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SMILER
Aloha
8 Posts |
 Posted - 01/03/2008 : 08:58:31 AM
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Hi, I live in Carlow, about 60 miles from Dublin in Ireland. I'm new to playing ukulele (or any other instrument!) but have spent most of my life working in making music television programmes. I am loving the uke but am frustrated at my progress so far. I feel I need to interact with experienced players to progress. I do have a couple of DVDs (Little Rev and Jim Beloff) and find them useful but I am one of those slow learners who needs to be able to watch and work with others to really learn and make progress. I will persist and as there does not seem to be any uke teachers in Ireland (although there are a number of well known musicians here who do play) I am considering going over to some of the well established uke clubs in the UK about once a month.
Anyway, thats where I am with learning at the moment. I gave myself the present of a Koaloha Concert for Christmas and I also have a Stuart Longridge (UK Luthier) Soprano.
Looking forward to learning more in 2008.
Tony
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 10:00:23 AM
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Hi Tony -
Welcome to the wonderful world of live music. Whether it's a uke, or guitar, or whistle, music is always better when you play it--- even if you can't yet! No worries, you'll get there.
One of the hardest things for adults is to give yourself the time it takes to learn. We all want to do it NOW-- but you have to retrain your muscles to move in a new way. That takes time. We all forget how long it took us to learn to walk.
If you want to learn Hawaiian style, check out Keoki Kahumoku's Ukulele DVD from Bruce Lamb (I'm sure there's a link on this site somewhere.) There's a ton of stuff on YouTube, some good, some not so.
Good luck!
Cheers,
Mark
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NANI
Lokahi
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 11:15:01 AM
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Aloha from another beginner. I totallly understand what you mean it is so much easier when you have a real live person there explaining it and helping you. That said I Agree with Mark in that DVD's are really helpful. I use you tube but find most of them not basic enough or slow enough (ie to frustrating) for me. There are some great beginner groups on Yahoo with lots of help for us new older players. But the real fun has been to find a song that I know how to sing and just play the heck out of it ( when no one else is in the house).
Welcome and have fun. I have a KoAloha Tenor and love it too.:-)
Aloha,
Nancy |
"A hui hou kakou, malama pono".
Nancy |
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NANI
Lokahi
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 11:30:18 AM
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Mark you made me curious and since I am a BIG fan of Keoki but had not know that he had a teaching DVD out there I did some google searching and this is what I found and am now waiting for my copy of my DVD to get ther. can not wait to find out if Keoki stops talking story and telling jokes long enough to teach much no matter which I will be happy with either.
https://pro28.abac.com/aguitarlesson/artists/keoki_kahumoku/keoki_kahumoku_ukulele.htm |
"A hui hou kakou, malama pono".
Nancy |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 11:49:17 AM
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For me, Keoki is the absolute best teacher. His DVDs are excellent. He is an amazing individual, very intelligent, dedicated to sharing music and way of life, assuring the young island folks are able to learn to embrace their heritage and have the opportunity for strong futures, and he opens and encourages the challenge to all of us to perpetuate the music and way of life.
Enjoy,
nancy |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2008 : 5:42:52 PM
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It was either the second or third Aloha Music Camp on the Big Island, where Keoki teamed up with Herb Ohta Jr. to teach ukulele. It was a scream! The fun went on non-stop, I feel like I should have paid extra for the lessons AND the fun!
I think Keoki has refined a teaching style that does well with adults who are all thumbs. If you can get a hold of his DVD it would serve you well, Tony.
Welcome to the Patch!
Aloha, Julie |
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SMILER
Aloha
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 04:35:03 AM
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Thank you Mark, Nani,Pua Kai, and Julie for your welcome and words of advice and encouragement. I will certainly check out Keoki's DVD and get myself a copy. I welcome all advice!
Tony |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 05:42:21 AM
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I got the Keoki DVD when I bought my `ukulele. He is slow and simple enough for a slow student like me. And he doesn't even yell when I goof up. I highly recommend his teaching DVDs. Also do not forget Herb Jr.'s books.
Bring a bit of Hawai`i to Ireland, Tony. But as well, the `ukulele can fit many of those Irish songs. Just add bodrhan. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 06:51:22 AM
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Hello there Smiler!
I live over in Sheffield. I thing over here ukulele teachers are pretty few and far between. However, here are a couple of tips. Find a feller who plays guitar - the 'shapes' for chords & scales are pretty much similar on both instruments, and it's a lot easier for a guitarist to pick up a ukulele than for anyone else. A guitarist would be a big help.
If you're going to go to the UK, you could do a lot worse than check out the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. They do occasional workshops in London, both for beginner and intermediate. They're lovely people, they're really patient and they give you loads of stuff to go home and work on. I play a bit of mandolin and guitar so dropped into the 'intermediate' class. I had never been in a room with 20 odd people playing the ukulele before. It was a fantastic experience, and I've done it twice now. I would have done it three times, but our car got nicked (long story). Anyway, it's lovely to hear from you, and best of luck with the uke, now! |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2008 : 10:50:19 AM
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Oh yes. "20 odd people" sorta describes what happens at the UOGB :-)
...Reid |
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alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2008 : 5:30:14 PM
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| Aloha and welcome to TP! |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
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SMILER
Aloha
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 1:58:13 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
I got the Keoki DVD when I bought my `ukulele. He is slow and simple enough for a slow student like me. And he doesn't even yell when I goof up. I highly recommend his teaching DVDs. Also do not forget Herb Jr.'s books.
Bring a bit of Hawai`i to Ireland, Tony. But as well, the `ukulele can fit many of those Irish songs. Just add bodrhan.
Thanks wcerto,
Have now ordered the Keoki DVD and I have got Herb Jr's book and your are right, I am finding it really helpful. Actually, I do play the bodhran!
Thanks,
Tony |
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SMILER
Aloha
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 2:01:18 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Trev
Hello there Smiler!
I live over in Sheffield. I thing over here ukulele teachers are pretty few and far between. However, here are a couple of tips. Find a feller who plays guitar - the 'shapes' for chords & scales are pretty much similar on both instruments, and it's a lot easier for a guitarist to pick up a ukulele than for anyone else. A guitarist would be a big help.
If you're going to go to the UK, you could do a lot worse than check out the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. They do occasional workshops in London, both for beginner and intermediate. They're lovely people, they're really patient and they give you loads of stuff to go home and work on. I play a bit of mandolin and guitar so dropped into the 'intermediate' class. I had never been in a room with 20 odd people playing the ukulele before. It was a fantastic experience, and I've done it twice now. I would have done it three times, but our car got nicked (long story). Anyway, it's lovely to hear from you, and best of luck with the uke, now!
Hi Trev,
I will certainly check out the next workshop by the UOGB. it sounds like a really good experience. (Sorry to hear about your car!) Thanks for your encouragement.
Tony |
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SMILER
Aloha
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 2:02:38 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by hawaiianmusicfan138
Aloha and welcome to TP!
Thanks for the welcome.
Tony
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kmedeiros
Aloha
14 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2008 : 5:42:25 PM
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| Mark#699;s book is great too! "Fingerstyle Solo#699;s For the Ukulele" It really helped me when I was trying to learn. It has a bunch of great songs! |
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Basil Henriques
Lokahi
United Kingdom
225 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2008 : 3:33:39 PM
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| Hi Smiler, Ever hear of Basil Hendricks from Moate, steel Guitarist with TR Dallas/Philomena Begley/Foster & Allen ? |
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