Zooey Deschanel – You Forgot About Valentine’s Day (Chords)

It’s not hard to work out the musical inspiration for Zooey Deschanel’s Saturday Night Live song. The intro and verse chords are almost identical to her version of What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?.

But after that the swirly, hotel-lobby piano makes it tricky to work out what to do on a ukulele. I had my best shot at doing those parts in the write up. But I’m not entirely happy with it so feel free to make changes.

Related thought: what is it with ukers and skinny moons?

Suggested Strumming

While she’s playing the uke the strumming is pretty straight forward. You can just do down strums – two for each chord – most of the time. For a fuller pattern try:

d – d u

In the middle section I like to do just down strums but cutting them short by releasing the pressure on them. Then follow with this little bit.

Which sounds like this:

Middle

Twiddly Bits

If you want to play the big band outro you can do it like this:

Outro

Buy She & Him Volume 2
Buy Saturday Night Live stuff

If you haven’t yet, you’ve still got time to vote for Ukulele Video of the Year 2011.

OK Go – Needing/Getting

Via @Farrah_Shamma.

Magdalen Fossum – In The Pines

Price Goodson – Be Kind to A Man When He is Down

Via Humble Uker

Kimo Hussey – Love me Tender

Ukulele Uff & Lonesome Dave – Yes, Sir! That’s my Baby!

Patsy Monteleone – He’ll Have to Go

Sharon Van Etten – We Are Fine

Richard Ho’opi’i – Alika

Frank Turner – Sailor’s Boots

Herman Vandecauter – Une Jeune Fillette

One of these days I’m going to cave in an spend way too much money on a Martin: Martin 3K, Style 2, Martin Tiple.

Kiwaya are getting in on the slimline travel ukulele trend but it’s clear that the next stage of development is the walking cane ukulele.

Lute style ukulele.

Valentines ukulele papercraft.

The UOGB answer fans’ questions.

Most popular ukulele videos of January 2012 including Walk Off the Earth, charlieissocoollike and that subway girl.

Gary Oldman discusses picking up the ukulele.

On Uker Tabs: Three solo arrangements – Mele Kalikimaka, Sweet Child O’ Mine and Here Comes the Sun.

Magical ukulele.

What’s your blues name?

Pictures: T-rex trying, ukulele bear.

Cognitive psychologist recommends ukulele playing: “If I had to do it over again, I might start with a ukelele, which has a conceptually simpler organization.” I’m not sure I agree with that though.

I don’t condone mindless ukulele destruction but it is quite beautiful is slow motion.

New releases: Michelle Blades’s Mariana, The Cairns Ukulele Festival CD with tracks from the Sweet Hollywaians, Victoria Vox and Brittni Paiva.

Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Tab)

Dubstep is the point where I finally left my youthful musical hipness behind and set up residence in old man, “this isn’t music, it’s just noise,” territory. But even I can appreciate Skrillex wubbing it up and jumping around the octaves without any regard for how people are going to cover the song on ukulele.

As a result, this arrangement is a bit all over the place. It starts out with some campanella fingerpicking with thumb on the g-string and one finger each from there. But it’s not long before I’m just using any finger I can to get the job done. In the Kramer-scaring section* I switch to strumming but I’m really using my finger more like a pick. There’s also some palm muting thrown in.

Buy the MP3.

* The Mars Volta version is way better.

USA and Canada

The Vancouver Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: Vancouver, Canada
Date: February 25th & 26th 2012
Performers: Ralph Shaw, The Ukesters, Guido & Daphne.
Website: http://vancouverukulelefestival2012.eventbrite.com/
Local Amenities: Map

18th ‘Ukulele Festival of Northern California

Location: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545
Date: April 1, 2012 10:00am – 5:30pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalnorcal.org
Local Amenities: Map

The Fourth Annual Reno Ukulele Festival

Location: John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort
Date: March 30 – April 1, 2012
Performers: The Quiet American, Gerald Ross, Lil Rev, Dominator.
Website: http://renoukefest.com
Local Amenities: Map

Gorge Uke Fest ’12

Location: Hood River, OR
Date: March 2 – 4, 2012
Performers: Boulder Acoustic Society, Lil Rev, Victoria Vox.
Website: http://www.gorgeukuleles.org/
Local Amenities: Map

Smoldering Uke 2012

Location: Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 88 West Carmel Road, Carmel Valley California
Date: March 23 – 25, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2012/01/smoldering-uke-winter-ukulele-retreat.html
Local Amenities: Map

Mighty Uke Day II

Location: Lansing, MI
Date: May 5, 2012
Performers: Lil’ Rev, Lansing Area Ukulele Group, & more TBA
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/180847702019438/
Local Amenities: Map

West Coast Ukulele Retreat

Location: Asilomar, Monterey Peninsula
Date: May 16 – 20, 2012
Performers: Andy Andrews, Mike DaSilva, Jim D’Ville, Joel Eckhaus, Dave Egan, Peg Reza, Gerald Ross, Fred Sokolow, and Kumu Pomaika’i
Website: http://ukuleleretreat.com/
Local Amenities: Map

5th Denver Ukefest

Location: The Oriental Theater and L2 Events Center, Denver Colorado
Date: May 17,18, and 19 2012
Performers: Jake Shimabukuro, Nellie McKay, Aldrine Guerrero, Tina and Her Pony, Hapa Hillbillies, The Quiet American, Ukulele Loki, The Denver Uke Community
Website: http://www.facebook.com/DenverUkeFest
Local Amenities: Map

4th Annual Ukulele World Congress 2012

Location: 4600 Plum Creek Rd, Nashville, Indiana
Date: June 1 & 2, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?54413-UWC-2012-Ukulele-World-Congress/
Local Amenities: Map

Mighty MO Ukulele Festival

Location: Cedar Creek Conference Center, Olive Road New Haven, MO 63068, United States
Date: July 20 & 21
Performers: Cali Rose, Flea Bitten Dawgs, Craig Bandeau.
Website: http://www.mightymoukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Midwest Uke Fest

Location: Folkcraft Instruments wood shop in Woodburn, Indiana
Date: August 4-5, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.midwestukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Second Annual Oakridge Ukulele Festival

Location: Oakridge, OR
Date: August 3, 4, 5, 2012
Performers: Brook Adams, Craig Chee, more TBA, classes & workshops
Website: www.oakridgehostel.com/events
Local Amenities: Map

Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay

Location: Pinecrest, California
Date: August 18 – 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://campookoolaylay.wordpress.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival

Location: TBA
Date: September 7, 8, 9, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://winecountryukefest.com/coming-events/
Local Amenities: Map

6th annual Eugene UKEtoberfest

Location: Eugene Oregon
Date: October 12-13, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://uketoberfest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

UkeFest Virginia

Location: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
Date: November 2-3, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website:
Local Amenities: Map

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway

Location: Lake Tarpon Resort
Date: November 2-4, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.tampabayukulele.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Hawaii

6th Annual Maui Ukulele Festival

Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Kahului, Maui
Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012. 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/maui.htm
Local Amenities: Map

12th Annual Waikoloa Ukulele Festival

Location: Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa
Date: March 3, 2012 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/waikoloa.htm
Local Amenities: Map

Oahu – 42nd Annual Ukulele Festival

Location: Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, Oahu
Date: July 22, 2012 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/oahu/index.htm
Local Amenities: Map

United Kingdom and Ireland

Ukes for UNICEF – Ukulele Festival

Location: Berkhamsted Civic Centre
Date: March 3, 2012 – 11:30 to 17:30
Performers: Ken Middleton, Krabbers!, Keef Jackman.
Website: http://www.ukesforunicef.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Festival of Great Britain

Location: Cheltenham
Date: June 1st – 3rd 2012
Performers: Gerald Ross, Nico’o, Manitoba Hal, Re-entrants, Winin Boys, Ukulollo, and more
Website: http://www.ukulelefestival.co.uk
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Hooley By The Sea

Location: Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Date: August 18 & 19
Performers: TBA
Website: ukulelehooley.com
Local Amenities: Map

Europe

Festival International de Ukulele de Lerrain

Location: Lerrain
Date: June 22, 23, & 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://fiul.weebly.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Caldogno Ukulele Meeting

Location: Caldogno (IV), Italy
Date: July 19-22, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefest.it/ukulelemeeting/index.php?lang=en
Local Amenities: Map

Australia and New Zealand

Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: 68 Lurline St., Katoomba
Date: February 3 – 4, 2012
Performers: Bosko and Honey, Bella Hemming, The Blue MUGs
Website: http://www.bluemugs.com.au/
Local Amenities: Map

2012 Cairns Ukulele Festival

Location: Cairns, Australia
Date: July 6, 7, & 8, 2012
Performers: Manitoba Hal, Aaron Keim, Paul Hemmings.
Website: http://cairnsukulelefestival.net/
Local Amenities: Map

Canberra Ukulele Festival of Fun 2012

Location: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Date: October 27th 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukelyptus.com.au/index_files/CUFFs.htm

Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: Melbourne
Date: March 8 – 11, 2012
Performers: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Ralph Shaw, Bosko and Honey, U.K.E., Benny Chong.
Website: www.muf.org.au
Local Amenities: Map

Asia

Thailand Ukulele Festival 2011

Location: Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon
Date: February 25 – 26, 2012 11:00 – 21:30
Performers: Aldrine Guerrero, Kalei Gamiao, KYAS, Shigeto Takahashi, Kimo Hussey, Lula, Sungha Jung.
Website: http://www.thailandukulelefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map

LP – Into the Wild (Chords)

For the first time ever, all my nominations have made it through to the vote for Ukulele Video of the Year. Which means either everyone who reads this blog now has impeccable taste or I’ve successfully alienated everyone that disagrees with me.

I only added LP’s Into the Wild to my nominations at the last minute. I was checking through the ‘Other Videos You Might Like’ list and realised that this song is pretty magnificent. Dead simple too. Only three chords in it: G, Em and C.

Whoever you want to vote for you can cast your vote here.

Suggested Strumming

She’s doing mostly down-up:

d u d u d u d u

Do that twice for every chord in the verse and chorus. Once for every chord in the pre-chorus.

Download it for free on her website.

Poll Closed

You can only vote once and polling closes at midnight Hawaii time on 13th February. I’d encourage you to watch any you’re not familiar with but other than that, go wild. Vote for whoever you like for whatever reason you like (who wins isn’t as important as getting some exposure for excellent videos).

Results

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração
476 – 41%

Lisa Hannigan – Knots
130 – 11%

Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
111 – 10%

James Hill – Hand Over My Heart
105 – 9%

Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
84 – 7%

Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
77 – 7%

LP – Into the Wild
69 – 6%

Raymond Penfield – Addicted to Love
58 – 5%

Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level
53 – 5%

If you haven’t made your nominations for ukulele video of 2011 yet head here and make your pick.

James Hill – Heart Shaped Tattoo

Ben Torres & Camryn Wessner – Banjo

Joy Ike – Movin’ On

Ledward Kaapana – Mama E

Kunia Galdeira – Hi`ilawe

Lily Harlott – Ukulele Necrophiliac Love Song

Aaron Keim – False Hearted Lover Blues

James Hill & Anne Davison – Assam/Like a Bird

For the first stage, everyone gets to nominate up to 5 videos – leave them in the comments. From those nominations, I’ll cobble together a list of ten (ish) that will be voted on in the next round. Use whatever criteria you like. I went with whichever videos/songs I enjoyed most.

The Rules

The rules remain as ramshackle as ever:

- There has to be a ukulele in there.
- Videos must have been originally uploaded in 2011.
- Videos must be publicly available online.
- Maximum of five nominations per person.
- Post your nominations in the comments.
- Nominations close midnight Sunday 5th February.
- Ten acts with the most nominations go into the final vote with their most nominated song going forward.
- No prize. Just the love and admiration of the heaving masses.
- No sucking up by voting for me.

Don’t panic if your comments don’t show up right away. First time commenters and comments contains a few links can get held back for spam checking.

My Nominations

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração
Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level
Lisa Hannigan – Knots
LP – Into The Wild

Videos You May Like

To jog your memory, here are some more videos that have caused a stir in the comments, on the net or in my pants:

Raymond Penfield – Addicted To Love
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
James Hill – Hand Over My Heart
Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
Taimane Gardner – Taimane’s Toccata
Seryn – River Song
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Shoemaker’s Song
My Brightest Diamond – I Have Never Loved Someone
Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
tUnE-yArDs- You Yes You
Givers – Meantime
The Jive Aces – Bring Me Sunshine
Pegasus Bridge – Yoko
Celisse Henderson – Me and You
Ukulele Tim – The Summoning
Ukulele Bartt and James Hill – Kashmir
Sungha Jung – I’m Yours
Leftover Cuties – Places to Go
Jake Shimabukuro – 143
KYAS – Bad Romance
Kina Grannis – Michicant
Kate and Janelle – Star Witness
Jonathan Coulton – Down Today
Sophie Madeleine – Oil & Gold
U900 – I Want You Back