Here is what I have done to get started playing ukulele. Since I am self-taught (through books and various learning materials - nobody learns in a vacuum), I know what issues I need to address and how to find solutions. Hopefully this is helpful to somebody here. I am not suggesting other people do it this way - always remember we are each unique and have different learning styles and approaches to problem solving. However, the thought process may be helpful to spur your own thinking in a problem-solving sort of manner to address the various issues starting a new venture presents and get moving forward.
Recently, I got two ukuleles, one from the builder with standard high G (re-entrant) tuning and one from the builder with low G tuning. As I looked around to see what was available for learning ukulele, it became clear to me that I would either be swapping out strings fairly frequently or I would need two ukuleles, so I chose the latter route.
The next issue for me was how to hold the ukulele. I have played fingerstyle guitar for many years and prefer using a strap so that, whether sitting or standing, my guitar is always in the same (classical type) position, with the fretboard pointing up toward my shoulder so the hands fall naturally on the instrument without twisting my wrists at uncomfortable angles and inviting tendonitis and other maladies that could shorten my playing experience. It was Steven King (the fingerstyle guitarist) who encouraged me to go that route and time has proven him right, at least for the styles of music I play.
So I decided to do likewise on the ukulele. Unfortunately, my ukuleles are rather expensive and do not have strap buttons, and I don't want to add any. So, looking around on these forums I discovered the Mobius strap by Tim Mullins. Since both my ukuleles are reasonably shaped like a miniature guitar (I don't know if that is traditional or not), this strap works well for either one. Problem solved!
The final piece of the puzzle for me is the direction I want to take in learning. I tend to do well working on my own by ear and via books and DVDs. I have had one of the ukuleles for two weeks now and have spent time figuring out melodies by ear (a great thing to do for anybody). Since I understand music theory (it really is rather simple, except in the hands of people who love to make simple things complicated as I saw all too frequently in the guitar forums), I was able to quickly teach myself the notes on the ukulele fretboard and then start building chords on my own.
However, watching videos of really good players on Youtube, it quickly became apparent to me that the ukulele is not to be taken too lightly. There is a lot of technique and information to be gleaned from an organized study of the instrument in addition to my own fooling around with it.
My interest is primarily solo fingerstyle playing (I don't and will not sing) and chord melody. I purchased a number of books on arranging and playing solo material on the ukulele. But to start with, I got a set of three books from Alfred Publishing that comprise the "Complete Ukulele Method". Each comes with a DVD with a couple of hours of instruction on each. These books combined take you from the very beginning through advanced arranging and playing. This seems a reasonable way to get off the ground.
So that is my early steps to playing ukulele. I hope these reflections are useful to somebody here.
Tony
Recently, I got two ukuleles, one from the builder with standard high G (re-entrant) tuning and one from the builder with low G tuning. As I looked around to see what was available for learning ukulele, it became clear to me that I would either be swapping out strings fairly frequently or I would need two ukuleles, so I chose the latter route.
The next issue for me was how to hold the ukulele. I have played fingerstyle guitar for many years and prefer using a strap so that, whether sitting or standing, my guitar is always in the same (classical type) position, with the fretboard pointing up toward my shoulder so the hands fall naturally on the instrument without twisting my wrists at uncomfortable angles and inviting tendonitis and other maladies that could shorten my playing experience. It was Steven King (the fingerstyle guitarist) who encouraged me to go that route and time has proven him right, at least for the styles of music I play.
So I decided to do likewise on the ukulele. Unfortunately, my ukuleles are rather expensive and do not have strap buttons, and I don't want to add any. So, looking around on these forums I discovered the Mobius strap by Tim Mullins. Since both my ukuleles are reasonably shaped like a miniature guitar (I don't know if that is traditional or not), this strap works well for either one. Problem solved!
The final piece of the puzzle for me is the direction I want to take in learning. I tend to do well working on my own by ear and via books and DVDs. I have had one of the ukuleles for two weeks now and have spent time figuring out melodies by ear (a great thing to do for anybody). Since I understand music theory (it really is rather simple, except in the hands of people who love to make simple things complicated as I saw all too frequently in the guitar forums), I was able to quickly teach myself the notes on the ukulele fretboard and then start building chords on my own.
However, watching videos of really good players on Youtube, it quickly became apparent to me that the ukulele is not to be taken too lightly. There is a lot of technique and information to be gleaned from an organized study of the instrument in addition to my own fooling around with it.
My interest is primarily solo fingerstyle playing (I don't and will not sing) and chord melody. I purchased a number of books on arranging and playing solo material on the ukulele. But to start with, I got a set of three books from Alfred Publishing that comprise the "Complete Ukulele Method". Each comes with a DVD with a couple of hours of instruction on each. These books combined take you from the very beginning through advanced arranging and playing. This seems a reasonable way to get off the ground.
So that is my early steps to playing ukulele. I hope these reflections are useful to somebody here.
Tony
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