Ukulele Anyone?

Discussion in 'Art & Culture' started by Bowser, Dec 4, 2016.

  1. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    Does anyone here play the ukulele? I was watching videos last night and thought I would give it a try. I went on eBay and purchased a soprano and a concert. If I find I enjoy playing them, I might buy a tenor.

     
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  3. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    I sort of play ukulele. I'm not good in other words but I enjoy all kinds of stringed instruments. I do enjoy it due to the size, string type and convenience.

    I have a soprano and a tenor. They are fairly easy to play as far a learning simple chords. Many can be played as 2 finger chords.

    By the way, the tenor is easier on the finger (more room) although I end up picking up the soprano more often because it's so small and I have it just laying out.
     
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  5. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    What is your take on the tenor? Does it start sounding more like a classical than a uk. I understand the tone is deeper than that of a soprano.
     
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  7. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    It's a deep tone but it still sounds like a ukulele. A lot of people (including me) change out the "G" string for a lower octave "G" so that you can play more songs. The way it is currently tuned is called reentrant tuning. The G is higher than the string that proceeds it.

    If you are thinking of the high pitched classical "Hawaiian" songs the soprano does that. If you use it for playing a greater variety of songs that the tenor with the lower "G" string does that better.

    I'm 6'1" and my fingers get pretty cramped together near the neck of a soprano. The tenor just feels more comfortable in that regard.

    I have guitars, including a classical guitar and I don't think the tenor really sounds like that. Different scale, different tuning, etc. I think a tenor is a good all around instrument to have around the house however.

    All ukulele's are fun however. They are easy on the fingers (nylon strings) and with 4 strings instead of 6 on the guitar there is less to learn. Some of the basic chords are pretty easy to learn as well in a short period of time.

    Look at the finger positions for an A major, A minor, A 7th, C major and C 7th. Some are one finger some are similar to the others just on different strings, etc.
     
  8. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    18,935
    I took up fiddle for three years.

    (Q: What's the difference between a fiddle and a violin? A: The player.)

    Turns out that - despite being an artist myself, and having several art AND musically-inclined siblings, as well as a father who is also an artist - I completely suck at music.
     
  9. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    I'm not particularly good at it either. I'm lazy musically.

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    I also just don't care about it as much as I do other things. I feel more like an owner of musical instruments sometimes than a player.

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    I have 3 electric guitars and 2 acoustic guitars. Two mandolins, one banjo, two ukuleles and two chrangos. I know the basic chords for all of them and can play a song or two on each of them but that's about it.

    It's more of a way to relax for me than it is about being good or working too hard at it.
     
  10. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    Many people become collectors of musical instruments. I've had to fight the urge myself. I own one acoustic guitar and several CBGs for which I just haven't found homes yet. Instruments are so inexpensive right now, it's really easy to just buy one on impulse. I suppose my recent purchase of the ukuleles was an impulse buy, but i do intend to spend some time with them.
     
  11. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    I don't personally like collecting anything. I like to use whatever I have even though I may have too many.

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    What is a CBG?
     
  12. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    Cigar box guitar. I make them as a hobby. I have two waiting for a new home. We're having a White Elephant gift exchange this Christmas, so I thought I might throw one into a bag and tie a ribbon on it.
     
  13. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    8,502
    Would you consider posting to Australia I have one but have been thinking of getting another as I am not sure the example I have is all that good, its the only one I have played or seen.
    These days besides yapping here playing it is my only pastime.
    Alex
     
  14. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    Have you considered making your own? It's easy.
     
  15. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    8,502
    Yes I have a small guitar with a slab of timber attached nearly complete.
    Alex
     
  16. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    Here's one I made and shipped to Afghanistan. Just the basics.

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  17. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    8,502
    You should be proud that looks excellent.
    Alex
     
  18. Bowser Namaste Valued Senior Member

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    8,828
    thanx. Many people take their builds much more seriously. Mine are much more like a production line--i make several at the same time.
     
  19. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    How are they tuned or rather what is the tuning? I assume it's some open tuning?
     
  20. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

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    8,502
    I think you call it open tuning e b e, is what I use.
    Alex
     
  21. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,502
    I notice no pick up.
    Do you make electric models?
    Alex
     
  22. Seattle Valued Senior Member

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    8,854
    Interesting. So that's open E with the 3rd left out so that it doesn't sound like a major or a minor chord and you repeat the E an octave higher? Is that the logic?

    I would have guessed something like open G (G,B,D) but I guess you would do it as G,D,G to get that octave sound.
     
  23. Xelasnave.1947 Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,502
    Yes a power chord really. GDG is popular. I some times tune it strangly to get a weird sound but never find it again.
    D is not bad I think they used that in a song in Crossroads.
    Alex
     

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