Due to popular demand, Jim now offers ukelele lessons. Owing to its use in hit songs like “Hey Soul Sister” and on American Idol, the ukelele is the “hot” new instrument among music students and it’s a ton of fun to play!
Wanna Learn to Play the Uke?
The uke is a great choice for beginner instrumentalists and it’s also a great second instrument for guitarists. Here are three positives for anyone considering ukelele lessons:
1 – It’s highly portable (even more so than guitar) and doesn’t require a strap or picks.
2 – There are only four strings to learn, and they’re nylon, which is easy on the fingers.
3 – If you know how to play basic guitar chords, then the uke is an easy transition.
The only real negative to consider: Due to the ukelele’s compact size, it’s probably not the best choice for folks with large hands.
Tips for Buying a Uke
If you’re in the market to buy a ukelele, here are three helpful tips:
1 – The soprano uke is the “standard” one, and it’s the smallest. The next size up is concert, which gives you a little more finger room. For the guitarist looking to play uke (eventually) at a higher level, pro players like Jake Shimabokuro play tenor instruments. These are the next step larger and are more “guitar-like”. All three of these sizes are usually tuned the same (C6 tuning), so therefore all the chord shapes are identical.
2 – You get what you pay for, especially with acoustic instruments. Ukes are generally inexpensive (relative to guitars) so don’t shop just on price. Look for the best quality instrument you can find.
3 – If possible, buy a uke that has guitar-style tuning gears, not the traditional friction pegs. Mechanical gears keep the uke in tune much better than friction pegs.
Here is a great buying guide to check out: Uke Hunt
Follow these links to learn more about ukelele lessons with Jim!
Teaching Philosophy
Pricing and Payment
Scheduling
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