For those looking to play in the style of Kiyoshi Kobayashi, here are a few tips and techniques to get you started:
Kobayashi has several live performance videos on YouTube. Slow the playback speed down to 0.5x. Listen for the top melody note first, then find the bass line. This is hard, but it is the single best way to internalize his harmonic language.
His instructional materials are highly regarded because they feature dual notation. You get standard musical notation alongside highly accurate tablature (tabs). He includes explicit fret numbers, string indicators, and rhythmic dynamic markings. Key Jazz Techniques You Will Learn
Kobayashi has authored several other excellent books that focus on specific genres, each with its own unique charm and title often combining "Ukulele" with a descriptor. These are fantastic complements to the core jazz method: ukulele jazz kiyoshi kobayashi pdf
To give you a taste of what the PDF would teach you, let’s look at a classic "Kobayashi Turnaround" in the key of C. In re-entrant High G tuning (G C E A), play this slowly:
If you cannot find a legal digital copy, here are proven alternatives:
Beyond performing, Kobayashi is a prolific author of ukulele method books and sheet music collections for renowned Japanese publishers like Doremi and Dream Music Factory. He is also considered a key figure for the Japanese ukulele brand Kiwaya, where he has served as an instructor. His playing style draws heavily from jazz, particularly the gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt, and Brazilian bossa nova, creating a unique and sophisticated sound. For those looking to play in the style
: If you can find the hardcopy, it is often praised for its premium binding and professional look. : Many Western players purchase it through Learning Alternatives : For those struggling with the TAB, YouTube channels like
Now, add a walking bass line: Keep your thumb playing a steady beat on the G string (the top string) while your fingers pluck the melody on the C and E strings. That bass note should ring clear. This is the first page of any Kobayashi PDF.
If you have spent any time deep in the world of fingerstyle ukulele, you have likely encountered the name (小林清). While Jake Shimabukuro brought rock and pop virtuosity to the instrument, and Roy Smeck mastered vaudeville showmanship, Kobayashi was the quiet poet of Brazilian jazz and bossa nova . This is hard, but it is the single
Kobayashi uses movable chord shapes that require dampening or skipping certain strings. Practice transitioning between his preferred jazz shapes—like the , D9 , and Gmaj7 —independently of the song to build muscle memory. Keep a Steady Thumb
For musicians and music enthusiasts interested in exploring Kobayashi's music, PDF sheet music arrangements are an excellent resource. These arrangements provide a unique opportunity to study Kobayashi's playing style, learn his compositions, and gain insight into his musical approach.