I already know what I’m going to do for my next contest… It doesn’t have anything to do with videos, but it does require creativity and artistic talent. Hmmmmmm Stay tuned…

The entries have been of a very high standard and I really have learnt a lot from many of the entries and had a lot fun making my own. Win or not, it’s been a really great competition, thanks Julie!

As a video novice, I am now motivated to improve the video presentations for my own lessons, and post more. Hopefully it will help everyone learn.

It may be an odd vote, but I used the tip in the strap button install video. Purchased one at my local shop and had it installed the next day.

I just wanted to add my two cents on the judging of the contest, I see there’s a lot of good discussion here already.

My first thought when I saw there would be three equal winners is that the videos may naturally fall into three categories, and then a winner from each category could be awarded. I haven’t had a chance to look at all the submissions, but from what I’ve seen I might divide it up into:

1) Mid-level/expert tutorials
These are tutorials for seasoned ukulele players that want to take their ability to the next level. Dominator’s excellent and advanced breakdown of how to play George Harrison’s Something, or Ed Whitehead’s Seven Steps of Ukulele Improvisation, as well as Ian’s help with chord practice and theory. Something that showcases a level of expertise and knowledge for players who already know their way around the uke.

2) Creative/Artistic ideas
These are tutorials or educational videos that show off a bit of flair. Ideally, they teach us something we never considered, or something we’re familiar with, but in a style of presentation that makes it unforgettable. I’m sure there are more out there, but Sebastian’s nails video and Mary-Anns Ukulele advice were prime examples.

3) Ukulele Inspiration, for everyone
These are tutorials aimed at people who may have never even seen a ukulele. They should be simple, clear, and make the ukulele accessible to everyone out there. Someone could watch it and say “I could do that!” and want to buy a uke, or pick up the one they have gathering dust. They might catch the bug in the same way I did, the same way we all have, by realizing the power of the ukulele to simply make beautiful music.

The last category is what I’ve been trying to get at (successful or not) with my videos at ukulala. I would also put Ken Middleton’s description of the music of Leonard Cohen, Jeremy’s video on the Lion Sleeps Tonight, and some of the other simple songs being taught in this category.

However it ends up being judged, good luck to everyone! There may be just three people getting new ukuleles, but with 50 new lessons out there, the REAL winners will be anyone out there who logs on to youtube and searches for the word “ukulele”!

haha corny

Chronos, I’ve been trying to figure out that stroke for some time. I just found a similar stroke in a video that predates the contest that seems to be a little easier for me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try to get both working.

One thing I’ve noticed so far is that even in videos where I know the subject or the technique already, I can usually find something that’s new or brought up with a different emphasis that I can use.

Julie: I’m sure picking 3 out of 51 is going to be quite difficult. I’ll refrain from giving suggestions on how to judge this since I have an entry in there, but some of the folks here seem to have already provided useful guidelines. Good luck judging!

- Philip Fernandez

To single out a couple of videos, I found Jim D’Ville’s to be very interesting, and on a topic I consider both valuable and easy to overlook. I had no idea he played ukulele, though – the first time I ran across his name was as co-author of the book, “The Five-String Banjo, the Major Scale, and You.”

I also found Philip Fernandez’s video on the Triplet Rasgueado to be pretty interesting and informative.

There are other videos I’ve enjoyed, and I’ll admit that I haven’t watched them all yet, but those two stand out for me so far.

I think the contest has done what was intended. There’s a lot of stuff out there to learn, and I’d like to thank Julie for giving me the impetus to sign up for YouTube and learn enough about iMovie to make my video.

By the way didgeman what’s your name from? I’m wondering because I have a dijeridoo i bought in australia.

I thought everybody had good points to make about the videos. If I may, I would like to add a few more comments about jurying the videos. I am looking at this instance at the videos in terms of clarity of outcome of the lesson, pacing, image and sound quality, + all the points made by others above. I would suggest a list all the necessary criteria that you think a good lesson should comprise, and then create a ranking grid.

I realise that there are intangible or subjective components too like humour etc. I suggest that the grid act as a guide to make sense of the numerous submissions. It would at least help you make a couple of cuts to determine the finalists. From here I suspect your intuition would play a role as this latter stage is probably the most difficult.

I’ve juried many art shows before and I suspect the process outlined above may be useful to you too. I am really curious to see the outcome here and I think in the end it is the camaraderie and exchange of ideas that is what makes this endeavour of yours so exciting.

Thank you for your reviews and blogs. I look forward especially to seeing your Boat paddle ukulele come together. Now if I can only convince my family that a fifth ukulele is needed around here…

As far as Elephant Town goes, it really did inspire me. I get a little misty just thinking about it now…

I personally like the multipart tutorials because they cover so much information. You can use the tutorial to learn the whole song just like with Dominator’s series. I also love seeing single videos teaching 1 ukulele technique really thoroughly. As far as beginners are concerned I tried to make my tutorials so that they were accessible to all levels. (but I’m not a real ukulele teacher lol)

Julie, Jake shimabukuro just had his concert here on Guam and I went to his uke clinic and I wanted to make videos using the information that he shared.

It was actually going to be a series of videos aimed towards beginners and call it “quicktips”. I was going to include:
-my approach to music
-general music tips
-’all about the ukulele’ with the history and parts of the uke.
-proper strumming techniques for beginners
-advanced strumming techniques
-picking tips
-other techniques (hammer, bend, slide, harmonics)
Next time!

As for judging criteria, the original post just says ‘creativity and content’ so it was really open ended. I agree with the other person who said you should just follow what you personally enjoy the most.

drfrancov, I don’t get discouraged by the comments about not showing your face in the videos. That seems to be a popular way to film demos. I see it all the time. That said, I do like to see the player / instructor’s face at least once. But don’t worry, it won’t effect my judging.

davoomac, What would have been your next video? I’m curious.

JT, thanks for the link to your site and podcast. I’m going to go take a look

Didgeman and GX9901, thanks for your comments too. And no, I don’t have the winners picked yet. I’ll be watching all the videos again from start to finish over the next two days and will post the winners at some point Friday.

drfrancov, just to clarify, I liked your videos and I wasnt’ tryng to come down on yours or anyone else’s at that

I think everyone did a good job and I for one have had tons of fun taking part in contributing, learning and viewing which I think makes this contest a grand success.

I have to go to work now
Bye all

As for judging suggestions for Julie, I think you should just pick the videos that were the most helpful and enjoyable to YOU. It’s your contest after all.