Category: Music

First steps in the land of the ukulele

You know what? I think the ukulele is pretty cool.

I’ve been playing guitar for many, many years. I’ve got a bit of a collection and it is wonderful thinking of the history behind each instrument. I have even recorded a few things in my time.

The ‘uke’ has been growing in popularity recently. There is even an orchestra and a whole host of different ‘ukejams’ going on around the world.

I have now picked up my very own (called Layla… as in ‘uke-layla’.. groan….) and love it. Why are they just so sweet?

  1. EASY TO LEARN: Four strings. Very quick to get the initial chord shapes going, although as the tuning is different from a guitar I felt a bit like a sprawling kitten to begin with. Anyone can get going very, very quickly. I learned about four chords before heading to my first jam session and learned the rest as the evening went on! The fact that the strings are typically nylon avoids newbie fingers being cut to shreds as well.
  2. CHEAP! A basic ukulele can be yours for about £25. As a result, great for children. When my eight year-old daughter plays with my guitars I am half excited, half petrified, and find myself edging closer to her ‘just in case’ ! If she takes to the ‘uke’, and I really think she will, I intend to get her one of her own! Of course, if you get really into it, you can spend more money to get something of a bit more quality…
  3. TINY! Ukuleles are really small. As a result, they are immensely portable. When I played in a band, I was forever lugging flight cases and amplifiers about. My ukulele weighs about the same as my mobile phone.
  4. SMILE! You can’t stop smiling when playing a ukulele. The tone and action, and in particular, the ‘jam’ feeling when playing in a group are great.

If you (or a child?) are thinking of learning a musical instrument, or want to try something new, then I heartily recommend picking one up. You could then join the whole social experience by popping along to a jam session!

UPDATE: I was remiss in not mentioning the particular ‘ukejam’ session that I have been intending. Especially since it was the final push in convincing me to get my own ukulele. Please check out the Godalming-based Ukejam as it is wonderful. Thanks to Claire (in the comments section) for pointing this out.

Still need convincing? Here are a couple of videos!

“I only meant to buy some new guitar strings…”

Delight inside.

Passion and temptation come in many forms, but strings have been involved for me this week.

I have neglected my guitar playing for quite some time now. I started playing in my teenage years and you can find my various tracks on this site. I fell out of love with it all for some reason although other interests have naturally filled the gap. However, getting the chance to play on a nylon-strung acoustic at a party made me realise that I still really, really enjoyed it.

Being in an acoustic mood I popped down to Nevada Music to grab some new strings as my acoustic has been out of action for a while due to string breakage! Nevada is pretty much the SHOP OF DREAMS. There are so many shiny objects of musical desire that a musician would need a cold, cold heart to not even be tempted.

My acoustic is very old and was in fact my first ever guitar. Old, battered and attempting to mic it up was always an exercise in feedback-frenzied pain. Next thing I know, I’m surrounded by string-clad siren acoustics: “Look at me! Shiny! I’m an electro-acoustic! Quality pre-amp! Listen to how BRIGHT I sound! Mmmmm!”.

MINE. Not yours. MINE.

Needless to say, I bought the guitar. A lovely Takamine with integrated tuner (They think of everything these days).

In mitigation, I have always wanted a quality acoustic guitar of this nature. I have plenty of lovely electric guitars but the non-amplified side of things has been lacking! Back in the day, the sort of thing I was after was prohibitively expensive but it is great how quality is seemingly much cheaper nowadays.

I am very much out of practice but it is amazing how everything is coming back so quickly. However, it isn’t just about the knowledge: It is the sheer enjoyment of playing and coaxing a wide range of emotions from the instrument that is striking me.

Just in case though, next time, I think I should take a chaperone…

I’d love to hear about any musical purchase impulses that have struck you, be they ultimately good or bad!

Microsoft Songsmith + Auto-Tune = World Domination

Microsoft are not stupid. Their video advertising campaign for Songsmith is horifically tacky but it has gone viral and the download sites are taking a bit of a hammering.

I am still downloading the product to check it out but it strikes me that Microsoft may have cunningly found a way to recoup some of the money they may lose as a result of the EU chasing them again. If they combine the product with some form of Auto-Tune (automatic pitch correction, some modern releases are smothered in it), they will probably make enough money to buy the world.

By the way, be careful when looking up examples of Auto-Tune. Once you get the feeling for the shimmery-ness (technical term) it adds to recordings, you can’t miss it! Well, when it is abused, anyway. This is similar to not being able to un-hear the major compression abuse, such as on the new Metallica album.

Never too old to Rock and Roll!

BBC Radio 4 highlighted this cool little project on Front Row.

Weekend Warriors is a scheme being run by the Music Industries Association.

The Weekend Warriors programme gives lapsed musicians the once in a lifetime opportunity to re-join a band and relive their musical youth. It’s run in music stores throughout the UK. They will provide you with the latest equipment, rehearsal space, and a mentor to provide advice and support. It starts with an induction evening where you join other Warriors and start your new band. Then after 5 rehearsals you play your own live gig in front of family and friends!

How cool is that? Also, a participating store is close to me. I have been mulling over getting myself along to some jam sessions again, but the above sounds even more ideal!

‘Tis the season to rock cheesily

Line 6 have released some cheesy seasonal backing tracks and tab combinations.

Unleash your holiday spirit playing along with these traditional tracks – free downloads of Auld Lang Syne, Greensleeves and Jingle Bells in country, blues and rock styles.

Also, although I have a PODxt and love it, if ever I am in the market for a portable unit for hotel rooms or similar, the Pocket POD would be fantastic! I’m particularly impressed that they have put a USB interface in there as well.