Why Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Ukulele Hit Is Magic
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- Опубликовано: 4 май 2024
- 🎼 Get the "Over the Rainbow" Strum Pattern Worksheet: bit.ly/OverTheRainbowWorksheet
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, also known as Iz, is one of the most legendary Hawaiian musicians and ukulele players to have ever lived. How did one large man take his humble ukulele to record the world’s most iconic ukulele hit? And how did he play it? There’s more to this song than you might think.
Brett McQueen, author of "Ukulele Exercises For Dummies" and teacher at Ukulele Tricks, takes you on a journey through the story and magic behind "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" teaching you how to strum like Iz on your ukulele.
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0:00 The Magic Behind "Over the Rainbow"
1:28 The Big Question
2:23 The Magic of Iz's Strum
2:48 Low G Tuning
3:01 Basic Island Strum
3:34 Israel's Strumming Technique
4:13 Thumb 'n Strum
4:54 Accented Strum
5:32 Adding Swing
6:47 Iz's Percussive Strum
9:03 Iz's "Ghost Pick" Technique
10:24 "Over the Rainbow" Full Intro
11:44 The Magic of Iz's Voice
12:42 Conclusion
#ukulele #IsraelKamakawiwoole #SomewhereOverTheRainbow 
Видеоклипы
Do you want to strum like Iz? Get the "Over the Rainbow" Strum Pattern Worksheet here! ⬇
bit.ly/OverTheRainbowWorksheet
Yes Please I would like a play sheet😊
Getting this for my Grandson...thank you 🤙
It is superb!
I first heard the performance on the TV program call “Chicago Hope” in which one of the starring doctors was dying from cancer and was spending his last days in Hawaii. The piece played by IS accompanies the doctor’s dying moments as the breeze blows through the room
Thanks a lot indeed for providing us with this extremely helpful worksheet ❣️
A large man playing a tiny instrument with such care and love is just something to behold.
The version where he segues from _Over the Rainbow_ into _What a Wonderful World_ is just sublime.
Any idea where I can find that cut? Spotify has both his albums, but neither of them have that segue.
@@LordZoth6292 ruclips.net/video/Z26BvHOD_sg/видео.html
@@LordZoth6292 you can find it here on RUclips by searching his name and looking for "somewhere over the rainbow/what a wonderful world"
There was a version originally released on the album Ka 'Ano'i (1990) but then the acoustic (and, I think, better) version was put out on the album Facing Future (1993)
@@LordZoth6292 ruclips.net/video/Z26BvHOD_sg/видео.html
@@LordZoth6292 ruclips.net/video/Z26BvHOD_sg/видео.html
I also noticed that his ukulele has a lot of tone, and on those backbeats, he lets that tone fly, and that is a very powerful element in his strumming.
It’s a Martin tenor.
By holding the ukulele tight to his enormous chest, gives it more resonance and depth.
@@bobweiram6321
That’s not how that works.
@@powbobs Oh yes it does! Sound is extremely complex and science still hasn't figured it all out. Luther Vandross fans often claim he lost a little more than his weight. They argue his singing lost something that they can't really describe.
@@bobweiram6321
But pressing an ukulele or guitar against your chest inhibits vibrations and projection from the instrument.
That story of how it took 5 minutes for IZ to record his masterpiece... he woke up from an evening nap and chose to be a legend
@@SawGudman im not a huge fan but boy with uke is popular
he also did meth
He was already a legend. Always will be.
So does 1/3 of the entire island according to arrest records and statistics @@ryanhi6199
People recognized him as a legend ... he just did his thing n we all went on the ride he invited us to go on...
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
sung by Judy Garland is one of a few songs that simply cannot be covered [ properly]. No matter how good, or famous a singer- they all fall flat, YET,
This gentleman, not only did he capture the essence of it, he “owned “ it [ as they say. He nailed it.
Totally different, yet totally it.
Beautiful.
📻🙂
You should give Ian Tysons cover a listen. It’s a beautiful rendition.
Eva Cassidy’s entire posthumous career was based on her version of this song.
While you're absolutely right PLEASE go watch the somewhere over the rainbow cover by 'acoustic trench.'
That's my personal close second (but beware there's a bit of a sad story attached...)
This is so true because i never knew judy garland sang it for years
Over the Rainbow was almost cut from the Wizard of Oz (along with tunes like Jitterbug and Hail, Hail, the Witch is Dead.) Fortunately, the director insisted on keeping it in the movie.
That song touches me so much, that it makes me want to cry every time I hear it. I really don't understand why, but it is so beautiful.
The why is because life is hard. No matter who you are. And this song tells you that things are going to be alright. And that’s a powerful emotion to give someone who has a world on their shoulders.
Iz had the Spirit
You're listening to a man's soul that's why i think it makes us emotional almost instantly
A great artist makes you feel what they feel inside. He put his heart and soul into this song.
Same here!
He’s a true Artist bro. That’s what they do, mesmerize you with their mysterious talents.
A true artist is right!
Well put
I stumbled across this video in the year I turn 55. That said, I grew up in Hawaii. I learned to play the Uke at Kamiloiki elementary school. (We all did) And one of my fondest childhood memories was playing this song with my father and sista. I still have my Kamaka Koa tenor ukulele and the mimeographed songs from way back then. Thank you for sparking those good memories.
I grew up near Mililani! There's something powerful about genuinely connecting to something sincere.
That's fantastic, thanks for sharing
His voice and variation on the melody are the secret sauce.
Somehow the algorithm landed me here. I'm not a musician, I haven't even thought of this song in years. We played it during our wedding in 1993. What a calming affect you have. Thank you for a wonderful 13 minutes.
It’s the vocal. He was feeling it. The recording captured that feeling.
I remember walking along with his procession at his state funeral..He was laying in state at the Iolani palace..I was visiting my kids at their house in Palama when hundreds of Hawaiians came walking down Vinyard Blvd..My heart broke 💔 that day..Braddah IZ WAZ!
Great analysis and video style!! I hope you do more like this
Wow dude, thank you so much! I love your videos! Much respect
@@UkuleleTricksur my hero I subbed 😅
a love song from paris is 😫
You're alive?
Oh man. Excellent breakdown and analysis.
I saw Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Iz live in concert and while Michael and Whitney were amazing, they both lacked something that Iz had in spades, heart and love. I saw him perform with his oxygen tank and he still just absolutely blew everyone away. He didn’t dance or hit crazy notes but his voice wrapped you in a warm embrace of aloha and made you feel loved.
Partly because this was my moms favorite song and partly because I loved Iz as an artist, but I cannot listen to this song anymore. It’s beautiful but it makes me cry every single time.
Listen to it it will set you free
Beautiful story you shared about that concert experience. Thanks.
This world was such a better place with Iz in it!!!💖
I can remember hearing this song for the first time at a coffee shop. It was just playing softly in the background, but it seemed like the world slowed and light and peace entered the room. I bought the album and listened to every song over and over again. He is missed.
My favorite part of the song is in the "what a wonderful world" section where he sings "And the brightness of day, I like the dark. And I think to myself..." the original lyrics were "the bright blessed days, dark sacred nights. And I think to myself..." He by all means messes up the lyrics, but does that diminish the perfection of the song? Absolutely not, I think it makes it even better as it was never about getting the words right, but rather getting the emotion right, which he 100% did. He made an absolutely perfect song with all the love and heart in the world.
I still can hear his voice 20 years later it was beautiful
This man's music was in the backdrop of my childhood. Rest in peace, Brudda Iz. o7
From what I heard, this song didn’t get much recognition until after he passes away.
@@kenzulian2007that’s how it tends to go
I bought an ukulele a month ago and it brings me so much joy! I love your course Brett, I'm making a lot of progress. It is really well done. I highly recommend it :-)
That makes me so happy to hear!
Have you sung riptide yet?
This was the highlight song at my best friend’s funeral almost 20 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed learning this about the song that’s pulled at my heart strings for so long. 🫶🏼 🤙🏼
I've searched and searched for how to do this hybrid strum, to no avail. Today this video popped up randomly. Thank you! Can't wait to practice this.
Have fun with it!!
I lived in Hawaii for a short time in 2004. I was a toddler at the time. My mom had a CD of this single, and she would play it every night until I went to sleep. This is one of my most beloved songs in my life.
15 years ago I bought a Ukulele and tried to play this song and instantly sounded nothing like Isreal, and it looked like it would be so easy. Thank you for letting me know that this was not easy and there is genius in playing this easy looking sounding song. Now I don't feel so bad about my try. Thank you.
It is magical because it is authentic, simple, sincere, pure.
Iz was pure magic. He brought so much to his music. You could feel the emotion in his voice.
This was in my youtube feed and am glad I got to see/hear it. I don't play Ukelele, or any instrument, or even sing, for that matter. Still, I love IZ's music and was curious. The presentation itself was clear, even to a non musician, and held my interest all the way through. The final performance was an unexpected pleasure -- I quite enjoyed that! What a pleasure it must be to play music and sing and I'm glad I got to hear it! Thank you!
You can hear not just his love for music but the need to make music. It's a feeling only some ever experience and even fewer experience it consistently. True passion from a true artist
No
Is brings us to the bonfire, sitting around with friends and family, and he sings Over the Rainbow directly, effortlessly, to each one of us. With the Hawaiian ocean breeze and the palm trees swaying he takes us from wherever we are and transports us to a better world... Somewhere over the rainbow. ❤
His voice was so rich and had such a luxurious tone. Listening to him sing was like being swaddled in warm crushed velvet. You felt smothered by the feelings he projected through his music. Absolutely breaks my heart that he's gone. I literally cried when I heard of his passing, just the magnitude of that loss of that level of art. It's an amazing and rare gift of which God places very few of on this earth and so very rarely do "we" (write large) get to share them.
this song has such a special place in my family.. my sister had surgery when she was 2 or 1, she was having kidney and heart issues. my dad played this song to her on repeat and it calmed her heart down and for some reason her blood work got better. this song everyime i hear it i start to cry, and i NEVER cry... just knowing this song in a way saved my baby sister.... when she gets married im making sure this song is played for her and my dad.... love ya lexi
First piece I have learned on the Uke. Rhythm is indeed the toughest part you have to think reggae. IZ invented the Jawaiian genre
it's crazy to me that we can universally feel the literal magic in this song
that's why music is so amazing
as somebody who knows basically nothing about ukelele, like a lot of people, it's extremely hard to place what it is
but there's something that makes this song incredible
especially because it's so seemingly simple compared to some other pieces of music
and to see it broken down and to see the work that actually goes into it
his vocals pull it all together, but the fact that the ukelele on its own can do so much work is awesome
Israel has this effortless skill, he's clearly passionate about what he does
He's a legend and he will absolutely be remembered
Great tutorial, and I love that you showcased IZ's voice with a snippet from his Maui Medley. There is so much focus on Over the Rainbow, White Sandy Beach, and the other English language songs he recorded, that I'm afraid a lot of listeners don't realize that most of IZ's music is in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language). This was particularly true in the years before his solo career, when he was with the Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau, one of the greatest groups of the Hawaiian Renaissance. I've still got all the original vinyl from those guys, but a lot of it is available in digital formats too. 🤙🏽
Iz will always be remembered as a wonderful musician and ukelele player. Rest in Peace brother. I hope you're shredding that uke up in heaven.
Bruddah IZ lives forever in the hearts and minds of those whose hearts he has touched with his god given gift. I remember when i first discovered him and his music while living oahu(was stationed there in the marine corps). I loved it instantly. Now that im back on the east coast of Massachusetts, i still listen to his music. Whem i do it takes me back to that moment on the beautiful island of oahu. Aloha and mahalo for doing this video. 😁🤙
Sorry mate but it's Israel's voice that is captivating. Sure the Uke is cool but OMG the passion in his voice is transcendental!
When I hear it sung by Iz, I can't help choking up. I have so many memories connected with it, and Iz' singing is right between happiness and sadness :-)
Omg, you are the first Uke instructor I’ve found who can give the CORRECT Iz strum and teach it. Thank you so much! I’d like to use this vid in my Strum the Month workshop for October. Thank you a million!!!
Please definitely share with your workshop! So glad you liked it!
I was obsessed with Iz as a little kid, really glad this video has brought back the memory of this legend
Why when he does it it feels so calm and gentle even though you are both at the same tempo.
Iz was a real G
There are other tutorials for this song, but this one is the best! Brett, you brought magic to the magic of IZ through explaining the history and picking apart his strum. Knowing the history of a song makes it come alive even more. I also appreciate your slow, methodological approach to teaching; you make it simple and fun, but don’t downplay the importance of the effort of practicing. Thank you for sharing!
Wow thank you Steve! I'm really glad you enjoyed this!!
You rock brother! ZThank you for having so much love to create this! Much Love Blessings and Gratutude! - Guy 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it my friend!
Lightning in a bottle... the most beautiful version ever... lightning in a bottle...
Been listening to this for years, usually when I just happen to spot the song, it is truly magical. Art at its best!
I always think of my friend Colette with this song she was the island rest in peace
What an incredible breakdown of the song and strum with excellent video production! One suggestion for the percussive strum is to try a right hand palm muted downstrum on beats 2 & 4 instead of tapping the top of the ukulele. This allows the right hand to flow in a consistent motion throughout the 16th note subdivision.
I truly appreciate that Brian! I love that idea as well. Thank you!
Thank you, Brett, for this in-depth look at Iz's ukulele magic ❤
Thanks for your perseverance, patience and professionalism - you've been on a hell of a journey and taken a lot of us aspiring amateurs with you. Thanks for everything, you have been a great influence in helping me enjoy and improve my ukulele skills 👍
I really appreciate that!!
I've never seen a complete breakdown of someone's style that's also so incredibly respectful of the original artist
It's not, "this is totally how they did it and you can too"
it's "I am so passionate about this that I've done my best to learn how to replicate it, but no one could ever top that"
Never in my life I would have imagined so much technique was required to perform this song . Iz was indeed a true master of his instrument
Every time I hear over the rainbow I cant help but tear up, the visuals shown during the music video along with the fact that he is no longer with us just hit so hard. Although I wasn't born in his time his influence is still undeniable in Hawaii.
I could listen to Israel play and sing all day. His voice and playing touches deep down in your soul. He was one of a kind, and he left us way to soon. Rip big fella.
Rip a true GOAT. I will never forget the day he passed. every semi truck on the island just cruised along the highway blasting the horns
I love somewhere over the rainbow, it evokes a melancholy and nostalgia. It reminds me of my grandfather, he loved that song. The song is so sweet and gentle, and it feels like something pure
Rest in peace, IZ.
I bought a tenor uke and re-stringed it with a low G just so I could learn this strum. I'm very happy having both a low G tenor and a high G soprano uke. It has greatly expanded my playing range and I'm loving it. This tutorial is fantastic. Thanks Brett!
There's actually even more to it than you described. There's a bit of muting on certain beats even more than what you showed. I've spent a long time trying to emulate his strum, and never quite get it exact. The harder you try, the more it sounds like you're working too hard. Iz is effortless.
This muting/syncopation is just part of the rhythm here in the islands, in all sorts of music. It's innate, and part of the island groove.
And to those criticizing Iz for "messing up the lyrics", get off your high horse. Covers rarely get everything the same as the original, and when is the last time YOU had an album go platinum? At 3AM? In one take?
Great comment, I agree! I think there is a muting effect happening. My theory based on observation of his other performances is that the palm of Iz's strumming hand could be touching around where the strings meet the bridge of the ukulele. This deadens the strings slightly without fully muting them. But like you said, there's just so much feel! It's a good reminder that it's fun to observe the masters at work but at some point you just have to let go and feel the music!
I agree with your take on criticism. I always say, when you can do it better than I can, then you can criticize me. ;)
@@xlerb2286…and those who can do better won’t criticize you anyways 😂
@@anneli1735 Funny how that works. Isn't it. It's almost like spending hours and hours learning a skill teaches you to appreciate others on the same journey, whether they're ahead of you or behind you :)
That was a great presentation. But as you sais, what finally makes this performance is Izzi's enchanting voice. It always brings a tear to my eye
Great. The style of his chip is a reggae lick that you hear in reggae music. That’s why it sounds so brilliant and relaxed. It’s a feel. That’s why it’s difficult to play. Reggae music and Hawaiian music is a feeeeel 🙏🏾😂
I think the magic behind the song is how raw and flowing with passionate it was.
I played this for my mum a few yrs ago and she loved it so when she passed away in December t from COVID this was played at the end as her coffin was taken away, at the same time the minister opened the curtains and we had one beautiful winter sunset
I cry everytime I hear this !!! Just magical....beautiful ❤❤❤
Makes the hairs on my arms stand up every time I hear this song.. it is both beautiful and somehow haunting at the same time.. not much in life stirs my emotions like this does
I love this song and I have watched every version I can find on youtube of people teaching how to play it. This is by far the best I have heard/seen! Great video and great job teaching us how to imitate the legend!
20 years ago and I was trying to learn this song I ran into the exact same problem. Took me quite a good while to get it right! BRAHDA. IZ!!!!!! We all miss him here in hawaii
I heard it for the first time and immediately fell in love with it when I was watching "Finding Forrester" - one of my absolute favorite movies, highly recommended!
I first became aware of Israel when I saw the Adam Sandler movie, "Fifty First Dates". When I heard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel, I was awestruck. I immediately wanted to hear more of his music and learn more about him. When I heard the medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World", it brought me to tears, a second time. It sounded so beautiful. It wasn't until I started researching other music he did, I learned that he had passed away some years ago.
It made me question myself, what was I hearing? Was it the pain he was going through? Had I discovered for myself a kindred soul? I don't know. What I do know is that Israel was a wonderful man and it shined through his music.
I have nothing but love for Israel. Rest In Peace Big Brother, You Deserve It. I am sure that you are in a better place now, The Big Island in the Sky🌈 🏝 🗿🙏📿.
Well said! That movie was also the first time I heard this song too!
@@UkuleleTricks It was heartbreaking to learn that he already had passed away even though I had only known about him for a very, very short time. It seemed like I knew him for a long time, I was full of grief and I shed many tears.
Thanks for the video I'm having a bad day and remembering this song lifted my spirit so much keep up the great work
iz is amazing, he manages to make it feel like there is more than just a ukulele, he can almost replicate other sounds in a way i cant exactly describe
I'm a huge metal/rock fan but I was always intrigued by this song and this video really shows its really genius
I know nothing about the ukelele, don't think i've ever heard IZ's original and yet you managed to keep it engaging the whole way through, well done
I grew up listening to braddah Iz as a child. "somewhere of the rainbow" was a lullaby for me. I'm glad to see him getting this appreciation and exposure today. He was such a kind soul.
The strumming beat sounds like a heartbeat.
When I hear this song I get tingles all over my body. Thanks for covering this and wow not a simple strumming of some strings.
This is a beautiful analysis of a beautiful enchanting melody by an enchanting musician. Bless you Iz.
An amazing story and great breakdown of the music. You know - at the opening of the video, I heard Israel's voice and it is so tender and lovely that my heart began to melt. I suspect on this evening he HAD to get to the studio, he realised that he'd found some real Magic - beyond skill and talent and everything, something so intangible, precious and delicate that he absolutely MUST record it in case it should be lost. Good thing engineer dude was good enough to stay open!
Thanks for your analysis Brett - it does point to an ineffable and tremendous something! RIP Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, never to be forgotten.
I love to hear him singing with feeling. Iz had a beautiful singing voice. Over the rainbow is my favorite song.
God, I love this song so freaking much... It is cool to see what went into its making...
Love when he sings this song, it will be played at my funeral ❤
I can't hear that song without crying tears of joy and hope for a better future.
The fact he was grooving & you have to analyze his art shows how much in tune he truly was.
Great video. I don't know anything about music but the first time I heard this song, I think probably the same as everyone, I was overwhelmed with peace. I can see why Izrael wanted to record it that night at 3am. I'm sure even he was getting chills. Izrael's voice is almost angelic in this song.
There's so much texture in the play of Israel that I feel even afte you explained from top to bottom how the sound is created, it still lacked some soul, some groove that Iz nailed incredibly well. There are a lot more lil' pitty patters and tips and bops and lil' tiny sounds happening when Iz plays, it fills the whole spectrum. Amazing performance and loved it since the first time I heard years ago. The story behind it makes it even more awesome.
May he rest in peace ♥
pure emotion....was a complete killer version
OMG! You nailed it on the uke. As far as Iz's voice...only IZ could have done that, but Iam Tongi has a very similar silky voice. I'm looking forward to what he gives us in the future. NICE JOB, Brett.
Silky is a good word! His voice really is something else. Thanks for your comment!
I love Israel’s music ❤
This song has immense meaning to me. Will always be grateful to Iz, rest in piece in your next life
this is the best, thanks so much for your great explaination of how to play this great song.😊
i cry everytime i hear this song, its amazing!!
Still brings tears to my eyes.
This is a video that ukulele players have needed! All the other versions were never quite right. Thank you so much for your insight.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Pure heart
Brings tears to my eyes every time
What a great video, thank you Brett. I can't wait to get to grips with this picking pattern now I have downloaded your instruction sheet.
Izzy will be my favorite artist ever. He is the 90% reason I got a ukulele and tried to play a instrument.
The instrument is a part of him. What is so captivating is his unique resonance and style of playing. And then there's something (else) that can not be described by words.
It couldn't be anymore perfect! Its perfect in every-way. Wow what a song...truly is fantastic.
song touches me so much, that's why i like. and learn so much . thanks a lot
Thank you so much!!! This makes sense now, I was wondering why I could never get that rhythm IZ played. Such complexity in such a simple soulful song.
great analysis, showing all the layers that make this song unforgettable. Thank you.
Goosebumps every time.