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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| Ukulele Rookie in SF Bay Area | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15th, 2008 06:24 pm |
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1st Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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Hey all!! Just wanted to say hello. I am a Hawaiian boy born and raised in the Bay Area (currently living in Martinez) and have always wanted to learn to play the ukulele. Whenever I go back to Oahu and watch and listen to cousins play and sing, I wish so much that I had that talent. Well, for xmas my wife bought me a Rogue Soprano starter kit, and I have had about six lessons so far. My instructor Ron, in Walnut Creek, has been great and I am obsessed with my new hobbie! He says the Rogue I have holds up pretty good considering the price and that it is just a starter. I've still got a long way to go but I can't wait till I can play along with my fam in the islands! I will soon be looking for a slightly better model uke, maybe tenor or concert, but I want to give it six months of strict learning before I reward myself. (I don't know if I can wait that long!!!) If there are any other Hawaiians in my area or even any other uke players that want to pass on advice or tips, please feel free! Frank-E-Bay!
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15th, 2008 08:05 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Dino Approved 
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Aiye Brah, Welcome Frank. I'm new in on this board and also Hawaiian born. The one thing I did to my soprano uke was to change my strings to a low G. You get a more richer sound with that as a bass string. IZ played his Over the Rainbow with the low G. Aloha, Dino
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15th, 2008 08:17 pm |
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3rd Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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Dino, thanks for the tip, Brah! How do I get these low G strings? Just go to the music store and ask for them? Should I have them change them or do it myself? I don't want to mess up my uke or nothing. Is it just one string or all four? How long u been playing?
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15th, 2008 08:19 pm |
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4th Post |
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honu Approved
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Aloha Frank, I'm not Hawaiian-born, but I was a local. Check out the Hayward Ukulele festival. There, you will meet quite a few really good players. Ask for Dominator. I'm not sure if Tonya or Bruddahmark will be there. It's worth the visit. You can jam informally with some of the players. I do play Hawaiian music and play for a group on last two years. It's fun to jam, besides, you will learn more. If you come to LA...go check out Ukulele Jam at Island Bazaar on Thursday nights. and the Kohele club. Uncle Henry Kamae teaches on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Also, there is the Cerritos Uke festival held on the first week of October, 2008. I'll be there. http://www.pica-org.org/ukulele/ Mahalo.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 05:43 am |
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5th Post |
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HowlinHobbit Approved 
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The soprano's body and scale length are really too small to do a good job projecting a low-G string's sound. Add to that the fact that without adjusting the nut and saddle some you're going to end up messing with the intonation, a feature that's probably a bit spotty, at best, in the Rogue. Concerts are barely big enough to do a so-so job with the low-G though a lot of Canadians do well with concerts tuned low-A (ADF#B -- one step higher on all strings). Iz may well have used a low-G tuning, but he did it on a properly set up tenor. It may have looked like a soprano but that's because the bradda was such a big fella.
____________________ Howlin' Hobbit Got Uke? MySpace ezFolk UkeLand |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 03:54 pm |
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6th Post |
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honu Approved
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HowlinHobbit is absolutely correct. To me, a low-g works only on a tenor. Not sure on a baritone, because I don't like the size. A low-g takes getting used to and when playing with others, the sound is very distinct. In fact, unless the player is more experienced, it sounds like the uke is out of tune from the others. I'm not a fan of new players using a low-g tuning or a 3rd wound C. I played a 3rd wound for a year and recently switched to the traditional tuning. If you want to jam with your family in Hawaii, a regular tuning would be fine. There's tons of stuff to learn in Hawaiian music that is not standard with music theory - the vamps, the 7th chord, the hawaiian D7, turnarounds, etc. By the way, not only IZ played with low-g tuning, he also changed his tuning and his unique strum style. He normally played with a Martin or Kamaka tenor. Last edited on Wed Apr 16th, 2008 03:56 pm by honu |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 05:51 pm |
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7th Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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I think I'll leave my Rogue how it is for now. I'm still a beginner and don't want to get ahead of myself. Thanks for all the advice from everyone. I think I may have finally found a hobbie I will stick with. My mom was the only one in my immediate family who played the uke and she passed away two years ago. I think this will carry on her memory. I also just taught my 5 yr old daughter the C Chord the other day. We may be jamming together soon!
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 08:41 pm |
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8th Post |
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Dino Approved
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Yes...I'm sure you're right but just based on my experience, type of uke and the sound I get. The set of low-G Aquila strings on both my Applause sopranos UA-20 and UAE-20 sounds beautiful but you're all right just go on your own instincts. I also had a professional install my strings for me. Thanks for enlighting me too. It tells me my next uke should be a tenor. Dino
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:22 pm |
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9th Post |
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honu Approved
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Besides IZ, Jake Shimabukuro plays a tenor. When jamming with others, it's easier for beginners to 'hear' and 'play' the same chords. From a learning perspective, if you are using a different tuning or sound, it's going to be very difficult. I have not even talked about timing yet. Timing is really important when playing with others. HowlinHobbit is way more experienced than I am. He performs professionally and really knows his music. What's that saying? Keep it simple at first. What I've learnt is to learn the basics first, start with 3 chord songs, learn the scales, etc. The people you jam with, will appreciate it. I highly suggest attending the Cerritos Uke festival. Before long, with practice and patience, you both will be awesome. Best of luck to both of you!  Last edited on Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:24 pm by honu |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:51 pm |
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10th Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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Honu, just the THOUGHT of playing with or for someone else scares the hell outta me. I just feel like I'm no where near qualified for that. I only know a few songs and even those are spotty at best. The first song I learned was Hi'ilawe, then Hene Hene Kou Aka, Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World, Ode To Joy (strumming and picking), and just learned Hawaii '78 and a Jake riff that's kinda bluesy. I play in front of my wife, kids and dad, and that's it. When do you know if you're ready to play along with other people or when it's ok to bring your uke to party or BBQ? I guess you've been playing for a while, huh? Sounds like it. Man, I feel like I've wasted so much time. I'm already 35. If I would've started as a teenager or even younger I can only imagine how much better I'd be by now. Well, I'm gonna keep at it. Thanks for all the encouragement and the tips. I need 'em.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 09:53 pm |
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11th Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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I just downloaded a couple of Jake Shimabukuro albums last week. Gently Weeps and My Life. Man that guys good. He's on a whole different level. My teacher said he met him at a concert and Jake encouraged him to keep playing the uke cause there's not uke players around. He seems like a nice guy.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 11:21 pm |
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12th Post |
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Tonya Approved 
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Definitely head over to Hayward on April 27 for the Northern California Ukulele Festival, frnkrsdo. It's got a very Hawaiian feel, lots of families in attendance, wonderful performances by ukulele groups from all over the Bay Area as well as a few "pros," a chance to listen (if you're too shy to join in) to some informal jamming and ono grinds. They had loco moco one year, but haven't the past few years. But malasadas every year! Cost for all this fun? $5. And bring the family!
____________________ http://ukuleletonya.com |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16th, 2008 11:32 pm |
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13th Post |
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Cameron Dancy Approved
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Aloha Frank, E komo mai! There's a couple of newbie-friendly Uke groups in Berkeley. Check out the Temple Bar - they have an open mike (with a great Hawaiian-style buffet...) on the first Sunday of every month. http://www.templebartiki.com/Aloha%20Sun1.html A house band - the Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band - meets there for band practice/class every Tuesday as well. The band is known primarily for their marches. I've haven't been there for over a year (been working out of the country) but kind of accidentally joined when I went looking for a class! The core of the band has some unbelievably good musicians, but there seem to be quite a few like me - people who can carry a tune reasonably well and can keep up with the strummin (or stay quiet when I can't!). I really learn a lot when I can go, and am looking foward to returning soon. Uncle Kem Loong (bandleader and restauranteur) gives lessons as well. There's also a Uke club in Berkeley that meets twice a month at Mike daSilva's Studio on 8th St in Berkeley - he's a local ukulele maker: http://www.ukemaker.com/ukeclub/ The first hour of the club meetings are set aside for beginner lessons. I've only been there once, but it definitely seemed more eclectic than the Templebar if you're interested in more non-Hawaiian music. I hope to see you in one of these when I come back to the States. I've mostly been learning from books this last year, playing my Ukulele all by my lonesome in hotel rooms across Canada... Cameron
____________________ Cameron |
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 06:47 am |
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14th Post |
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Dino Approved
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Aloha Frank, I know what everyone is saying about using low G strings on a soprano uke but it works for me. I also play in a halau (hula group) with three other uke players who have high G strings and we play in tune and harmony. Perhaps, it's the type of uke I'm playing that makes it work. If you're still interested in the low G strings for the soprano uke and yes...they're made especially for the soprano so I'm not the only one who uses low G on my soprano even though I'd to think I have a unique sound, check out the eBay link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330071503494&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014 Beginner or not, it's all about the sound, brah...  Dino Last edited on Thu Apr 17th, 2008 06:48 am by Dino |
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 03:21 pm |
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15th Post |
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frnkrsdo Approved
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Cameron, you're from Richmond, huh? So am I. Born and raised in Richmond but now I live in Martinez. I will definitley try to get to the Temple Bar for at least Aloha Sunday and hopefully I can make a few classes on Tuesdays. I am also going to the Uke Festival in Hayward and the Aloha Festival in Frisco. How long have you been playing. Let me know when you're back in the Bay and maybe we can hit a class together or something. Later!
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17th, 2008 07:11 pm |
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16th Post |
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Cameron Dancy Approved
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Hi Frank, Yup, I'm another resident of beautiful Contra Costa County. I'm actually home for about a week right now - and it sure was a shock to leave cold Montreal to come back to such a heat wave in Richmond! I'm going to miss the Hayward Uke festival (on to Toronto on Monday), but hope to be around for the SF Aloha fest. I should be back in the Bay Area a bit more regularly in June. I've been playing for about 2 years; I play a Bushman Jenny Concert. I mostly love just strumming and singing, but have been trying to work on my picking this last year. This friendly forum has been a great resource, too. As you can tell from some of the responses, there's a great deal of musical knowledge in this bunch. There's been some great tips passed along and I've also taken advantage of some of the books that folks here have recommended - currently working my way through "John King - The Classical Ukulele" and "Mel Bay Learn To Play Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele". Check out the tutorials on this site as well. But there's nothing better than playing and singing with other people - I'll definitely be going back to the Temple Bar for Tuesday nights when I'm a more regular resident, and will most likely be there for the June Aloha Sunday. Cameron
____________________ Cameron |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17th, 2008 01:02 pm |
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17th Post |
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sano Approved 
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I just got a Kala tenor from MGM with a wound C string. Is there an alternative to a wound string on a tenor?
____________________ sano |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17th, 2008 02:05 pm |
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18th Post |
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Will Approved 
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sano wrote: I just got a Kala tenor from MGM with a wound C string. Is there an alternative to a wound string on a tenor? A lower pitch requires a more massive string, but an unwound string at a low pitch may not sound very good because it has to have sufficient mass and thus it will be quite thick and rather inflexible to achieve that pitch. That's why metal windings are added to the lower pitch strings - to add mass without requiring a string that is too thick and inflexible. The other alternative to use a higher density string, such as fluorocarbon. Worth makes sets of fluorocarbon ukulele strings that are thinner than nylon or Aquila Nylgut, and have no metal windings. http://www.worthc.to/W-Strings-e.html Last edited on Tue Jun 17th, 2008 02:11 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18th, 2008 04:35 am |
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19th Post |
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Will Approved
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Dino wrote: Aloha Frank, I have a low G on my soprano ukes as well.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 11:04 pm |
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20th Post |
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cool_parrot Approved
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I am looking to take ukulele lessons around the Walnut Creek/Concord area. Who do you recommend?
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