Ukulele, and why I love the uke

Ukulele; reasons to check it out

 

Although enjoying something of a renaissance of late, thanks in no small part by such greats as Jake Shimabukuro and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, the Uke is still often regarded as a not-so serious instrument, and maybe it’s because the Uke just sounds so happy- if it was a person, it would be one of those people that’s always smiling and friendly.

And maybe that’s partly why I love it, but I have another reason;

As a guitar player first and foremost, and as a guitar teacher, I’ve come to regard the Uke as a”gateway drug”.

For instance, there’s been many a parent (my own included) that’s been pestered to distraction with a constant request that goes something like “Please can I have a guitar – please, please please -PLEEEEEEEZZZEE?????”

Of course the parent’s understandable concern is that they fork out hard-earned sheckles for a decent instrument only to find it lying under the bed in a few months, barely touched and forever abandoned. So much for the hard-earned sheckles. Fair enough.

and that’s where the friendly ol’ Ukulele come in…

Here’s my one, a Kala KA-C, and I LOVE IT!! (full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, but I own one of these and can heartily reccomend it):

You see although the Ukulele is tuned in a different register, the physical chord shapes that the hand forms are the same shapes as a guitar.

Not only that, with a smaller neck and fingerboard, along with nylon strings (considerably softer and easier on the  beginner’s fingertips than steel strings), the physical discomfort factor is minimal.

Add to that the considerable price difference between a beginner guitar and beginner ukulele, and most parents would be quite happy to allow their pride and joy to experiment with a Ukulele and, if they take to it, maybe there’s a guitar in their future; ‘Christmas is coming” as my Dad used to say. Or, as sometimes happens, they just fall in love with their Ukulele and they live happily ever after.

So you might ask , as many do,

• What’s the best ukulele to buy?
• What price is a cheap ukulele, and where to buy a ukulele?
• Are some Ukulele brands better than others?

..and after all that

• Where do I learn how to play ukulele, and
• Can’t I just start with easy ukulele songs?

I can help.

I play a not-at-all-fancy KALA KA-C  (See above) that suits me just fine for jamming on and  having fun. Some other reputable brands are:

Cordoba

Lohanu

Donner

YOu “CAN” get a ukulele for 50 bucks or so, but have an experienced player take a look at it and make sure it stays in tune and wont fall apart in the rain.

Best to pay between 80 to 120 bucks to get started, I would say, for the instrument, and get a carrying case while you’re at it.

As for learning , there are a TON of books out there as well as You Tube tutorials on how to play ukulele.

And yes of course you can find easy Ukulele songs to learn as you work your way up to being another Jake Shimabukuro.

The main thing is to have fun- it’s what your Uke would want.

 

 

Disclaimer: Links provided are affiliate links. Rest assured that I only endorse products I know to be of the highest quality.