WHAT TO BUY TO GET STARTED
(IS THIS FUN, OR WHAT?)
The ukulele is one of the easiest instruments to learn to accompany one’s singing. Buy a uke (my recommendations for instruments in different price ranges are below) and a book, and just “do it yourself.” For guitarists of any ability, if you know a couple of chords, you can quickly progress to playing chords on the ukulele that you could only dream about on the guitar.
Here is an excellent ukulele buyer's guide from Sam Ash music stores, with a video introduction to playing by Steve and Amanda Boisen:
BUYER'S GUIDE
What to buy and where to buy it:
- UKULELES:
- Sam Ash, Guitar Center, or other music stores
- www.fleamarketmusic.com 1-800-459-5558:
- Fluke-$199 and up (bag included)
- Flea-$179 and up (bag included)
- www.elderly.com (Elderly music) 1-888-473-5810:
- www.empire-music.com 1-800-663-5979:
- Soprano uke with machine heads $44.98
- “Classic” tenor uke (larger) with machine heads $58.98
- INSTRUCTION BOOK:
- Jumpin’ Jim’s “Tips ‘n Tunes” (instruction book)-available at the above websites or in music stores
- TUNER:
- Electronic (Clip-on is best for uke) tuner-available at the above websites or in music stores
