Griffis
Well-known member
I have come back around (double full circle?) to my love of ukulele. I would classify it as love. I have been making music since 1977, when I was 9. Drums, trumpet, sax early on...guitar soon after, bass (which was my main instrument for many years), keys...when I discovered old time music, I got into fiddle, banjo and mandolin for quite some time.
Around Summer of 2000 I was having problems with my hands and wrists that made me think I was going to have to give up playing stringed instruments.
My wife (a musician herself) suggested ukulele, thinking the shorter scale, nylon strings, fewer strings, etc. would be something I could handle even with my hand pain.
Right she was, and I spent the next three or four years playing uke almost exclusively. I got to be pretty decent and had a large repertoire of songs.
Well, I eventually got called back to rock and roll and spent a few years playing electric guitar and bass again.
I want to downsize my life and have come to the realization that owning a bunch of instruments may be cool, but all the electric gear and everything you have to do to hook up, set up, dial in and play is such a major pain.
Nothing can replace just grabbing an instrument and starting in playing.
Also, I am having hand troubles again, so i believe this move back to uke is permanent. I'm selling off all my electric gear. Back into ukes and loving it.
I've never played a Black bear, but based on sound samples and all the pics I've seen, I think if I was going to go for a custom build, that's where I'd go.
It IS relevant! I don't want to live in a world where goofy old Vaudeville songs are forgotten!
Around Summer of 2000 I was having problems with my hands and wrists that made me think I was going to have to give up playing stringed instruments.
My wife (a musician herself) suggested ukulele, thinking the shorter scale, nylon strings, fewer strings, etc. would be something I could handle even with my hand pain.
Right she was, and I spent the next three or four years playing uke almost exclusively. I got to be pretty decent and had a large repertoire of songs.
Well, I eventually got called back to rock and roll and spent a few years playing electric guitar and bass again.
I want to downsize my life and have come to the realization that owning a bunch of instruments may be cool, but all the electric gear and everything you have to do to hook up, set up, dial in and play is such a major pain.
Nothing can replace just grabbing an instrument and starting in playing.
Also, I am having hand troubles again, so i believe this move back to uke is permanent. I'm selling off all my electric gear. Back into ukes and loving it.
...My UAS seems to have quietened now too since I have somewhat settled the "size" question. The Black Bear soprano was almost like a bringer of peace...
I've never played a Black bear, but based on sound samples and all the pics I've seen, I think if I was going to go for a custom build, that's where I'd go.
...without an audience for dopey nursery rhymes or bouncy old Vaudeville tunes anymore, my uke repertoire is less relevant these days...
It IS relevant! I don't want to live in a world where goofy old Vaudeville songs are forgotten!