The Live Ukulele Podcast
Join Brad Bordessa, a professional ukulele teacher and performer, for insightful deep-dives, interviews, and fun on The Live ʻUkulele Podcast! In these episodes you'll explore important uke lessons, hear first-hand stories from the Hawaiʻi music scene, and get to know some of the biggest names in the ukulele community.
With a background in Hawaiian music, Brad approaches the ukulele from the intuitive side. Through tips and tricks to improve your mentality surrounding music and the philosophy of the ukulele, he provides encouragement and permission to explore this four-stringed instrument in an organic way that works best for you.
Guests from Hawaiʻi and abroad join in to share heartfelt and insightful off-the-cuff conversations on a huge range of topics.
Tune in every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month for a new episode and be sure to subscribe.
Episodes
119 episodes
Jessica Maeve: Normalizing the Ukulele
In this episode I chat with Jessica Maeve, a singer, songwriter, and ukulele player hard at work forging a path in music. Our conversation takes us from singing tips to gigging with the ukulele as a main instrument where it's not expected.<...
DIY Mods to Get More Out of Your Ukulele
This episode is inspired by my old car that just keeps going. With some DIY adjustments, you can get the very best out of even a crappy ukulele. I discuss changing strings, adjusting the saddle height, and adjusting the nut height, along with a...
Marc Gallagher Got the UU Facebook Page Deleted
In this episode I chat with Marc Gallagher in the UK about writing songs on the ukulele, teaching kids, and how being honest and open is necessary and important, even if it sometimes gets you in trouble. He's a real deal working musician who's ...
The Details That Make Uke Songs Sound Larger Than Life
Welcome to 2026! In this episode I share some insight on how playing simple things one way or another drastically changes the sound of the music. We'll listen to some practical examples so you can start hearing the possibilities in your own pla...
Building Character With Your Ukulele
In this season finale episode I share some updates about my work and a realization about character in ukulele styles.Become a member: https://liveukulele.com/register/member/
Maia Mayeshiro: Dance Scene Ukulele!
Maia is an instrumental ukulele virtuoso from Oʻahu who accompanies her playing with a wonder singing voice! She DJs dance parties and incorporates the uke into EDM genres.In this episode we chat about artistry and forging a fresh path.<...
Dizzi Diamond on Originality and the Craft of Uke
In this episode I sit down with Dizzi Diamond to talk about music, freestyling, beauty, and her 8-string baritone ukulele.Dizzi's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DizziDiamond1212...
Uke Day Judgement - With Autotune!
Join me for some thoughts on ukulele week and how the uke isn't Portuguese, what it's like to have nervous students, and why "perfect" kinda sucks.Step By Step picking ebook:
The Dance of the Ukulele
A quick reflection on dancing around the other musicians you play with. Push, pull, be dynamic!
The Renaissance Man: Uncle George Kahumoku, Jr.
Here's the conversation with one of my main mentors that we're all been waiting for! Truly just scratching the surface of the stories this amazing man can tell from his life. If you enjoy Uncle's stories, check out his hilarious books, A Ha...
"I Really Don't Like That Song, Dude!" - Keʻala Lindsey
In this episode I talk to next-generation slack key/ukulele player, Keʻala Lindsey, about learning by osmosis, Hawaiian immersion, and songs that don't land well with local boys.Keʻala's Instagram:
TLUP Classic: Isaac Wang & the Live Ukulele Origin Story
This episode throws back to season 2, episode 14 when I talked to my friend, Isaac Wang, about the beginning of our music careers and the website. I also share an update on the George Kahumoku Slack Key & Ukulele Workshop.
"Kōkeʻe" - Kani Ka Pila Classics: ʻŌlelo Breakdown
Pronouncing the Hawaiian language correctly is one of the many important ways foreigners should respect the people, place, and culture of Hawaiʻi. In this episode, I walk through the basic pronunciation of Reverend Dennis Kamakahi's classic son...
The #1 Goal for Every Uke Player: Serving the Music
Many people get caught up in the latest ukulele technique or strum they're learning and automatically add it to every song. This is a surefire way to make every song boring and cliche. It's important to step back and observe the overall effect ...
Singing Expression & Lesson with Joey Bradley
Singing is a wonderful way to accompany your ukulele playing. Anyone can use it to create more diverse arrangements and connect better to the expression of their music.In this episode I sit down with my friend, Joey Bradley, for a discus...
Huh? What? My Plan For Not Going Deaf as a Musician
Working musicians are often around loud sounds. Ukulele players not so much, but it can still have an impact on your hearing. In this episode I discuss some areas that I try to be cautious and provide some tips for saving your hearing.<...
TLUP Classic: Kelly Hyde
In this rebroadcast of one of my favorite podcast interviews, I speak to songwriter and baritone uke rhythm whiz, Kelly Hyde.Kelly's site: https://www.kellyhydemusic.com/Kelly's...
Stories About Plugging In + New Uke Ebook
This episode celebrates the launch of my new ebook, Plug In! It's all about choosing the right gear and getting the settings right so you get the best sound out of your ukulele pickup. I share some stories from my evolution of understanding liv...
Mim's Inside Scoop on Setups and the Ukulele Business
This month's guest runs one of the most well-regarded online ukulele shops in the USA. Mim has been a longtime proponent of providing a setup for every instrument sold. In this episode we peek behind the veil of the ukulele selling business and...
When to Give Up on Playing Something
We often get over-determined to practice and play something. When is a good time to let go? In this episode I try to answer the question: when should I give up on a chord, song, or technique?Live Ukulele store:
Jamming Under the Influence(r): Jiggy with Viggy
Victoria aka Jiggy with Viggy joins the podcast for a fun exploration of arranging songs for ukulele, what it's like to be a big deal on social media, and how "Vicky" became "Viggy"!Jiggy with Viggy:
Out With the Old, In With the New - Uke Style!
Welcome to the first episode of season 6 of the Live Ukulele Podcast! This week I share some updates and dig into the concept of "killing your babies," letting go of things that are holding you back in your music.- Changelog:
2024: Is it Over Yet? A Live Ukulele Review
Recap of 2024 and the challenges, successes, and plans for the future.- Ways to support: https://liveukulele.com/support/- Easy songs database: