Some tips that's forgotten

[clear]

Here're some tips that a player may have known at one point but have forgotten (or just become lazy and start to ingrain bad habits).

I think it might be interesting to have a thread for these little tips.
Post something that you did correct once upon a time but had to be reminded again later.

For me, these were pointed out by my guitar teacher.
1. pluck the strings with your hand over the fingers. I used to do that, but I've gotten lazy and started to play with my fingers extending too far out from under my hand. This is important to get a good tone.

2. don't rush the 8th and 16th notes. I used to count, but have stopped doing that thinking I've internalized the divisions. Well, after a while (and probably playing too many swing 8ths) my internalization isn't all that good anymore. I'll be going back to basics for a while.

3. remember to use the same string when possible (i.e. when little or no change to hand positions); this usually results in more consistent tone.

Please add more!

 

[bbkobabe]

Tune it right... finish the job and tune the strings to each other after you turn the tuner off... Most electronic tuners are a bit approximate.

You are worth it... tune all the way to greatness!

 

[wqking]

1. Set a goal, keep the goal small, and finish it.
That's how progress happens. It's much more difficult than it looks like.

2. Focus on quality than quantity.

3. Always use a metronome, or at least be always on rhythm.

4. Be slow. This is related to point 2.

Those points are not specified to Ukulele, they are useful for all instruments.

 

[Mike $]

Learn the whole song, not just the most memorable part of a song. Listening to parts of songs is booooooring and irritating. Learn the chord progression and, if possible learn a solo. Learn two solos to every song if you want to impress people, so long as you can learn the progression and back up others taking a solo.

 

[Patty]

(1) Remember to always put the uke away in its case and not leave it lying on the couch where the dogs can knock if off.

(2) Put the tuner where I can find it, not on the couch where I’ll almost certainly sit on it.

(3) Don’t just practice the stuff I already know. Practice some difficult stuff every day that will make me stretch a bit.

Edit: (4) Have my nails filed to the desirable length BEFORE I sit down to play. Thus avoiding getting fingernail dust all over the uke.

 

[ploverwing]

Edit: (4) Have my nails filed to the desirable length BEFORE I sit down to play. Thus avoiding getting fingernail dust all over the uke.

Hah! Yes!

Don't strangle the fretboard. I find myself reverting to this periodically.

 

[Patty]

Hah! Yes!

Don't strangle the fretboard. I find myself reverting to this periodically.

I should have added that one!

 

[ripock]

another tip worth remembering is that you don't have to strum all the strings all the time. After all, a triad only requires 3 strings and the 4th string (usually the A or G string) is superfluous and makes the chord more complicated than necessary.

 

[rainbow21]

I was rudely reminded to make sure the case is zipped up before picking it up. First time going to a jam after over two years...

 

[ploverwing]

I was rudely reminded to make sure the case is zipped up before picking it up. First time going to a jam after over two years...

Ouch. I hope it was only a rude reminder and not a catastrophic one?

 

[rustydusty]

Change your strings regularly (not just when they break), and keep your instrument clean.
Don't leave your tuner attached to the headstock.

 

[RickOlson]

1. Set a goal, keep the goal small, and finish it.
That's how progress happens. It's much more difficult than it looks like.
2. Focus on quality than quantity.
3. Always use a metronome, or at least be always on rhythm.
4. Be slow. This is related to point 2.
Those points are not specified to Ukulele, they are useful for all instruments life

Corrected

 

[kkimura]

When in doubt, just keep playing. You may be the only one who noticed.

 

[EarthSea]

When ever I change my uke strings I crack a fresh walnut and rub walnut on the fret board allowing a few minutes for the oil to soak in before wiping excess oil off with a soft cloth and fitting new strings. Fret board is usually raw timber and needs nourishment, some people use lemon oil but I find walnut perfect for the job.

 

[ploverwing]

When ever I change my uke strings I crack a fresh walnut and rub walnut on the fret board allowing a few minutes for the oil to soak in before wiping excess oil off with a soft cloth and fitting new strings. Fret board is usually raw timber and needs nourishment, some people use lemon oil but I find walnut perfect for the job.

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for chiming in with your approach, that's a really interesting idea!

 

[rustydusty]

Back in my guitar days, I was told when changing strings, to do one at a time, therefore keeping tension on the neck. I still change a set the same way...

 

[don_b]

I have one that I often forget which is “practice it like you plan to perform it every single time”

 

[Jan D]

Don’t forget to breathe!

 

[rrobinso84]

Tune it right... finish the job and tune the strings to each other after you turn the tuner off... Most electronic tuners are a bit approximate.

You are worth it... tune all the way to greatness!

Great point. I routinely do a quick "check" on the fretboard of each string to make sure they resonate after using a digital tuner, and 9 times out of 10, there's a tweak needed somewhere!

 

[Stoneyrun]

Don't get too caught up in precision and perfection. Play to feel something. Be creative. Be thankful for the opportunity and good health to be able to play a stringed instrument. Including the best of them all, an ukulele.