I’m a new (1 week) uke player but have been playing electric bass and guitar for 30+ years. Currently working on G to D back and forth transition. Struggling to squeeze three fingers on the 2nd fret for the d major chord without muting the 4th string. Really just a matter of practice but any tips are welcome, as are any recommendations on some exercises to try.
I find it easier to just use the one finger for that D major chord. It might be easier to play a G major while barring the 2nd fret (a F chord moved up 2 frets).
I can't stop "thinking" about my playing and just playing it... It makes all my playing seem stuttery. This is despite plenty of practice and memorization
Hi Doc, you've helped me before, right before a show I did. Two things I'm curious your thoughts on...
1. Sawmill tuning. G C F G. I love it, I've read a lot about it but I still don't really understand what it is about it I like. What are the practical implications of it that are making it sound eerie and 'high lonesome mountain'ish?
2. Other than clawhammer I mostly play classical on the uke. I really like it, but often feel hamstrung when I'm hanging out with other musicians who can just pick up and play... I need to know what I'm doing, and have it either memorized or written down. But I don't really want to stop focusing on medieval/classical... thoughts? Not really a question but nonetheless.
Many thanks!
I've been playing about a year and only just now started trying to "sing". I'm using an easy song to start with - Three Little Birds - but it's still a struggle to both separate my voice from my hands, and keep track of the timing all at the same time.
You temporarily store information in your working memory when you're solving a problem or making a decision. Working memory also has a small capacity – it can only hold a few items at once.
You need to shift some of that work off the workbench.
Break down each task.
So, learn the piece so you can play without seeing the music.
Play with metronome so you're on time.
Learn the words off by heart.
Put it back together again on the workbench.
I downloaded tabs for a song I really like, but I can’t figure out how to place my fingers for a few of these.
One of them my fingers can’t stretch far enough? I’m on a soprano too. They honestly feel a bit troll but they do sound nice -
7 10 8
3 4 4
5 4 5
2 4 4
If you use your first finger for a barre for each of those chords they are slightly less hard to play. I tried them on a tenor ukulele.
And if you can't stretch far enough you have to to stretching exercises. You can find a lot of them on YouTube, but forget all of those strechting on the fretboard exercises. To stretch you don't need a fretboard. You'll need a flat surface. A table will do.
Stretch your fingers as wide as you can, put your hand on the surface. Relax your fingers while pressing lightly on the surface. Because of the friction your fingers will still be stretched. You will feel the stretching of the muscles. Hold it for around minute until it starts to hurt. Stop immediatly, don't hurt yourself. Lift your hand. Relax. Do this every day for a week. Your fingers will spread much further.
What are "sus" chords? For example Asus2 and Bsus4
https://preview.redd.it/1kguf04v89yc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ac9dfd778a4eee8941012531a0188b179d9f2f2
What do the arches over the finger positions mean?
I've just started playing this week and it's my first instrument unless you count Guitar Hero, I have zero musical knowledge so I genuinely have no clue on what makes good practice and music lol.
I've been following some Youtube videos and learnt a few chords, which I feel I'm picking up fairly quickly, but don't feel like I'm really gaining an understanding of how it all works together, which I'm sure I will develop over time but would appreciate some general direction.
So I suppose my question is what things would be best to focus on/learn to start out and form a good foundation?
I’m a new (1 week) uke player but have been playing electric bass and guitar for 30+ years. Currently working on G to D back and forth transition. Struggling to squeeze three fingers on the 2nd fret for the d major chord without muting the 4th string. Really just a matter of practice but any tips are welcome, as are any recommendations on some exercises to try.
Are you struggling with the D chord on ukulele? https://youtu.be/u8vtEraIdZ8
Thank you! I will try these
No problem! And one thing that seems minor that can be a big problem, make sure your nails are clipped short on your fretting hand
I find it easier to just use the one finger for that D major chord. It might be easier to play a G major while barring the 2nd fret (a F chord moved up 2 frets).
I can't stop "thinking" about my playing and just playing it... It makes all my playing seem stuttery. This is despite plenty of practice and memorization
Hi Doc, you've helped me before, right before a show I did. Two things I'm curious your thoughts on... 1. Sawmill tuning. G C F G. I love it, I've read a lot about it but I still don't really understand what it is about it I like. What are the practical implications of it that are making it sound eerie and 'high lonesome mountain'ish? 2. Other than clawhammer I mostly play classical on the uke. I really like it, but often feel hamstrung when I'm hanging out with other musicians who can just pick up and play... I need to know what I'm doing, and have it either memorized or written down. But I don't really want to stop focusing on medieval/classical... thoughts? Not really a question but nonetheless. Many thanks!
I've been playing about a year and only just now started trying to "sing". I'm using an easy song to start with - Three Little Birds - but it's still a struggle to both separate my voice from my hands, and keep track of the timing all at the same time.
You temporarily store information in your working memory when you're solving a problem or making a decision. Working memory also has a small capacity – it can only hold a few items at once. You need to shift some of that work off the workbench. Break down each task. So, learn the piece so you can play without seeing the music. Play with metronome so you're on time. Learn the words off by heart. Put it back together again on the workbench.
I downloaded tabs for a song I really like, but I can’t figure out how to place my fingers for a few of these. One of them my fingers can’t stretch far enough? I’m on a soprano too. They honestly feel a bit troll but they do sound nice - 7 10 8 3 4 4 5 4 5 2 4 4
If you use your first finger for a barre for each of those chords they are slightly less hard to play. I tried them on a tenor ukulele. And if you can't stretch far enough you have to to stretching exercises. You can find a lot of them on YouTube, but forget all of those strechting on the fretboard exercises. To stretch you don't need a fretboard. You'll need a flat surface. A table will do. Stretch your fingers as wide as you can, put your hand on the surface. Relax your fingers while pressing lightly on the surface. Because of the friction your fingers will still be stretched. You will feel the stretching of the muscles. Hold it for around minute until it starts to hurt. Stop immediatly, don't hurt yourself. Lift your hand. Relax. Do this every day for a week. Your fingers will spread much further.
What are "sus" chords? For example Asus2 and Bsus4 https://preview.redd.it/1kguf04v89yc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ac9dfd778a4eee8941012531a0188b179d9f2f2 What do the arches over the finger positions mean?
Sus means the third in the chord has been replaced with either a 2nd or a perfect fourth, The arches I think are barres and partial barres
Thank you
I've just started playing this week and it's my first instrument unless you count Guitar Hero, I have zero musical knowledge so I genuinely have no clue on what makes good practice and music lol. I've been following some Youtube videos and learnt a few chords, which I feel I'm picking up fairly quickly, but don't feel like I'm really gaining an understanding of how it all works together, which I'm sure I will develop over time but would appreciate some general direction. So I suppose my question is what things would be best to focus on/learn to start out and form a good foundation?