Ukulele players?

[croyde]

I've got two. Haven't touched them for a while but they are really flattering to a clumsy oaf like me. Loads of chords of modern stuff on-line as well as tuition on YouTube.

I stick a Capo on the 5th fret of my guitar so I can use the uke chords on the top 4 strings. I was always rubbish at guitar

[prand]

I bought one for my 3yr old oone from a charity shop for about £12 as he loves a bit of geeetar action. I ended up learning a few chords and playing some tunes.

Once you get to learn about 3-4 basic chords you can play all sorts (shows how many songs are rehashes of C, F & G!). I do find it a bit fiddly to play especially after playing the normal guitar.

Youtube is pretty helpful for learning songs and showing technique, there was some guy I found from Hawaii doing all sorts of cool stuff (playing hendrix etc) which almost made me put the ukelele down forever!

As it is, me & the kids enjoy a bit of a singsong now, I'd recommend one.

[knotweed]

Ace-T said:

Now you need to find all the Christmas song books and get practising!

I was thinking this too!

[croyde]

Here is an easy one if you like Keane's Everybody's Changing.

Even if you don't it'll make you a Ukulele God within minutes especially if you find the track on YouTube or Spotify and play along. The Chord changes are dead simple.

https://ukutabs.com/k/keane/everybodys-changing/

[prand]

knotweed said:

I was thinking this too!

Ha, we all had a bit of a laugh this morning at breakfast trying to play and sing along to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", with help from Ukelele Mike on Youtube - he signed off the song with "He's coming, keep strumming"!

[knotweed]

prand said:

Ha, we all had a bit of a laugh this morning at breakfast trying to play and sing along to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", with help from Ukelele Mike on Youtube - he signed off the song with "He's coming, keep strumming"!

[knotweed]

croyde said:

Here is an easy one if you like Keane's Everybody's Changing.

Even if you don't it'll make you a Ukulele God within minutes especially if you find the track on YouTube or Spotify and play along. The Chord changes are dead simple.

https://ukutabs.com/k/keane/everybodys-changing/

I think this website has just stolen most of my day.

[Jumpy Guy]

Looking for a quick opinion, looking to take up ukulele

This a decent bet to start - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kala-Makala-Soprano-Ukulel...

Or happy to be pointed towards something better/cheaper, as its a first attempt at playing

[Jumpy Guy]

Looking for a quick opinion, looking to take up ukulele

This a decent bet to start - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kala-Makala-Soprano-Ukulel...

Or happy to be pointed towards something better/cheaper, as its a first attempt at playing

[Ace-T]

Jumpy Guy said:

Looking for a quick opinion, looking to take up ukulele

This a decent bet to start - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kala-Makala-Soprano-Ukulel...

Or happy to be pointed towards something better/cheaper, as its a first attempt at playing

Congrats on deciding to learn to play the happiest instrument ever!

Makalas are pretty good starter ukes and their next level ones are very nice too. I have a Kala that is my 'next step up' uke which is utterly lovely to play (but it did cost £160!) The interesting thing about the one you have shown is that it comes with the Aquila strings. These make the biggest difference on an entry level uke.

When you get it, I recommend you make sure the geared tuners are tight enough to keep it tuned (there is a screw on each that can be tightened - not too much though) and that is about it really. The only other recommendation would be to change the strings, which they have done for you. If you are going to play a lot though, get another set of strings as they don't last forever.

Once you have outgrown that one (and you will know ) I recommend you go to a good music shop and try before you buy. Ukes are made with different woods which give different sounds and you need to play them to see which you prefer. I prefer the mahogany ukes for the more mellow sound. Varnished spalted maple for example is a much brighter bell-like sound which is nice but not my bag baby!

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on!

PS. Interesting video showing the different sounds of the different sizes you can get (go to the end of the vid for a side by side comparison). I have this soprano and I have developed a hankering for the baritone after watching the vid!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFUJbJqvcz4

Edited by Ace-T on Saturday 24th January 13:21

[Jumpy Guy]

Thanks, I was hoping someone experienced would show up !

One thought , given that everyone says I'll outgrow my starter Uke anyway, would I be better going for something cheaper, like a Mahalo starter one, one ebay for £18..

Or will the one I linked to sound better?

[Jumpy Guy]

Thanks, I was hoping someone experienced would show up !

One thought , given that everyone says I'll outgrow my starter Uke anyway, would I be better going for something cheaper, like a Mahalo starter one, one ebay for £18..

Or will the one I linked to sound better?

[Jumpy Guy]

Thanks, I was hoping someone experienced would show up !

One thought , given that everyone says I'll outgrow my starter Uke anyway, would I be better going for something cheaper, like a Mahalo starter one, one ebay for £18..

Or will the one I linked to sound better?

[dojo]

I reckon you should get a £20/£30 one and see how you get on, if you're really into invest in a decent bit of kit. I've got a pono it's one of the cheapest solid wood (mahogany) ukes you can buy (£350) but the sound difference is unbelievable.

Look up southern ukulele stores. They're the best suppliers around...

[Vanin]

Real Earworm!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db7PMaCPW3o

[Jumpy Guy]

Quick update. Ukulele arrived last week. Tuner bought at weekend.
Spending an hour every other night, enjoying it so far!

Three chords and a strum, and nearly a recognisable tune.

I'm not sure if 'muscle memory' of playing classical guitar at school is helping, but so far so good..

[knotweed]

Jumpy Guy said:

Quick update. Ukulele arrived last week. Tuner bought at weekend.
Spending an hour every other night, enjoying it so far!

Three chords and a strum, and nearly a recognisable tune.

I'm not sure if 'muscle memory' of playing classical guitar at school is helping, but so far so good..

Very good, hope you're still having fun! Which one did you get?

I've been playing 4 months now, almost every day. Need something a bit better than my £18 Mahalo now as I play in a local group once a week and I can hardly hear it over some of the others. It's loads of fun in a group, my progress has sped up a lot since Christmas and I've met a good bunch of people. Thinking of getting a concert, not sure what though. I keep looking at Kala/Oscar Schmidt. In the meantime I need yet another new set of strings as I managed to finish them off at the weekend

[expensivegarms]

Forgotten I'd started this! Picked up my uke for the first time in ages tonight. Good fun was had

[expensivegarms]

Forgotten I'd started this! Picked up my uke for the first time in ages tonight. Good fun was had

[Jumpy Guy]

I bought a Makala Shark in blue. This weekends job is to change the strings to something decent.

trying to grab at least 20 mins a day, and an hour a few times a week

suffering a bit from cramp in my left hand, but sure I'll get used to it.. all in all, good fun!