Ukulele Show

[MotoBoss]

OK, so I played bass in a garage band in the late 60's and hardly have touched another instrument since. The Wife got me a Ukulele and now I'm learning a new four string instrument. She took the advice and got a nice Uke, a Oscar Schmidt by Washburn Tenor with Aquila strings and a Snark Tuner.
It's really fun but I could use some help and conversation on learning to play" actual music" on the Ukulele.
Anyone out there?

[bvardi]

I got an inexpensive Lanikai tenor uke just before the holidays (but am about as far from skilled as it is possible to be... mostly putter around with some fingerpicking/simple melody pieces.)

Have the daughter also getting into it... she's got a cheapo little (***Edit.. she has a Soprano, not a tenor) but she might end up getting my learner tenor when I upgrade eventually.

[MotoBoss]

Originally Posted by bvardi

I got an inexpensive Lanikai tenor uke just before the holidays (but am about as far from skilled as it is possible to be... mostly putter around with some fingerpicking/simple melody pieces.)

Have the daughter also getting into it... she's got a cheapo little tenor, but shemight end up getting my learner tenor when I upgrade eventually.

Great stuff. I never realized how simple, not easy, it is to learn. The tabs are much different from a six string, as are the bar cords. I can't read music so having tabs is a plus.

Any particular website you visit for lessons and music?

[bvardi]

I can read music, but slowly.. so tabs are great for me.

I concentrate on fingerpicking/melody pieces myself... some places with music I have found....

This place has pay music (haven't actually bought anything) where you can buy by the song... (Lots of big name songs)

http://search.musicnotes.com/?instru...&store=Ukulele


Then lots of free...

http://www.doctoruke.com/songs.html
http://liveukulele.com/easy-beginner-ukulele-songs/
http://ukulelehunt.com/2010/02/24/bl...ulele-lessons/
http://www.ezfolk.com/uke/Tutorials/...erpicking.html
http://worldofukulele.tumblr.com/
http://uke4u.com/category/licks/easy-blues-licks/

This place has quite a few tabs...
http://www.muffin.net.nz/muffin/Uke_Tab.html
And this is good too...
http://capotastomusic.com/ukulele-sheet-music/tabs.htm

http://www.akulele.com/tablature.html
http://curtsheller.com/ukulele/tabs.php
http://liveukulele.com/lessons/techniques/

Bought "Ukulele for dummies" as well - which despite the name, has quite a bit of info and is very good... think it will be useful for a while. (Comes with CD as well with sample tracks... quite helpful for me to hear what I am trying to do)

Already looking at my next Uke... and one from this guy - http://www.thegreatmush-uke.com/
might be in my future. Unique, handmade tin-can ukuleles (and banjos, mandolins, etc.) Plus the guy is local... just stumbled across him and may have to see if I can go to someplace he is showing and try out a couple. Think it is the right looking instrument for a battered Ural owner. ;)

[MotoBoss]

Wow, thanks for all the links. The Tin Cans look really cool. I thought about the "dummies" book but I had bought one for my computer back in the day and it didn't really help out much.
I agree that "hearing" what your trying to play helps alot. I can play many cords by memory so learning a new song is mainly learning the strumming pattern. Most everything I now play sounds alike.


OK now off to link land for pratice......

[yankeeone]

"Most everything I now play sounds alike". thats what fiddle music sounds like lots of times ---- "we fired our guns but the British kept a comen " next time you here some try saying those words along with it.

[MotoBoss]

Originally Posted by yankeeone

"Most everything I now play sounds alike". thats what fiddle music sounds like lots of times ---- "we fired our guns but the British kept a comen " next time you here some try saying those words along with it.

I'll give it a try......

[CaptTeach]

I only have one thing to add since I do not play - Jake Shimabukuro Watch/listen and be amazed!!

[bvardi]

Originally Posted by CaptTeach

I only have one thing to add since I do not play - Jake Shimabukuro Watch/listen and be amazed!!

Absolutely... his version of "As my guitar gently weeps" does tend to blow the mind. I don't even pretend to have aspirations to get THAT good myself... I'm just aiming to play a few fingerpicking songs at the cottage and while on trips. (One thing about the Uke... the low cost and small size makes it an great little thing to pack on the motorbike.)

[MotoBoss]

Been picking away this week trying to get a handle on this thing. The Wife's Birthday is this Sunday so I did learn "Happy Birthday" to play for her...........






progress

[Cal]

If anyone is into boats, woodworking and Ukuleles here is a very interesting link!http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/12/...dle/index.html

[Chuckracer]

Yer all set!

[bvardi]

Originally Posted by MotoBoss

Been picking away this week trying to get a handle on this thing. The Wife's Birthday is this Sunday so I did learn "Happy Birthday" to play for her...........






progress

That's the best way to use a Uke... to get a laugh or smile out of someone else :) (Or yourself!)

[MotoBoss]

Originally Posted by chuckracer

yer all set!

sweeeeeet................I need to get this !

[MotoBoss]

Originally Posted by bvardi

That's the best way to use a Uke... to get a laugh or smile out of someone else :) (Or yourself!)

Usually it's me she's laughing at but hey, it's all good after 35 years................