Ukulele for a beginner?

-Emma-

Hi everyone,
Like many others on the board, i'm thinking of buying a ukulele and was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on what would be a good ukulele for a beginner?

I was thinking of something like this one...

http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend ... sku=581091

What do you think? Or is there another brand/model you'd recommend?


I don't know how to play any other instruments. If I can learn to play the ukulele well enough not to embarrass myself too much i'd love to be able to use it for work as I teach young children.

mccreadyisgod

I have no direct experience with that particular model, I can tell you that Fender is a quality brand name, and I would be comfortable buying that uke based on Fender's reputation.

You've definitely picked an instrument that is a step above a "beginner" uke. As I've been discussing in my other thread, I just recently picked up my first uke, after playing guitar, bass, and mandolin, as well as "borrowing" ukes in the past. I went with more of a beginner instrument, since my uke is meant to be more of a toy to have handy and travel with (not to mention let my 2-year-old manhandle). I ended up with a Makala, which is the entry-level series of ukes made by the parent company Kala. More info: http://www.kalaukulele.com/Kala_Makala.asp ; they have a dealer finder at the top of the page. I know that Sweetwater (a great online music dealer) sells Kala stuff; info at: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Kala

The other thing worth mentioning is that you linked to a tenor uke, which is slightly bigger than a standard (soprano) uke. That can be helpful if, like me, you have fingers that are too big to play the small frets of a concert uke. There is also a concert uke, which is in between soprano and tenor, and then there is a baritone, which is bigger than tenor. If you aim to play for a large group of kids, the tenor would probably project better, but the soprano or concert uke is just a hair more portable.

One last word of wisdom, since it's something that I'm dealing with: Be prepared to buy a hardshell case or gig bag (soft-sided case) for the uke, assuming that the uke itself doesn't come with one (some of the more expensive ones come with a case). Hard cases run around $60-100, and soft cases run $30-60. I definitely wouldn't travel without a case. And if you are a true beginner, I'd also recommend some kind of tuner, so you can tune the uke. Once you develop your ear, you can tune (mostly) by ear.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask any more questions if you get lost!

-Emma-

Thanks for your reply mccreadyisgod . Over the weekend i'll have a read online about the Kala brand to check that out too.

The Fender ukulele comes with a gig bag, but if that isn't enough then I could look into getting a hard case. I'll definitely buy a tuner with it too.

If I end up using it at work it would only be using it with small groups of children.

Is there any type of tuner you'd recommend in particular?

mccreadyisgod

-Emma- wrote:

Is there any type of tuner you'd recommend in particular?

There are a few options here especially for ukulele: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigati ... lele+tuner

The pitch pipes are just little whistles that make the tone each string is supposed to be tuned to. So, you blow each whistle, and match the string to that note. It's not fancy, but it works.

If you wanted to use an electronic tuner (like most musicians use these days), then you can really use any tuner that is labeled "Chromatic." Since the uke is tuned to a higher pitch than guitars, I would tend to avoid tuners that label themselves specifically as a "guitar tuner" or "guitar and bass tuner". I use, and have vouched for, Korg tuners in the past. This one especially seems like a good fit: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=210132 and not too expensive, either.

One last thing that I forgot to mention in my previous post: Be sure to read the customer reviews on the websites as you look at different things. That's where you will find info from the actual people who have used the actual models, and that's a lot more helpful than guys like me saying, "Oh, I like Fender."

-Emma-

Thanks for your help mccreadyisgod :thumbup: . I've gone with the fender ukulele, can't wait to get it! :-)

RedMosquito22

-Emma- wrote:

Thanks for your help mccreadyisgod :thumbup: . I've gone with the fender ukulele, can't wait to get it! :-)

I know the guitar player from Train has the fender model. I think he may have the electric/acoustic version of it though.

phungi

Been playing guitar for years but never touched a uke... I just picked up one of these Lanikai Concert Ukes and can't put it down... took me a few minutes and some YouTube searching to learn the "lay of the land" and I was off and running.

good clean fun!

F5AgainstOne

I found this to be a very informative site...
http://ukulelehunt.com/

-Emma-

Hi everyone,
My Fender ukulele has arrived :thumbup: , it sounds lovely and looks beautiful too, just need to learn to play it now :P

Here's a photo

DeLukin

-Emma- wrote:

Hi everyone,
My Fender ukulele has arrived :thumbup: , it sounds lovely and looks beautiful too, just need to learn to play it now :P

Here's a photo

Love that tele headstock. I've heard they have issues staying in tune though. Let us know what you think as you get more comfortable with it.

-Emma-

DeLukin wrote:

-Emma- wrote:

Hi everyone,
My Fender ukulele has arrived :thumbup: , it sounds lovely and looks beautiful too, just need to learn to play it now :P

Here's a photo

Love that tele headstock. I've heard they have issues staying in tune though. Let us know what you think as you get more comfortable with it.

Yeah I like the headstock too



Hopefully there won't be issues with it staying in tune.

RedMosquito22

Is that the Koa or Mahognay version?

F5AgainstOne

I just ordered my 3rd...
its a KALA Archtop electric uke

F5AgainstOne

F5AgainstOne wrote:

I just ordered my 3rd...
its a KALA Archtop electric uke

Kalas are pretty nice...
My other 2 are Kalas too. My first one was a very cheap ($50) one and not very good because it doesn't stay in tune.
My second one is pretty nice though, it is electric also and has a built in tuner which is very helpful.


http://www.kalaukulele.com/detail.asp?product_id=KA-TEME3

-Emma-

RedMosquito22 wrote:

Is that the Koa or Mahognay version?

laminate koa



Musician's Friend wouldn't ship to Australia so I bought it from Hawaii Music Supply :

http://www.theukulelesite.com/shopbyprice/200-399/prod2

-Emma-

I'm enjoying my ukulele so far

Does it take a long time for your fingers/hands to get used to going between different chords?


I learnt a beginner's finger picking song this evening, so this is my attempt at a very short song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhV9mCkQH2c

mcthud

-Emma- wrote:

I'm enjoying my ukulele so far

Does it take a long time for your fingers/hands to get used to going between different chords?


I learnt a beginner's finger picking song this evening, so this is my attempt at a very short song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhV9mCkQH2c

:thumbup: