I have been studying in earnst Matt’s theory course. Just brilliant Matt, you explain everything with such clarity. For the first time in years after wading through so many books theory now is actually making sense to me and increasing my musical knowledge. I know theory frightens some people but studying theory ensures you will develop as a player. Once you know the layout of the fretboard everything clicks together, chords, scales, forming patterns to see these chords and scales.
Matt’s advice to also listen to all sorts of music will help you develop both your uke and musical knowledge. If you really want to feel a sense of rhythm, something to make you click your fingers and tap your feet, may I suggest spending ten minutes listening to Lee Morgan’s Sidewinder track on his Blue Note album of 1963. Forgive the over enthusiasm but the Sidewinder really hits the right spot. Also for some Ukulele themed Blues “Papa” Lemon Nash is a must listen to. He is on spotify if you search him out and pretty sophisticated stuff for it’s day in his favorite keys of Bb and F.
Have to admit my concert was a tad expensive but I fell in love with it the moment I watched Alex at The Southern Ukulele Store play the opening chords of his demo song. The Uke in question is the aNueNue All Solid AA Grade Koa model. I had recently parted with my piano and wanted to invest in a ukulele that basically I would play for life. I can never envisage a time in the future when I will again spend as much as I did on the aNueNue, but I have never regreted my choice. The tone is simply divine. It was within the budget I set but I just went where my heart led me. I also think Kala have some splendid ukes and again fell in love with the Salt & Pepper Doghair Tenor, I’ll just have to stop watching Alex’s videos. But to me these two ukes are more than a fair trade for parting with my piano.
There are so many great brands to choose from. Flight; Kala and Ohana all make great concert ukes. Have a think about whether you want a wider bit for more space - Islander do a nice wide nut. Another tip - check out Mainland ukuleles. Their red cedar concert is one of my all time favourite uke models. They’re made in the far east but set up in the USA.
There are an awful lot of options. Could you narrow your parameters a little? Maximum price, for example, the sort of tone you like, whether you'd consider a laminate, only want sustainable woods… that sort of thing.
Personally, my suggestion is a concert Fluke, from the Magic Fluke Company. The basic models are absolutely fine, fitted with very comfortable moulded fretboards and decent friction tuners; upgrades such as wooden fretboards, Pegheds tuners etc cost more, of course, but they're by no means necessary. Flukes sound great, are made well and are exceptionally comfortable to play. If you're based in America it's worth checking the Instrument Deals section of magicfluke.com, where they offer discounted ukes (older models, B-stock etc).
I have been studying in earnst Matt’s theory course. Just brilliant Matt, you explain everything with such clarity. For the first time in years after wading through so many books theory now is actually making sense to me and increasing my musical knowledge. I know theory frightens some people but studying theory ensures you will develop as a player. Once you know the layout of the fretboard everything clicks together, chords, scales, forming patterns to see these chords and scales.
Matt’s advice to also listen to all sorts of music will help you develop both your uke and musical knowledge. If you really want to feel a sense of rhythm, something to make you click your fingers and tap your feet, may I suggest spending ten minutes listening to Lee Morgan’s Sidewinder track on his Blue Note album of 1963. Forgive the over enthusiasm but the Sidewinder really hits the right spot. Also for some Ukulele themed Blues “Papa” Lemon Nash is a must listen to. He is on spotify if you search him out and pretty sophisticated stuff for it’s day in his favorite keys of Bb and F.
Have to admit my concert was a tad expensive but I fell in love with it the moment I watched Alex at The Southern Ukulele Store play the opening chords of his demo song. The Uke in question is the aNueNue All Solid AA Grade Koa model. I had recently parted with my piano and wanted to invest in a ukulele that basically I would play for life. I can never envisage a time in the future when I will again spend as much as I did on the aNueNue, but I have never regreted my choice. The tone is simply divine. It was within the budget I set but I just went where my heart led me. I also think Kala have some splendid ukes and again fell in love with the Salt & Pepper Doghair Tenor, I’ll just have to stop watching Alex’s videos. But to me these two ukes are more than a fair trade for parting with my piano.
There are so many great brands to choose from. Flight; Kala and Ohana all make great concert ukes. Have a think about whether you want a wider bit for more space - Islander do a nice wide nut. Another tip - check out Mainland ukuleles. Their red cedar concert is one of my all time favourite uke models. They’re made in the far east but set up in the USA.
In case that link doesnt open it is the kala concert 4 String Ukulele (KA-SMH-CG)
There are an awful lot of options. Could you narrow your parameters a little? Maximum price, for example, the sort of tone you like, whether you'd consider a laminate, only want sustainable woods… that sort of thing.
Personally, my suggestion is a concert Fluke, from the Magic Fluke Company. The basic models are absolutely fine, fitted with very comfortable moulded fretboards and decent friction tuners; upgrades such as wooden fretboards, Pegheds tuners etc cost more, of course, but they're by no means necessary. Flukes sound great, are made well and are exceptionally comfortable to play. If you're based in America it's worth checking the Instrument Deals section of magicfluke.com, where they offer discounted ukes (older models, B-stock etc).