Question About Ukulele

Hey guys, Just broke down and bought myself a Ukulele. Fender Mino Aka, just used it on my new A.J. track. Just wondering what some of you use?, what size is the best for you?. Mine is a concert size.

Really find playing a new type of instrument has brought on new inspiration. I will probably try something new soon like mandolin or something. Sometimes writing things that would sound boring and overdone on guitar can have new life and feel with new instrument.

Also can anyone suggest a good artist that uses almost exclusively the Ukulele in more of a pop style, kind of like eddie vedder’s new album but better and more legit.

New instruments are indeed very inspiring. When I bought a new piano (that had new sounds build in) I wrote many songs in a row without writers block. I don’t know many artists that use ukelele a lot (I know Jason Mraz does sometimes) but I would like to buy a Banjo. You should check out Mumford and Sons because they use a lot of instruments you don’t see everyday. (nice portfolio btw)

Hey Sophonic,

Congratulations on the ukulele purchase! I also have a concert uke, a Kala acacia (this is what I’ve been using on most of my recent tracks that use ukulele), as well as a Lanikai tenor, which isn’t solid wood but still sounds nice IMO .

I’m strongly considering upgrading to one of the big K brands, probably between Kamaka or KoAloha, and probably another tenor. From a sound perspective, it’s probably not necessary (you can get a great sounding Kala or Pono for much less $$), but my wife is from Hawai’i and we visit often, so I’d love to have one that’s made in the state and has the history, etc.

One thing I’ve found when recording my uke is that I prefer a brighter mic. I normally use an AKG C451B , which sounds horrible on my steel string guitar but makes the ukulele sound nice and airy (if I get the placement right).

Also one other tip, maybe – I’ve noticed that ukulele is often misspelled ukelele, so when I add tags I use both spellings. I don’t have any real evidence that this makes a difference, though .

I don’t know if I can point to anyone in particular who uses the ukulele exclusively in pop based music. A couple of artists I listen to frequently, Mirah and Thao Nguyen, seem to use them now and then but I’ll have to listen again to be sure they’re not just playing high up on the neck of the guitar .

Have fun with the ukulele! They’re great for the happy sound you hear often on AJ, but they can also be used for more sweet mellow tunes or to add background flavor to a guitar driven piece.

Pianojungle said
I don’t know many artists that use ukelele

jhunger said
Also one other tip, maybe – I’ve noticed that ukulele is often misspelled ukelele, so when I add tags I use both spellings. I don’t have any real evidence that this makes a difference, though .

Pianojungle said

Pianojungle said
I don’t know many artists that use ukelele

jhunger said
Also one other tip, maybe – I’ve noticed that ukulele is often misspelled ukelele, so when I add tags I use both spellings. I don’t have any real evidence that this makes a difference, though .

I see what you did there

LOL ! Actually I didn’t even notice it. Full disclosure – one of my best selling songs on another site has the spelling “Ukelele” in the title. I’m a little embarrassed by this but don’t want to change in for fear of affecting sales

Thanks guys. PianoJungle was thinking about Banjo as well. They got those guitar/banjo things but I would probably get the real deal if I was going to get one.

Jhunger thanks for chiming in, I think of you as the acoustic instrument artist here on audiojungle, was hoping for some advice from you. Thanks for the mic tip. It would be nice to have a authentically made Ukulele from one of the islands, probably could find some cool hidden gem if you go there. Ill probably grab a tenor soon, was thinking the fender one since thats only name Im familiar with but will now check into the companies you mentioned.

If you guys care I found a great player on itunes named Jake Shimabukuro, and he is really good, probably going to buy some of his stuff. Not really pop style but really good authentic Ukulele playing. Oh and PianoJungle I have the Mumford album, it is great.

Sophonic said
Thanks guys. PianoJungle was thinking about Banjo as well. They got those guitar/banjo things but I would probably get the real deal if I was going to get one.

Jhunger thanks for chiming in, I think of you as the acoustic instrument artist here on audiojungle, was hoping for some advice from you. Thanks for the mic tip. It would be nice to have a authentically made Ukulele from one of the islands, probably could find some cool hidden gem if you go there. Ill probably grab a tenor soon, was thinking the fender one since thats only name Im familiar with but will now check into the companies you mentioned.

If you guys care I found a great player on itunes named Jake Shimabukuro, and he is really good, probably going to buy some of his stuff. Not really pop style but really good authentic Ukulele playing. Oh and PianoJungle I have the Mumford album, it is great.

I have a Deering banjo, and I’m sad to say I haven’t played it in years. I thought it would be a natural fit because I love to fingerpick on the guitar, but some of the standard fingerpicking rolls on the banjo feel very alien to me (almost backwards from the way I generally pick) and I could never do them very smoothly, or at least didn’t practice to the point where I could do them. But one of these days I’ll pick it back up – I’d love to have that in my toolbox for new tracks.

Yes, Jake Shimabukuro is amazing. I think somebody posted a youtube video of him playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps on the forums a while back – just incredible.

Also, thanks for the compliment! Though it’s only because I never learned to compose on electric or with synths .

Isn’t Eddie Vedders most recent album all ukelele/ukulele?

joesacco said
Isn’t Eddie Vedders most recent album all ukelele/ukulele?

It is, and it’s not bad but was looking for something a little more lively and used along with a band.

Jhunger I would love to hear what you would do with a track with the banjo, you should bust it out. I love Bela Fleck (banjo player), I’m sure you’ve heard of him, if not check him out, top notch stuff.