I would appreciate opinions from those who play classical music (and I don’t mean Elvis or Chuck Berry) on their Ukes as to which is the preferred string setups.
As does John King and Samantha Muir and many others. I don’t think you can be comparative but must see the Uke as a seperate instrument.Hi
I am a classical guitarist and play linear.
In general, I find playing classical renditions on Uke very unrewarding.
Daniel Ho, however, makes some classical pieces sound fantastic
Ron
I am not asking this to put anyone on the spot or be judgmental, and I do not want to force anyone to justify themselves, because they do not have to. I'm a believer that people can do whatever they want and that they do not need a reason to do it. The thing that I wonder is why one would choose a ukulele to play classical music, which in all likelihood was not in any way composed with ukuele in mind. Ukulele just isn't a classical instrument. Is it the challenge, the novelty, or that one does not feel confident learning to play an instrument more associated with classical music? Is it that one is called to legitimize the ukuele as an instrument more associated with classical music? I am asking this because I myself am conflicted. I'm becoming more and more interested in bluegrass music, and I am seriously thinking about concentrating on an instrument more associated with bluegrass instead of making a futile attempt to some how make the the ukuele fit into bluegrass. So I ask the question to find out why one would go this route. Perhaps it would help me decide which fork in the road to take in my own journey.
I am not asking this to put anyone on the spot or be judgmental, and I do not want to force anyone to justify themselves, because they do not have to. I'm a believer that people can do whatever they want and that they do not need a reason to do it. The thing that I wonder is why one would choose a ukulele to play classical music, which in all likelihood was not in any way composed with ukuele in mind.
I am not asking this to put anyone on the spot or be judgmental, and I do not want to force anyone to justify themselves, because they do not have to. I'm a believer that people can do whatever they want and that they do not need a reason to do it. The thing that I wonder is why one would choose a ukulele to play classical music, which in all likelihood was not in any way composed with ukuele in mind. Ukulele just isn't a classical instrument. Is it the challenge, the novelty, or that one does not feel confident learning to play an instrument more associated with classical music? Is it that one is called to legitimize the ukuele as an instrument more associated with classical music? I am asking this because I myself am conflicted. I'm becoming more and more interested in bluegrass music, and I am seriously thinking about concentrating on an instrument more associated with bluegrass instead of making a futile attempt to some how make the the ukuele fit into bluegrass. So I ask the question to find out why one would go this route. Perhaps it would help me decide which fork in the road to take in my own journey.
I'm only playing for a hobby, not to perform for others. So why not play classical music on a ukulele?
What would be the right instrument for playing classical music? (Especially when playing on your own, not as part of an ensemble.)
I play a variety of music, but do play some classical. If I'm having fun, I figure it's all OK, even if the composer didn't write it for ukulele. Good music is good music.
I love the diversity of opinion here.
BTW, there is a lot of diversity in bluegrass, too, unless you're just focused on traditional bluegrass. Offhand, I can't think of an established bluegrass musician who uses a ukulele for bluegrass, but next time I fall down the YouTube rabbit hole, maybe I'll see if I can find something. Could be fun.
I'm torn between guitar and fiddle. Mostly because my wife has a guitar down in the basement and that would be handy, and my grandfather was a fiddler back in the 20s and 30s, so I often times think that would be fun. I have his old fiddle that he brought back from Europe after WWI, and I would really like to play it, but it is pretty fragile at this point. I took it to a violin luthier and he shot me an estimate of $500 to get it back in playing order. I'll pass. Frankly, I get on a bluegrass kick for a while and then get off it for a long time. I doubt that it will ever really happen.I want to learn bluegrass more too, but just don't have the hand size to play a banjo which is what I really like. I've thought about mandolin, but since I have the uke now, figure I should at least see if I can become competent on that before switching instruments. I have two concerts (did a trade for the tenor that was just too big) and both are tuned low g. I'm partway through dueling banjos.
I'm torn between guitar and fiddle. Mostly because my wife has a guitar down in the basement and that would be handy, and my grandfather was a fiddler back in the 20s and 30s, so I often times think that would be fun. I have his old fiddle that he brought back from Europe after WWI, and I would really like to play it, but it is pretty fragile at this point. I took it to a violin luthier and he shot me an estimate of $500 to get it back in playing order. I'll pass. Frankly, I get on a bluegrass kick for a while and then get off it for a long time. I doubt that it will ever really happen.
Back to classical music, when people say that they like to play classical music, are you talking about Bach and Beethoven, or are you talking about traditional classical guitar music? I actually started playing classical guitar for a few months before I discovered the ukuele. That is a story in itself. I quit classical guitar the day I took my first ukulele home and never picked up the guitar again.
captain-janeway;2107590 I love Alison Krauss' versions of "Beaumont Rag" and "Windy City Rag." They discovered her for her fiddle said:Ohhh, I love Alison Krauss. It doesn't help the OP, but I bet she can play ukulele too, and classical as well.
The gatekeepers for "Classical Music" and "Bluegrass" may not think you can get into their world, but who really cares about that if you are playing for recreation and you are learning about musical stuff? It may be a bit harder to accept if you want to get paid or if your ego needs to be accepted into the musical world of these genres and if you do want to be accepted, apply what you learn about the music on an instrument which does fit in so you can get paid or be accepted, there is no real value in playing the ukulele martyr all the time.
... when people say that they like to play classical music, are you talking about Bach and Beethoven, or are you talking about traditional classical guitar music?