If so, which one do you play & are they easy to learn/play ??

I like the sound of all three, was wondering which one to pursue....

I play the Ukulele, i've not been playing very long but i have been playing guitar for forever. It's alot simpler than the guitar, but it's certainly not easy. Really small so you need to have dextrous fingers.

If you already play a bit of guitar, it's simple. The strings are tuned to the same intervals as the top 4 strings of a guitar but with the 4th string an octave higher. Because the neck is shorter, the pitch is a 4th higher, so if you play a D major shape, it sounds as an A major.
All your guitar chords can be used on a Uke, but because you haven't got the 2 lower strings to think of, a lot of chords can be played with 1 or 2 fingers. If you fret the top string at the 3rd fret, thats a C major, fret the 3rd string at 1st fret and you got yourself an A7. I got a uke last week after many years as a guitarist and I'm loving it, even taught the Missus to play "Raindrops are falling on my Head"

even taught the Missus to play "Raindrops are falling on my Head"

PM me the chords please bro!

I've never tried the uke but I can vouch for mandolin. The (standard) tuning is the same as the violin and is really easy for picking out tunes and soloing. G, C and D chords are extremely easy ... the rest, fairly easy, the only issue is remembering what instrument you're playing. Also, once you can play the mandolin you can also play bouzouki and octave madola with exactly the same fingerings. Ditto for the tenor banjo ... This is the one the majority of Irish players use. The 5 string banjo, on the other hand is not of this world. I had one for about three years, tried in a few different tunings and just never got it. I think my gene pool is too big....

I'm playing the banjo, been at it a few years, i get some kinda tune out of it, but would never call myself anything other than mediocre.

I'm playing the banjo, been at it a few years, i get some kinda tune out of it, but would never call myself anything other than mediocre.

Cool link, sounds good to me mate.

I've never tried the uke but I can vouch for mandolin. The (standard) tuning is the same as the violin and is really easy for picking out tunes and soloing. G, C and D chords are extremely easy ... the rest, fairly easy, the only issue is remembering what instrument you're playing.

I can also vouch for the mando. I have moved onto it from guitar and I find it really easy to pick tunes. I am playing mainly Scottish English & Irish at the moment hoping to do some Bluegrass eventually. Chords are fairly easy but the chop chords needed for bluegrass are much harder to learn and play.

My main problem is picking teqhnique. I can't seem to play the rapid short notes (1&2&3&4&) with any confidence I have tried thin picks, thick picks, angling the pick I guess it just come with practice but I have been practising for 5 months now. Never used the pick with guitar, I only finger picked.

ukulele
anyone fancy giving a few quick lessons to an absolute beginner?
x

ukulele
anyone fancy giving a few quick lessons to an absolute beginner?
x

I'll second that; I'm a guitarist who's become bewitched by the Ukulele. I intend to buy one as soon as finances permit............

I've got a bluegrass banjo, but i don't practice enough to call myself 'good'. I can find my way around it when need be though.

I've played guitar (all kinds) for 20+ years, recently started playing old-time 'clawhammer' banjo on a cheap open backed banjo, really enjoying it, both the playing style and the music. I like blugrass but have no interest in playing it. Lots of good tutorial stuff on the web, there's a whole book called 'the how and tao of old time banjo' thats really good.

Also play Formby-style banjo-uke fairly well, really good feeling when you get the techniques down and start pulling the solos, almost like having a thrash around a drum kit. Easy transfer from a guitar.

Have had a mandolin for years, pick it up occasionally but never really gelled with it. If its got frets and strings I give it a go. I've a small balalaika that I really like noodling on.

Boog

I play Uke and Mandolin, kinda crazy about the Uke though!
I run a ukulele jam session at the Riverside on Sunday nights and usually play at the Dog & Partridge on tuesdays. Also teach Uke if required, drop in or get in touch if ya wanna know more.

There's quite a few Uke players around...

Tim ;-)

Hello!

Five string bluegrass picker here, been at it five years, I'd call myself intermediate-advanced. Took me about two years to learn the basics, but it was worth it.

I play Uke and Mandolin, kinda crazy about the Uke though!
I run a ukulele jam session at the Riverside on Sunday nights and usually play at the Dog & Partridge on tuesdays. Also teach Uke if required, drop in or get in touch if ya wanna know more.

There's quite a few Uke players around...

Tim ;-)

Hi, tim, are you still running these sessions at the riverside? just got a ukulele and interested in coming along.

I've been playing guitar for about 20 years and in the last year have picked up the Uke and 5-string banjo. I'm loving the ukulele and finding it very easy to get to grips with the basics. It's a lot of fun, and it's what I'd recommend for a beginner considering those three instruments - you can get a lot out of it without having to be brilliant.

I enjoy playing the banjo but it's much more slower going and more technically demanding than the uke - probably more rewarding in the longer term, but ask me in another 20 years!

grrr - darn rubbish internet connection.

Hi, tim, are you still running these sessions at the riverside? just got a ukulele and interested in coming along.

Hi tim
I am interested if you are still doing this?

Hi
Yep. Ukulele Sundays is happening again at a new venue, we are now at The Rude Shipyard cafe on Abbeydale Road. Sessions are once a month at the moment and on Sunday afternoons from 2pm.

The next one is on Sunday 18th July (next week) and you'd be very welcome. We have a list of dates online at www dot ukulelesundays dot co dot uk and we also have a Facebook group so get in touch that way.

My band also play in Sheffield regularly and you are welcome to come along and talk ukulele and say Hi at any of those gigs, next one is Weds night at Trippets from 9pm. We are called The Anything Goes Orchestra and you can find us online too at anythinggoesorchestra dot com.

Cheers

Tim ;-)

Thanks Tim
do i at least need to know about and have experience of playing chords etc?
i know how to take it out of it's case and that's it!

Wow. You've got a case ;-)

That's enough knowledge for me. Come along on Sunday and we'll show you the rest, honest.

Tim ;-)

T'rude shipyard is lovely...but tiny. Good job most ukes are too!

Anyways, I thought it would be handy to share this with any budding ukelele players...
http://www.ukuleleorchestra.com/main/Workshops.aspx?SessionKey=

reyt good chord charts for three common tunings.

www.wabsnazm.co.uk/uke/BUS%20Songbook%20II.pdf

and that one's a songbook not dissimilar to what gets used at uke sundays I believe.

Hope these can be of some use to someone :)