• How difficult is it to learn the Ukulele?
    22 replies, posted
On a scale of 1-10. I'm trying to find a hobby that doesn't involve TF2, SPUF, and Facepunch. I've listened to several original compositions and ukulele covers of songs, and it sounds beautiful to me. I have no prior experience with music, but I am completely willing to learn whatever I need to. I feel like my life is really empty and an instrument like the Ukulele would be perfect for my needs.
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I wouldn't know, but I assume it would be similar or just as hard as learning other stringed instruments.
Chicks dig ukulele players. In all seriousness, I'd recommend playing something a bit more common, like an acoustic guitar, if you're looking to join a band.
[img]http://www.affordablemauiweddings.com/Images/Rev.%20Ken%20With%20Ukulele-1.JPG[/img]
Not very hard. I know a couple people who play ukulele and play other stringed instruments and they say it was by far the easiest.
About this hard [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puSkP3uym5k&feature=player_embedded[/media]
Next, OP is going to want to do hula lessons.
If you don't know other instruments it's gonna be just as hard as learning any other stringed thing.. Though to be honest, as long as you practice for like half an hour every day, you'll pick up basic chord changes and stuff within a couple of weeks.
The ukulele, like any instrument, easy to learn difficult to master. One thing that might catch you off guard is that an ukulele's standard tuning is a G,G,E,A with the g being tuned an octave higher which gives it a unique High-Low-High-High sound as apposed to the guitar's E,A,D,G,B,E which is tuned from low to high.
[QUOTE=Explosions;27472035][img_thumb]http://www.affordablemauiweddings.com/Images/Rev.%20Ken%20With%20Ukulele-1.JPG[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]First thing I thought of when I saw the thread title
My friend said it's easier than the saxophone, so pretty easy.
The major difference between ukulele and a guitar is number of strings. Ukuleles are 4 stringed while guitars are 6 stringed. So in a way ukulele is easier since you're only dealing with 4 as opposed to 6 strings, but on the other hand neither are too difficult, and the conversion from playing guitar to ukulele is much smoother. Not to mention playing acoustic guitar is a sure-fire way of getting laid. Trust me I'm a doctor.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;27473749]The major difference between ukulele and a guitar is number of strings. Ukuleles are 4 stringed while guitars are 6 stringed. So in a way ukulele is easier since you're only dealing with 4 as opposed to 6 strings, but on the other hand neither are too difficult, and the conversion from playing guitar to ukulele is much smoother. Not to mention playing acoustic guitar is a sure-fire way of getting laid. Trust me I'm a doctor.[/QUOTE] Judging an instruments difficulty by the number of strings it has is pretty hard headed. A saxophone has more buttons than a trumpet, but a trumpet is harder to play.
And a Uke's strings are in an order that would make it very hard for any guitarist to pick it up and play.
[QUOTE=Mlisen14;27473852]And a Uke's strings are in an order that would make it very hard for any guitarist to pick it up and play.[/QUOTE] They'd have to actually learn it. Wouldn't be the biggest hurdle to over come.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c71RCAyLS1M[/media]
Ukulele is extremely easy compared to guitar. I hate the douchy guys who can only play Somewhere Over the Rainbow though. It IS a huge chick magnet though, on my dorm hall someone plays ukulele and some of the girls brought him cupcakes. I play accordion and get some pretty awesome reactions though :D . In all seriousness PICK UP WHATEVER INSTRUMENT YOU THINK IS AWESOME. It'll make you the most happy and will give you motivation to get better.
Learn a brass instrument. Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba. One of those.
5. I also play mandolin, piano, classical guitar, tin whistle, traditional flutes and a little bit of violin. Played ukulele for 1 and a half years. Just like a few have already mentioned, it's going to be just as hard as any other stringed instrument and if you don't know basic music theory. When we mention this, we mean understanding how the instrument works: notes on the fret board, techniques, etc. If you've played another instrument (e.g. guitar) you'll pick up the ukulele almost instantly as it's almost the same. Now, [b]playing[/b] on the other hand: In comparison with a guitar, the ukulele IS definitely easier to play due to it's smaller fret spaces and fewer strings, making it easier to form chord shapes. Well, most of the time, anyway. I have really long fingers, so I opt for a larger sized uke. Everything's the same, except for the size and sound (slightly more mellow). Is the ukulele fun to play? Hell yes, a whole lot. My favourite instrument, in fact. Portable, nylon-strings that are easy on the fingers- I am always strumming away on the uke every chance I have at home. The sound is so cheerful and uplifting! Even if you don't have the skills of Jake Shimabokuro that someone linked above, I'm sure you (and people around you) would fall in love with the sound immediately. Oh, and if you're going to buy a starter ukulele, just like anything you want to buy, do some research first. Avoid the Mahalo brand, buy a Kala/Makala. One last thing, I hope you're ready to get snide comments from certain groups of people for playing a toy guitar. Heh.
[QUOTE=Arkua;27473993]5. I also play mandolin, piano, classical guitar, tin whistle, traditional flutes and a little bit of violin. Played ukulele for 1 and a half years. Just like a few have already mentioned, it's going to be just as hard as any other stringed instrument and if you don't know basic music theory. When we mention this, we mean understanding how the instrument works: notes on the fret board, techniques, etc. If you've played another instrument (e.g. guitar) you'll pick up the ukulele almost instantly as it's almost the same. Now, [b]playing[/b] on the other hand: In comparison with a guitar, the ukulele IS definitely easier to play due to it's smaller fret spaces and fewer strings, making it easier to form chord shapes. Well, most of the time, anyway. I have really long fingers, so I opt for a larger sized uke. Everything's the same, except for the size and sound (slightly more mellow). Is the ukulele fun to play? Hell yes, a whole lot. My favourite instrument, in fact. Portable, nylon-strings that are easy on the fingers- I am always strumming away on the uke every chance I have at home. The sound is so cheerful and uplifting! Even if you don't have the skills of Jake Shimabokuro that someone linked above, I'm sure you (and people around you) would fall in love with the sound immediately. Oh, and if you're going to buy a starter ukulele, just like anything you want to buy, do some research first. Avoid the Mahalo brand, buy a Kala/Makala. One last thing, I hope you're ready to get snide comments from certain groups of people for playing a toy guitar. Heh.[/QUOTE] Most helpful post yet. Thanks
[QUOTE=Arkua;27473993]5. I also play mandolin, piano, classical guitar, tin whistle, traditional flutes and a little bit of violin. Played ukulele for 1 and a half years. Just like a few have already mentioned, it's going to be just as hard as any other stringed instrument and if you don't know basic music theory. When we mention this, we mean understanding how the instrument works: notes on the fret board, techniques, etc. If you've played another instrument (e.g. guitar) you'll pick up the ukulele almost instantly as it's almost the same. Now, [b]playing[/b] on the other hand: In comparison with a guitar, the ukulele IS definitely easier to play due to it's smaller fret spaces and fewer strings, making it easier to form chord shapes. Well, most of the time, anyway. I have really long fingers, so I opt for a larger sized uke. Everything's the same, except for the size and sound (slightly more mellow). Is the ukulele fun to play? Hell yes, a whole lot. My favourite instrument, in fact. Portable, nylon-strings that are easy on the fingers- I am always strumming away on the uke every chance I have at home. The sound is so cheerful and uplifting! Even if you don't have the skills of Jake Shimabokuro that someone linked above, I'm sure you (and people around you) would fall in love with the sound immediately. Oh, and if you're going to buy a starter ukulele, just like anything you want to buy, do some research first. Avoid the Mahalo brand, buy a Kala/Makala. One last thing, I hope you're ready to get snide comments from certain groups of people for playing a toy guitar. Heh.[/QUOTE] Just wanted to thank you as well. I am thinking about getting a ukulele and saw this thread. Would you suggest a Tenor or a Soprano for a beginner? I do not know how to play the guitar, but I have played piano and know how to read sheet music? [url]http://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-SSTU-T-Travel-Tenor-Ukulele/dp/B0029NGGHM[/url]
I play ukulele, It kinda came naturally to me. It wasn't that hard to pick up and learn a few chords. I love it, give it a shot, I think you will as well.
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