I'm not at that point yet. Still strumming Pink Floyd and Cat stevens songs.
I just downloaded a massive PDF of beatles songs, if you're interested. PM me if you want it.
It's amazing how many resources are on the web for Uke chords and tabs. And how many are illegally distributing them. Only one site I've found that is displaying on screen the songs and notes to play but if you need to print it, a lot of the lyrics are *** out.
Considering how much I dislike singing whilst playing, I think I want to concentrate on getting good enough to play purely instrumental pieces. The Ukulele Underground play alongs for Santana's Europa and Jobim's One Note Samba are stretch goals of mine for the next year or so.
Looking into sheet music for solo instrumental jazz for uke and have been really impressed with the stuff that Lami Jeon has been playing on her YouTube channel. It looks like much of it comes from a ukulele master in Japan named Kiyoshi Kobayashi. I might need to pick up his books.
Ditto
Hmm,
Fret mitre saw and box kit
More affordable than I thought...
I also have a message to the guy to see if he's building/selling. He had a waiting list on his site but had to take it down as it got too full. His last note on it was he was looking for a luthier to help fill orders.
I really could have used one of those on my long trip overseas.
I really could have used one of those on my long trip overseas.
A mitre saw and box kit? I Know! Me too!
seriously, though, I know nothing of this, i don't own a sawing machine of any kind (I have a hand-held jig saw), I don't own a drill press, but damn it! I'm gonna try this!
Getting carried away
Detailed video! This one appears to be only acoustic. not built by the original guy but same style
This one is the electric one with more detail
I have a master woodworker friend of mine that has offered to make that for me if I purchase the materials. He mentioned though that manufacturing a properly adjusted fretboard is a lot tougher than it looks. Anyone who has ever played with a poorly adjusted action knows how truly frustrating it is.
I have a master woodworker friend of mine that has offered to make that for me if I purchase the materials. He mentioned though that manufacturing a properly adjusted fretboard is a lot tougher than it looks. Anyone who has ever played with a poorly adjusted action knows how truly frustrating it is.
Oh nice!
I have never played on a poorly manufactured fret board so I don't know. Perhaps I'll find out when I build one.
Maybe your friend can build 2...just sayin' 
It looks like it wouldn't be much more difficult to make two than it is to make one. I'll talk to him.
It looks like it wouldn't be much more difficult to make two than it is to make one. I'll talk to him.
Somehow I missed your last reply. Ya, keep me posted. I may be interested. I'd need to know how much, of course.
Paleocon wrote:I have a master woodworker friend of mine that has offered to make that for me if I purchase the materials. He mentioned though that manufacturing a properly adjusted fretboard is a lot tougher than it looks. Anyone who has ever played with a poorly adjusted action knows how truly frustrating it is.
Oh nice!
I have never played on a poorly manufactured fret board so I don't know. Perhaps I'll find out when I build one.Maybe your friend can build 2...just sayin' ;)
Creating an accurate fretboard is complicated, but far from impossible. It has to do with measuring the length between the bridge and nut, and setting the frets at a ratio of distance... Says the guy who’s never done it. But I’ve read about it. And a friend of mine who is not a luthier moved a fret on a vintage guitar that he owns. It was a handmade acoustic, and the first fret was out of tune/not quite in the right place.
groan wrote:Paleocon wrote:I have a master woodworker friend of mine that has offered to make that for me if I purchase the materials. He mentioned though that manufacturing a properly adjusted fretboard is a lot tougher than it looks. Anyone who has ever played with a poorly adjusted action knows how truly frustrating it is.
Oh nice!
I have never played on a poorly manufactured fret board so I don't know. Perhaps I'll find out when I build one.Maybe your friend can build 2...just sayin' ;)
Creating an accurate fretboard is complicated, but far from impossible. It has to do with measuring the length between the bridge and nut, and setting the frets at a ratio of distance... Says the guy who’s never done it. But I’ve read about it. And a friend of mine who is not a luthier moved a fret on a vintage guitar that he owns. It was a handmade acoustic, and the first fret was out of tune/not quite in the right place.
The interfret distance is one problem to solve, and straightforward if done with care. The curve of the fretboard (they’re not perfectly flat) and the resulting action under the load of tuned strings is something that takes care and experience to, um, nail.
On a guitar, the neck does bow the tiniest bit, but is that necessary on a uke? I honestly don't know the answer, but I wonder if the neck being so much shorter means that its an issue of setting a slight angle rather than a bow curve. Or is it a matter of adjusting the string height at the nut and bridge to get the desired string to fret board angle? As far as the action goes, if you use a plastic nut and bridge, you can gently sand the bottom of them until they are at your desired height.
Now the gears in my head are turning. I'm going to do some reading on the topic. If I find anything good I'll link it here.
Mostly just tagging this thread, but I got the piano score to NieR Automata the other day (and posted it in that game thread). It's not nearly as interesting as the NieR: Piano Collections book, but some of the pieces are pretty cool to chunk out on piano (Mourning in particular).
Those travel ukes are neat!
On a guitar, the neck does bow the tiniest bit, but is that necessary on a uke? I honestly don't know the answer, but I wonder if the neck being so much shorter means that its an issue of setting a slight angle rather than a bow curve. Or is it a matter of adjusting the string height at the nut and bridge to get the desired string to fret board angle? As far as the action goes, if you use a plastic nut and bridge, you can gently sand the bottom of them until they are at your desired height.
Now the gears in my head are turning. I'm going to do some reading on the topic. If I find anything good I'll link it here.
I don’t know for sure. I would bet that you still (ideally) want a slight curve, rather than a flat board at an angle. You have a great point about the scale length and the curve might be subtle enough to be accomplished by simply dressing the frets.
You’ve got me kind of curious about ukeluthiery now!
I played bass on a song that my daughter was singing in a talent show. I must have done ok. The next day, the guy who played piano with us asked me if I would like to replace the bass player of his band, who is moving out of state in a few weeks. I said “yes”.
It really felt good to be asked like that.
Mostly commenting to tag myself in the thread after Rawk's suggestion.
Um, so I'm getting guitar lessons for the first time! I'm really nervous, but also incredibly excited. I'm sorta handy around guitars, but I don't feel like I can call myself much of a musician. That's all gonna change soon (hopefully!).
I'm not sure what to expect, and I'm not even sure how to tell if my teacher is any good, but I'm thrilled.
Are there any other guitarists interested in the heavier styles? I'm a big fan of heavy, fuzzy, stoner/doom rock/metal. Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Sleep etc. Figure I'd just learn a bunch of blues and go from there!
Hopefully your teacher will have some knowledge of hard and heavy rock. I would suggest bringing a song that you want to learn. Whether it’s the chord progression, main riff or groove, or the solo, you will be giving your teacher a solid starting point for coaching you. If you’re truly interested in theory, ask him/her to explain what you’ve learned in technical terms.
In my experience with guitar teachers, I’ve had a few that tried to convince me that theory was boring and irrelevant. I didn’t stay with them for more than a couple of lessons. Then I found Jon Sosin. Not only is he a gifted teacher, but he taught me everything I wanted to learn and then some.
Theory can be really dry at first. That’s why I suggest learning a song and then learning the theory behind it.
Something that I would do with Jon, was to bring a song that I loved, that had something cool and different about it. Even if it was just one chord, or a quirky key change, or even something slightly intangible. I would sometimes play a recording for him and be like, “That part! Right there! What are they doing? Why is that part of the song so cool and interesting?” And Jon would always be able to explain it to me.
Also, I would be happy to answer any technical or theory related questions that you might have.
Sorry for the long post. And good luck, to you.
Good luck with the lessons, Unicycle! 
I haven't taken any for guitar myself but I was inspired to pick it up again last night. Only got to noodle around on chords a bit before I had to put it back down - time off is not a friend to finger strength or callouses. I shudder to think of what my embouchure will be like when I next pick up one of my wind instruments.
I'm not sure what to expect, and I'm not even sure how to tell if my teacher is any good, but I'm thrilled.
For me one big sign of a good teacher is one who can take a song and break it down / figure out the notes with you. A sign of a less skilled instructor would be showing you a youtube video and telling you to go use that to figure out the song.
Something that I would do with Jon, was to bring a song that I loved, that had something cool and different about it. Even if it was just one chord, or a quirky key change, or even something slightly intangible. I would sometimes play a recording for him and be like, “That part! Right there! What are they doing? Why is that part of the song so cool and interesting?” And Jon would always be able to explain it to me.
This is fantastic advice. Asking "Why did they go to that note/chord there?" or "What chord is this song in and what makes you say that?" are good ways to start discussing theory.
Well I'll check in and say hi, I'm a cellist.
Been playing on and off for a few years, but alas due to work and Mini-Alyosius I don't pick it up very often. Still very much a beginner, I was taking lessons before the little one was born, but alas that really isn't an option now.
When work calms down a bit I might have a look over YouTube and see if there is someone who provides something akin to cello lessons.
Little different from the other instruments posted I know, but hey.
Well I'll check in and say hi, I'm a cellist.
Been playing on and off for a few years, but alas due to work and Mini-Alyosius I don't pick it up very often. Still very much a beginner, I was taking lessons before the little one was born, but alas that really isn't an option now.
When work calms down a bit I might have a look over YouTube and see if there is someone who provides something akin to cello lessons.
Little different from the other instruments posted I know, but hey.
Not too much different. I've recently switched from guitar to electric bass as my main instrument, so we have a lot in common. Four strings. Lower registers. It's just that you use a bow, and I have frets on my fingerboard.
And I'm sure that you can find some good cello instruction on the ol' YouTubes.
Hopefully your teacher will have some knowledge of hard and heavy rock. I would suggest bringing a song that you want to learn. Whether it’s the chord progression, main riff or groove, or the solo, you will be giving your teacher a solid starting point for coaching you. If you’re truly interested in theory, ask him/her to explain what you’ve learned in technical terms.
In my experience with guitar teachers, I’ve had a few that tried to convince me that theory was boring and irrelevant. I didn’t stay with them for more than a couple of lessons. Then I found Jon Sosin. Not only is he a gifted teacher, but he taught me everything I wanted to learn and then some.
Theory can be really dry at first. That’s why I suggest learning a song and then learning the theory behind it.
Something that I would do with Jon, was to bring a song that I loved, that had something cool and different about it. Even if it was just one chord, or a quirky key change, or even something slightly intangible. I would sometimes play a recording for him and be like, “That part! Right there! What are they doing? Why is that part of the song so cool and interesting?” And Jon would always be able to explain it to me.
Also, I would be happy to answer any technical or theory related questions that you might have.
Sorry for the long post. And good luck, to you.
I had complete disdain for heavy metal when i was young. I dug blues and hard rock but bulk of my listening back then was the punk and alternative options of the time. Then i had my first set of guitar lessons. After a few lessons and discussions on what my music tastes were like he had me listen to some tunes he would play on the guitar. I was instantly hooked and wanted to know who he was playing and could he teach me. He had done classical renditions of Metallica's One and Justice for All. From that point forward i was hooked. After almost a year of lessons i moved away and wasn't till 20+ years later that i picked up a guitar again, but it taught me to not be so snobbish about music. There's still handful of stuff i don't enjoy but i give everything a fair shake now.
Good luck with the lessons
Learning guitar has definitely given me an appreciation for music that I used to be pretty snobby about. "I want Candy" by Bow-Wow-Wow has a surprisingly interesting guitar part, Many of Michael Jackson's songs have pretty cool guitar pieces, funk in general. For example "Maggot Brain" by Parliament. This is nothing I would ever think to listen to, but my instructor had me improvise to it which was super fun and oddly satisfying
Not too much different. I've recently switched from guitar to electric bass as my main instrument, so we have a lot in common. Four strings. Lower registers. It's just that you use a bow, and I have frets on my fingerboard.
And I'm sure that you can find some good cello instruction on the ol' YouTubes.
I played acoustic guitar as a kid/teenager and when I picked up the cello I expected to have so much trouble finding the right spots for my fingers without frets. I was however pleasantly surprised after a couple of weeks of lessons/practice I realised I didn't miss them at all.
As long as my fingers started in the correct spot I could (almost) reliably hit my notes, and more importantly after a little while longer you begin to be able to hear your in the wrong spot and fix it during the note.
My first guitar lesson went pretty well! We barely played any guitar, but mostly chatted about my goals and experiences. My teacher is a few years younger than me (at a guess 24 years old), but that's nice since we seem to get along well because of it.
He plays in a thrash/glam metal band, and is familiar with most of the more "extreme" sides of metal which is great for me!
So I left with 2 scales to learn, which I've already memorised back-to-front. I've also been told to come back with a few song I want to learn so he can roughly gauge my ability. I'm thinking of learning some stuff from Kill 'em All because 1)it's a fantastic album, and 2)it seems like a great foundation that we'd both be familiar with.
The only negative I have about the whole experience is that they function on a term system. I was lucky to get 2 lessons in, but after next week, they'll be on holiday for 6 weeks! Argh! I'm really tempted to double up on lessons during that time. There's a classical guitarist nearby I wanted to see. I'm just weighing up whether it's viable to see 2 tutors for different styles! 
Haha. When I first started up lessons with Jon, I was 40 and he was 23. Before we talked about anything related to music, I asked him, "Is it weird for you to be giving lessons to a guy who is twice your age?" He said, "No. Is it weird for you to be taking lessons from a guy who is half your age?" I said, "Not at all." And that was that.
The age difference was barely noticeable unless we talked about personal stuff.
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