Ukulele Forum

Can any of you wonderful tech wizards advise me how to record myself playing my ukulele? I have a MacBook, and an IPhone - but need to know if I need any other IT equipment to help record - [I am one of those who lived BEFORE computers - well - the ones I used needed coded entries 10011100011111010 - that sort of thing. I wans't allowed to take a calculator into lessons - used log books to calculate logarithms - and my brain to work out maths. so this tech age is tough on my brain - which I need to play all the notes - not necessarily in the right order. 😀😂

Seem to be on that plateau Karen talks about. but keep watching Matt's zooms, and keep going over the course. I don't seem to be getting anywhere - but that is my fault. Life keeps intervening - I practice then my nails break and arthritis comes between me and the chords. But I just so love this course - Matt and the zooms I watch plus FaceBook page really is inspiring. Fighting on and upwards. I think my fingers are beginning to respond to my orders from my brain. When I watch the zooms showing other participants and how they play - it is inspiring. Thank-you all you gifted ukulele players.

Anthony Whiteoak - I read your message via an email notification, but I can't see your post here. A website glitch, perhaps. I just want you to know that I have been in that same headspace you are in - feeling like I'm stuck, not making progress, self doubt in my abilities. First and foremost, I wouldn't call it a "barren patch" but a "temporary plateau". So how to get past it? I'd say give yourself a few days off. Don't play. Maybe watch some uke videos (Matt's or anyone else's) or listen to uke music. Give your brain and your hands a rest, then get back to it. Pick something to play that you find easiest or are comfortable with. You mentioned lack of tone. That might not be you; it could be the uke. Check the action and get it fixed if it's too high. Change …

1 b3 5 = minor

1 3 5 b7 = dominant 7th

1 3 5# = augmented

1 2 5 = sus2

C E G = C major

C Eb G = C minor

I posted this on the FB page as well... but for people who aren't FB users... I'm a beginner and am just exploring interest at this point. Are there any ukulele groups in the Baltimore or Westminster, Maryland general area ? I know of the Maryland Ukulele Jam in Silver Spring but that's a bit of a hike from where I live. Anybody in Westminster, Eldersburg, Hampstead, or vicinity looking for a Uke Buddy ? Particularly interested in folks who are familiar with Matt and his curriculum.

How many people actually play amplified rather than having bought a uke with a pick -up just in case.

You can get the next step up uke for the same budget if your unlikely to play amplified .

Considering an Uma spruce tenor or a mango SUS Flight Carabou special.

Is this more often than not just another UAS rabbit hole to disappear down.

Never say never but I don't see myself as playing solo live or a lead player in a club

Dave L

first point I don't yet own a uke with a pick up.

I've now joined a local uke club and I am mostly keeping up.

It depends on strum pattern and what's being sung.

Sometimes concentration only stretches to one or the other. Alongside a block of ''intermediate'' lessons. Again I seem to be holding my own.

Nobody plays amped up , so that's fine.

They club does go out and about to venues to entertain, residential homes, local fetes and such like. When they do I think they generally rely on a microphone set up to amplify the group rather than any individual player.

Just a quick update. I’m aware of an issue with the App on Apple at present (it comes up with an error saying content not available). Apologies. It is being investigated and hopefully normal service will resume shortly. In the meantime please use the mobile version of my website on your device. You can access all your courses and videos there.

https://learnukulele.com

Thanks heaps,

Matt 😊

Hi Matt -

After trying for ages to try to figure out Chord Melody on my own, I suddenly became sensible and went to basics on your course !!

I enjoyed your explanation of “Twinkle, Twinkle …” and reached a good level of understanding but when I printed out your music sheet, I noticed a slight difference between the pdfs.

On the hand-written ones you guided us toward playing the open notes on the GCEA voicing.

But the printed music sheet directed me to play the fretted G note on the E string rather than the open G.

I understand both are the same, but why the change ?