baritone. that would be the same as yours, right?

but how to you manage to tune it to GCEA instead of DGBE? wouldn’t the tension on the strings be too much or something?

thanks for your help!
Jamie said,

Great tutorial! Thanks
Daniel said,

Hey I love that and I’d like to play the uke but I don’t know where to start. Also, what was each string tuned to?
Matthew said,

thanx alot man! you taught me my first song and how to play! great teachin!
GOD blessed you with some excellent musicianship.
keep on playin
GOD bless1 Peter 4:7-11
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of GOD. If anyone ministerds, let him do it as with the ability which GOD supplies, that in all thins GOD may be glorified in JESUS CHRIST, to whome belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:9-10
Hi said,

Me was here me play god I from New Zealand so I don’t skeak or write god english!!! Don’t ask why because I just don’t know ok got that retard.
Lisa said,

Thank you so much for your help and kindness. I would like to contact the correct party(s) to formally address the removal of your tutorial. Please advise. God Bless You…and I know Izzy is behind you on this.
Randy said,

Great video thanks…I can’t find the chords on your site…does it still exist? Thanks again…
David Faddis said,

I just bought a ukulele and learned my first song from you. You are an inspiration and a very talented musician. Thank you.

In Christ, David
Rick said,

Hi Chris… thanks for the nice and informative ukelele video on Youtube, and you mention a chord sheet on your website (for Over The Rainbow) but I cann’t find it. If it’s there could you post a link?

You are clearly a nice person and best of luck in everything you do.

Merci,

Rick
Ottawa Canada
Ernie and Jenni said,

Hi Chris,
We’re sitting here in Cairns Australia and just watched your ukulele tutorial. Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing. Sorry to hear about the problem with the publishers and hope they don’t take things any further.
Peace,
Ernie and Jenni