Several years ago, my friends were telling me how great Jake Shimabukuro, and I should attend one of his concerts. I did. It was unbelievable what he could do with a small ukulele. It stunned me. So I decided to attend another one of his concerts. This time I purchased a seat in the middle of the auditorium. Jake was doing his magic with another song. A year later, I attended a concert in central California where some of his relatives lived. I learned that because he's personable with his travel stories at the concert. This time I was in the front row, and his fingers were unraveling the strings on his ukes. It was ready to make anyone scream. I have have seen six to seven of his concerts. Not all of them are the same. I was at one concert when he was playing Bohemian Rhapsody and behind me were music students from the university singing operatic along with his music. The beautiful tones come from his ukulele. He has extremely fine quality ukes, and he's the most creative, amazing ukulele artist to make a common song into his interpretation. I also, like Abe Lagrimas, Jr.'s music too. It's more on the jazzy side of the uke. You have to see him in person. I have seen him play like Jake but I like his jazz style in his works.

I am always amazed that he can just play it in real time as he’s watching!! Maybe someday. You keep us all inspired man.

My favourite ukulele player is you. You take songs and break them down for the average player. I love it that you make simple for your audience. Thanks 🙏, great video and you have got a great ear

The best video of Jake is one where he plays while my guitar gently weeps in the ukulele, in Central Park, NY.

Jake is one of Hawaii's treasures. He is SO good and creative with his ukulele playing. The location of this video is the Koolau Club House on the Island of Oahu. Beautiful location especially for weddings and wedding parties. Aloha.

What a treat to watch an amazing musician watch and appreciate another amazing musician :)

Marco, watching your reaction to Jake Shimabukuro makes me realize that your ability to appreciate his artistry is heightened by the fact that you are such a gifted musician! I am from the island of Oahu and he is on the Windward side of the island where the Koolau Mountains offer an equally breathtaking display of beauty. I also love the fact that you want to learn everything! We do too, that's why we are here! Mahalo.

Jake is the most acclaimed uke player in the world. He’s taking the instrument to places it’s never been musically. He’s simply a creative genius. Check out his latest album “Jake and Friends.” He gets Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Kenny Loggins and other rock stars to play with him. You don’t get people like that to play with you without a lot of cred. No one else compares. The outdoors recording is at a golf course on Oahu’s Windward side. They do a lot of recording there for a series known as HiSessions. His “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” recorded in Central Park, is the iconic performance of modern ukulele performance. You don’t know ukulele playing until you’ve heard it.

Absolutely love your curiosity to recreate what you watch with your uke!

12:38 The uke was like: Don‘t even think about it Marco -.- 😂😂

I saw Jake Shimabukuro in concert in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and got to meet him afterwards. His concert was crazy, high energy, good. He's humble and kind. I had to check out his finger tips after the concert. I felt sure he must have worn his fingertips plum off, but hands looked normal! I believe his mother began teaching him to play uke at age 4. He's married and has a young child, also. I bet he would love to meet you!

Your expressions & sense of amazement was such a joy to watch. For such a good inspiring musician such as yourself to be blown away by another & to give such quality feedback goes to show how good a person you are. Try watching his Bohemian Rapsody, seriously does it justice. Keep up the great content Marco

You have a lot of Jake's music to discover. You need to check out his video someone posted on youtube of Jake in New York's Central Park, playing...."While My Guitar Gently Weeps"...one of the first few videos to blowup and go viral in the early days of youtube. "Dragon" is one of my favorite Jake tunes. I've been fortunate to see Jake live at a few concerts on his visits to Austin. Just a great performer and nice guy. YES Jake, the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.

You know that players from Hawai'i have been experimenting playing lead from the 90's so as it might be new to you, it's not to us over here! And there are so many players that use the thumb as our picking choice! My teacher Bill Tapia, who passed was a thumb style jazz player and also the player that I idolized in the 60's and 70's Herb Ohta Sr. aka Ohta-San is a great lead player and soloist on the 'ukulele. I would tell you to check those guys as they were front runners to artists like Jake. If you want to learn more about the early 'ukulele players, feel free to DM and I'll give you all the info that I have. Nice to see you delve into the 'ukulele that only the true followers of the 'ukulele are on and know the artists and styles. 😊

This from a series called HI*Sessions, a project founded a decade ago by Dave Kusumoto and Jon Yamasato (one of my favorite voices from Hawaii) to showcase Hawaiian music, not just the ukulele. Jake is at least yonsei, 4th generation Japanese-American. Jon, Jake & a amazing musician named Lopaka Colon make up a well established banded named “Pure Heart”. You might also want to check out the documentary movie: Jake Shimabukuro, Life on 4 strings. Deepening your familiarity with Hawaiian history & music might help you see the ukulele in the greater context of a whole genre of music & culture.

"Does he have more stinrgs? What is goin' on, man?!" Priceless. I love Jake and though I am new to you, I really like your teaching. So, your reaction to Jake's playing is wonderful. It gives me little hope that I could play to 20% of Jake's ability ever though!

This was so entertaining watching a extraordinary uke and guitar player watching another uke player with extraordinary talent. I never gave much thought to the ukulele until watching Feng E videos and then happened across your videos Marco. The rest is history.

It's inspiring to see you still trying to learn and improve. I've seen Jake in concert and he is truly a phenom

The Korean wonder boy Feng E play on a completely new and higher level. He is absolutely amazing!!

Check out Evan De Silva. He's definitely a ukulele child prodigy. Feng E seems to specialize in speed playing, however, Even makes every note played, ring out clear and beautifully.

I cried Marco. . . It actually soared above the clouds & the dynamics taking that minor melody to unreal places! Crazy playing but perfectly executed to hold the melody thru out. What a song . Sure it's hybrid . Tech style but it has feeling. Movement. Everything. And it's on a ukulele! So. Yes. At 65. I think it's alright. Not for everybody. He worked to get here. Wonderful!

Jake S. is talented and has gotten folk interested in this instrument; kudos for that. I'm not learning the uke to sound like an electric guitar. I'll get to that later. Right now I'm more interested in making a soothing sound. Thank you, Mr. Cirillo

His Bohemian Rhapsody made me cry

Your reaction to jakes playing was priceless ! Really enjoyed you picking out some of the fingering I really enjoy your channel

If ever on Oahu, treat yourself to a drive on the H3 freeway on a rainy but sunny day from the Windward side to Pearl Harbor. You will go past the Pali, or cliffs, in the background of Jake's video and you will see literally dozens of enormous waterfalls with a sky full of rainbows. Truly one of the most interesting drives in the world and not much noted. For the icing on the cake you might want to play this sound track on the car radio.

Jake’s playing from the Ko’oalau Ballrooms in Kaneohe, which is on the island of Oahu, Hawaii

You asked where the place was in the Dragon video. It was shot on the balcony of the (sadly now closed) Ko`olau Golf Course clubhouse, on the northern side of the Hawaiian island of O`ahu.

When I saw him play that I did exactly the same reaction and put my Uke down.

MArco! I loved your reactions and enthusiasm more and you really make me feel the same reaction.

I'm not into the Uke but you should check Taimane. She's a true Uke shred.

Kiss from a rose by Kalei Gamiao - It's so lovely

I'm surprised with Marco's surprise haha Jake is one of the Top 5 ukulele players. and as Aidam said, I'm impressed bby how quick he can pick up the notes and chords. Marco, you're a great player, love also your guitar channel :) thanks for inspiring us. :)

I love this series! Please react to Feng E 😊 He’s amazing!

Ive been learning this song for a year, and i still cannot do that solo. There sheet music for his version of this song on his "Live in Japan" album. Its so difficult to decipher, coming from someone who learned how to play from visual, but its such a good song, and super fun to play!

You should react to Feng E if you haven't yet. He is AMAZING!

Check Feng Е bro. I am surprised you didn't know Jake. But you are great also and your teaching as well!

Dude, I thought the exact same thing when I first saw him play a few years ago! The nicest guy, too!! He’s incredible and in a category all his own!!

Love Jake! Thanks for sharing your expertise and analysis of these unique JS compositions. Another unique artist on the ukulele is James Hill. Some of the arrangements he does (Billie Jean, Kashmir, and Voodoo Child) are simply amazing in their percussion techniques.

Jake is the ukulele God

He has a really extravagant setup runs his uke through a load of different pedals and sound equipment

Im a guitar player Marco and only watched this because of how you teach but it is very interesting and also has given me another way to look at a ukulele the closes Ive ever came to one is Eddie Van Halen little guitars.

Jake is my all time favorite uke player. But check out Taimane

Plz check Feng e

The look on his face at the end of the video when he gives up is priceless 🤣

That venue is the Koolau golf club on the island of Oahu, Hawaii

Jake Shimabukuro - While my guitar gently weeps. Just sitting there in Central Park. No effects, no looper (well, it was uploaded very early on KZfaq. I don't think this kind of electronic was available by then.)

Have you seen Feng E?? That guys is on a whole other level!

I got to see Jake in concert, too! Amazing!

The town/city he is playing at is called, Kaneohe (Kah-neh-oh-heh), on the grounds of the Ko’olau (Koh-oh-Lau) Clubhouse

Now Marco knows, how me a mere mortal feels when I watch his video :D

I am going to see Jake's concert in RI this weekend !! He's amazing!

11:06.... that my friend , is the face every musicians strives for .. that's in Kaneohe on Oahu, so proud of my homie Jake..

He played in my town & our ukulele club went & he invited us early to have a 30 min private lesson with him...he is doing what you said..he told us he starts by playing a melody on the first string then adds to it..he has been playing since he was 4 yrs old..

A lot of phenomenal musical talent in Hawai'i that gets overlooked. Beautiful place, beautiful people and beautiful music

Congrats on the kid brother! I play a baritone uke but still find your channel helpful to the learning process!

Hola Marco... So I'm a left-handed uke player with a right-handed uke. Mire casi no hay nadie en KZfaq que hace lo mismo como yo. Asi que adelantamos, no?

I really like these reaction videos❤️

The way you feel about Jake, I feel about you…. Lovely. Thanks Marco

The place is at Ko’olau Ballrooms, Kaneohe Hawaii. It is also a golf course.

Check out Taimane. She's slaps on the UKE.

Feng E and Taimane

Jake Shimabukuro is arguably the best…. Marco, Any new courses coming? Most likely shot in Hawaii… I believe he lives there..

Thanks just started playing. A little discouraged! Haha great playing thanks for sharing.

Marco, love your videos. You're great teacher. Jake is inspirational. I picked up an ukulele bec. of him. His performance version of Thriller at NY was superb. His techniques & experimentation is just incredible & actually, making feel sad that there's no way I can learn even 10% of the stuff he does. He's not just a Ukulele player, as he wrote the music in Hula Girls, a very good Japanese movie. I watched him live before & he's just..... out of this world. Kalei & Taimane & James HIll all excellent players with their own style. Perhaps you can cover some of their top performances. Cheers from China!

When you put yours back hahaha, he's awesome!

That place is in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I’m in Hawaii too and enjoying your videos! Mahalo

Coming form playing guitar for decades, I still try to use guitar style on my uke. I hear similar style in Jake's playing, so I wonder if he did the same or just sounds like that.

He is the master, but you are also a very good player, Marco. You, Stu from Ukulele Zen and Klaus Schindler are my ukulele heroes. Thank you Gyani from Munich 🙏

It’s a Hawaiian golf course. Beautiful place.

U can easily play this ❤️

Greatest ukulele player was Peter Moon from the Peter Moon Band.

Again magic Chords, thank you for your precious tutoring

OMG! WOW Thanks!

Taimane is amazing! Love to see your reaction to her.

That's enough to make any One put the uku back on the shelf haha 🤣.

12:11 I was laughing so hard. Just looks at the Uke and puts it back on the shelf. lol.

Marco - Thank you so much for your approach & excellent teaching.. Your videos have made me a better player and musician already.. Keep it up… Another excellent player to check out wiuld be Brittni Paiva…

Ur expression had me laughing my but off 😆

Hi Marco. Great video, I remember having that same reaction after seeing how far a ukulele can go but one person who stands out the most to me and has always been my main inspiration is kalei Gamiao. In your own time or on the channel you should check out - the unknown and Mach 4. Both can be found on the HI*sessions channel.

react to feng e ukelele pls

You need to check out Jake playing Dragon live,on KZfaq. It will start out with red wash lights on stage. Take a real good listen.

I showed my friend this vid whom I believe also a great uk player,same reaction like yours😄

I am surprised at your surprise but a player as good as you being impressed really validates Shimabukuro who, no offense, is the best standard ukulele player in the world. This is a great video. Congrats.

Hi Marco, Have you watched any of James Hill and some of his incredible performances? Regards Dennis

This a great !! Would love to see a revue of Brittni Paiva "Somewhere over the rainbow"

Your reactions with jake is like mine with you hahaha I love your enthusiasm for learn and understand jake's technique!! For me jake is Godzilla, a beast a monster that I won't reach in a thousand years!! Haha

Jake also plays with Jimmy Buffet and the coral reefer band. Check that out!

Can you teach far away but on ukulele???

What’s up everyone? In case you don’t know Feng E..so then I really recommend his KZfaq channel as well 😁☝🏽.

Marco, please check this guy - Paul Caca. Am curious what do you think about his style. The first time I saw his Malaguena I was shocked in a good way

Love your enthusiasm about music its very interesting.

Hawaii. Check out taimane gardner - wicked game

Can you do a reaction video to Taimane? 😍 she is a Hawaiian ukulele Virtuoso and she’s amazing!!! Her water song and battle song are amazing!!!

The venue is in beautiful O'ahu, Hawai'i in Kaneohe.

Che figata questo video!

Your little one is going to be as magical and musical like you 🤞

Also...Taimane Gardner.. another great Hawaiian..

From Jake too, my favorite is Galoping seahorses

I love your vids. I'm learning at the moment. Just wondering, do you do structured online lessons for Spanish ukulele? I'm from the UK. Or can you suggest the order for your vids. Which patron tier is best for this? Thanks 👍😁

I loved the video❤️ And, Marco you need to react to the child prodigy “Feng E.”!❤️ He won’t disappoint you!