On a whim, I bought for my six year-old granddaughter as a Christmas present, an inexpensive ukulele. I'm a long-time guitar player, and every time she comes to visit, she loves plunking on my carbon-fiber travel guitar (since it's carbon-fiber, she can't damage it, so I let her wail away). I'd like to encourage her interest in playing music, so the uke seemed like a good idea.

Then I got to thinking: if she likes the instrument, but the one I got her is too cheap (won't stay in tune, sounds "tinny," etc.) she might lose interest. So, I bought another, higher quality, ukulele. My thinking was that if she liked the "toy" I bought her, I'd gift her with the upgraded model on her seventh birthday, in July.

Of course, I can't leave well enough alone.

I've been playing the newer uke. A lot. As a guitar player, I find it easy to learn, so I'm playing some of my "repertoire" on it as well as learning some easy Christmas tunes that I can teach her when she gets her present (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, for example).

Now, there's a chance she won't like the ukulele, or even the idea of playing music. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? But *I* like it. So, in seven months I might find myself keeping the newer uke (a Kala KA-15C Mahogany Concert Uke). I'd really rather she get it, so if my wishes come true, I'll probably want to replace it with one of my own. So, which?

The Lohanu LU-C and the Lankai LU-21C are both highly regarded, and not expensive (I know ukes can be as pricey as the best guitars, but I'd rather keep it under $100), but there are so many brands and models around, I don't know where to start. Baritone and Tenor ukes are probably not under consideration at this time, so that leaves Concert and Soprano models. I think I'd look first at the Concert models.

Your thoughts?

This isn't the classifieds, but I have one of these I want to sell (in like new condition): KALA solid Acacia Tenor Ukuele, Model# KA-ASAC-T

I am also a guitar player that picked up a Tenor Uke. I found 'Ukelele Mike' site to be interesting. I see Mike passed away last year but he lives on on youtube.

Take a Hawaii cruise and you'll probably have lessons by an accomplished player like Tiki Dave on Princess

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mcrimm,

Not a lick but love the music, just started listening to Kris Fuchigami

I think the most famous Uke player was Tiny Tim.

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
I think the most famous Uke player was Tiny Tim.

Arthur Godfrey preceded Tiny Tim by years and was inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame in 2001.

Jake Shimabukuru is the absolute master of the ukelele. If you ever get a chance to see him I cannot more highly recommend you do!




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6auXngY51U

Jake plays a Kamaka, but those run around a grand.
I also have a tenor uke, really like the richer sound.
There are probably a lot available on Craigslist, it’s something people buy on a whim and then find they don’t use.

Looking in local Craigslist there’s a Lanikai tenor uke for $200. I would think if you really might want to play it that going cheap would not be satisfactory in sound, accuracy of frets, maintaining tune, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Southflorida-law:
Not a lick but love the music, just started listening to Kris Fuchigami

Thanks for sharing this. I really like his sound.

I have a Kala long neck soprano ( this one. ) Soprano body, concert-length neck. I bought it to learn on-- expecting to "trade up" to a higher priced/higher end one if I caught on-- but have never felt the need. On sale, they commonly run a few bucks under $100.

Apart from the time factor, which would obviate any of the great classic composers, there has to be some good reason why I can't find a single example of classical music played on one of these things.

Imagine, if you will, Samuel Barber's Adagio in G played on an orchestra comprising massed ukeleles, banjos and kazoos.

Excuse me, I'm going to have to lie down for a while.............

This has been an interesting discussion. I've thought about getting a use off and on for awhile.
I think I'll bite the bullet and give it a try.

quote:

Imagine, if you will, Samuel Barber's Adagio in G played on an orchestra comprising massed ukeleles, banjos and kazoos.

Imagine, if you will, massed children leaving band and music all together to go back to their phones because teachers and role models are stuck on forcing the model that is based so far in the past that they cannot possibly relate.

quote:

Originally posted by bionic218:

quote:

Imagine, if you will, Samuel Barber's Adagio in G played on an orchestra comprising massed ukeleles, banjos and kazoos.

Imagine, if you will, massed children leaving band and music all together to go back to their phones because teachers and role models are stuck on forcing the model that is based so far in the past that they cannot possibly relate.

At the End of All Things, when the Great Spirit gathers all together to make the 'keep or save' decision, the preponderance of those sent to ever-lasting nothing will be those who attempted to somehow improve upon the existing number of musical instruments, and the means by which we 'enjoy' them.

Included in that ever-increasing number, will be the following -

1. The Kazoo.

2. The Ban-jo.

3. The Triangle.

4. The Ukelele.

and, by no means last, by way of remotely enjoying music, elevator and call-centre 'muzack'.