scottie
Well-known member
I've had my Lanikai CK-T for 9 days now. I bought it to dip my toe in the proverbial ukulele water and I'm really liking what's happening. I'm playin' the bejeebus out of it and I have to say I'm hooked on the ukulele.
First, it actually sounds pretty darned good. The range of the instrument is, while narrower than the guitar, good enough to play around on. Sure, in one sense, the range available on a piano or guitar makes stuff available that isn't (at least prima facie) suitable for the ukulele, but I now have to think of ways to make a piece "complete" in all ways within less than 2 1/2 octaves, and in the context of our musical culture which is hooked on bass, bass heavy mixes, bass heavy music. . . . Amazingly, on my relatively cheap CK-T the high B is actually usable. The trick is not to look at is as something missing but the opportunity to explore something else.
Secondly, the size of it is all that and more. I will devote some serious time to building a repertoire because I can't wait to busk with it, it'll be so much more fun because I won't have to lug around my guitar. It's cute and fun in addition to being a "real" instrument.
I still practice my guitar every morning before work for a couple of hours but when I come home from work I now get an hour or two of uke practice. It's actually informing my fingerstyle technique on the guitar in addition to my practicing more.
It's nice that the ukulele has "caught on" and so many people are taking it up. . . there's so much available on YouTube and other internet places.
I'm not going to modify it in any way other than to put a strap button at the bottom. I like to wear my guitars high and even sitting and supporting it on my leg. I still have to "hold" the uke with my arms which messes a bit with my hand placement.
As far as a next uke is concerned, I've seriously thinking about the Collings UT-1, really nice solid mahogany uke made by a premier shop. I've played a couple and they're darker sounding and not quite as loud but they're spot on in every way and I like the dark sound. The UC-1 is $950 and the UT-1 is $1,050. I'll play with both more in order to decide before I actually get one, but right now I like the tenor size better. . . that could change in the future. This isn't UAS, I'm looking for that perfect instrument with which to. . . although some might say I'm just in denial.
:music:
First, it actually sounds pretty darned good. The range of the instrument is, while narrower than the guitar, good enough to play around on. Sure, in one sense, the range available on a piano or guitar makes stuff available that isn't (at least prima facie) suitable for the ukulele, but I now have to think of ways to make a piece "complete" in all ways within less than 2 1/2 octaves, and in the context of our musical culture which is hooked on bass, bass heavy mixes, bass heavy music. . . . Amazingly, on my relatively cheap CK-T the high B is actually usable. The trick is not to look at is as something missing but the opportunity to explore something else.
Secondly, the size of it is all that and more. I will devote some serious time to building a repertoire because I can't wait to busk with it, it'll be so much more fun because I won't have to lug around my guitar. It's cute and fun in addition to being a "real" instrument.
I still practice my guitar every morning before work for a couple of hours but when I come home from work I now get an hour or two of uke practice. It's actually informing my fingerstyle technique on the guitar in addition to my practicing more.
It's nice that the ukulele has "caught on" and so many people are taking it up. . . there's so much available on YouTube and other internet places.
I'm not going to modify it in any way other than to put a strap button at the bottom. I like to wear my guitars high and even sitting and supporting it on my leg. I still have to "hold" the uke with my arms which messes a bit with my hand placement.
As far as a next uke is concerned, I've seriously thinking about the Collings UT-1, really nice solid mahogany uke made by a premier shop. I've played a couple and they're darker sounding and not quite as loud but they're spot on in every way and I like the dark sound. The UC-1 is $950 and the UT-1 is $1,050. I'll play with both more in order to decide before I actually get one, but right now I like the tenor size better. . . that could change in the future. This isn't UAS, I'm looking for that perfect instrument with which to. . . although some might say I'm just in denial.
:music:
