How to Choose Your First Ukulele - Tips for Beginners
Posted by Austin Bazaar on 9th Nov 2015
We recently had the pleasure of meeting up with local music educator Kevin Carroll to shoot some videos for our Ukulele Buying Guide, and in the process he gave us some great tips for beginner ukulele players. Read on for some tips to keep in mind when choosing your first ukulele.
1. What do you think is a good age to start playing the ukulele?
That is always a complex question. Many Hawaiians start as young as 3 or 4. It is a part of their cultural heritage and has produced countless players of great skill and artistry. I started at age 47. It's never too late and "now" is always the best time to start. As a teacher, I like to get a feel for the student's personality and developmental level and go from there. I have taught as young as 5 and as old as 94.
2. What is the best size of ukulele for the beginner player?
Finding the right size of ukulele is like finding the right car. There are many sizes - soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Each instrument has a unique voice and the various sizes offer learners a way to find one that suits their body type, hand size and sonic preferences. I know this might sound kind of like a 'zen' approach, but, I think that the instrument can choose the buyer in a sense. Tapping into our deeper intuition when purchasing instruments is a good place to start. That said, for very small children, soprano is a good bet. I tend to pair concert ukuleles with elementary through middle school students and tenor ukuleles with larger adults.
3. Any recommendations for parents buying ukuleles for their kids?
I like the idea of beginning with a spartan, basic model ukulele like the Kala KA-S soprano ukulele. It is affordable, tough and has a good tone and playability for a beginner. As player's skills develop, they might be able to upgrade to an instrument with a solid wood top. Because most ukuleles are not out of the range of affordability, students can grow and upgrade every 12-18 months.
4. Which ukuleles models would you recommend for beginner players in general?
I really like the Kala KA-S, KA-C, KA-T, or KA-B for an entry level purchase.
5. What is your favorite Kala ukulele model?
I'm a fan of their Marcy Marxer model, which is no longer in production. Their 2KOA solid koa tenor is a beautiful instrument. I am also a huge fan of their game-changing U-bass ukulele. It is the size of a baritone uke with the sound of an upright bass. Truly remarkable!
6. What are your favorite things about the ukulele versus other stringed instruments?
There are many facets to the ukulele versus other stringed instruments. First of all it is smaller, lighter and easier to carry around. This means more possible opportunities to play music! That is always a good thing. I love how the instrument resonates over my heart and the vibrations have definitely brought me more peace and joy than any other instrument I have played. Another aspect of the uke is the people who play it. I have made friends all over the world through ukulele. There is a very generous spirit associated with the instrument. One last thing have noticed is that as a performer audiences have no idea what to expect from a ukulele player. This makes it super fun to put your own personal spin on how you express music on the ukulele.
7. Any additional advice you'd like to give beginner ukulele players?
There are a few things I like to impart to beginning students. First, try to practice patience as you play and learn. There are so many things to learn and there is no hurry. Steady practice of 10-15 minutes a day will gradually build your skills. Finding a dedicated teacher who can guide your journey is another very helpful asset in learning ukulele. Lastly, remember to have fun! Smile or laugh anytime you make a mistake and you will learn faster.
