Avoid shapes giving same pitches?

[Open_Tuna]

Hi, I'm new around here. I don't even have a uke, but am thinking of getting one.

I have been playing the guitar for years and I understand theory and my question is about the differences in tunings. Basically, it appears that the shapes are the same.

My question is about the re-entrant tuning. Is there a problem because of two notes being exactly the same pitch (not octaves)? For example, the D shape (on guitar.) I guess on a gCEA tuning it would be a g chord. That is the g string and the E string would be providing the same exact note.

Is there a practice of avoiding shapes that produce the same pitches?

 

[OldePhart]

Not at all, in fact the D shape on guitar is the most commonly played G chord.

It really isn't a problem. Also, the reentrant tuning is largely responsible for that "ukey" sound.

There really is no reason not to have the same pitch doubled up - it ends up getting emphasized a bit I suppose, but not too bad. A bigger "issue" if you want to call it that is that on some of the chords the difference between a dominant seven chord and a major chord is not as pronounced as it is on guitar because of the proximity in pitch of the 1st and 4th strings. That's not a problem, though, just different.

John

 

[OJB]

I also learnt to play the guitar first but I have found since the frets are smaller you can stretch over 5 or 6 of them (not possible on a guitar). This means that its pretty easy to play around and try alternatives to chord shapes.

 

[SuzukHammer]

I also learnt to play the guitar first but I have found since the frets are smaller you can stretch over 5 or 6 of them (not possible on a guitar). This means that its pretty easy to play around and try alternatives to chord shapes.

The reason I couldn't play guitar but can play uke is my short stubbey fingers. Stretch over 5 or 6 frets?? What is that?

 

[seeso]

It's not a bug, it's a feature. Check out the posts in this thread:

http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-5842.html

 

[alohaben]

Doubling pitches can be ok...

It just depends on which pitches you want to double. A general rule of thumb is to double up on the root or the fifth degree. I also don't mind playing a chord with three notes on it.

 

[Ukulele JJ]

There are voicings you can use that don't have the "double note" thing going on. They have their place. Nothing wrong with the double note version though.

JJ

 

[crowsby]

I think it's a matter of preference; it really depends on the sound you're looking for. Myself, I usually try to avoid hitting the same note on different strings if I have a choice of two similar chord voicings. I think it makes for a fuller sound.