anyone taught themselves to play the ukulele?

pavlovs_dog

Sheepstar wrote: »

I've been playing for about three years now, and find it a fab stress-buster. The uke is most definitely a happy instrument.

that's what i'm hoping for :j

I found a good site (beatlesite.info) that has done tutorials for a lot of beatles songs that show the chords (including how to form them) set in time to someone playing along so you can hear the strum patterns. With a little help for my friends looks fairly do-able in terms of speed and restricted number of chords.

shall check out the tutorial re how to choose a uke. am currently considering a Mahalo - cheap, cheerful but with positive reviews. Don't want to spend a fortune to begin with in case my interest doesn't really get off the ground

pavlovs_dog

just checked out ukulele underground - hands down the BEST tutorials i have seen so far. Wish I could thank you twice.

Can't wait to get my uke now :j

Sheepstar

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

am currently considering a Mahalo - cheap, cheerful but with positive reviews. Don't want to spend a fortune to begin with in case my interest doesn't really get off the ground

I have owned two Mahalos, with varying results. They seem to be a little hit and miss depending on how they're set up in the factory. The intonation on some of them can quite bad.

I would suggest you also consider a Makala Dolphin. They're a little more expensive, but worth the difference as they're higher quality IMHO.

Sorry if I'm overdoing it with the advice! Feel free to ignore me

EDIT: I'm pleased that you've enjoyed the Ukulele Underground tutorials so far. They've a forum over there too, so if you get stuck, I'm sure you can ask for help.

pavlovs_dog

Sheepstar wrote: »

Sorry if I'm overdoing it with the advice! Feel free to ignore me

Not at all, I appreciate your advice :beer: Welcome to MSE forum-usage by the way. You've been here a long time for someone with only 3 posts to their name. You obviously don't talk as much as i do

PintAndAPie

I picked the Uke up about 3 years ago when I was laid up after a road accident just as something to do. I learned to play it by following online tutorials, just start with a few basic chords and work up from there. My suggestions, for what they are worth : A decent instrument makes all the difference, the cheap £20 jobs of ebay sound terrible, don't stay in tune and will only put you off, you want to be looking in the £50 range for a start. Make sure you buy a tuner, an out of tune instrument is no use at all. Don't worry if you can't get your head round singing and playing at the same time, it will come in time. Most importantly, try and find other people to play with. Doing so will keep you motivated to improve, makes playing 10x more fun and is a real source of enjoyment in itself. If you want to see one of my last performances search "Tribfest Crosstown Traffic" on Youtube, I'm in there somewhere.

Sheepstar

PintAndAPie wrote: »

My suggestions, for what they are worth : A decent instrument makes all the difference.

I wholeheartedly agree. Definitely worth paying a little bit more for something that is a musical instrument rather than a toy. I started on a Lanikai LU11 (£40-50ish) and I still play it regularly; and as I mentioned above the Makala Dolphins are also quite good for the price, usually £25ish).

Also great advice about going to a uke jam if there is one near you. SO much fun and everyone will be happy to help you learn.

Pavlovs_dog if you've got any queries, I'm happy to try to help

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Get a halfway decent one if you can afford it. Get a clip on tuner. Get a couple of books, one with songs and chords, one slightly more detailed and with skills teaching involved.

Get a music stand. Neck ache from straining to see the chord chart is a real fun killer.

If you don't have any experience (or callouses) on your fingers from fretting strings, keep it to ten minutes at a time. A leather plectrum sounds nicer than a felt one if you don't want to use your thumb and index finger.

Take it slowly. Get one thing right before you move onto the next.


Be prepared to see yourself as hamfisted, incompetent and a candidate for appearing as the Hooded Claw, as the spacings between the strings are quite tight. If you have huge hands, a baritone uke would be less painful - and good if you have a lower range voice.


If you have loads of money to spare (which, as a teacher, is unlikely), you could even consider a bass uke. They're awesomely great. But I am biased


Don't forget your hands will ache. It's normal. Just pay close attention to technique, posture and take it slowly. You get faster when you get better. Fast speed and crap technique won't get you far. And ALWAYS WARM UP before playing.



I'm learning uke at the moment, mainly so I can do something else other than bass and bodhran. Or rhythm guitar. Or sing.


(Be warned! This can become obsessive)


And DON'T mention it in the staff room unless you actually want to be holding lunchtime classes in it for the rest of your natural.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Bazey wrote: »

I used to play drums(sold my kit 7 years ago when I moved to London) and I started to learn acoustic guitar march last year.

Uke chords are quite different to guitar chords but I've not had any probs picking it up easily enough!!

I've just learnt how to play "shook me all night" by ACDC on the uke. You will not believe how much I've been grinning...

Good luck if you do decide to start learning. I'm certain you will enjoy!!

I saw that book in the shelf in the shop and thought there had to be someone that would buy it! Who'd'ave thought it would be you, Bazey?

Doc_N

Any thoughts on these for a beginner - Lanikai LU-21 and Kala KA-S? Narrowed it down (I think) to these two, so any comments (or other ideas) would be appreciated.

Sheepstar

Doc_N wrote: »

Any thoughts on these for a beginner - Lanikai LU-21 and Kala KA-S? Narrowed it down (I think) to these two, so any comments (or other ideas) would be appreciated.

I think you'll do well with either the Lanikai or the Kala. Both are well respected brands and their budget lines hold up well. They are much better than some of the horrible coloured ukes you can get for half the price.

I have a Lanikai LU-11 which is the even cheaper version of the LU-21 and it's fantastic. It's got a lovely tone, and I still play it regularly.

If you can manage going to a music shop for a strum, that would be a good way to decide which you like the feel of best, although I accept that's often easier said than done.

GOOD LUCK