STRUMMERS GUESTMAIL ARCHIVES PAGE EIGHTEEN


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1-25-08, David D.
Really enjoyed your website and thank you for providing so many terrific resources I just returned from Kaua'i with my wife Carole before New Years Eve and came within inches of buying my first uke. I purchased my first guitar from a friend in the late 1950s (I'm 66 years young) and while Ive never become an "great" guitarist.. Ive always found myself when I sit down with my instruments and just play them the way I feel and sing what I enjoy singing. Ive had many guitars over the years but never really gave the uke a try until now. When I got back here I started poking around on some website looking for an instrument to get started with. I ended up purchasing an Oscar Schmidt Uke made from Koa .. same as my Taylor 314CE Special Edition guitar. I started websurfing looking for some help in learning to play and came across your website. The wonderful thing about ukes is that they are small enough to tote along just about anywhere. This one has a sweet tone and feels good in my hands. I intend to start by working on some basic chord progressions so Ill probably purchase one of your books and CDs. Ive added your website to my favorites and will share it with friends. Many thanks for all the effort you put into this. Your site is great .. informative .. well organized .. and simple to navigate. Im impressed. Mahalo. David.

1-25-08,Clint
I try ... Mahalos for da 'ölelo maika'i hoa aloha. Glad I made it to you favorite page too. In all dis world of competitiveness ... good to know I win.. yeah? Mahalos. Enjoy.

1-24-08,Josh
Eh bra..Howzit. I like get added to your network with my website. I play and sing Hawaiian music way over here in the New York City.. Long Island area. I also teach ukulele as well as guitar.. piano and drums here.
Josh Cho
Guitar Instructor
www.LIGuitarSchool.com
(631) 335-7994

1-24-08,Clint
'A'ole Pilikia brah. Da other site just keep sendin me to Craigs list ... 'oia 'a'ole maika'i. Dis one maika'i paha.. aka ... I no check. People can easily highlight and paste da site above in da browser to go to you site. From da "links" they go to you other site. Easy. (I would change da light blue text on da 'ukulele page cause pa'akiki to read cuz.) Cool site tho. Either way.. Mahalos for signin. Laterz

1-21-08,Németh Kornél
Hello! I am from Hungary . I have a question. I would like buy an ukulele but i am a neophyte and i don't know what is the best ukulele to me. Help me! Thanx from Hungary .

1-21-08,Clint
I would look for a Lanikai. Check on line.. they make good quality ukuleles. Not too expensive as well. Good merchandise for a good price. I tink so anyways.. cuz. Enjoy. Mahalos for signin from way from Hungary. You da first from way ova there. Laterz.

1-14-08, Gayle
Aloha Clint! I just finished spending the evening looking through your Strummers web pages. Wow! Is all I can say. You've done a wonderful job... and in HTML ... I AM impressed .. I briefly ventured into trying to learn HTML and decided learning the ukulele was a better thing to do. I would like very much to have copies of all 3 of the songbooks and the CD's. The more ukulele I hear.. the more I understand what it's supposed to sound like.. so I think the CD's will help me learn. I'm an old guitar player ... about 45 years of it ... bought a baritone Kamaka at the factory about 10 yrs ago .. thinking it would be easy to make the transition. Well .. work and other obligations kept the Kamaka in my closet until retirement. Now I'm actually taking ukulele lessons from Marianne Brogan .. Portland Ukulele Assn .. Was a self-taught .. learn-from-friends guitar player .. so this is a new experience for me. And a far cry from the accordion lessons that were forced on me as a child .. but at least I CAN read music. Let me know what it takes to acquire the books and CD's. Mahalo

1-14-08,Clint
Mahalos for da kind words. Hana nui here .. but worth it. Enjoy keepin up da site and talkin mo'ölelo wid all da känaka all ova. Good people emailin all da time. Da kine. Enjoy da site. I email you bout da CD and books tools. A hui hou, hoa aloha

1-14-08, Keith Bice
Keith Bice age 57.
Just a note to say i am enjoying your site. I play guitar most of the time but I really enjoy the uke. I am playing a KALA tenor and working on getting that island sound. I live in Conroe Tx just north of Houston. I will be traveling to the Islands in October. Maybe we will cross paths. Once again thanks for all the info. Keith

1-14-08,Clint
Eh.. glad you find my site here. Patient wid lookin for da island sound. Listen lots of cool island jamz lead you toward that. Mahalos for checkin me out here. Malama 'oe.

1-7-08,Audrey Veronica
Good morning Nui loa! I want to thank you for having such a fun and full of information site! I am a newbie with my uku I rec'd for Christmas and I am trying to figure this gorgeous instrument out. I have a tenor uku. As I type my fingers are so tender from playing ... I have picked up my uku everyday but still waiting for a song to sound like a song ... I love the old Hawaiian songs so I am searching for the music on ebay.. I will look into that vintage felt pick you were talking about as my index finger nail broke on Christmas day and hasn't seen past my skin .. typical and just my luck! I have you on my favorites list and I will be checking your site often. Thank you sincerely! Oh yeah .....My name is Audrey Veronica Bunn ... Age...47 & 3/4 (holding tightly as it will be changing soon ... YIKES!!) My Island ... Blue Lagoon but really.... Venice Florida. Take GREAT Care!

1-7-08,Clint
Hey glad you found da site.. and really glad you nail broke too. Stay off you nail. Use the skin part of you finga. You neva gonna learn how play soft wid you nail scrapin along da strings, yeah? Da softer.. da betta. An try have some patience.. da songs come soon enuf. Enjoy da journey, sistah. A'ole pilikia no ho'i kekahi.. age jus a numba.. you real age in you pu'uwai.. you heart. Laterz, keikiwahine

1-3-08, Earl M.
Earl M. Age 47. Boise, ID.
New to the Boise area and played in a weekly ukulele kanikapila in Alaska for almost two years before moving here. Now looking to get something similar started in Boise since I no can find it running already. Been strumming the uke for about two years and my favorite instrument is a Tangi koa tenor that we discovered last trip through Honolulu after the Aloha Music Camp. Also been playing ki'hoalu for about four years and acoustic fingerstyle guitar in general for about 25 years. Im always looking for more opportunities to learn. Im pretty excited about island music in general.. a fairly recent discovery. Great site, Clint.. with lots of excellent reference material. Mahalo!
PS - If you could please pass my email info along to "Barbara D" from Boise who signed up on the guest book on DEC 6.. that would be great. She sounds like someone who would be interested in the newly forming BUG ( Boise Ukulele Group ).

1-3-08,Clint
Unless she sign da Network.. I no can help except for postin above. I no keep da older emails.. but I start da Network.. people.. you gotta play da game here.. sometimes other people be lookin for you.. and you no signin stuffs.. see.. look at you now... nobody can contact you..
anyway.. all da way from 'Alaka.. yeah? Cool.. ( dat a weather joke ).. cool.. nevamind. No problem wid da materials. Glad you can use dem all. Mahalos for signin and hope Barbara see dis too. Laterz

1-3-08,Gustavo Molina
Hi Clint.. Im Gustavo from Mexico and I really glad to discover your great site. First I wanted to say thank you to share all this information. I discover the ukulele a year ago and it does not stop amazing me.. I felt in love with it. During last year I didnt have enough time to play the ukulele because I have a full time job on information technology and I also belong to a student jazz ensemble where I play the guitar ( Im in a basic level ).. so I will left the ensemble in order to have more time. I have two daughters.. 3 and 6 years. The little one likes to "play" the ukulele always that it near her so I trying to find some school on my city focused on kids of 3-5 years and I did not found options for that age. Marycruz.. the six years old.. likes the keyboard.. we found a little school but the method is improvised and bored for kids. He was two weeks and she quit. Also the general picture of music in my city is not good enough.. usually children have his first contact with music until high school where they learn to play flute at a basic level. So I feel the need to do something to change that and I began to plan for a project for kids.. have fun and discover music with ukulele. Im still at the planning stage and your site and strummer group is an inspiration for me. I also believe that the world would be a better place if more people made music.
Im still a little afraid for some technical details.. write some type of "basic" arrangements for songs in order it can be play a group a ukuleles can perform it.. how to direct a group.. etc. A little help in this sense will be appreciated. Aloha.. Gustavo

1-3-08,Clint
Very cool email Gustavo.. Mahalo. I recommend for students at that younger age to play an instrument like the recorder.. xylophones are good for the younger kids.. and at a bit older age..yeah.. ukulele. You want them at an age where they can at least "hear" well enough to tune their own ukes.. or else that is what you will be doing for the entire hour of classtime.. sheeeeesh.. forget dat.
Start with simple arrangements. Its okay to make mistakes.. no be afraid of that. And try to spend alot of time in front of people.. speaking.. teaching.. talking... get used to being up in front and taking charge.. so to say. Got to get ova da butterflies.. yeah? Most important you got to get to a point on YOUR ukulele that you are very accomplished and can get around the instrument well. Know the fretboard.. know basic music theory .. be able to answer peoples questions when they ask. In time.. you'll be ready. No be afraid. Jus do it. Mahalos for signin. Questions.. jus ask .. hermano.

1-2-08,Patrick Keegan
Clint.. your web page is saved to my favorites. Thanks for spreading the uke joy on a 7 degree January day in Pennsylvania. The 2nd and 3rd chord positions are very helpful and I found a few Iz songs to add to my ukulele song lineup. I'll be purchasing from your store too...great stuff!! Thank you. Please visit my own site with a healthy number of ukulele songs typed up -
www.patsadventure.com
Don't forget to sign into the comment page if you do visit. Thanks again.

1-2-08,Clint
A'ole pilikia cuz. Hope you continue to find good stuffs here. All here for you to keep on usin. Especially on da 7 degree day.. (sheeeesh...) keep dat hu'i hu'i back there too. Laterz..

1-2-08,Harry
Hi. Great site. I have just discovered the ukulele through listening to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. I bought myself a Kanile'a Concert Uke. Seems to be decent quality.. nice sound to my uneducated ear. I do play a bit of guitar. I havnt found any Strummer groups in my neck of the woods Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland yet. Cheers. Harry

1-2-08,Clint
Eh.. Kanile'a maika'i ukulele. Good sounds and pitches I think. Will put you info on da Network Page for Scotland nö ho'i kekahi. Enjoy.

1-1-08,Bliss M.
Hey Clint, The name's Bliss Miopa. I'm 17 and my island just happens to be Colorado. I have some background in classical piano and attempted to play the guitar but to no avail.. so I feel like I have finally found the perfect instrument for entertaining others and myself. It's great to be able to play fun music that everyone loves and can sing or play along with while still feeling like I'm playing a real and beautiful instrument. I've been trying to teach myself ukulele for a few months now and stumbled upon you're website. It's been infinitely helpful to me so thank you so much for creating a place that enables people to enjoy and master such a wonderful instrument.

1-1-08,Clint
Mahalo nui loa for da olelo 'olu'olu. Glad you diggin da ukulele too... yeah..great instrument. Hope you continue to find cool stuffs off my site... Questions lemme kno, yeah? Enjoy cuz.
Inoa 'oe da kine no ho'i Kekahi. Laterz... Bliss.

1-1-08,Tony
Hey there...Just a quickie to say thanks for this great site.. you've worked real hard here. I'm a newbie to uke and your site is a great help and inspiration ... thanks

1-1-08,Clint
Mahalos for notice that dis is hard work... but worth it for emails like you send to me. Glad you dig it. Mahalos for da quickie too... Laterz

12-31-07,Bruddah Hema
Hey Bruddah Strummer, here are a few websites that I use to get lyrics and chords for ukulele music
TropicalStormHawaii.com .. (local style jams) .. and
ultimate-guitar.com .. (AZ Chords)
Pass em on to da uddah folks...Aloha

12-31-07,Clint
A 'ole pilikia cuz. Mahalos for you kokua nui. A hui hou, a Hau'ole Makahiki Hou, hoa aloha!

12-26-07,Javier Vidaurre
Mahalo from Lima, Peru. Hola Clint, Thank you for your efforts on your web page. Very Informative. I like the DIY aspect of your endeavors. My name is Javier Vidaurre. I was born on the Big Island of L.A. but since 1996 I have been living here in Lima, Peru. I have just caught the Luthier bug and want to build my own Uke. I've collected some old... dry and beautifully colored "Caoba" (mahogany wood) and I am currently working up some plans in AutoCAD (I'm an architect).
Later.. Javier

12-26-07,Clint
Mahalos for emailin from all da way down there cuz. When you pau da ukulele send a pic or two. Da kine time for you bruddah. Enjoy da building process. Mahalos for sharin. For all da other bruddas who no habla da olelo Hawaii.. den.. Gracias for la carta del Peru. Cuando terminas la ukulele.. quiero los photos.. si? Cool yeah? Well....I kno what I tryin to say anyways..
Mahalos for signin Javier

12-19-07,Mike P
Aloha, Thanks for the great site. I just got my first uke for my 50th birthday from my wife. It's a Kamaka Pinapple Saprano. Looks and plays great. The intonation is right on and the neck is so straight and it is put together very well. I'm also a former music major and recieved my degree here in Florida. I studied classical guitar under Glenn Blanchard who was a student of Richard Pick and Andres Segovia. Glenn also plays the uke. I'm having a blast with it. I was also a teacher and in Law Enforcement for several years part time then went full time around 1986. I just retired and the uke keeps me busy. Blessings to ya for your kindness of giving with the web page. I hope my donation helps. I've not been in the water to surf for a few years now. My wife and kids (who are adults now) and grandkids got me a new epoxy board so I can carry it to the water when I'm able. I look at it on the wall and it gets me motivated. So does the uke. I have a digital 48 track recording studio at home and hope to do some flute and uke songs. I'll send them to you. I'll be using he Roland GR-20 for the woodwinds sounds and my new uke. I play bass and my son plays drums. I'll also be using the Roland 880 Drum Machine as well for the fills. Any Ideas I should play as far as songs go. I don't now many that are nice for the uke. I welcome any suggestions.

Here is what happened.. I got shot at work and also have a spinal injury from a wreck in a surveillance van and busted up neck from a blow to the back of the head and this uke is so light to hold and it is getting my spirits up and also my dexterity back. Your site helped me so much. I'm recovering now from several back surgeries. I only had 12 months to recover to full duty or you get fired, quit or retire. So I retired. I was only 48 at the time. So your site is helping people in a good way. Thanks for your help as you are very talented. My wife just arrived from a few weeks in Hawaii a while back and loves the culture. She got the uke from the factory and they signed the lable with a "Happy 50th Birthday Mikala" which made it even more special. I have found no flaws what so ever in the instrument. WOW. I love this little thing. I'm just stoked about the uke. I found a baritone uke my parents bought me in 1975. No name and I'm refinishing it when I'm able. It's strange right now learning the chords in the C tuning on the saprano. I'm learning the majoy I IV V progressions and am now adding the relative minor chords and find I can play almost any song that way. I just took my bass stamp I used when I taught classical guitar and bass and use it for my chord diagrams on the uke. Again.. thank you so very much. The average for a cop to live is 53 so I'll have three more super fun years playing this fine Uke and keeping an eye on your page. I welcome any books you would recommend. I also have a complete library of very rare and out of publish classical guitar music you are welcomed to. Just let me know and I'll send you a list. Mahalo.

12-19-07,Clint
Mahalos for checkin ou my site.. and Mahalo Nui Loa for the donation to my site. I really appreciate that. Really. Keepin dis site goin widout pop-ups expensive for me. I wanna keep da site goin.. sometimes I wonder tho. Seems to be addin up ova da years.. den I get a nice person like you throwin cash at da site... very kind of you... I really appreciate you thoughtfulness. Mahalos.

The uke gonna be good for you healing process I think. Singing and hearin cool tunes great for the inner soul and mind. When you jammin remember that there aint nothin you cant play on da uke.. and it all should sound good too. Thing you gotta remember is that you tryin to pull off tunes wid da ukulele. You should never forget da instruments origin. No matta what you playin.. you gotta giv da island feel.. as well as one kine island strum. If you gonna play da uke like a small guitar.. jus play guitar.. caus da uke not gonna pull it off for you. I hear all da time everybody playin wid a boring strumm.. soundin like jus playin some folk tune.. home on da range kinda tune... comon cuz...

I dig jammin instrumental jazz tunes and especially da traditional Hawaiian tunes..more contemporary Hawaiian.. Jawaiian.. whatevers.. but wid da kine strumms and nice island rhythms. Go head and mix it up.. yeah? Island style or go home. Focus on you strum and da feel of da tune you playin. What can you do to Island swing it? Make sure you buyin and listenin to some jammin island playas like da ones on my SONGBOOK pages. Great CDs. You wanna play island style.. you gotta kno what dat sound like. Den... try play some tunes you tink no gonna sound cool. You gona be surprised bruddah. So I recommend you play whatever tunes you wanna play.. jus make sure you tryin new strums and sounds. Make you uke sing... Really sing for you. Da way you gonna do dat is to KNO YOU UKE, CUZ. Only then can da soul of da uke sing through. Deep, yeah? Not really. Island instrument.. Island style cuz. Learn a song.. you play a song. Learn da island style... den you play dat song wid a cool island style bruddah. Every tune gonna sound skankin wid a cool island twist..yeah?

Would love to hear some tunes when you record. I like hearin peoples jams. When you done you can send me a CD and I give you some feedback.. yeah? Always accept cool feedback cause I garantee you wont hear da things everybody else listenin for. Many Mahalos for da kine donation. Jam on and have fun. Keep in touch Mike.
Mele Kalikimaka a Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, Mike

12-12-07,David B.
Great website...Thanks for the info on the ukulele... I've been a musician all my life. Since my forced retirement due to med reasons I'm taking a serious look at my music. 6 guitars ... keyboards ... drums ... bass ... harmonicas ... my newest additions a violin+UKULELE+some world percussion. Add that to my 14x14 rec. studio don't bother knockin come on in. After 33 yrs in florida I'm stuck in the snow in the midwest. Sites like yours keep me afloat. Thanks for sharing. David (49)

12-12-07,Clint
Jam on David. You got enough keep you busy.. yeah? You start jammin da ukulele melt some dat white fluffy sunshine fallin round there. Jus keep it there bruddah. Enjoy da site and Mahalos for signin. Laterz

12-11-07,Kaileia
Name- Kaileia
Age- 18
Let's talk Story... When I graduated my grandfather gave me his Uke which was his fathers and I have been learning how to play the Uke to play him a song for Christmas. My Grandfather is a wonderful person! The Uke that he gave me is a Martin 1918 Style K3 and so it is very valuable to me and the fact that he gave it to me is wonderful and I could of not asked for a more wonderful Kupunakane than my Grandpa. I am Hawaiian and I have always loved the Aloha spirit and everything about Hawaii. I live in Washington State unfortunately ...how I would love to go back to Kauai. My favorite Instrument is definitely my Uke and my voice... what I love about the Islands is the Aloha spirit and when I go there I just feel at peace and I have nothing to worry about in the whole world! The Aloha keeps me going and it reminds me to love others always and enjoy life to its fullest. Mahalo Nui Loa for this wonderful site! ...Aloha - Kaileia #11

12-11-07,Clint
Kaileia.. inoa nani loa. Glad you find my site. I try to send da Manoa through dis ikepili site. I can only hope it come through dat way. And what up wid Wash State? Auwe no! You need go home and enjoy what Kauai owe you. You belong there.. sista. He Aloha wau ia Kauai. Na Pili.. na kauhale..
na hale ku'ai.. na känaka.. everyting.. peaceful and real. Nice 'ölelo about you Kupunakane too.
Ho'omaopopo 'oe ke ohana. No ka 'oi. Mahalos for da 'ölelo. Keep in touch, hoaaloha.
A hui hou no käua.

12-11-07,Judy
I love your web site but I need time to review it all. How can I order your cd learning books. I did not see where to order. On our recent trip to hawaii I purchased my very first ukulele in Hilo at the guitar store. I bought a beautiful concert uke not the best but good for starters. I took some lessons on the cruise ship and fell in love with this thing. I am trying to teach myself but I need some help. please advise me. Thank you. Judy

12-11-07,Clint
Da CDs and book great place to both start.. and continue you studies. Try to play a bit every day. No jus play catch-up on weekends. Everyday. You get out what you put in. Most important.. have fun. No ever think about what you can't do on dis great little instrument... think about what you can do on da instrument. Enjoy.

12-10-07,Dan
Hello. Name is Dan Cooper. Age is 43 tomorrow. I dug out my old Northern ukulele (J. Chalmers Doane) two weeks ago after hearing Iz for the first time ..yes.. true.. for the first time. I hadn't played it since grade school some 30 or so years ago. I had given it to the kids... Well guess what? The folk rock trio I play in is gigging tomorrow night for a private party and the percussionist skipped town.. just a duo so.. I'll actually play the uke on four songs including Over the Rainbow. Playing the uke came back rather quickly.. spontaneously. Of course.. your invaluable resource helped me remember the chords (actually.. learn them since it's been so long) and I really enjoy reading your pages. Thanks. By the way I bought strings from an ebayer in Hawaii and they arrived today. I'll maybe change them but AFTER the concert.. just in case. For 30 year old strings they seem to sound good. Then again they've been idle for maybe 25 of those years. Cheers from icy cold Canada ..20 degrees Fahrenheit and 3 feet of snow.. where Iz ..newly discovered.. is playing nonstop to warm the home.

12-10-07,Clint
Hau'ole la hänau.. cuz. Happy Birthday.
Glad you visit da site on you birthday too. Lots of stuffs here to see and do. Find da wahines yet? Dat'll warm you up in all dat Canada snow. (jus keep you hands where they belong..bruddah). Glad you came back to da 4 string. Jam on Dan...

12-6-07,Barbara D
Hello there! My name is Barbara and I am from Boise, ID. I just bought my first Uke at the age of 28 and I am looking at ways to play. I played briefly in Junior High, which was a ways back. Anyways.. your site is great! There is lots of good info on there. Thanks for keeping it going!

12-6-07,Clint
Cool. Thanks for checkin it out. Hope you keep comin back and lookin around, sistah. Laterz to you.

12-1-07,John K
Clint... I have recently discovered your site and I have to compliment you on the quality of instruction. It reminds me of the Chinese saying about teaching a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Maybe it should be .. Teach a man to strum a uke and he will make music every day of his life... Im using a Martin soprano that was probably made about the time Arthur Godfrey was giving uke lessons on TV. Thanks

12-1-07,Clint
Thanks for the kind words John. There are lots of good stuffs out there on my site.. make sure you take the time to look around.. and find the lost Wahines Pages.. yeah? Laterz

11-17-07,Gina
45 years old
Elementary School Music teacher
Wildomar Ca.
Thanks for the chords. I love sites like this.. ones that share ideas and give helpful hints. I want to learn to play as many string instruments as possible because even the simplest tunes impress my students and that inspires them to continue with music. If you want some fun cross curricular stuff let me know at
mymusicmania07@aol.com
I have bunches of original movement and cross curricular stuff that I can share!
Gina

11-17-07,Clint
Yeah.. bothers me too how everybody wants to sell everythin they THINK they know.. If you really wanna help people learn.. teachem.. you no gonna have to make all da money all the time...yeah? Yopu wanna sell stuffs.. sellem from a store page of sumthin like dat.. but basic knowledge stuffs like chordz and songs to play.. helpful hints and tips.. sheeesh.. comon...
Mahalos for checkin ou my site and for givin you link to me here. I put you site here too cause I gonna show people looksee and maybe hit you up as well. Laterz and enjoy.
Mahalos to you Gina

11-13-07,Dave
Hi there you Happy Strummers..Could you please let me know if there are any books or videos out there that could teach me how to do that superb syncopated right hand rhythym as in the George Formby style. Ive played Guitar for many years .. but a year ago bought my first Ukulele and now I cant put the bloody thing down ..I love it! But I am stumped at the moment by that right hand technique. Hope you can help. Many Thanks.

11-13-07,Clint
I dont kno of any decent videos that can teach you anything.. cuz. And no books gonna teach you more than the idea of da basics.. you wanna learn right hand technique.. listen to Hawaiian music. Listen close and try to imitate. Then.. listen more. When you done.. try to practice what you think you hear.. den.. yep.. listen again.. and repeat.. jus like shampoo bruddah.. listen.. rinse.. repeat.
Practice .. practice.

11-12-07,Susan
I have a baritone ukulele and I am a beginner. Can I use the same fingering as a soprano uke or are there books and music written for the baritone uke only? I enjoyed surfing your site I am looking for Little Brown Jug music that I can play on the baritone and some easy beginning music. Almost even consider getting a soprano uke because it looks smaller and easier to handle for a beginner ..Just trying to see if you would talk me out of that and encourage learning the baritone! Thanks for taking time to read this!
P.S. Going to Hawaii next November and would like to learn ..heard there is a ukulele factory there on Maui that gives tours.

11-12-07,Clint
Very different fingering.. very different.
I gonna tell you sometin you not gonna like.. probably gonna send people away from my site too..sorry peoples.. but dis really is good medicine. You wanna play Baritone.. jus play da guitar instead. You wanna play ukulele.. play soprano.. concert.. or tenor ukulele. Baritone like da ugly sister you keep livin under da stairs. Not worth da effort you ask me. If you dyin to play baritone... you gonna need to get books for da baritone. It in a different key.. so you cant play da same music wid other smaller ukes.. not widdem anyways. You can play alone.. but what fun is dat?
Bottom line from me.. from my heart sistah.. buy da soprano.. and good luck

11-11-07,Bucky
Name? Bucky Maxwell..Island? Las Cruces NM ..I guess you could say its a "desert island"...Way back in the 50s I played guitar. I loved it but never went beyond playing chords and singing melody. It even helped me with the girls. Matter of fact I married one and am still with her 40 something years later. It must have been the guitar. Now Im 65.. my voice croaks and my fingers are stiff. I want to play again but thought I should switch to 4 strings instead of 6 and nylon instead of steel. I just ordered a new Morelli soprano uke. Its made of something called Boga Wood and has F holes instead of a rosette. It appears to be a quality instrument but at just under 100 dollars ... well see. It should be delivered in a couple of days so I started checking the web for Ukulele sites to prepare myself. I went through a bunch before I found yours.. and I have to say.. this is the most helpful.. thorough and user friendly site I found. You have it all. From the absolute basics to the sky is the limit. Ive bookmarked you and expect Ill be back here every day until I run out of talent. Thanks for the opportunity.

11-11-07,Clint
Mahalos for da nice words friend. Glad you find da good stuffs here to use. Hope da uke turn out to be a good one for you. Enjoy da site.. and da journey. Questions.. just ask.

11-8-07,Anne
Good morning Clint! I am very new to playing the ukelele. A good friend makes them out of wooden cigar boxes and has lent one to me. I have done a little shopping for them too and when I am at estate sales and garage sales try to find one... but no luck yet. Enjoy your site and look forward to playing this happy instrument. Took piano lessons as a child and occassionally play at home. Took guitar lessons for a few month before I had my first child (now 27!!) I have 3 grown sons.. husband of 30 years and mother in law who is about to enter a retirement home.. so Im inspired about getting a group of strummers to meet there. Blessings to you from El Paso, Texas

11-8-07,Clint
Dats right.. get dat group started.. way to be lookin ahead sista! Enjoy da site.. lots here to see and do.. good learnin stuffs. If anything I can do.. lemme kno. Enjoy da journey.. and start dat cool jammin group. Laterz!

11-3-07,Richard
Rick Grossheider here. from the island of Tinley Park.. 30 miles south of Chicago. 51 years old. i practice the harmonica.. but like you i want to sing along with my music so i picked up my dads martin uke.. purchased used in 1980 for 50 bucks. thanks for the great info on your site. i will visit again

11-3-07,Clint
No problem Richard.. glad you found it. Jam on and sing loud cuz

10-23-07,Robert
Greetings and many thanks for your lovely uke site. You say that Kawika ukes are the best.. but I've contacted David Hurd who tells me that he is no longer building. Are there any other builders you would recommend to someone like myself who is looking for a top class instrument? Many thanks and best regards..Robert

10-23-07,Clint
No.. not specifically. Kawika was the only maker that.. on a whim.. i would recommend to anyone. There are many other great makers out there and I could list a dozen names for you.. but really what you have to do is play many to see what you like... How they feel.. how they sound to you.. how the action of the strings feel under you fingas.. this just may be the best part of da journey. Start with some damn good intermediates from Lanikai.. G string and KoAloha.. and keep in mind.. they make really good upper ends as well. Enjoy.

10-20-07,Spooner
Hey there, I hope I am doing this right.. lol. Name - Spooner... Where is your big island located? NYC... What's your favorite instrument?... Right now...the Uke. I am primarily a bassist and play guitar and keys. I am a musician of over 20 years!... What do you love about the Islands?... The lifestyle.. the scenery.. the tropical paradise where my soul sings!...What is it about the Aloha that keeps you goin?... Just knowing that it's out there. Having been there and a part of it it worked its way into my heart since before I ever got there. I have found me a home...even if it's an inner feeling for the moment.
Hey bruddah...I LOVE your site!!! I just got back from Hawaii ..Oahu to be exact.. and am missing the place terribly. One of my main goals while there was to bring back a Hawaiian ukulele. While most of the "Hawaiian made" uke's were almost a mortgage payment I did pick up a sweet Kala that was made from a Hawaiian builder...but made in China. Hey..at least I bought it in Hawaii lol. I've been strumming Waikiki ever since I got back! I never heard this song while I was there and listened to the HI radio stations exclusively. I picked up a song book while I was there and found Waikiki when I got back home. it depicts EXACTLY how I feel at this moment. So I got to looking up some uke resources when I got back and found you! You run a very nice site and I'd like to thank you for doing what you do! I run a site myself where i give of myself quite freely. I'm right there with you bro! While I was there I recorded ..which is part of what i do on my site.. the amazing Jake and Bruce Shimabukuro! I will be broadcasting that soon! It was an amazing show and Bruce told me where to get my uke in Waikiki! He couldnt have been more right! The place was great! I got a really sweet deal on my Kala...almost half off of the retail price! A Kamaka would have been nice but I must say..I am LOVING my Kala! I look forward to visiting your site more. I havent gone a day yet since i got back and found you that I havent been on. So Fins Up! Spooner.

10-20-07,Clint
Eh, Spooner.. I must say dis IS da best site you gonna find. Mahalos for you nice words too. People always bashin Oahu.. but I really dig it there.. cool place you kno where to go. People always sayin.. 'naw.. Oahu jus like da city.. too busy.. too many people..' I say no way.. cool place.. people jus lookin wrong places.. yeah? Anyways.. glad you dig you Kala.. I hear alot about da Kala too. Seem to be gettin better from what I hear. Enjoy da site.. and you Kala.. keep dat inner feelin alive cuz.. cause dat where da aloha spirit really thrive. Laterz
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