Jake Shimabukuro Quotes

If I could do something with Paul McCartney it would be just amazing. Or Eric Clapton.

I know a few chords on the guitar, but I wouldn't be able do a show or even be part of a jam session with one.

The ukulele totally fits that whole hipster community or whatever you want to call it, but then at the same time it works great in nursing homes where senior citizens get together and play, and then as the traditional Hawaiian instrument with people doing the Hula and strumming the ukulele and singing.

Classical music presents some of the world's most challenging pieces.

You know, I think music is very interactive. It's a - it's a language.

Now I know what a dulcimer is supposed to sound like.

The ukulele is the instrument of peace.

There's no ego when you're a ukulele player.

Blues, rock and hip hop are more about a lifestyle and culture than notes on a page.

Because if everyone played the ukulele, this world would be a much happier place.

The ukulele has always appealed to the older generation.

When you go into the studio or get up on the stage with people who have more experience or knowledge, you learn.

Most people are awestruck when they see Lady Gaga and Bette Midler, but then the queen comes in.

I always feel a little funny being in front of a lot of people trying to show them my approach to the ukulele, but I do enjoy it. I do get a little more nervous doing workshops rather than performing.

You know, Leonard Cohen is amazing, just a mastermind, and really one of the great geniuses of our time.

I actually got to perform for Queen Elizabeth, and I got to meet her after the show. She said she thought my performance was beautiful and I got to shake her hand and it was just an incredible moment.

Sometimes I can't think of a better way to end my day than coming home and just strumming my ukulele for a few minutes. I mean, I joke around and tell people that it's an entire yoga session in one strum, you know?

I still believe that music is healing to some extent.

Hawaii is a small, close community.

Bill Gates recently picked up the ukulele. And Warren Buffett is a huge ukulele fan. I even got to strum a few chords with Francis Ford Coppola. It blows my mind that these people, who have everything in the world they could want, have picked up the ukulele and found a little bit of joy.

Growing up, the ukulele was always a respected instrument. It's a big part of our culture. It wasn't until I started traveling outside of Hawaii that I realized people didn't really consider the ukulele to be a real instrument.