Which way to learn? It's too overwhelming!

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heyjohn

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I've only been trying to learn for a few months. Took a group class. Tried private lessons. Can't afford them. Tried some online stuff, UUU and others. But I haven't found a method that suits me. There are so many options it's overwhelming. It's hard to separate the teachers from the ukulele 'bandwagon jumpers'. I love listening to the music. Maybe that's what I was meant to do. Thanks all. You're a great group!
 
Think hard about what you want to achieve with the ukulele.

Do you want to accompany yourself singing, play it as a melody instrument or what?

What type of music, popular? classical etc.

If you can get that clear, you can then identify what aspects of playing you need to concentrate on.

I mainly wanted simple accompaniments for my singing so I focussed on learning chords and strums. Initially a fairly limited range of chords, enough to get started but then gradually increasing the number of chords I can play.

It helps to have clear goals and don't try to achieve too much at once.
 
G Hill said:
Hi John
A great way to start is to get yourself a copy of 'Uncle Rods Boot Camp, you can find it here.

http://files.meetup.com/2868152/Ukulele Boot Camp rev[2].pdf

Its a first class way to get the ball rolling and it is a very easy format to follow. Take your time with it and you will
start to improve rapidly.
Oh! and one more thing, ITS FREE!!!
Cheers
Gary
Click to expand...

ditto on Uncle Rod's practice sheets.. My attention span is short and I wandered all over the place until I tried them. Just keep practicing until you've got them nailed. Try different strums and even some in/out or out/in/out picking to keep it interesting. Now I've added some theory lessons from UU and another site to learn about chord families, etc.. and it's finally 'clicking' for me. Not intimidated anymore. Good luck.
 
Good advice so far. I'll just add to be patient. Improvement comes gradually then before you know it you'll be saying "Hey, I couldn't do THAT before".
 
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heyjohn said:
I've only been trying to learn for a few months. Took a group class. Tried private lessons. Can't afford them. Tried some online stuff, UUU and others. But I haven't found a method that suits me. There are so many options it's overwhelming. It's hard to separate the teachers from the ukulele 'bandwagon jumpers'...
Click to expand...

I don't know if I fit into the "bandwagon jumper" category (sounds a bit too athletic for someone of my age), but you are correct in assuming that there are people teaching correct stuff and some teaching wrong things. Can't help you to sort out which is which though.
 
Hey John
All I can say John, is take it slow and enjoy the journey...when you try to learn to fast you get fustrated and confused.. the learning curb is as hard as you make it...many plateau out
and lose intrest for a while...learn nursey rhymes first, because you know the song by heart and rhythm and tempo...yes,, don't laugh you need the foundation before the walls my friend..
Happy Strummings and Good Luck....http://www.guitaretab.com/m/misc-childrens/12149.html
As for teachers, find one that is on the same page as you and what you want to
learn and your style...and no fillers, meaning they are there to teach you...not
extend your lessons so you pay more:eek:
 
I would say the "Nui Ukulele" club in Chicago, but their website is down. I'd check stores that sell ukes in hope someone knows if they exist.

This is an old page, but there is an email address at the bottom..may still be good even if the webpage down.

http://www.nuiukulele.org/meeting_notice.htm

Also, for beginners, I like Ukulele for Dummies. If you are super basic, emedia has a uke course with the basics on DVD if you need something like that to learn...for some, beats cd's. Coaxe a friend or another family member into learning so you don't have to play alone. Good luck, lots of good videos online.

Also, sounds like you are focusing too much on finding the "perfect approach" to playing uke........jump in, practice.....lots's of practice. There are several ukulele playalong sites where they show you the chords while you play. Whatever learnin method works best for you, master the stuff in Uncle Rod's Bootcamp while you are searching. Having trouble with a technique, go to YouTube and search "ukulele...then list the techique yo want to see demonstrated." Most of the time you'll find a video to show you how. goodluck
 
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Hi Heyjohn

I think the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy. You're overwhelmed because you're focused on learning??? Maybe you can pick three songs (probably from the lessons you took) and work on them. Once you get the three in a good shape, pick other three. You repartory continues to grow, while you're having fun?

I agree with the other suggestions, regarding learning techniques. Just dont lose sight - have fun!

Cheers
Chief
 
Thanks for posting this question. Not quite over whelmed, but wishing I could make that "leap" from being able to play chords, to being able to play MUSIC.
 
If you're playing chords, you're playing music :)
 
Zeb,
The Big Kahuna said:
If you're playing chords, you're playing music :)
Click to expand...
:agree:

Asrafrate said:
Nu way! Not the way I hear you guys make it :)
Click to expand...
Depending on their personal background and experience, the "guys" have reached different levels of proficiency - that's all.
Which level do you want to achieve: something like e.g. The Fruity Ukuladies or rather something like Wilfried Welti or Ken Middleton or Ukulele Mike (just to pick a few random examples)?
Regardless of your final answer, never forget to enjoy your uke.
 
Thank you so very much for all the support and suggestions. The response is overwhelming (pun intended). I've actually learned guitar (to advanced beginner) and piano (to intermediate) and was looking for more structured learning. I haven't found good structure online and there are few, if any, true ukulele teachers for private lessons, which are already too expensive. I find that I like listening to the music and losing myself in it, whether I'm making the music or not.
 
If you're looking for structure, then determine a style you want to master and work your way through a book. For example: I'm interested in bluegrass, so I got Fred Sokolow's Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Songbook. It begins with three ways to approach a bluegrass song: strumming with a thumb lead, strumming with an index lead, and rolling (Scruggs style). The book then takes you from the simplest of songs through to the most difficult and with each you're improving your skills in a systematic way. Many such books have a CD included, as this one does, and you can listen to how the song is "supposed" to be played while you work on it. Make your way through an entire book and you'll have come a long way not only in bluegrass, but in improving your rhythm, dexterity, and knowledge of chords. Then you can move on to a more difficult book in the same vein, or take up a different style like blues or Hawaiian. Some of your skills will apply, others won't, but you'll get better over time.
 
Thanks lulu. I may give Jumpin' Jim a try (although I have to wonder why the auther uses Jumpin' Jim when maybe it should be Flippin' Fred). When I learned piano, I practiced scales every day but also played songs. I would concentrate on one or two until I got them to a certain skill level, then moved on to others, keeping the older ones in practice to 'perfect' them and keep them in my repertoire. Scales also increased in difficulty, and older ones were also practiced regularly. Practicing scales not only gave me dexterity, it taught me notes and keys. I guess I wanted something that combined the two but I see that I can do that myself. There's a lot of ukulele music that interests me. But I could be one, maybe the blues, and go from there.
Thanks again to everyone for the input and encouragement. Support goes a long way in keeping one on track.
 
I agree with all those who remind you to enjoy.
I learned am learning) my teaming up with a mate and working our way through songs we ;like. he's a good player so i have to try and keep up. thursday nights, whiskey, a few laughs - three years later and I still really only strum and sing but we're having a ball and sometimes even get paid for it.
 
Asrafrate said:
Thanks for posting this question. Not quite over whelmed, but wishing I could make that "leap" from being able to play chords, to being able to play MUSIC.
Click to expand...

All I do is play chords. I sing over them and am quite happy because that's what I got the uke for. It all depends what your goals are. Nothing wrong with teaching yourself, there are many very good self taught musicians.
 
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