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Post by jonnymosco on May 11, 2015 21:37:54 GMT
I'm sure I'll regret it, but the one I have is pretty limited - Thomann's own, spruce top and looks pretty neat for the price of a few sets of strings. Here it isIt looks like I'll be teaching it at a local primary school soon, even though I tried to persuade them that the guitar is much more versatile. I'll let you know how it sounds when it arrives. Jonny
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 11, 2015 22:34:04 GMT
Good luck with that Jonny!
I have something of a love/hate relationship with the uke lessons I do in our village school. Mind you, I do a whole class at a time - tuning 32 ukes is the worst bit. Teaching the little angels to play and sing Blowing in the Wind was better. Slightly.
Are you doing individual/small group/whole class lessons Jonny?
Keith
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Post by jonnymosco on May 11, 2015 23:09:22 GMT
It's mostly your inspiration Keith that got me into this terrible situation!
I'm doing a taster session next week, so it depends on how many takers. But, the music coordinator did send out a questionnaire to parents asking which instrument they'd like their kids to learn and ukulele came out on top. I'll take my guitar too, so hopefully that will appeal as well.
32 ukes to tune? That sounds like hell on earth. It was my problems tuning mine today that led me to order a new one.
I'm hoping a maximum of three in a group... and if the Thomann uke is good, I'll suggest they buy that rather than a toy uke. I think they do a cheaper one with a laminate top.
Jonny
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 11, 2015 23:17:30 GMT
Sorry Jonny! What age/school year are yours likely to be? Keith
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on May 12, 2015 6:02:54 GMT
The Makala 'Dolphin' ukes seem to get consistently good reviews for their price. Slightly more garish than most, but perhaps that's why they appeal to junior school pupils...
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Post by michaelwatts on May 12, 2015 8:43:17 GMT
Congratulations!
I love me some uke!
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colins
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Post by colins on May 12, 2015 9:54:41 GMT
I find that I am being asked to make ukes a lot more now, it seems that every 7 year old at out local schools has to have one. Most of course make do with the Chinese imports. But boy can these mothers get competitive, their precious little Tarquin must have a hand made uke. I do make them for the children of people that have my guitars, usually trying to make then a miniature version of the parents guitar. These are based on a reduced size Torres 1864 plantilla for FE19 'La Suprema', the master is turning in his grave! Mind you the best gig I have been to in recent years was to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Colin
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 12, 2015 10:25:09 GMT
Lovely looking ukes colin!
I love UOGB too, esp live - great fun.
But I wouldn't recommend going too often - we went twice, some 18 months apart, and the between song banter wass exactly the same.
But yes, everyone should go and see them.
And every home should have a uke. Or two. Or three. I think I'm down to two at the moment as one is on loan to a globe -trotting Ozzie who is somewhere in France at the moment I think. The uke is blue, but with the Union Flag all over the front.
Jonny - the cheapo sub-£20 ukes do respond well to some drastic filing of their nuts (oer missus) and saddles and Aquila or suchlike strings. All improve, though variably, and some remain almost total pieces of excrement.
Keith
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Welshruss
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Post by Welshruss on May 12, 2015 10:46:23 GMT
And every home should have a uke. Or two. Or three. I think I'm down to two at the moment as one is on loan to a globe -trotting Ozzie who is somewhere in France at the moment I think. The uke is blue, but with the Union Flag all over the Keith Totally agree Keith we have a couple as well.
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on May 12, 2015 12:20:04 GMT
Got a new one for my birthday! Concert banjo uke, sounds great!
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Post by guzzler on May 12, 2015 15:34:18 GMT
I love ukes, there are 4 in our house, but the thought of teaching kids makes me feel faint. Good luck with that.
I was going to post a photo of my gorgeous Kala mango tenor but it seems I'm just as bad at photography as I am music, so you'll just have to take my word for it that it's a thing of beauty.
Maninashed, a friend of mine has one of those Kala banjo ukes and is very pleased with it, even if his wife isn't.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on May 12, 2015 15:53:50 GMT
Got a new one for my birthday! Concert banjo uke, sounds great! That looks superb! I really like the 'brass' hardware. I'd like to know a bit more about it
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Post by creamburmese on May 12, 2015 16:55:38 GMT
I bought a uke last year after having a blast at a folk camp workshop titled "Try a uke". Instant gratification! Unfortunately I haven't yet made the time to progress from the odd few chords I learned, but am taking it to the same folk camp this year... IMHO they define the term "instant fun" Great as an intro for kids to guitar or other stringed instruments... that reminds me I will have to review my cheat sheets on where the chords are ...
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Post by grayn on May 12, 2015 20:01:59 GMT
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need a uke burning festival, we really do. Talk about corruption.
Nooooooooooooooooooo!
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on May 12, 2015 20:37:12 GMT
Got a new one for my birthday! Concert banjo uke, sounds great! That looks superb! I really like the 'brass' hardware. I'd like to know a bit more about it Yes I love how it looks, matt black, ivory binding, aged brass hardware. Plays nice as well, a really chunky neck and nice action but you can dig without buzzing and sounds great, more banjo than uke to my ears. I wanted more volume for pub sessions and my sister lives in the Appalachians and is interested in mountain music. She sent me a book of fiddle tunes arranged for uke that sound fantastic on banjo uke. My local guitar shop, Lister's in Lowestoft, gave me a great deal and it was my birthday so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did, its great fun and sounds the business for mountain fiddle tunes and even Irish jigs and reels. PS I couldn't embed pic - see next post
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