Jake Shimabukuro strums monster sounds out of the tiny Hawaiian ukelele, as he plays a cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." A sensational performance from TED2010 -- it'll send shivers down your spine.
+Arnold Roa He does some easy 12th fret harmonics at 4:47 but after checking I was wrong about the ones I thought I heard at 4:17. Those are just close notes not harmonics. A great job anyway, I think I'll learn this one.
Chris Guzman Yeah those are called "artificial harmonics" where the string isn't open so you have to touch the halfway point with one finger and pluck it with another. Tricky, especially on nylon strings.
I've of course always loved Bohemian Rhapsody, but hearing this version, stripped of the operatic hard rock of the Queen version, I am really moved by what a beautiful piece of music composition it is -- almost has a 1920's feel to it.
Actually, I have to disagree. I "DON'T" love how they laughed when he named the song. By then end they should have bowed down chanting "sorry we doubted you".
Freaking awesome - to make that much music on a 4-stringed instrument is amazing. There's some spiritually uplifting about one person, with an acoustic instrument, making beautiful music.
Guy Merritt This instrument is the sexiest instrument on the planet and thanks to THIS amazing lessons I learned to play it in less than a month! Have a look at ==> ukulele-master.blogspot.com/
Guy Merritt it doesn't matter how many strings an instrument has , it's in the players hands, look at diddly bow videos ,that only has one string and it's capable of creating great music in the right hands.
There's nothing more satisfying than watching a truly talented musician become one with their instrument. Every great musician has that exact same look on their face when they get "in the zone." It's like their mind has gone completely blank and they're just letting the music flow through their body. So amazing to watch :)
I was on the edge of my seat watching this- "So how's he gonna manage this bit? Oh, right. But what about this bit? Ha! That's how! Bravo!!" Crikey- that was good.
This reminds me of when a third party game like Doom is ported to the Nintendo Switch... Bohemian Rhapsody is a very complicated song like Doom is very graphic heavy and they are both played on limited "hardwares".... if you know what I mean!!
Freddie Mercury would have been soo proud of this.....this is one real difficult instrument, and even more difficult composition to play.....thanks a ton Jake Shimabukuro for your extreme talent
Years ago, I saw him perform in Chattanooga Tennessee at a free concert. He did the Star Spangled Banner.. Everyone got quiet and most stood up for the performance. He was soooo humble and it was soooo good.
I feel like the 7 mins I watched him play everything was still. As if it was only me listening to talent in its finest form. Never have I been in such awe of someone playing ukulele. I play and I have always wanted to learn this. This is beautiful... just beautiful
I like that he promotes the Ukulele, but I think that the world wouldn't be better if everyone play the uke. Because then it wouldn't be special. I think that the world would be better if everyone played an instrument, or just sung. Music is what makes peace
Well done. It is nice to know that I'm not the only one who wishes more people could tell the difference between a trilby and a fedora. Note to all: If you're not sure what a fedora looks like... google "Indiana Jones". This kid is wearing a trilby. And correctly so. The brim of the hat should match the wearer's build. A fedora would look ridiculous on him.
It took several years, a combination of several unrelated tunes divided and connected into 7 distinct parts using (3) 24-track analog tape recorders for Freddie Mercury to assemble and Queen to record this song. Playing this on a ukulele live is like doing brain surgery with a butter knife. Quite astounding.
Doing brain surgery with a butter knife? Don't make me laugh it's definitely not that difficult. That being said, this is a heavenly damn good performance. You're just an idiot that can't find a good comparison.
@@tomf429 I like how they decide to call you stupid on a comment from two years ago lol They probably can’t play an instrument cuz oh yeah it isn’t THAT impressive 😤
@@alisonmcalistair I started playing my father’s ukulele at age 11. It led me, soon after, to playing guitar. I picked up the 5-String banjo along the way. I am 70 now and still play guitar everyday, and pick up my ukulele once in awhile. I meant the comment as a compliment to the player.
cspj12 Hhaha it's just something in a game (League of Legends) his profile picture is one of the champions as we gamers call it or characters, so since he was familiar or had something to do with the game I added in gank mid just for some sense of humour
Unique Gamer yeah I got the gank part, as I myself am likewise a sophisticated denizen of the interwebs and a 1337 pc master race member. Makes sense now though, what with the maps that have lanes in them in lol.
The audience laughed at him when he told them he was going to play Queen. Then they gave him a standing ovation. This dude must change a lot of people's minds about ukes
If you haven't bought one yet, I would like to recommend one for you. I bought my wife a Peavey Composer AU about 4 months ago, and was so impressed with it that I bought one for myself as well. Two of our friends also fell in love with ours, and bought one for themselves. We got hers in a music store, and I ordered mine online, as did my friends. They only cost $75.00 and shipping was free. For the price, I was surprised that it is a real instrument, not a toy.
So many amazing rifts and nuances where he did not skimp at all! You could feel the emotion in his playing and what this song evokes in all who love it! Thank you 😊!
JackQueenandKing no stfu ok, ive had it with this racist negativity shit all over the internet fuck u and all ur nazi friends. bye bye im out of here nerds
***** Hey mate! calm down! I just think that people should not judge people by their races. there are bunch of other talented players that I believe have played with their eyes closed, He is asian have nothing to do with his talents. When you post a comment, don't just assume that people won't judge you. Your comment sounds a bit negative to me, and I just can't tolerate it anymore (seen so much cause he is asian stuff). btw, I am also asian. Maybe you think it's just a joke or something. But please respect him and his talents, what he can do have nothing to do about his race, but only his passion and hardworking.
Way to channel so much love and energy through that instrument. It is an under dog but once you know your scales and chords you can bring anything to life. You just have to learn the instrument. You're one amazing ukelele player man.
One of the best covers of this beautiful masterpiece. It gave quite a different feeling compared to what we’ve heard or are hearing in the original. I think Mr. Mercury would be proud of this performance. Well done! 🙏
I wish I could say that I saw this video 12 years ago and that I play the Ukulele today because of Jake Shimabukuro. The truth is I wanted to learn the guitar and started learning it this past June. I then discovered the massive Ukulele community right here on RU-vid and discovered how much easier and more fun it is to learn to play prior to learning the guitar. I can say with total confidence that it is because of Jake Shimabukuro and videos like this one that he made that inspired all the ukulele teachers I now study with online and I am very grateful for Jake Shimabukuro for being the incredible talent he is and for promoting the Ukulele to mainstream status and elevating its image so that I could proudly play the baritone Uke today.
Wow. Never thought a ukelele would be bringing me close to tears today. One gets the feeling this guy could coax beautiful sounds out of a spoon and two marshmallows. What a reminder that TED isn't all about talk. I'm about to go buy a ukelele for my wife. Here's hoping, if we talk real nice to it, it will give us even an approximation of that level of musicianship.
I love all musical instruments but you can't help but cheer for those underdogs like the ukulele. Bravo !! Thank you Jake for this amazing performance.
I have watched this video many times thinking that this guy is around his twenties..but I´m pretty amazed that he´s actually GONNA TURN 40 THIS YEAR :O he looks so damn young, maybe he sold his soul to the devil to play like that :D
***** kids starving in Peru, and around the world you name it. Then let's do something about it. Let's use our our energy strength and sources to help and not start a fight over the net.
Austin Antosh "US uke players"? Uhh…No. He makes HIMSELF look good cause he's got talent and works very hard. YOU, on the other hand, just made yourself seem like a bit of a conceded ass. Let us know when you're performing on TED. I'm sure it'll be happening real soon!
Dear Jake, we met & spoke several times in Fall River, Ma. With our mutual Dear Chief Noda! I so remember you doing this song & so many on your Amazing handling UKE! Thanks 🙏🏾 for the gift of Life’s work and yes you do make the world 🌎 a Happier Place to call HOME to all of us!! Many thanks, Neal Braverman, Bosto, Ma. :)) 🙏🏾❤️🌎🖖☮️🌈
+bohdilama - This man is amazing. You should not be jealous of his skills. The only shame you should feel is for deciding to play an 8-string guitar in the first place.
