Are there any particular ukulele brands (I'm looking for concert, lower-mid range) that are easier to hold on the chords without need to apply strong fingers pressure on the frets? Or ALL are the same?
And will strings affect the pressure needed also? Which string requires less finger pressure?
I am a bit of a newbie, and find Aquila strings tough on my fingers. Martins and brown Worths have been kinder. Of course it depends on the ukulele! In general, the light brown Worths have been my fave for sound, mellow......
The set-up of an ukulele can make all the difference. High action and your fingers will need to push harder to make the strings connect with the fretboard.
Strings can make a difference too.
Lastly, I have smallish hands (for a guy) and find that a tenor neck is just a touch to big, which makes it harder on the fingers.
when i got my first one mate it was more of a "toy" than instrument and it was very high but the more i played it the less the pain became so i would suggest buying a decent one that you can afford (oscar shmidt i hear are pretty good ) and just carry on with the aching fingers for a week or so
daz
The set-up of an ukulele can make all the difference. High action and your fingers will need to push harder to make the strings connect with the fretboard.
Strings can make a difference too.
Lastly, I have smallish hands (for a guy) and find that a tenor neck is just a touch to big, which makes it harder on the fingers.
:agree:
High action can be a problem... you want the strings to be high enough to prevent buzzing for your playing style. Any higher than that and it's just unwanted stress.
Look for "light tension" strings. They should be easier on your fingertips. "Hard tension" is the opposite, but can give you more volume and a nicer tone.
If you can visit a local uke group, you could try out several different ukuleles and see what works best for you. I know there are some uke players in Malaysia... hopefully they are nearby.
As best I can tell, increased "finger pressure" can be caused by 3 things:
1. The size of the 'ukulele. Soprano has the least string tension, Tenor has the highest. (This is assuming they are all tuned the same.) It's basic physics - the longer the string, the higher the tension to tune to the same note.
2. The "action" of the 'ukulele. The higher the strings are above the fretboard, the farther one has to push them to the frets.
3. The brand of string. Just an opinion - I have found flourocarbon strings to be easier to play. I currently use Worth CMs or Martins M600s.
To give one answer to your OP question, a soprano Flea with M600s is mighty easy on the fingers, in my experience.
Another point is, in the beginning it all seems a bit harder. The muscles in the hand get tired and the tips of the fingers get sore. But the more you play, the muscles start to develop in the hands and you develop calluses on finger tips. After a while you don't even thing about these things.
Yet another point: if you are not using a strap, you may be holding the uke more firmly than necessary just to overcome gravity.
I bought several of Lori's Uke Leashes, and they help tremendously so that I don;t have to "grip" the uke to hold it up, and therefore I find my playing more relaxed on my strumming and fretting hands, both.
Two main things. One: Make sure you get a setup on your uke. The brand of uke is not important, its how low you can get the action. Second: the strings. the more tension on the strings the tougher is it to finger. You can tune your uke a bit lower to lighten the string tension, but it will be more likely to buzz. you need to find a balance. i do agree with Ingrate on trying the Worth CMs
And one final tip. Buy a gripmaster. They are little spring loaded hand exercisers to build finger strength. Also good for stress...
I am a bit of a newbie, and find Aquila strings tough on my fingers. Martins and brown Worths have been kinder. Of course it depends on the ukulele! In general, the light brown Worths have been my fave for sound, mellow......
The set-up of an ukulele can make all the difference. High action and your fingers will need to push harder to make the strings connect with the fretboard.
Strings can make a difference too.
Lastly, I have smallish hands (for a guy) and find that a tenor neck is just a touch to big, which makes it harder on the fingers.
when i got my first one mate it was more of a "toy" than instrument and it was very high but the more i played it the less the pain became so i would suggest buying a decent one that you can afford (oscar shmidt i hear are pretty good ) and just carry on with the aching fingers for a week or so
daz
:agree:
High action can be a problem... you want the strings to be high enough to prevent buzzing for your playing style. Any higher than that and it's just unwanted stress.
Look for "light tension" strings. They should be easier on your fingertips. "Hard tension" is the opposite, but can give you more volume and a nicer tone.
If you can visit a local uke group, you could try out several different ukuleles and see what works best for you. I know there are some uke players in Malaysia... hopefully they are nearby.
As best I can tell, increased "finger pressure" can be caused by 3 things:
1. The size of the 'ukulele. Soprano has the least string tension, Tenor has the highest. (This is assuming they are all tuned the same.) It's basic physics - the longer the string, the higher the tension to tune to the same note.
2. The "action" of the 'ukulele. The higher the strings are above the fretboard, the farther one has to push them to the frets.
3. The brand of string. Just an opinion - I have found flourocarbon strings to be easier to play. I currently use Worth CMs or Martins M600s.
To give one answer to your OP question, a soprano Flea with M600s is mighty easy on the fingers, in my experience.
Another point is, in the beginning it all seems a bit harder. The muscles in the hand get tired and the tips of the fingers get sore. But the more you play, the muscles start to develop in the hands and you develop calluses on finger tips. After a while you don't even thing about these things.
Yet another point: if you are not using a strap, you may be holding the uke more firmly than necessary just to overcome gravity.
I bought several of Lori's Uke Leashes, and they help tremendously so that I don;t have to "grip" the uke to hold it up, and therefore I find my playing more relaxed on my strumming and fretting hands, both.
Two main things. One: Make sure you get a setup on your uke. The brand of uke is not important, its how low you can get the action. Second: the strings. the more tension on the strings the tougher is it to finger. You can tune your uke a bit lower to lighten the string tension, but it will be more likely to buzz. you need to find a balance. i do agree with Ingrate on trying the Worth CMs
And one final tip. Buy a gripmaster. They are little spring loaded hand exercisers to build finger strength. Also good for stress...
Everyone here is right on about setup. Be sure you get a uke from someone who can do a proper setup. I have Aquilas on my Kala concert, and I don't find them hard to press down at all, and I'm picky about the action being too low, 'cause I HATE fret buzz.I think maybe the Aquilas feel hard to press down, because they are made of a pretty hard material. When I first started playing, my fingertips were sore and my fingers were fairly weak. But I used to milk cows as a young girl, so my strength is coming back. The other day I played for 2 1/2 hours with a friend, without a break. But, don't try this at home, at least not for several weeks of practice!
