Ukulele advice

Jimmy Iovine

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a ukelele. I've done some research about it before and I've read all about the Mahalo.

Is that really the best around for that money? Is there any where else other than Amazon that I can buy it? I don't fancy the bright colours. The brown one is sold out.

Also, I'm based in England so I won't really be able to go into an Irish shop and buy it. Online is probably the only option unless I'm in Manchester some weekend.

I don't want to splash out on one in case I don't like it. €40 is my limit with some leeway for postage and packaging.

Faing

Mahalo ukes are probably the best value uke on the market. The U-30G soprano costs less then 30 euro and all you need to do is put a decent set of strings on it (I use Martin Fluorocarbons at about 8euro a set) and away ye go. Be aware that for a week or so you will be constantly retuning it until it settles down. They seem to be available at most music stores so buying online is not your only option. I bought a soprano Mahalo a few years back and it remains in constant use even though I have several other ukes in my collection. It also may help to tighten the machine heads a wee bit as they are generally too loose from the factory, this'll help keep it in tune.If you are in the Uk you'll never be far from a ukulele group anyhow.http://ukulelehunt.com/2010/03/10/ukulele-clubs-and-groups-in-the-uk-and-ireland/
Good Luck, Faing.

http://youtu.be/D1Azwzs78d4

martinedwards

Ukes are a remarkable phenomenon.

kids are being taught uke rather than recorder in a load of schools now and I got an email from top end Classical instrument supplier Sheehan's this morning about Uke classes that they're running.

it is amazing that a £20 stringed instrument is perfectly playable!

Jimmy Iovine

I'm going to buy a Mahalo when I find the time.

Are they easy/difficult to play? Any websites or books that might be of use to me?

I have a background in classical music (piano and violin). Apart from some pizzicato, I have never plucked a string with any success.

Faing

The web, Youtube is absolutely full of Uke resources. Yes, they are easy to play, but to play well takes practice.

ukegnome

In terms of buying a uke, spending 30 quid is a good idea, you've not lost much if you change your mind. Beyond that, Lanakai are the next step up http://www.lanikaiukes.com/ above that is Kala, Ohana and many others. Lots here: http://www.southernukulelestore.co.uk/

Soprano is the most common choice, go for that.

There is a welcoming and friendly ukulele community here: http://ukeireland.com/ meeting up with fellow ukers, generally beginners but with humble experts there too.

You can find tons of chords here http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ there a setting somewhere to show the ukulele chords. Same for chordie.com

Ukulele Mike is a great ukulele teacher on youtube.

Finally, there's Ukulele Hunt, http://ukulelehunt.com/ a definitive site for everything ukulele.

Enjoy!

Jimmy Iovine

I bought the 2015 Mahalo because it was in brown ha.

I tuned it when I got it and it was gone again after 20 strums. Scary. I have Aquila strings but am yet to put them on.

I know one chord - C major. Must be the easiest chord on any instrument. I did learn a few others and managed to string together (pun intended) a few chords that sounded quite nice. I can only improve.

ukegnome

Keep going! The strings will take a few days to settle in. They have a certain amount of give in them so they keep stretching so they loosen out of tune. I find pulling them up an inch or two from the fretboard then always tuning up gets them to stay in tune longer. Once you know C and F you can play Jambalaya!

Faing

Put the Aquila strings on straight away, you'll get fed up of retuning every time you put new strings on so you may as well get fed up retuning decent strings which eventually will stay in tune (usually after a few days imho). Eventually they will stay in for days on end without the need to mess with them. Going out of tune is not a bad thing always as it will train your ear to the instrument. Add a G and an A minor to your repertoire of chords and you can play almost anything! Enjoy it.

Gregor Samsa

My Fender Mino'Aka Concert Uke came with Aquila strings, and tuning was a real issue for the first few days. It sorted itself out after a couple of days, and is rock solid now.

mathepac

Jimmy Iovine wrote: »

I bought the 2015 Mahalo because it was in brown ha.

I tuned it when I got it and it was gone again after 20 strums. Scary. I have Aquila strings but am yet to put them on.

I know one chord - C major. Must be the easiest chord on any instrument. I did learn a few others and managed to string together (pun intended) a few chords that sounded quite nice. I can only improve.

Am7 on concert / soprano uke in C tuning- "Look Ma, no hands!"

JamesM

martinedwards wrote: »

Ukes are a remarkable phenomenon.

kids are being taught uke rather than recorder in a load of schools now and I got an email from top end Classical instrument supplier Sheehan's this morning about Uke classes that they're running.

it is amazing that a £20 stringed instrument is perfectly playable!

In 1958 my teacher announced that he was going to start a music class after school hours. Other kids arrived with flutes, clarinets, violins etc. I turned up with my father's uke - I wasn't invited back for the next session . (I also remember going around the neighbours at Halloween singing and playing "Oh my darling Clementine") I play guitar now, but that uke is still in my parents house - I might start playing it again

mathepac

JamesM wrote: »

*** I might start playing it again

I'd encourage anyone to start, the younger the better. It is an absolute hoot and there's tons of songs featuring ukes around.

I bought a mic'd up Kala concert uke (built-in tuner) in November and had 4 lessons. As a sh1te guitar player I eventually found my way around the tiny keyboard and had a repertoire of about 40 songs ready for Christmas (lead-sheets to the rescue !!) BIL is a music teacher / keyboard player and indulges me from time to time with a family gig or a party. I do up the lead-sheets and running order and try to find "dots" for him if they're tunes he doesn't know. It's some of the best fun I've had fully clothed. Next 'gig' is Paddy's day.