Uke lessons from a guitar instructor???

Bethm83

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I am new to playing uke, and have had some success teaching myself. I'm at the point where I need to take lessons, but I'm having a hard time finding a place that offers uke lessons. I have had a couple of people that give guitar lessons say that the uke isn't much different and they felt they could give lessons, but they have never done it before. Is this a good alternative or should I keep looking?
 
In my opinion, I would keep looking. Guitar players and teachers who have never played a ukulele and believe that it is a simple instrument to teach (just a smaller version of their instrument) invariably teach improper and incorrect technique because they are guided by a different instrument (i.e holding the instrument too low, using a pick, strumming over the soundhole, etc.) Although, in many cases, they are fine and gifted musicians and teachers, I found that the best ukulele teachers are ukulele players and performers. If at all possible, try and find an instructor who actually plays the ukulele.

Just a thought...

Mike
 
Keep looking and go to YouTube, lots of help there. The uke is like the guitar at the 5th fret so a guitar player could transition veryeasily if they understand the fret board.
 
There are some fine instructors who give"Skype" lessons as well.
Jim D'ville is one I know of, but I am sure there are many.
 
Mike Lynch is another one who gives Skype lessons.
 
Going to a guitar (only) teacher for uke lessons is like going to a veterinarian when you're sick - they might be able to help you but at what risk? :)

John
 
It's really two different instruments, guitar and ukulele. Even finger picking techniques are different.
Guitarists do have some (or a lot of) advantages but still got to learn and practice on uke.
 
Well I will be the rebel here. I think that the right guitar teacher could help give you that push you are looking for. If you are in an area where there are no ukulele teachers but there are guitar teachers, why not give it a try. They can't really mess you up for life.

My opinion is that a classical guitar teacher who is willing to do a little internet research on their own about the ukulele could be helpful. He or she might even insist on you learning to read standard notation which is a plus in my opinion. Also a classical guitar player most likely has had exposure to flamenco type strumming which should translate to the uke.
 
The best way to be a better ukulele player is to be a BETTER MUSICIAN.

If you put aside all of the silliness of "proper ukulele technique," then you could probably learn quite a bit from a guitar instructor. Hell, you could probably learn a lot from a tuba instructor. Regardless of our collective love for the ukulele, at the end of the day it is a means to an end (making music).
 
my tutor is a guitarist, he also plays the mandolin, banjo and the uke he is a gigging musician and he has taught me no end of cool things, he also inspires me to keep on playing, between him and the guys on here i am blessed!!!!
 
Whereabouts do you live, Bethm83? Perhaps one of us might know of a local club?

I live in the greater Cincinnati area. I have found one ukulele instructor and he doesn't have an opening right now. If you know of anyone, I would love a recommendation!
 
Music lessons from anyone for any instrument is hit and miss. You could pay a ukulele player lots of money for lessons and get nowhere fast because that individual is a lousy teacher. Conversely, you could pay a guitar teacher to teach you ukulele and learn more and much faster than you would from a "specialist." I assure you there are dance studios that purport to teach dancing to adults that do little more than take their money and teach as little as possible to get them coming back for more. And then there are those stellar teachers who share their knowledge to the best advantage of the student because they really care about advancing their pupils. Music teachers are no different than any other type of teacher. If you find one that is a great match for you consider yourself lucky.
 
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Don't do it is my opinion. I'm not proficient at the guitar, but I mainly jam with guitarists, and the techniques used for the guitar and ukulele, while kind of similar, are still very different. For example guitarists tend to strum over the sound hole, while for the ukulele I find it best to strum in the area where the neck meets the body. Also, if you learn from a guitarist he might advise you to use a flat pick, however most ukulele players find flat picking to be inefficient (I'm sure there are many players that do use flat picks though).
 
My daughter has an awesome guitar instructor that has 30-40 students, teaches theory, writes music, and when presented with my Uke, had do idea how to play it. He probably could have taught me some stuff, but that's not his area and we both know it.

I say grab a plate of Skyline and keep looking for a ukulele teacher!

BTW, emailed Mike (Ukulele Mike) Lynch twice and didn't get any response from him so I don't think he's taking new students.

Jim
 
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