Comments on: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Ukuleles (Before I Bought One)

By: Noodles

Noodles — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:58:46 +0000

I wish I had have known that it would get crushed if I dropped a window on it o.O

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:16:38 +0000

Andrew: Absolutely! A beater or two is essential.

jazz: Thanks very much for the list.

By: jazz

jazz — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:14:03 +0000

So…apparently,

1. Keep your left thumb low in the back of the neck.
2. Strum over the fingerboard, not over the sound hole.
3. Keep the fingernails of your left hand short.
4. Hold the ukulele so that the right end hits your inner biceps muscle and your forearm crosses the uke’s lower right.
5. Practice your strumming away from the ukulele when you can. For example, in the car, on your seat belt.
6. Practice chord changes when you can. For example, during a television program, or at least during the commercials.

By: Andrew Robertson

Andrew Robertson — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:01:31 +0000

Great thread run! I have found that there are vast differences in sound between same models of lower value ukes. For example I have a spruce top maple lanikai that I bought several years ago. I played it back to back with three other of the exact same ukes and they all sounded different. Sometimes a cheap one will sound better than an expensive one. Also “better ” is what feels and sounds best to you.
Having a couple beaters is essential to me as well. My dad gave me an old kamaka that is amazing sounding but it does not ride with me all day in my work truck like my 80$ ohana.
I always try to go to music stores and find the one that bonds with me. Like picking a puppy.
I really enjoyed reading all the comments everyone. Cheers and uke on!

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:49:17 +0000

mr regni: I do sometimes challenge myself to play with my eyes shut.

Niya: Thanks very much!

By: Niya

Niya — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:46:17 +0000

Thank you SOOOOOO MUCH for this page of tips. Currently, I’m saving my money to buy a Lanikai LU-21 Soprano. I’ve heard great things about it from people who own it and from this site. Thanks again! Love you guys!

By: mr regni

mr regni — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:08:46 +0000

bought a kala exotic tenor about month ago, im 65 years old wished i had got one years ago! still noodling with the chords g f a am g7 , feel if i can loop about with these without looking down it would be a big step, also im trying to do that in the dark to get a better flow, anybody tried that? Who knows it might help! anyway i find it great fun and dont find it frustrating i go at it little and often.

By: Jeff L

Jeff L — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:45:19 +0000

LOVE YOUR ARTICLE AND POSTS!

I have a little Sunlite soprano ukulele that I really like! I have big hands, though, and fingers that are so FAT that it is hard not to touch adjoining strings when making chords. I’d like to get a ukulele that gives me enough space for my fat fingers. Suggestions? (If I buy sight-unseen online, I really don’t want to get something that won’t give me a wider finger board than I have now.)

THANKS!!

By: Woodshed

Woodshed — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:47:37 +0000

Brittany: Yeah, Kala is a great choice for a first uke. I have two Kalas and they’re great.

And, yes, Aquila are great. The most popular strings around.

By: Brittany

Brittany — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:55:17 +0000

Another thing, the ukulele I have my eye on is strung with Aquila strings, and, according to this site, they’re pretty good, right?