Ukulele lessons

Mahell

Yes. It IS a ridiculous little instrument. Still. Anyone have any idea where I could get lessons?

inisboffin

I have one, *trying* to teach myself, but I'd do better with lessons I think!


Only person I know that plays one (well) around town is Little John Nee, the actor.

Mahell

Yeah. I kinda half know him through a friend of mine. I'd imagine he's a bit busy to be giving lessons though. Are you making any headway under your own steam? I'm trying to learn chords on it but finding them dead tricky. And it's a bit of a pain to keep tuned. Every time I put it down it seems to magically knock itself out of whack I'd say it's a fairly cheap one though. Friend of mine got it for me as a "joke" birthday present so maybe it's not the best quality in the world.

inisboffin

Yeah, LJ is a busy man, if I see him about I may ask him tho..
I actually bought mine specifically to use at a charity gig a year ago. 21/2 chords and it went well
My problem is discipline:p
I would do way better with the guilt/incentive of learning with a teacher, and the better you get, the more you want to play it.

I have one of those 'fleas' - a more modern uke. A Hawaiian friend says they are good. Do you know the traditional tuning...this helps..
An electronic tuner is good too.
There is a brill cabaret on the West Coast of the USA every year called Ukealooza, maybe someday..in Galway...
Keep me posted how you get on.

Stevo11

Ha! Didn't expect to see this thread...
I've been playing on and off for about a year.. picked up some decent strings and put them on a VERY cheap Uke, nice sound when played with Guitar tho, but need to upgrade to something half decent soon.
Loads of chords out there, check out the band Beirut (especially "Postcards from Italy")
And this site :
http://ukulelehunt.com/2007/07/05/beirut-postcards-from-italy/

Oh, and , check out the Uke orchestra of Great Britain, saw them in Galway last year, brilliant!

If ya ever fancy a jam give me a shout
Steve

Mahell

I have a couple of the Ukulele Orchestra's albums. It's pretty amazing what they can do alright, but I suppose they cover a pretty broad range, vocally and on their instruments.

I'd be well up for a jam, but I'd like to get some kind of a handle on it first. I'm coming from the keyboard (and a brief sideswipe at the saxophone) so this whole "making music from plucking strings" thing is all still a bit new to me.

By the way Stevo, what kind of strings did you get for yours? Mine still has the crappy nylon ones that came with it.

And just to put it out there again, anyone desperately looking to give ukulele lessons, your time has come!

inisboffin

I'd be up for a jam too, but same, I'd like to be able to play a *bit* better first
Did ya try Powells for strings, they used to have them?

Mahell

Didn't chance Powell's yet. Might drop in there after the bank holiday. I came across this site too if it's of any interest: http://www.doctoruke.com/

A few simple tunes and he does a lot about chords and chord changes. But some of them are damn tricky. But I'm up to C and F! Woo hoo!

tony6523

HI FOLKS,
JUST TO LET YOU ALL KNOW IN CASE YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED THAT AN INITIAL MEETING TO SET UP AN IRISH UKE CLUB IS BEING HELD IN DUBLIN WEEKEND OF AUGUST 9/10.
NOT SURE HOW MANY WILL BE THERE (NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF UKE PLAYERS IN IRELAND...YET!) BUT THE MORE THE MERRIER.

A VERY WELL KNOWN CALIFORNIAN UKE PLAYER CALLED DAN SCANLAN IS GOING TO BE THERE AND IS GOING TO GIVE SOME WORKSHOPS. CHECK OUT HIS WEBSITE "COOL HAND UKE". HE IS RENOWNED AS A UKE TEACHER AND IT REALLY IS GOING TO GIVE A FOCUS TO THIS STARTUP.

THERE WILL BE PLAYERS OF ALL LEVELS THERE. (I'M A BEGINNER MYSELF) SO NO ONE SHOULD FEEL SELF CONSIOUS.

HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED EMAIL ME AT "tonyboland@esatclear.ie"

Tony:)

PS: I will post the venue and the times by the end of this week!

Stevo11

Hi Tony,

I'll try and make this, would be great to meet up for a jam.

Regards,
Stephen

inisboffin

Sent you an email Tony, thanks!

dozeyrosey

hi, just thinking of getting a ukulele, it appeals to me...dont want to get one and end up frustrated by not having the 'push' by a teacher...any luck guys?

Dave!

Hah, just saw this on the front page Got a ukulele about 3 years ago to mess around with, and was just playing it over the last couple of days, great craic

It's dead easy to transition to uke if you already play guitar. Just a matter of knowing the tuning, and then remembering the chords.

Someone mentioned earlier that theirs keeps going out of tune -- mine does too! I'm still using the same strings as when I got it, and they're nylon. The pegs aren't that tight, so I have to take a screw-drivers to them every so often Some day I'll invest in a "real" uke, cos it's a pretty sweet instrument and very portable

Stevo11

Rosey, I bought a cheap uke in the music shop across from AIB on shop st (the name escapes me now.. its on the corner.. ), to see if I'd like it. I bought decent strings and I plucked away on it for about a year, recently I upgraded to a "proper" uke and have been playing more and more. Its great, love it, still have the original uke which I keep in the car.
Try getting to one of our ukuhooleys in Dublin (once a month, date, time and place posted here on egroups. )

Steve

tonyhiggins

A few folks in Ireland making some very nice music with Ukeleles...


www.myspace.com/peterdelaney

www.myspace.com/vertigosmyth

www.myspace.com/laurasheeranmusic

Not a joke instrument at all!

dozeyrosey

Thanks for that...some good enthusiasm there!!

...any ideas what price range a pretty good one is and are nylon or steel strings the way to go...still no word of a teacher tho....

Stevo11

emm.. you can spend mad money on one but I bought this one a couple of months ago from a german vendor on the 'net, I'll justify a more expensive one when/if I go to the next level. Its got great tone, volume and action.

http://www.justecordes.fr/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_88&products_id=447

dozeyrosey

yeah, getting more into the idea as the hours go on...

thanks for the enthusiasm!! Still no word of a teacher tho ...

Unenlightened

There's some good lessons on youtube.

I've gone back to just playing guitar, but still pick up the uke now and then to mess around on. If anyone's up for a jam, let me know

Mahell

dozeyrosey wrote: »

hi, just thinking of getting a ukulele, it appeals to me...dont want to get one and end up frustrated by not having the 'push' by a teacher...any luck guys?

Have to agree with you there dozey. You need the threat of a teacher clucking his or her tongue at you and shaking their head in dismay at your lack of progress at the end of the week!

Like Unenlightened said there's lots of stuff up on YouTube and Metacafe, but it's not quite the same.

Still no joy on a teacher I assume...

inisboffin

Yeah, the teacher I thought of is mad busy for a month or so anyway. I need a bit of motivation! Missed out on the Dublin meet-ups due to distance, it would be good to have a Galway meet.

Mahell

inisboffin wrote: »

Yeah, the teacher I thought of is mad busy for a month or so anyway. I need a bit of motivation! Missed out on the Dublin meet-ups due to distance, it would be good to have a Galway meet.

I'd be up for that. If for no other reason than to present a potential teacher with a pre-assembled class of eager neophytes!

Unenlightened

I'm up for a jam too...

inisboffin

I dunno if I am even ready for a 'jam' aside from tapping along rhythm on the body!:p
Yeah, how about using the social space some evening for a get together, we could ask..

Stevo11

Yup, I've missed out on the last 2 in Dublin too due to impending family commitments but would love to have a local jam.
Can those interested PM me with you email addresses and I'll add you to the Ukulele Ireland mailing list? We can try organise something from there (time/day/venue/tunes/etc)?

Mahell

inisboffin wrote: »

I dunno if I am even ready for a 'jam' aside from tapping along rhythm on the body!:p
Yeah, how about using the social space some evening for a get together, we could ask..

Don't worry inis.... you wouldn't be alone in the ukulele percussion section. Social space meet up sounds like a good idea. Anyone that can actually play be interested in going or will it be a lot of floundering beginners?

inisboffin

Sounds like we have some interest, I will pm you to be on that list Stevo, thanks!

tony6523

Hi All,
Good luck with arranging a Uke meeting in Galway Folks. I wish you all the best with that.
I can tell you that since we started Ukulele Ireland in August our numbers have grown steadily. We meet on the second saturday of each month in Dunlaoire, Co. Dublin. We start a 12noon to allow for people coming from round the country.
We have had uke workshops from two of the best uke players in the world, Dan "Cool-hand Uke") Scanlon from California and Steven Sproat from the UK. and all of us have gained tremendously from these uke masters. More workshops from international players are planned.
Its also great fun meeting other uke players from all around Ireland. People come from Limerick, Cork, Derry, Belfast, Drogheda, Waterford, Scotland, Korea, Spain, and of course a number from Dublin.
Just to let you know all are welcome.
My email address once again is "tonyboland@esatclear.ie"
You might also like to check out the blog "Ukulele Ireland"
Keep on Ukein'
Tony:)

tony6523

As I read my last posting (above) I realise I actually left GALWAY out of the list of counties that members have come from......OK, I am standing in the corner facing the wall for 24 hrs!
Tony

eamonn60

anyone in Galway with a uke would like to get together for a bit of jamming would love to hear from you, eamonn:)

Stevo11

yeah, def! Been meaning to get back to this.. when suits? Where would be good?

eamonn60

Hi I live near Gort, well between Kilcolgon and Gort, what part of the county are you, Eamonn

Stevo11

not far from Clarinbridge. There were a few more people interested on this forum, I must dig out the emails.

eamonn60

you are only five minutes from me which is great, would be easier to phone dont really want to put my no on board though what is the beast way to contact,eamonn

Madame Razz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFOvN5FEhsw

Stevo11

We had the inaugural Galway Ukeahooley last night in Oranmore. Good fun + a good jam.
Anyone else interested in another in a couple of weeks time?

Greaney

I'd be up for it. I had to learn the Uke for a show a couple of years back, picked it up this year, I'm making slow progress.

I got my own only a couple of months ago, oh yes, and regarding all the remarks on bad strings and tuning (I believe the problem lies in the tuning keys) Most Ukes use gut/nylon, and you only start seeing metal strings appear (in the C and low G if that's your tuning) in the Tenor Uke.

PS: I'm not that clever, I was just the eejit who questioned the strings on my Uke and it had to be explained:o

inisboffin

I'd love to give it a lash too, my poor uke has been abandoned for other creative outlets. I could at least learn a few chords, and commit that much to a jam!

mskippy

Hi I'm going to buy myself a uke very soon and I'm just wondering if there's still any uke activity in Galway?

Stevo11

Have met with Eamonn a couple of times in Oranmore. Would be up for a jam/lesson.

mskippy

Cool. In the mean time, any tips on uke buying? Any music shops you can reccommend?

I've looked up a few tips and I think I'll start with one of the smaller ones (soprano?).

Quite alot of people are saying they have problems with the frets being too far apart.

Greaney

Powells on the corner of shop street and Abbeygate street lower is good. I got mine in the music shop in the cornstore. If you want to be really confident, have a look on-line to check the quality and price to expect range before you go in.

In the mean time, when's the next Jam???:D

eamonn60

Hi sorry computer down last few days, would love to meet up for a bit of ukulele sharing, I am getting a small collection of ukuleles now have found the Lanakai brand very good bought one on ebay recently came with a set of Aquila strings as standard which are great quality and the ukes are cheap too, some of the other brands are cheap but are only toys really, got last one frome states came with a padded bag and a hanger for the wall for about 60 euros.Look forward to meeting up, regards, Eamonn

mskippy

So I bought my uke, beautiful little thing it is, and would very much like to meet up soon for a lesson because I'm getting slightly disheartened trying to teach myself !

eamonn60

Hi would love to meet next week with anyone interested have had no internet for a while and am waiting for new provider to connect me, would maybe Wed evening next week suit everybody, look forward to it, Eamonn

Stevo11

I'd be up for that (provisionally! ;-) ) ...

Steve

mskippy

I'm definitely up for that.

eamonn60

Hi were meeting in Oranmore Wed at 8.30 in snug of pub opposite filling station, on corner with alleyway down the side, Riordans I think , look forward to it, Eamonn

mskippy

Cool. I'll probably be there really early as I have to find the place!

inisboffin

Sorry to miss it! Give us a shout if you have one in town anytime soon, can't make Oranmore.

eamonn60

What part of Galway do you live in so we can know for next time.