Why Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Ukulele Hit Is Magic

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.

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

[UkuleleTricks]

Do you want to strum like Iz? Get the "Over the Rainbow" Strum Pattern Worksheet here! ⬇

[phyphor]

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.

[chipcurry]

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.

[k.chriscaldwell]

It’s the vocal. He was feeling it. The recording captured that feeling.

[cersos]

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.

[jacobsmithjr]

His voice and variation on the melody are the secret sauce.

[Dollarkat]

He’s a true Artist bro. That’s what they do, mesmerize you with their mysterious talents.

[beauw]

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.

[jeffking]

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.
📻🙂

[ajax]

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.

[jacasadia]

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.

[geraldtrudeau]

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.

[MPNNag]

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.

[KirkDavis]

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!

[standard-carrier-wo-chan]

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

[shawdewson]

This will play at my funeral. I cry every time I play this. Simply beautiful.

[SmartFool]

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.

[zzzsydneyhom]

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!

[rexarrow]

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.

[Trixieandthejumpingfleas]

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.