Ukuleles for Everyone!

When I bought my first ukulele, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into… having never played a string instrument, I wasn't sure what to expect. Was it going to be difficult to learn - tricky to play in-tune? How do you "strum", anyway?

Luckily I'd done a lot of looking around, and bought a Lanikai LU-21T Tenor Ukulele. Lanikai makes top-notch ukes, and their LU-21 series start at $89.95 (available in soprano, concert, tenor and baritone) meaning my first foray into ukulele-land wasn't going to break the bank. But the Lanikai tenor is no toy; the machine heads are of surprisingly high quality making it easy to tune (and after a few days, it stayed pretty well in tune all on its own, with minor adjustments) the nato laminate body is easy on the eyes, and the sound is rich, resonant and mellow.

Within minutes I was playing simple songs - within days (and with the addition of a great capo) I could pretty much pick out any song I wanted, while occasionally referring to a chord chart. We also carry some great beginner methods, such as James Hill & Chalmers Doane's You Can Play Ukulele Today! (great for younger learners) and Jumpin' Jim's Tips & Tunes (I'll be covering methods more in my next blog).

In addition to the excellent Lanikai ukuleles, we also carry the complete line of fabulously multi-coloured Diamond Head ukuleles (soprano only) starting at $39.95.
 

Also available in black and white, but seriously?

Sandwiched between the Diamond Head and the Lanikai are the Kohala ukuleles (available in soprano, concert, tenor and baritone, starting at $53.50) which are actually made by Lanikai (though they don't feature the fabulous Nylgut strings which come standard on all Lanikai ukes).

No matter what your budget or colour preference, we've got a uke for you!

A Solid Start

"I don't need anything of high quality, my child is just starting."

It's amazing how often I hear this phrase from customers looking to rent or buy their first string instrument. Unfortunately, there is an increasing amount of inferior quality, mass produced and inexpensive instruments on the market. Though they may seem appealing to beginners, they are mostly unreliable and difficult both to play and maintain.

Starting with a good quality instrument will give your child a solid foundation upon which to start developing their technique and musicality. My advice is to always get the best instrument you can afford, and give yourself or your child a solid start in their musical journey.

How to Take Care of Your Violin

Temperature and Humidity: Dry winter air can cause buzzing or cracks in wooden instruments. To keep this from happening, humidify your home, or put the humidifier in your instrument’s case. Optimum humidity is 30-40%. Never leave your instrument exposed to extreme temperatures!

Cleaning: Clean regularly, wiping excess rosin dust away from the body and strings of your instrument with a dry cloth. If the rosin build-up is stuck to the strings, wipe them with little bit of alcohol.

Bridge: Check your bridge regularly to ensure it is in the correct position. If is leaning forward (especially after changing the strings) or backward and is left in this position, it will eventually warp under string tension.

Strings: Replace your strings regularly (every 6-12 months) to ensure your instrument always plays and sounds up to its full potential. Always change one string at a time and wind the string close to the peg-box on the same side as the peg you are adjusting.

Pegs: Stiff or slipping pegs are a common problem caused by seasonal variations, improperly wound strings, or poor peg fit. Seasonal variations can be compensated for by using peg lubricant, but improperly wound strings or poor string fit should be addressed by your instrument technician.

Your Bow: It is very important to always loosen the hair on your bow after each and every use. Otherwise, a bow left at tension over time is prone to warp and lose camber (the vertical curve of the stick). Don’t forget to rosin your bow regularly and get it rehaired when the hair is loosing traction.