tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post7196791520096456282..comments2024-03-26T17:50:42.904+00:00Comments on GOT A UKULELE - Ukulele reviews and beginners tips: Ukulele MythsBarry Mazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-35004697964366165462020-10-26T09:11:11.722+00:002020-10-26T09:11:11.722+00:00I’m very pleased to read your post. I e just got b...I’m very pleased to read your post. I e just got back into playing after a few years break due to ‘life events’ getting in the way. I am 62 and have been frustrated I can’t memorise the song’s and chords like I used to. Now I know I’m not going crazy. capyboppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14921004384152882915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-42641927319158665552020-07-18T10:18:21.976+01:002020-07-18T10:18:21.976+01:00Just re-reading some of your rants, all of which a...Just re-reading some of your rants, all of which are excellent. Regarding the use of music stands. I play in two ukulele groups (bass in one, Ukulele in the other) and both groups use stands on gigs. Back in the 60/70s I could play a two hour set from memory. These days at age 73, no chance, and that goes for most of the other group members although some of our people can manage without stands. If we didn't read from the music as we play we wouldn't be able to perform for a lot of the local organisations. I take your point about engaging with the audience and that is something we try to do. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-56717133741147052682019-01-14T21:27:54.606+00:002019-01-14T21:27:54.606+00:00Re music stands. Unless you have some kind of ment...Re music stands. Unless you have some kind of mental health issue which affects your memory, if you can't learn a few songs by of IMHO you shouldn't be playing in public.<br />Ukulele groups doing this are probably the main reason that the instrument isn't taken seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-28546471918668907222019-01-10T14:20:59.856+00:002019-01-10T14:20:59.856+00:00Worked for the Beatles!Worked for the Beatles!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-1389983092822251312019-01-10T13:55:44.433+00:002019-01-10T13:55:44.433+00:00About left handed players. The lead singer in my b...About left handed players. The lead singer in my band is a lefty and for us it works out great on stage because our uke's point in different directions we can get close and not worry about uke's knocking.<br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08001169853462548941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-91957014178892167552017-11-15T18:27:36.478+00:002017-11-15T18:27:36.478+00:00Re stands:
The choir I sing with, we perform whil...Re stands:<br />The choir I sing with, we perform whilst singing from memory because singing from music on a stand is a skill in itself.<br /><br />It's difficult to do without looking at the floor which doesn't give a good performance.Tony Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-17777979701433337452017-01-07T19:20:24.279+00:002017-01-07T19:20:24.279+00:00I'm just doing research on ukuleles before I d...I'm just doing research on ukuleles before I decide to pick one up. I think I will end up getting one online (most likely through Mim's) since the only music store in my immediate area is really big on guitars and, to a lesser extent, drums, and only seems to dabble in other instruments.<br /><br />I am familiar with the "toy instrument" issue since I have been playing the ocarina for a little over a year. The ocarina also has somewhat of a reputation for a shallow learning curve at first (though there are some stumbling blocks). I've never done enough with another instrument for me to feel comfortable even claiming that I "play" it.<br /><br />Incidentally, in reply to revdj's comment above (though he will probably never see this). @revdj: You are arbitrarily proceeding with the assumption that you are graphing time horizontally and progress vertically. I've never seen anyone use "steep learning curve" that way. All you have to do is swap the axes of your graph, and the normal understanding of "steep learning curve" suddenly applies. Usually, though, people would say that effort or knowledge rather than time was the vertical axis with progress as the horizontal axis. This is a natural way to think of it as it corresponds with walking up a gradual incline or a steep hill/mountain (vertical: effort, horizontal: distance). People associate "steep" with requiring extra effort.CFWhitmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01109952971346462453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-43805326393562356492016-08-18T17:30:06.613+01:002016-08-18T17:30:06.613+01:00Nicely done article! I am a multi-instrumentalist ...Nicely done article! I am a multi-instrumentalist that has just purchased my first ukulele, a Gretsch tenor with a Fishman pickup. It's a China-made instrument, and yes, corners were cut. Gretsch is owned by Fender, so when I received my instrument (that I bought online) and there was an issue with the ends of the frets sticking out and turning my forefinger into ground meat when I was sliding barre chords, I called Fender and they covered the repair as a manufacturer's defect. Problem solved. Not very fancy, but enjoyable! I'd like to add that if you are a musician that delves into ukulele, you will most likely find it to be an easy transition. I bought mine because I have a pinched nerve in my neck that effects how long I can play guitar before pain sets in and makes it impossible for me to practice guitar AT ALL. Although the tuning is different, the adjustment to playing ukulele has been a wonderful experience. I've begun picking out Jazz standards that I've found very difficult when it comes to some of the chord shapes on guitar, and I've found many great examples on YouTube to use as inspiration in finding my own voice on ukulele.Lynn Rosenthalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-46710873123003310582015-12-03T19:24:50.209+00:002015-12-03T19:24:50.209+00:00@Anonymouse - quite agree- take a look at the pol...@Anonymouse - quite agree- take a look at the poll that is running in the left hand panel of this site - the results so far are quite illuminating. Particularly as when I talk about this myth that people always pop out of the woodwork to tell me I am completely wrong - so far 98% of 6,500 people would disagree!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-4132593263261375492015-12-03T19:06:30.850+00:002015-12-03T19:06:30.850+00:00Ukulele & harmonica are easy.......yeah right!...Ukulele & harmonica are easy.......yeah right!<br /><br />It's always the people that don't play instruments that come out with these sayings.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11311293301239884383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-9317576761667056982015-05-28T19:03:42.056+01:002015-05-28T19:03:42.056+01:00Another myth, uke's are great for kids, making...Another myth, uke's are great for kids, making them seem like toy instruments. This damages their reputation as a serious instrument. Theyre not easier to play than a guitar, in fact first time I picked up I was knocked back by the odd tuning and the fact that the bottom string is higher pitched than the two middle strings! Weird.<br />Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00358092635228052521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-88250358768362905352014-01-19T10:35:26.215+00:002014-01-19T10:35:26.215+00:00That's it really Matt - and it's fun to ex...That's it really Matt - and it's fun to experiment with strings I think. I do have a brand that I probably use more than others, but not on every uke. I can't explain it - I love them on a lot of instruments, but on a couple I own they just don't seem to work for me.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-11299864242811737122014-01-07T09:57:02.426+00:002014-01-07T09:57:02.426+00:00I really enjoyed that - in particular your mention...I really enjoyed that - in particular your mention of the 'these strings are best' debate. I like Aquila more than you I think, in conjunction with a low G in particular. On some ukes, Worth Clears sound amazing in comparison to Aquila (Corinne's 8 string). On others (like the Aria ACU-250), Worth and Aquila in my opinion they add very little over the GHS that are come as standard - only Savarez really suits it to my ear (a choice I've imposed by fitting them as standard on ours!). But, if you said the exact opposite to what I've just said - we'd both be right, for us! <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00089250328134832266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-83980373150856002162013-11-13T12:49:48.185+00:002013-11-13T12:49:48.185+00:00Great piece Barry. I would advise anyone new think...Great piece Barry. I would advise anyone new thinking about uke to go find a local uke group. Visit them before you buy. Contact them before you visit and ask if you can borrow a uke for the session.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08890501143907737903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-63153199143920048862013-11-08T07:52:31.659+00:002013-11-08T07:52:31.659+00:00Glad we sorted that out..Glad we sorted that out..Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-78176360896568648362013-11-07T22:48:04.504+00:002013-11-07T22:48:04.504+00:00Mathematician here: "What the ukulele does h...Mathematician here: "What the ukulele does have though is a shallower learning curve in the early stages of learning than many other instruments. That means an absolute beginner can get going in a relatively short space of time and get a two or three chord song basically right." That's false. A shallow learning curve means it takes a LONG time to start improving. A steep learning curve means an absolute beginner can get going in a relatively short space of time. Picture a graph, where the x axis is time and the y axis is Knowledge. A steep learning curve means as you go from left to right, your knowledge goes up quickly.<br /><br />revdjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04987090201773766520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-65618009508342728522013-09-01T19:56:09.526+01:002013-09-01T19:56:09.526+01:00I am a new uke player (following years as a casual...I am a new uke player (following years as a casual guitar player) and get frustrated when people presume it's "easy" to play. What I tell them is, "Well, it's simple to learn to play it simply." Which, as this post states, is part of its appeal. And then I show them a Jake Shimabukuro video!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-47559875630453608952013-08-27T15:21:05.536+01:002013-08-27T15:21:05.536+01:00The 'easy ukulele' used to be in the Guinn...The 'easy ukulele' used to be in the Guinness Book of Records for some years (or decades) and always puzzled me. For starters, stringed instrument require tuning before being playable, some precise left hand finger placement, a loose enough right hand approach (or you'll hook into the strings) and can cause some cramps in the hands of a beginner. A melodica is easier to get a sound out for the completely uninitiated.Liesbeth en Karlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16859920679736825433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-78014109197442134692013-08-10T08:58:59.366+01:002013-08-10T08:58:59.366+01:00Hi, thanks for a very enlightening blog. I have on...Hi, thanks for a very enlightening blog. I have only had my uke for a month, but am having great fun playing it and learning chords and tunes. The one point you missed out are your views on the difference between the guitar style uke and the banjo type. I actually went for the banjo type. Do you or any other readers have a preference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-63128005214288893342013-08-06T17:58:30.739+01:002013-08-06T17:58:30.739+01:00Re #5 - it's just my view. Can fully understan...Re #5 - it's just my view. Can fully understand clubs, particularly beginners using them at events in retirement homes etc. it is indeed about context as earlier commenter said. For me, where I think they look strange is in pubs clubs and theatres where a more substantial fee is being paid. In other words at venues that regularly have live music as part of their entertainment. Such venues will have a ton of bands, and very few will likely play from music sheets. Then along comes a uke club and does so. Think it cheapens that sort of performance and If I was a landlord i would raise an eyebrow.Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-47384437559746518562013-08-06T15:09:02.938+01:002013-08-06T15:09:02.938+01:00Great blog, agree with all items, but a question r...Great blog, agree with all items, but a question re point #5. We are a very young club, just started a few months ago, and already people are asking us to perform (for free) at retirement homes, nursing homes, the library board meeting, etc. What do you think about using music stands when providing a free performance?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-48648765918196861022013-08-05T21:35:55.216+01:002013-08-05T21:35:55.216+01:00As a bass player I'm always told that playing ...As a bass player I'm always told that playing bass is easy. I always tell them, "No, learning to play bass is easy. Playing bass is hard." I feel the same thing applies to the uke. Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17399315426483065277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-75769375629482057352013-08-05T21:20:48.133+01:002013-08-05T21:20:48.133+01:00There's a lot of truth in your words.
Great ar...There's a lot of truth in your words.<br />Great article Barry.<br /><br />ad 2: I play my bari often, so I'm a winner.<br /><br />ad 3: I have very big hands, but still play my Ovation soprano ( great neck ). But I can imagine for some people the bigger scales are easier to start with.<br /><br />ad 5: Please not the UOGB...<br /><br />ad 7: The sound depends much more on your technique and your fingers than the wood.<br />And nobody cares that there might be no Koa wood in the future if everyone plays Koa ukes.<br /><br />ad 8/9: Instead of Aquila you might try Carbon <br />( Worth, Martin ). Now you have your big noise.<br />I don't like Aquilas at all.<br />If you like it loud and have short finger nails you might think of using a Pick ( Techra 1,oo Carbon is my favorite ).<br /><br />ad 10: Truly one of the biggest myths. <br /><br />Just my 5 cent.<br />Have a good day BarryFriendlyFredhttp://www.uke4u.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-75112836742873004202013-08-05T20:04:35.064+01:002013-08-05T20:04:35.064+01:00Cheers Mike!Cheers Mike!Barry Mazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15731777711884288947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724767841739249964.post-10834760526904982352013-08-05T20:02:11.162+01:002013-08-05T20:02:11.162+01:00Great blog, I concur . . .Ukulele Mike LynchGreat blog, I concur . . .Ukulele Mike LynchUkulele Mike Lynchhttp://www.ukulelemike.comnoreply@blogger.com