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339 posts
Something Stupid
Tamás GállWhen most of us see the title, perhaps the Robbie Williams–Nicole Kidman version comes to mind. Yet we need to go back to 1967 to talk about the Sinatra version—and even that was not the original. Something Stupid originated with the duo Carson and Gaile, but the pairs mentioned above made it truly…
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Autumn ukulele courses 2023
Tamás GállDear (Future) Ukulele Players! Summer has only been under way for a few weeks, but the dates of the autumn courses are already set: Ukulele Course III – 1 October 2023 (Sunday), 9:00–16:00 APPLY If you are interested in the courses and would like to apply, click the "Courses" menu item to read all t…
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A visit to the Kamaka workshop
Tamás GállAfter a long time, here comes another guest post—and not just any guest post. A few months ago, in the Hungaria Ukulele Club Facebook group I saw a post by Gyuri, a fellow guitarist and ukulele player who was lucky enough to visit the workshop of Kamaka, one of the world's finest ukulele makers. I w…
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Áll egy ifjú nyírfa a réten...
Tamás GállIn this blog post and the accompanying video I would like to show you a ukulele accompaniment for the Russian folk song beginning “Áll egy ifjú nyírfa a réten...” (“There Stands a Young Birch Tree in the Meadow...”). Before going any further, a brief aside: of course I too hope that the war raging i…
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Kai KCI-100M
Tamás GállIn this blog post I would like to introduce a concert-size ukulele from the Kai brand. A characteristic feature of Kai instruments is an extra soundhole on the side of the ukulele, facing upward toward the player's face while playing. I still cannot decide whether it is mainly a design feature or wh…
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Report on Course I in autumn 2023
Tamás GállI arrived at today's ukulele course in central Budapest loaded with an outrageous amount of gear and found a perfect parking space—as if this were karmically programmed for me, because 99% of the time I am incredibly lucky when looking for parking . I brought almost all my ukuleles (I definitely lef…
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Report on Course II in autumn 2023
Tamás GállYesterday I woke to a cool morning and light drizzle, so I got a little wet by the time I had unloaded everything at the venue for Ukulele Course II. Once again, thanks to those who arrived early and helped; without you I could not have set up the room so quickly. We unusually began the course by pl…
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Report on Course III in autumn 2023
Tamás GállWe held the autumn Course III on a notable date: World Music Day. I set off excitedly and could hardly wait to meet my ukulele students, make music together, and also immerse ourselves a little in some questions of music theory . As on the previous Course III, nine of us began playing in a friendly,…
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Baton Rouge rECOtimber
Tamás GállEnvironmental protection is becoming increasingly important in instrument manufacturing, just as it is in every area of our lives. Baton Rouge has created a new ukulele series called “rECOtimber” based on the following philosophy: the manufacturer wants to leave as small an ecological footprint as p…
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Trying a sopranino ukulele
Tamás GállI had the chance to try one of the most unusual ukuleles in the history of the Hungaria Ukulele Blog. A few years ago master instrument maker Levente Késmárky contacted me and brought me two beautiful baritone ukuleles to try. You can read the blog post about them by clicking here . Levente and I ha…
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Ukulele courses in winter 2024
Tamás GállDear (Future) Ukulele Players! First of all, I would like to say that everything is OK with me—not that anyone was worried . I started a new job on 1 November, so I have had to devote all my energy and time to that, which is why there have been no new posts recently. Hopefully I will have time to ma…
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A part alatt
Tamás GállToday the Hungaria Ukulele Blog is 13 years old. On several previous anniversaries I wrote a retrospective about the past year, and for the tenth anniversary I even devoted a very long post to it , but this time I will spare everyone . Instead, I would like to show you a ukulele accompaniment for a…
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