Meep

[hope]

I bought a ukulele today. I blame newredshoes for posting about it ALL THE TIME and making me get all dreamy and envious.

In my childhood/teens I played piano, guitar, and for many years bass guitar, but haven't seriously picked up an instrument in about 13 years. But I already love this one - it just sounds so damn gorgeous!

I got a Tanglewood soprano, and spent some time this evening stretching the strings and noodling around. I downloaded a tuning app on my iphone and a chord chart. Already I'm remembering how hard it is to train strength and dexterity into my fingers.

Amanda Palmer's Radiohead covers album is also a big impetus for me. As much as my fannishness of AP is problematic, I adore those covers. I want to learn the Fake Plastic Trees chords for my first song - and of course, learn how to play and sing at the same time.

Any tips for a self-teaching ukulele beginner? Links or advice gladly welcomed!

Comments

[mrs_tribble]

Hi there,

There are many websites where you can print off lyrics and chords - TAB being the easiest to learn (you probably already know that).

I personally find ukulele chords much easier to shape and change on the ukulele than I do on the guitar - but I have very small hands so pretty much any guitar chord is a bit of a stretch for me.

Tanglewood is a good make - or at least I know their guitars are beautiful. Aquila strings would sound amazing on it.

For tuning, restringing and pretty much any kind of visual you need, I've found Youtube to be full of very knowledgable people, and there are some amazing ukulele players out there who are worth listening to!

Welcome to the addiction:D

[hope]

Thank you for the tips! The Tanglewood certainly sounds beautiful - I didn't really have a clue what I was looking for in the store, but it sounded so much lovelier than the alternatives. I adore it :)

[newredshoes]

No regrets! ♥

There are a couple of links in the sidebar of the comm: Ukulele Tricks has been my favorite so far, because the guy who runs it is completely sweet and a darling, and his videos and blog posts are really straightforward and clear. Dr. Ukulele's sheet music library is great if you want to try something more than a songbook. Ukulele Tabs has a lot of contemporary music.

This is the book I've been using for chords and easy songs and strumming, but mostly as a jumping-off point.

[hope]

Whee! Thanks for the links. :D :D :D