cellophanedeity

Today, I accidentally purchased a ukulele. I went into the shop for just one pack of acoustic guitar strings. I even knew the brand and size I wanted. I'm not even exactly sure how it happened, but after less than five minutes of wandering, I left with a little tenor ukulele. Oops.

I've found a couple of good resources online, and of course I remember from elementary school, but I was wondering if anyone here has tried it before? Any tips?

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who am I to refuse the universe?
-Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers

dlish

errr..how does buying a ukelele give your dog fleas?

am i missing something here? or is it just too late here right now to think straight?

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cellophanedeity

It's the way to remember the sound of the tuning of a ukulele! It's the only thing I remember about the instrument.

__________________
who am I to refuse the universe?
-Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers

ratbastid

Do you already play guitar? If so, it's tuned just like the top four strings of a guitar (D G B E).

G: 0 0 0 3
A: 2 2 2 0
D: 0 2 3 2
C: 2 0 1 0
E: 2 1 0 0

You can do barre chords and all the other stuff you'd ordinarily do on a guitar too. Just think like it's your top four strings.

cellophanedeity

{edit} I'm so damn dumb. Thank you.

__________________
who am I to refuse the universe?
-Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers

Punk.of.Ages

I love the ukulele! They're so fun to just play around with.

Ratbastid pretty much handled any advice I could give.

Enjoy it!

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"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Jetée

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Martian

I've played around with ukes and considered buying one from time to time, but have yet to take the plunge. I understand about accidentally buying one, though.

Ukes are one of those instruments that are similar enough to guitar that the transition is fairly easy. Have fun with it, try different things.

Alternatively, you could go buy a mandolin. It'll make the uke seem ridiculously easy.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Punk.of.Ages

I've been planning on picking up a mandolin for a while...

I love the sound of those things.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Martian

Your head will explode.

When I started to get the hang of bass guitar, I considered a mando as my next purchase. I was cocky and full of vim from the ease at which I'd become a multi-instrumentalist, and eager to expand my repertoire.

I went to the store to try some out. They completely kicked my ass.

I still want to learn, but am suitably wary of them now.

Ukes are comparatively easy.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Punk.of.Ages

Yeah, I'm aware they are not something I can just pick up and already have a decent grasp on cause I play the guitar already (such was the case with the bass and ukulele). I'm willing to take it on though.

I'll learn eventually...

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

newtx

Ukulele is an interesting instrument but I don't get the fleas.....................???????? Sorry I just remembered you are referring to reading music. .....................Been many, many years ago.

cellophanedeity

The ukulele has been going well! I can now play a couple of songs, and have discovered that tenor uke is not tuned like a guitar at all. It's really cute, and I like playing it for my brother while he plays the nazi-zombie mod on Call of Duty.

__________________
who am I to refuse the universe?
-Leonard Cohen, Beautiful Losers