Hi all,
I'm working on Uncle Rod's Uke Boot Camp currently (Practice sheet 1) and have been going through it the sheet each night.
I've noticed several things since starting this project:
1) I've already improved. (Yay!) And can make certain transitions like from 1 finger chords to 4 finger chords better. Uncle Rod made a great suggestion on a better fingering for the Fm6 that is paying off in spades.
2) I've noticed that part of what is slowing me down during chord transitions is that the uke is sliding around in my lap. I'm on a Kala KA-S soprano size and initially had a tough time holding the thing. I've gotten much better in the year that I've had it, but realize that while I'm changing fingerings with my L hand, the uke is squirming around a bit making it that much more difficult to successfully land the next chord.
I've noticed myself countering this by using my R leg to squeeze the uke body a little closer to my torso (I'm playing sitting down with my legs crossed- if you can imagine that). Is this a bad habit?
I figure I'll continue to get better at holding the thing while playing but wanted to address any inconsistencies now. Also, I'd rather not play with a strap if I can manage it.
I should also note, that I've had little success holding the uke body to my chest with my R forearm due to the ukes small size. Perhaps a larger sized uke would allow for less wrestling?
Thoughts?
I'm working on Uncle Rod's Uke Boot Camp currently (Practice sheet 1) and have been going through it the sheet each night.
I've noticed several things since starting this project:
1) I've already improved. (Yay!) And can make certain transitions like from 1 finger chords to 4 finger chords better. Uncle Rod made a great suggestion on a better fingering for the Fm6 that is paying off in spades.
2) I've noticed that part of what is slowing me down during chord transitions is that the uke is sliding around in my lap. I'm on a Kala KA-S soprano size and initially had a tough time holding the thing. I've gotten much better in the year that I've had it, but realize that while I'm changing fingerings with my L hand, the uke is squirming around a bit making it that much more difficult to successfully land the next chord.
I've noticed myself countering this by using my R leg to squeeze the uke body a little closer to my torso (I'm playing sitting down with my legs crossed- if you can imagine that). Is this a bad habit?
I figure I'll continue to get better at holding the thing while playing but wanted to address any inconsistencies now. Also, I'd rather not play with a strap if I can manage it.
I should also note, that I've had little success holding the uke body to my chest with my R forearm due to the ukes small size. Perhaps a larger sized uke would allow for less wrestling?
Thoughts?