stepay Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 $55 ukelele from Guitar Center on Saturday. She played it for 3 hours straight when we got home. It's a cool little instrument. Any of you play one? Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Used to have one years ago, easy to get started and fun. Great for kids to introduce them to music! Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linwood Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Yup. When I was a kid, I learned chords on a uke before I went to guitar. Still have a few guitars and a uke in here. Sounds like she's already gotten $55 out of it. Well done, Sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 Yup. When I was a kid, I learned chords on a uke before I went to guitar. Still have a few guitars and a uke in here. Sounds like she's already gotten $55 out of it. Well done, Sir! Yeah, she already plays clarinet and piano, but she wanted a ukelele, so, as I knew she'd play it, I got her one. She's a musical one. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 What's that for brother? Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 What's that for brother? D-Bon hates kids. Or yooks. Or kids with yooks. Who knows . . . I was curious about tunings so I looked it up. Apparently there's a couple different tunings for the yook, maybe more. There's even something called "Canadian tuning," which is really confusing. I thought the only thing Canadians invented was bacon. Anyway, the reason for my curiosity was whether someone who learns on a yook can easily jump to guitar or mandolin. Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 D-Bon sure uses that facepalm thing a lot. Oh well. I'm not supposed to understand everything. I would imagine playing ANY stringed instrument helps one then play any other stringed instrument. I already play guitar, and so it was easy to pick up how to play things on that ukelele for me. What's that for brother? D-Bon hates kids. Or yooks. Or kids with yooks. Who knows . . . I was curious about tunings so I looked it up. Apparently there's a couple different tunings for the yook, maybe more. There's even something called "Canadian tuning," which is really confusing. I thought the only thing Canadians invented was bacon. Anyway, the reason for my curiosity was whether someone who learns on a yook can easily jump to guitar or mandolin. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Stepay, buy your daughter some Jake Shimabukuro CDs, downloads, etc. and tell her to get practicing. [video:youtube] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Nothing wrong with buying a uke for your kid if that's what he/she really wants. I bought one for my nephew after my Mom guessed that he might enjoy having one. The kid was 5 at the time. He already owned a Paper Jamz toy guitar, which his aunt bought for him after she noticed he was obsessively watching the rock band at his godfather's wedding. I sure noticed the Paper Jamz had since become his favorite toy, but wasn't sure if that indicated a real inclination for music. My Mom was a lot more certain... He was a bit reluctant to accept the uke at first. He said "I don't play real strings". Ha! Anyway, after I handed him his new uke, chord book, and tuning fork, he spent the entire day with his hands on his new uke, strumming the two chords I showed him, asking questions about tuning, using the fork for tuning, etc. He tried to play a third chord (A minor I think) but his index finger couldn't reach all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 It's spelled 'ukulele, and pronounced ookoolehleh. I bought my start instrument after a visit to the island of Hawai'i last September. I was very close to buying a higher-end model on the island itself at a nice shop in Hilo, but decided to test the waters first. The soprano voicing sounds the most authentic to me (and is the one that was most commonly used up until recently) and the least guitar-like. I tried several dozen before settling on my longer-term pick and my short-term starter instrument, picking up the Lanikai LU-21 with a nice Stagg soft case (like a hardshell case on the interior but with a vinyl outer layer vs. PVC or wood). This is the best-made of the cheaper models and the most consistent of the laminates. There are lots of exotic woods available now, but they don't sound like uke's to me. For a pro or more advanced player, it's probably nice to have one of those for an additional flavour -- especially if extending the family with a Concert, Tenor, or Baritone uke. Really though, the strings make the biggest difference. Better brands like Lanakai ship with good strings. You can listen to some excellent YouTube videos that compare the different string brands, and the ukulele forums are also highly recommended. Best strings generally are from Worth and Aquila. Here's are a couple of YouTube demo comparisons (there are plenty of others though): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3x75ftUKCk&feature=related There are lots of 'ukulele forums, but these are some of the more active ones: http://www.theuke.com/forum.php http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/ Here is a nice link that lists a lot of 'ukulele resources and forums: http://gx9901ukes.blogspot.com/2008/02/ukulele-forums.html Finally, here's a nice comparison of Soprano vs. Concert vs. Tenor in a similar model range; albeit playing the unexpected choice of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" (and with easy-to-understand French commentary): Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 D-Bon sure uses that facepalm thing a lot. Oh well. I'm not supposed to understand everything. Well, you are a father. Seem to be doing a good job orienting your kids to music. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I used to think ukes were a joke. But I went in to this bar in Hawaii and there were two guys playing ukes and I was like holy crap!!!. They could play the beegeebees out those things. Before that the best uke player I had ever seen was probably Tiny Tim so that explains my low expectations. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillplaying Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 I think I've seen a window cleaner playing one. Long time ago. Black and white. I'm the piano player "off of" Borrowed Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 It's spelled 'ukulele, and pronounced ookoolehleh. I bought my start instrument after a visit to the island of Hawai'i last September. I was very close to buying a higher-end model on the island itself at a nice shop in Hilo, but decided to test the waters first. The soprano voicing sounds the most authentic to me (and is the one that was most commonly used up until recently) and the least guitar-like. I tried several dozen before settling on my longer-term pick and my short-term starter instrument, picking up the Lanikai LU-21 with a nice Stagg soft case (like a hardshell case on the interior but with a vinyl outer layer vs. PVC or wood). This is the best-made of the cheaper models and the most consistent of the laminates. There are lots of exotic woods available now, but they don't sound like uke's to me. For a pro or more advanced player, it's probably nice to have one of those for an additional flavour -- especially if extending the family with a Concert, Tenor, or Baritone uke. Really though, the strings make the biggest difference. Better brands like Lanakai ship with good strings. You can listen to some excellent YouTube videos that compare the different string brands, and the ukulele forums are also highly recommended. Best strings generally are from Worth and Aquila. Here's are a couple of YouTube demo comparisons (there are plenty of others though): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3x75ftUKCk&feature=related There are lots of 'ukulele forums, but these are some of the more active ones: http://www.theuke.com/forum.php http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/ Here is a nice link that lists a lot of 'ukulele resources and forums: http://gx9901ukes.blogspot.com/2008/02/ukulele-forums.html Finally, here's a nice comparison of Soprano vs. Concert vs. Tenor in a similar model range; albeit playing the unexpected choice of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" (and with easy-to-understand French commentary): Paging Mr. Fortner!! It's time to add the "Ukeleke Connection" to the MP empire!!! Like anything, there's a place for lots of discerning and discriminating taste on almost anything!! I now know 1000% more about the ukuele than I did before reading this post! Thanks Mark!! Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewImprov Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 The lead singer in my Bob Marley tribute band is from Hawaii, and he's practicing Uke pretty seriously lately, and has learned a couple of Jake Shimabukuro transcriptions. Pretty amazing stuff. Turn up the speaker Hop, flop, squawk It's a keeper -Captain Beefheart, Ice Cream for Crow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I was pretty startled to discover ukuleles are like the hottest things in music over the past few years- you see them for sale everywhere, and I could not believe how many ukulele manufacturers were at NAMM this year. My wife noticed it and ended up getting one, and plays it daily. They are simple, yet fun, and you can learn enough to do some pretty amazing things on them. I think that the popularity of Iz Kamakawiwo'ole (RIP) and "Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World" helped it along, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Ukelele is hot, it's happening, and it's now. Anything that's cool, cute, or trendy has a ukelele track in its TV ad. --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridog6996 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I've also noticed the ukulele seems to be an "in" thing right now for some reason. A couple guitar teachers I know have all had increasing numbers of requests for ukulele lessons recently. Also, the daughter of a friend of mine that I give occasional piano lessons to recently asked for one and has been playing it non-stop. Up until recently I rarely ever saw a ukulele outside of a music store. It's kinda strange, but it makes sense in way. They're small and ultra-portable for today's iPod/iPhone/iWhatever generation, and perhaps not as intimidating to a budding musician as a full size 6-string guitar or a big ol' piano. My YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I think I've seen a window cleaner playing one. Long time ago. Black and white. Ahem. For the benefit of our US friends... [video:youtube] Studio: Yamaha P515 | Yamaha Tyros 5 | Yamaha HX1 | Moog Sub 37 Road: Yamaha YC88 | Nord Electro 5D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Steve's daughter might wish to consider adding this to her repertoire, too: [video:youtube] Studio: Yamaha P515 | Yamaha Tyros 5 | Yamaha HX1 | Moog Sub 37 Road: Yamaha YC88 | Nord Electro 5D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stepay Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 Ukelele is hot, it's happening, and it's now. Anything that's cool, cute, or trendy has a ukelele track in its TV ad. Yeah, this is why a 15-year-old girl (my daughter) would be interested in the ukulele. Steve (Stevie Ray) "Do the chickens have large talons?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tucktronix Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I have an ukulele that was given to me by a lady whom my mom did upholstery work for. It came in a box with a chord book and some extra strings. I've tried to play it a few times, but have pretty much given up. Kronos 88 Platinum, Yamaha YC88, Subsequent 37, Korg CX3, Hydrasynth 49-key, Nord Electro 5D 73, QSC K8.2, Lester K Me & The Boyz Chris Beard Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Years ago, a local artist Julia Nunes did this ukelele cover of a Ben Folds song on YouTube. He saw it, she opened some BF dates, spent time on the road and put out a couple of albums including 1 within the past couple of months. [video:youtube] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 George Harrison stuck mostly to his uke the last few years of his life. And yet I don't recall him using it much on recordings. I think the new-found popularity (possibly the "third wave" of ukulele fever?) is related to the economy and also that it at first looks less intimidating than guitar to people with no prior instrument experience. That and the portability factor: you can easily take it on public transport, on a bike, bring it to parties, the beach, etc. In a way, it's surprising it didn't catch on earlier. But I think the difference this time is that it is actually making its way into recorded songs in the mainstream. The fact is, an 'ukulele played well can be a very soulful instrument. And it is NOT easy to play nor do guitar skills transfer over all that readily. I haven't begun serious study of my own yet, but I like the tactile feedback that it provides; I feel very connected to the instrument when I play it. That will eventually lead to some unique musical ideas. Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Ukes rock, and Jake rocks 'em like nobody else. A friend of mine has a very nice expensive one (but still under $1K) and damn does it sound good. It's larger than the typical model; I believe it's an alto or tenor? What's really cool about the uke is jazz chord voicings. Find a few good lead sheets for jazz standards on uke and you'll see that people are really into doing GOOD charts for these babies. At least, the ones my friend had were really quite good (way better than most guitar chord charts, I mean way way better). And there's something about the uncomplicated nature of the instrument that allows the beauty of the music to shine through, without having to fuss about lots of technique. I hope to get one myself some day. Got too much goin on at the moment, though. I did look at them when I was in HA not long ago, but didn't snag one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Schmieder Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It's interesting you should mention jazz, because that's actually the main context in which I plan to use mine! I like how the oddball string arrangement sort of simplifies some of my favourite jazz voicings. Eugenio Upright, 60th Ann P-Bass, USA Geddy Lee J-Bass, Yamaha BBP35, D'angelico Bari, Dano Bari Select Strat/Tele, Am Pro Jazzmaster, LP 57 Gold, G5422DC-12, T486, T64, PM2, EXL1, XK4, Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon May Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Uke was my first musical instrument as a kid, and my wife bought me a tenor for an anniversary present a couple of years ago (I wanted an Electro 3, but we weren't that cashed up!). I like a tenor with a low G string (!) - an octave lower than usual. Less plinky. 4 strings gives options for rootless voicings! The brain has to 'fill in' the missing bass note using the context of song. The same finger position could be used for Am7b5 or F9. [video:youtube] "I'm well acquainted with the touch of a velvet hand..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moj Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It's interesting you should mention jazz, because that's actually the main context in which I plan to use mine! I like how the oddball string arrangement sort of simplifies some of my favourite jazz voicings. Benny Chong, along with Jake and Lyle Ritz, are considered the greatest ukulele players today. [video:youtube] [video:youtube] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.