Tuition for Absolute Beginners

Well you’ve bought a uke - now what? You’ve never played any kind of instrument before except the kazoo, so where do you start?

Musical Knowledge Well, it does help if you can understand chord names, keys, Major and Minor, Sevenths and so on. Having played another instrument helps, particularly if it is a fretted instrument, for example, guitar chords are almost identical.

However it is not absolutely necessary - you learn as you go on.

Playing Ability This is essential if you are going to be any good. You need Rhythm - like a good dancer, Co-ordination - can you tap your head and circle the tummy at the same time? And you must practice - it is essential to make progress.

The Ukulele Banjo (or Banjo Ukulele)
The Ukulele Banjo was invented by Alvin D. Keech about 1918. He combined two instruments—the Hawaiian Ukulele and the American Banjo. This was done basically to increase the volume of the sweet sounding Ukulele for the large Vaudeville theatres at that time when amplification systems were non-existent.

The fingerboard length was retained but the small guitar shaped body was replaced by a small drum covered with a tightened goat or calfskin vellum and a resonator fitted to amplify the sound. Sound was transmitted from the gut strings through a bridge situated at a specific point on the skin. He christened the new instrument ‘Banjulele’ and patented the name. This instrument was still tuned as a Ukulele and played with the same chord shapes but the new players of the time began to create new styles of playing of their own.

From 1920 onwards, Ukulele Banjos were made in thousands as their popularity increased. Cheap and easy to play, many manufacturers emerged between the 1920’s and the 1930’s such as Gibson, Ludwig, Bacon & Day and Abbott who produced some lovely instruments, many of them still around today and lovingly cherished by their owners.

The Instrument Must be set up correctly to ensure that what you play sounds OK. The Vellum needs to be tight, the bridge is set in the correct position i.e. twice the distance of the twelfth fret from the nut, there are some decent nylon strings fitted, the arm angle and position must be set correctly to give the correct height of strings above the Vellum and the instrument must be in tune.

The Vellum
This is usually white calfskin but there are a few instruments fitted with a plastic head.
The Vellum needs to be very tight so that the bridge sits on it without making any indentations. It is tightened by screwing the nuts on each of the tension rods clockwise a little at a time so pulling the bezel down evenly and gradually. There are 10 tension rods on this instrument and the resonator needs removing to gain access to the nuts. A tube spanner is ideal for this purpose and when tightening, the nuts should be moved no more than half a turn at a time working diagonally around the body following the numbered sequence. With the Vellum at the correct tension the instrument will have a bright crisp sound. Once a Vellum had been tightened sufficiently it will need a little more tension occasionally as it stretches slightly with time.

The Bridge
The bridge is usually half inch high, sometimes ebony tipped, with four notches to accommodate the strings. Its position is critical and is usually positioned twice the distance from the nut to the twelfth fret. This is an arbitrary position and the true point of contact must be determined by playing each string individually at the twelfth fret. The note sounded will be exactly one octave higher than the open string. The position of the bridge can be adjusted accordingly.

Strings
Strings are usually sold in sets of four to suit the Ukulele or the Ukulele Banjo.

They are generally nylon, but occasionally gut strings may be available. There are many different manufacturers and are usually clear but may be coloured or even black. The first and fourth string are the same diameter, the second a little larger and the third having the largest diameter. The string should have the same diameter throughout its length.

Fitting a new set of strings is fairly easy, usually tying a knot or a loop in one end at the tailpiece and stretching it along the neck to the appropriate tuning peg, winding the string three or four times around the peg in the right direction, threading it through the hole in the peg and tensioning each to the required pitch. Once fitted, new strings stretch quite a lot and the instrument will need tuning quite frequently until the strings have ‘settled in’. Any excess string is cut off.

Tuning Pegs
These are generally friction type or may be geared pegs.
These, once tightened, should hold the string in tension. The amount of friction is determined by the tightness of the small screw in the end of the tuning peg. If the string starts to slip the small screw will need tightening. Do not over tighten or damage to the Tuning peg may result.

Resonator and Tension Rods

Fitted on to the back of the instrument, helps to amplify and project the sound forwards. The shoes holding the tension rods can be seen here attached to the body of the instrument. The hook of the tension rod fits in to holes drilled in the bezel. Also see the looped strings attached to the tailpiece.

Playability

Neck Angle and Position

The height of the strings above the playing position is determined by the height of the bridge and the angle of the neck.

The neck should meet the body so that the fingerboard is level with the Vellum, but the neck should be slightly angled down so that the height of the strings is about 3/16 inch (4 mm) above the Vellum at the playing position.

The 1/2 inch (13 mm) bridge should be sanded down to approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) on fine sandpaper, ensuring the feet are level and slightly angled so that the bridge will lean towards the tailpiece. The neck angle can be adjusted by removing the Resonator, slacking the screws holding the neck to the body and inserting a leather or fibre shim between the neck and the body of the instrument to increase the angle.

This is a trial and error method but the correct angle can be achieved with patience.

Tuning the Instrument (My Dog Has Fleas)

The easiest method is by using an electronic Chromatic Tuner. These devices cost about £20 but are well worth it. Simply switch on and tune each string by tightening or slackening the Tuning Peg to the desired level and the Chromatic tuner will indicate exactly the desired pitch of the note.

You could use a Pitch Pipe consisting of four tuning pipes which are blown individually and tuning each string by ear.

Main Keys	Tuning
C & F	GCEA
D & G	ADF#B

Holding the Instrument

Natural - Standing
This is the way most right handed players hold the instrument. The body is supported by the right arm, leaving the wrist flexible enough to strum the strings. The left hand supports the neck between the thumb and the index finger, sliding up and down the neck to finger the chords on the strings.
Left handed players hold the instrument the other way round. They also tune the instrument in the opposite direction. i.e. a mirror image.

Artificial Aids - Standing
Some players find it difficult to support the instrument adequately whilst playing and the instrument begins to slip down eventually stopping them playing and having to get another firm grip. A neck strap attached to the body will prevent the instrument slipping. Another method is by using an arm support attached to the instrument.
These devices are not recommended however, as supporting the instrument with the forearm facilitates the correct strumming action with the right wrist.

Sitting
Some players prefer sitting and with the instrument resting on the right leg. This allows the player much more flexibility, particularly if playing melody style. When sitting, the instrument should be supported as in standing

Chords

Now is the time to start playing. Look at the photographs below.

In order to obtain a clear sound when playing chords, the fingers of the left hand must press the strings firmly, just behind the fret so that the string sits on the fret without being obstructed by the other fingers.