| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
 Posted - 04/15/2010 : 1:47:43 PM
|
Just throwing this question out there because I might want to be a General Music Teacher in an elementary school.
I know that all General Music teachers and all other types of music teachers need to have at least some basic piano skills in order to teach, which I think I already have. I know that it's also helpful to know how to play guitar chords for accompaniment. However, if I try really hard to play guitar but my fingers don't want to cooperate with me, would my 'ukulele substitute for it? I'm only asking because I've tried playing guitar a few times and it wasn't as easy for me to get used to as 'ukulele was. The frets are much wider, and there are two extra strings, so it was a lot of work for my fingers. I am willing to keep trying, but I just wanted to ask that.
|
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
Edited by - alika207 on 04/15/2010 1:49:29 PM |
|
|
GUke
Lokahi
188 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2010 : 2:40:20 PM
|
Why not. What youʻll be missing are the lows that the guitar has from the extra 2 strings and a larger body. But if you use a low G ukulele you can get a few more low notes. And as you increase the size of the ukulele youʻll have a deeper sound and bit longer sustain. A baritone ukulele if I am correct is strung like a guitar in other words youʻll be fretting chords like you do on a guitar, but again no 2 lower bass strings to deal with. And if you really want to use a guitar then get a parlor size or some other smaller size guitar. And remember, if you bar a guitar at the 5th Fret, youʻve got the neck of an ukulele (with low G). The other advantage of the ukulele is itʻs way less bulkier than a guitar in transporting.
FYI James Hill and his mentor whoʻs name escapes me are using the ukulele as the instrument of choice to instruct the kids in Canada about music in general. You may be able to get the books he uses for instruction checking his website.
I have played some non-Hawaiian tunes (ballad and jazzy type) and it sounds just as good on the ukulele.
Genaro
|
Genaro
Should I? Itʻs only $, and where Iʻm going itʻll burn or melt. |
 |
|
|
rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 04/15/2010 : 5:47:02 PM
|
If you really want to learn guitar, persevere. If it's only for use as a classroom aid, the ukulele is fine and I see no problem at all. Just a thought, but was the guitar you started with properly set up? A poor set up can make a guitar real unfriendly to your hands. I have a few I've been given that I can't play at all, after all the years I've been playing.
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
Edited by - rendesvous1840 on 04/15/2010 5:50:30 PM |
|
|
|
thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2174 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 05:47:47 AM
|
| Playing an instrument is partly building muscle memory. Practice. |
|
|
|
Trev
Lokahi
United Kingdom
265 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 06:18:26 AM
|
I’d like to add support to what SirDuke and Tbumbstruck have said. Yes, the guitar does have a wider neck, and yes it is perhaps a bit more difficult to get used to at first. However, once you do get used to it, it’s with you for life, and I don’t have the words to describe how useful it is to be able to play a little guitar.
So I’d advise you stick with it – it’ll help with your ukulele playing as well.
|
|
|
|
slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 08:30:02 AM
|
| Once again, my father's mantra re music "The more you do it, the better you get". |
keaka |
|
|
|
Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 08:32:17 AM
|
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say... stick with the uke.
Why? Because I have seen some amazing elementary school music programs built around the ukulele. The uke is great because kids can relate to it... so much easier for small hands than the guitar.
I've had a bit of experience here, BTW. I spent many years doing Artist in the Schools programs in Oregon, Washington & Alaska. My gig was to help kids get into music via homemade instruments--in particular a dulcimer you could build for under a dollar. Dulcimers are great because they are melodic, not chordal, so kids can play a tune within minutes.
The downside is you don't see dulcimers on TV. That isn't a joke---kids want to play the pop music they hear...
That's why the uke is great--within a short time a kid can be playing & singing real, familiar music.
Check out James Hill's ukulele in the classroom website. They've been doing this in Canada for years & I've seen this program in action. It is simply the best elementary music education program going. Yes, they learn to read... and sight sing.
I truly wish this had been available when I was a kid.
http://www.ukuleleintheclassroom.com/
And good luck! |
|
|
|
alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2010 : 10:42:08 AM
|
| Mahalo for all your input. By the way, if any of you remember from my discussion a while back, I finally have a low G string which makes me so happy. I like the sound of it way better than the sound of a high G. |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
|
|
|
thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2174 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2010 : 07:08:39 AM
|
| Rod Lopez,Sr, maintains that the low G ukulele is a distinct instrument from the high G ukulele. |
|
|
|
slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2010 : 09:19:43 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by thumbstruck
Rod Lopez,Sr, maintains that the low G ukulele is a distinct instrument from the high G ukulele.
Me, too! There are licks and turnarounds that can't be played with a high G. Easier to play leads as well, and finger pick. |
keaka |
|
|
|
alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 3:31:07 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
quote:
Originally posted by thumbstruck
Rod Lopez,Sr, maintains that the low G ukulele is a distinct instrument from the high G ukulele.
Me, too! There are licks and turnarounds that can't be played with a high G. Easier to play leads as well, and finger pick.
Agreed... |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Accompanying Children in General Music
