Cohumulone
Well-known member
Well, here I sit, after a week on the Uke. I have to say (and I even told my wife this the other night) that I’m having more fun on this little instrument than I ever had on guitar, an instrument I’ve been playing since late winter of ’93. Sure, I can attribute some of that to it being the new shiny, but it really is a hoot. I even took it with us to a bluegrass festival this weekend. Not to play AT the festival, but to play for the family while we were driving. My favorite part was the funny looks from the other drivers on the freeway
One of the things I really like so far, is discovering the many different sounds I can make on the banjo uke, especially because mine is an open back. So, of course I have fingers (pads), nails, half-finger-half-nails, but I also get the added adjustment of how open I make the back of the banjo uke. Want fuller sound? Bring it out from the body a bit. Brighten her up, you say? Sure, I’ll just close the back some more. It’s fascinating.
Setting up the bridge wasn’t really a big deal. I’ve seen a lot of complaints out there about these coming with the bridge separate. There are lots of videos out there showing a person how to do this, but the really easy nitty gritty is: put it where it looks right, check your 12th fret and harmonic. If it’s sharp, bring it back. Flat? Push it to the neck. Real easy.
I still have a lot to learn in terms of “proper” strumming techniques and what not, but so far, just playing by feel and learning these chords with songs I already like is a big ole hoot. I now fully intend to get a non-banjo ukulele soon, simply because since I’ve been playing this one, there are some songs where I’d much rather have something a lot mellower. Probably a concert size, since this one is soprano.
I'll check back in later.
One of the things I really like so far, is discovering the many different sounds I can make on the banjo uke, especially because mine is an open back. So, of course I have fingers (pads), nails, half-finger-half-nails, but I also get the added adjustment of how open I make the back of the banjo uke. Want fuller sound? Bring it out from the body a bit. Brighten her up, you say? Sure, I’ll just close the back some more. It’s fascinating.
Setting up the bridge wasn’t really a big deal. I’ve seen a lot of complaints out there about these coming with the bridge separate. There are lots of videos out there showing a person how to do this, but the really easy nitty gritty is: put it where it looks right, check your 12th fret and harmonic. If it’s sharp, bring it back. Flat? Push it to the neck. Real easy.
I still have a lot to learn in terms of “proper” strumming techniques and what not, but so far, just playing by feel and learning these chords with songs I already like is a big ole hoot. I now fully intend to get a non-banjo ukulele soon, simply because since I’ve been playing this one, there are some songs where I’d much rather have something a lot mellower. Probably a concert size, since this one is soprano.
I'll check back in later.