One of the biggest problems during the summer is that you lose a few (or more depending how lazy you are) IQ points along the way. Since this summer I won't be going anywhere until the end of July, I've had some serious thinking to do on how to not loose lose my precious IQ points. Then lo and behold! A mini epiphany! Come on say it with me, EPIPHANY! I love that word and I believe in epiphanies, where the world changes around you as you think of something so small yet monumental. I'll learn the ukulele. It seems like an easy, fun instrument to play. It also sounds beautiful, bright and bouncy. I've heard it on Paramore's three Interludes on their new album Paramore. I can't wait to play I'm Not Angry More on the ukulele.
Now at this point I was just screaming, "I"M GONNA PLAY THE UKULELE!" but then a problem occurred. I don't have one. I don't know where to get one. I don't even know how it works... So many questions and it was even more confusing with no one to guide you. Now, if you were in my place at this point after your glorious epiphany, let me guide you through the first part of your journey with me.
1. Read up on the ukulele and take note of it. Keep a ukulele journal
Below are a bunch of articles that you need to read before buying a ukulele. These sites are great and they've helped me a lot on deciding whether I wanted to play it or nor. They also gave me a great crash course on the ukulele.
- Seriously Sarah - A Singapore based blog that tells you the basics on buying a ukulele. Read the comments below her posts as well as they were helpful.
- Ukulele Hunt - This site has pretty much everything from chords to tutorials. Below are the articles for beginners.
10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Ukuleles (Before I Bought One) - This is definitely a must read
2. Answer these questions and save it in your ukulele journal:
- What's your purpose for playing the ukulele?
- How interested and committed will you be playing the ukulele?
- What's your budget?
- How do you want your ukulele to look like?
3. Decide which size you want to buy
There are four sizes, from smallest to biggest:
Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone
Most beginners go for the soprano, like me. Others go for the concert, which is like the soprano except its bigger (duh) and better for those who have bigger fingers. The best way to know which size is for you is to go to the store and try it out. Feel which one you're most comfortable with. Tenors and baritone ukuleles are also more expensive, this isn't good if you're on a low budget and just starting out.
4. Have an idea on which ukuleles to buy
They're many good beginner ukuleles out there but buying the right one depends on your budget, purpose and size. For sopranos, here's what I found were good ones with some brief information that are around SGD50:
- Lanikai LU-11Soprano
- Found in Davis Guitar Centre (Singapore)
- More unique
- Good and reliable
- Stays in tune pretty well
- Sounds good but not as rich as the expensive version the LU-21
- Tuning might be an issue
- Eddy Finn Minnow
- Found in SV Guitars (Singapore)
- More unique
- Mostly positive review
- Great sound
- Rough around the edges
- TGM UK-10 Soprano
- Found in Davis Guitar (Singapore)
- Sells quickly
- Makana UK-2100 Soprano
-Tends to go out of tune quickly
 |
| Image used (clockwise from top left corner): http://www.southshoremusic.com/lanikai-lu-11-soprano-ukulele/ , http://dalymusic.com/store/eddy-finn-minnow-soprano-ukulele-6-pack/ , http://www.stclassifieds.sg/sell/musical-instruments/hobbies-and-interests/tgm-uk-10s-soprano-ukulele-for-sale-brand-new/ad-650036 |
That's it for the first entry of in my Ukulele Diary. In my next post in my Ukulele Diary I'll talk about buying a ukulele and my ukulele, Sunny Phillipa. I hope this post was helpful and unmuddle your head about the ukulele so you've a better idea of what's going on.
Ni
No comments:
Post a Comment