This is just an update on learning the ukulele. Last month, I got two new ukuleles, both my first having never played ukulele and knowing nothing about them. One is a Ko'olau Delux tenor (high G tuning) and the other is a Kamaka Ohta-san (between a concert and tenor, with tenor neck and low G tuning).
Since first posting about this, I am now gaining some familiarity with getting around on the fretboard. Having played fingerstyle guitar for some time, I seem to be taking well to learning music from Daniel Ho's Polani CD. I am very impressed with how much music I can get from a ukulele and how wonderful it sounds. Seriously, I can play the same phrase over and over and simply wonder at the sounds I am creating. Daniel Ho seems to really have a strong melodic sensibility and spreads it across the strings so the ukulele just "sings" with his music. It is truly stunning. I am "hooked", to say the least. This is motivation enough to just continue learning this music. I am also working through the "by ear" materials I purchased from Jim D'Ville (http://www.playukulelebyear.com/).
Also, it is also somewhat embarrassing how good these ukuleles are, especially considering that I knew nothing about ukuleles when I got them. This probably doesn't come across as it would saying it in person, but I truly feel this way. It is as I get more familiar with actually playing these instruments that their quality and musicality is unfolding for me. Earlier, I appreciated their looks and the fact that they are expensive, but now I am experiencing what they can really do, and I am sure this is only the beginning.
I have spent the time going back through all the UkeTalk pages from the beginning, and have learned a lot about different ukuleles, books, etc (I did get a number of books based on some of the recommendations and they are quite good). I am glad I didn't do that before getting my ukuleles because I would have been so confused and second-guessing my choices (Moore Bettah or Collings or Martin or Kamaka or ...) which would most certainly have led to a severe case of UAS. As it is, I am very happy with the ukuleles I got and have no desire to get anything else. They are both every bit as nice as fine guitars, and definitely not the "toys" many people (non-players) seem to think ukuleles are. I am sure these instruments and the sounds coming out of them largely contribute to the results I am getting in return for my efforts at learning to get music from them.
From here, it is just a matter of continuing to play and grow into these ukuleles. I hope to make some Youtube videos as I build repertoire over time. I do have a keen sense of direction and it does seem to be getting the results I desire to stay motivated. It isn't that I expect to learn overnight, but as long as I am seeing some improvement over time, I am fine with what I am doing. Having taught myself to play guitar and keyboard, I know the time and effort it takes to learn an instrument, and the fact that it is the journey that is the joy of making music.
Tony
Since first posting about this, I am now gaining some familiarity with getting around on the fretboard. Having played fingerstyle guitar for some time, I seem to be taking well to learning music from Daniel Ho's Polani CD. I am very impressed with how much music I can get from a ukulele and how wonderful it sounds. Seriously, I can play the same phrase over and over and simply wonder at the sounds I am creating. Daniel Ho seems to really have a strong melodic sensibility and spreads it across the strings so the ukulele just "sings" with his music. It is truly stunning. I am "hooked", to say the least. This is motivation enough to just continue learning this music. I am also working through the "by ear" materials I purchased from Jim D'Ville (http://www.playukulelebyear.com/).
Also, it is also somewhat embarrassing how good these ukuleles are, especially considering that I knew nothing about ukuleles when I got them. This probably doesn't come across as it would saying it in person, but I truly feel this way. It is as I get more familiar with actually playing these instruments that their quality and musicality is unfolding for me. Earlier, I appreciated their looks and the fact that they are expensive, but now I am experiencing what they can really do, and I am sure this is only the beginning.
I have spent the time going back through all the UkeTalk pages from the beginning, and have learned a lot about different ukuleles, books, etc (I did get a number of books based on some of the recommendations and they are quite good). I am glad I didn't do that before getting my ukuleles because I would have been so confused and second-guessing my choices (Moore Bettah or Collings or Martin or Kamaka or ...) which would most certainly have led to a severe case of UAS. As it is, I am very happy with the ukuleles I got and have no desire to get anything else. They are both every bit as nice as fine guitars, and definitely not the "toys" many people (non-players) seem to think ukuleles are. I am sure these instruments and the sounds coming out of them largely contribute to the results I am getting in return for my efforts at learning to get music from them.
From here, it is just a matter of continuing to play and grow into these ukuleles. I hope to make some Youtube videos as I build repertoire over time. I do have a keen sense of direction and it does seem to be getting the results I desire to stay motivated. It isn't that I expect to learn overnight, but as long as I am seeing some improvement over time, I am fine with what I am doing. Having taught myself to play guitar and keyboard, I know the time and effort it takes to learn an instrument, and the fact that it is the journey that is the joy of making music.
Tony
