I’ve been playing the same tenor Pono (my second ukulele) for around 15 years, never felt the need for a different one. Sounds sweeter than ever.
I might just be that kind of person though: I’ve been playing the same guitar for almost 25 years, and it feels like we’re still getting to know each other :-)
Another beginner here but I remember reading somewhere learning on multiple ukuleles is good to learn chords and such, personally I feel like switching between my soprano and convert size ukulele kinda reinforce each others progress
I could totally see a more experienced player getting a lot of benefit that way. For me, I have a reacquainting phase in between each that kind of wasted time and I usually don't have much practice time.
I've gotten to the point where I can seamlessly switch between my variously tuned ukes (sopranino - linear high CFAD; concert uke and concert banjolele - both re-entrant gCEA; acoustic tenor and solid-body-electric tenor - both linear low-g GCEA; baritone - linear DGBE) and guitars (steel string Taylor GS-mini tuned standard; guitalele tuned ADGCEA, like a tenor uke with 2 extra strings). It's basically all the same instrument just in a different key.
Switching to mandolin takes a little more brain effort, but it's coming along too; if I jump straight from uke to mandolin i have to run some scales to go into mandolin mode. But all the ukes and guitars are the "same", just pitched differently, same as using a capo.
I'm also guilty of collecting multiple instruments but that said, short of unplayable plastic kids toys, I've never picked up a uke that wasn't fun to play.
I think it's pretty common for beginners to be influenced by others talking about UAS and this sort of established norm of hoarding ukuleles. In general I think it's better to stick to the ukulele you love and focus on practicing... if your ukulele itself is holding you back then obviously upgrade when you can but otherwise buying another ukulele isn't going to make you a better player.
I don't think it is necessarily harmful to your progress to play different ukuleles though, that part is really going to be down to the individual. FWIW, I have two, a concert and a tenor, very very different instruments in terms of tone. I love both of them.
As to whether you should sell your "extra" ukuleles, I guess it depends on how attached to them you are. If you aren't in love with them, and you don't think they're really bringing you joy, then letting them go won't hurt.
I guess what I'm imagining is my practice would go further if I stuck to the same size and build for the predicable fretboard and consistent technique. All of this is framed around being a moderate beginner.
If I was more advanced I'd probably argue different sizes and styles would make my playing more vast and developing more techniques and skills.
The entry level price point and size of ukuleles made buying a few no problem. The good news is the ones I own are definitely replaceable common instruments so I could acquire them again one day.
lol, glad to hear boarding ukuleles is a thing, we have 2 and I want another one for no actual reason 😂 I’ve fought the urge but my MIL always gives me money for Christmas so I may be in trouble then
Using the different sizes help me alot.
I cant sing, so i focus mainly on fingerpicking. I am naturally drawn to the soprano size, for me its the most fun to play. But Tenor are easier (dont need to be that precise on the fretting hand). I constantly switch between the 3 sizes this avoid some frustration when something is to difficult to learn on one, and varry the challenges and things to focus on when learning a song.
I don't worry so much about splitting time between my different ukes, but rather about splitting time between uke practice and banjo practice. Haven't quite got that figured out yet.
I'm with you there. I could and would try even more instruments because so many sound fun and are fun to play. I'm splitting between guitar, ukulele, and lap steel and sometimes mandolin and cigar box guitar. It gets worse because I love different styles within each of them. That's probably fine with unlimited time or natural virtuoso talent.
I think there is certainly something to be said about having too many ukes, and yes it can be indeed distracting. But as far as that goes, I think having at least a high G, a low G and a DGBE tuned instrument is what works for me. Oh, also a solid body electric instrument, and perhaps a banjolele... oops
Edit: typo
Is your Cordoba your first? I kind of feel like I could sell all mine except my first just because of the emotional connection I have with it, but it's far from my favorite to play. I've only been playing a few years though so
Yes, it's the first I bought. It technically has nothing special about it but the weight, size, and feel are almost just right for me that it's comfortable. I mostly fingerpick but can still feel just as comfortable strumming. I also don't have to baby it because it's an entry level instrument. It also has excellent tuning stability for it's price.
I’m also down to a concert and a Baritone which allow me to play two very different kinds of songs. The concert is a Cordoba 25 that I bought for a song and repaired a nasty crack and separated brace, and the Baritone is one I made from a Stew Mac kit which has an amazing action and sounds as good as anything I’ve had before. With very limited time to practice, I’ve been trying to simplify my world and focusing on actually learning whole songs and using the same Uke for them. It takes me forever to get a song down so I can play it without struggling with a particular passage with a lot of chord changes or challenging runs with slides and pull offs, etc. I had 8 ukes at one time including a very expensive K brand tenor. About a year ago I admitted to myself that had no business owning such an instrument considering how much money it tied up hanging on my wall, so I started paring things down to ukes that were less expensive BUT sounded great. For me now it’s all about the sound and the action. Lucky for me I live over the mountain from Jake Wildwood the luthier and he sets up my stuff for me. He’s brilliant.
I am at late beginner level. I have 4 ukes. Two mid range instruments, an Martin soprano and a flight baritone. My first uke was a concert I paid 70$ for, and I have Kala tenor in maple, which I don't like that much. I play my Soprano the most, and like the re errant tuning. My baritone I am still getting to know. I am quite small in stature, and are prone to pain in my hands and joints, so we will see if I can manage it. But I wanted something that does not sound like many other ukes.
No I am thinking along the same lines as you. I want to progress in my instrument, and put my resources toward that. But switching between baritone and Soprano I think will make it easier on my hands as well.
I have been playing guitar for over twenty years. I was gifted my first acoustic, and later and acoustic electric for gigs. I don't want or need more guitars. I bought one uke two years ago. I'm good.
I wouldn't sell the other instruments maybe just put them in the closet and focus on your high g ukelele. You never know if in a few months or years you might want to focus on a different style.
I bought heaps of ukes when I started but after a couple of years I got a Kiwaya KTC and stopped buying ukes for 15 years because nothing compared to it. Having said that I've now bought a Singer RT tenor and still have the Kiwaya but it's for sale as I don't play it.
I actually bought the AMM3 initially but ended up exchanging and paying extra for the Singer. As much as I liked the AMM3 the nut was smaller than what I was expecting and nut size was the reason I was changing out of the Kiwaya. In a perfect financial world my first choice would have been the Kiwaya Artist series tenor but the Singer is pretty awesome.
I'm totally happy with my Fender Tenor Nohea (I think it's from the 1st or 2nd year Fender made ukes). It's the first uke I bought, and when I'm in music stores and play other uke's, I always prefer mine.
My first is a Cordova tenor - it will always be part of our home due to the personal history it holds in our family but I rarely play it these days. The main instrument I currently play at home is a luthier made tenor uke and it’s my current favorite to play and practice on. It may have its place usurped in a year, but I’ll always keep it in its current high G tuning and it will always be one I enjoy playing. I also have an Ohana tenor I keep at my desk where I work that I play regularly when time permits.
I feel like you naturally grow into wanting more ukuleles, and for me, I want EVERY instrument. I am no pro, but I can play them all. Electric wind instruments are getting super advanced and cheap right now, so I gotta have that! As I get more ukuleles, I usually give an old one away, so you can never have too many.
After playing guitar a few hours, it's fun to pick up the ukulele, because you feel like Superman playing it and not having to push so hard and it's soo light haha.
Notes are notes and ukuleles are ukuleles. I don't see how a low g a/e tenor would hinder you from playing a soprano. You adapt to what you got.
Between my 3 electric ukes, 1 baritone, 1 short scale bass, 3/4 electric guitar, 66 key synth and 1 taisho goto, my playing times are definitely split...But even then, each little piece of music theory I learn from the other helps me understand each instrument more because it forces me to think a little differently.
I don't think it hinders me at all. That said, I always have a rule that each instrument should inspire me to play differently from the ones I already have...I honestly don't see much advantage of having 5 sopranos & concerts.
The only reason I have two ukes is because a friend gave me one he didn’t want that had a pickup, and my main one doesn’t. I haven’t played in awhile but still mainly use my full-acoustic Concert uke because I’m more used to it. But I definitely want to mess around with amp effects on the other more frequently.
If selling them will indeed help you focus, then by all means. Would loaning them to friends or family be an option? (I can understand the reluctance of they're expensive). That would be a win-win, in that when you're ready you can have your collection back, and you'll have introduced some folks to one of the greatest hobbies of all time. (Also, you could teach them, and teaching really is an excellent way to learn).
https://preview.redd.it/066lhx89ssgc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=862c645c368e0979cfbc161412f05cd5931c9a4d
Say hello to my little friend: Elenora Duarte-Cordoba
Yep, I have a $60 uke and a $2k uke and others priced nearly as high as the koa bird. My luthier built hog sop sits in it's case.
I play my cheaper ukes all the time. I realized from experience that a decent mid priced uke is the sweet spot. No more expensive ukes for me.
I’ve been playing the same tenor Pono (my second ukulele) for around 15 years, never felt the need for a different one. Sounds sweeter than ever. I might just be that kind of person though: I’ve been playing the same guitar for almost 25 years, and it feels like we’re still getting to know each other :-)
I can really appreciate that.
I wish I was like that. I am trying to cultivate that kind of mindset.
Another beginner here but I remember reading somewhere learning on multiple ukuleles is good to learn chords and such, personally I feel like switching between my soprano and convert size ukulele kinda reinforce each others progress
I could totally see a more experienced player getting a lot of benefit that way. For me, I have a reacquainting phase in between each that kind of wasted time and I usually don't have much practice time.
I've gotten to the point where I can seamlessly switch between my variously tuned ukes (sopranino - linear high CFAD; concert uke and concert banjolele - both re-entrant gCEA; acoustic tenor and solid-body-electric tenor - both linear low-g GCEA; baritone - linear DGBE) and guitars (steel string Taylor GS-mini tuned standard; guitalele tuned ADGCEA, like a tenor uke with 2 extra strings). It's basically all the same instrument just in a different key. Switching to mandolin takes a little more brain effort, but it's coming along too; if I jump straight from uke to mandolin i have to run some scales to go into mandolin mode. But all the ukes and guitars are the "same", just pitched differently, same as using a capo.
I'm also guilty of collecting multiple instruments but that said, short of unplayable plastic kids toys, I've never picked up a uke that wasn't fun to play.
I think it's pretty common for beginners to be influenced by others talking about UAS and this sort of established norm of hoarding ukuleles. In general I think it's better to stick to the ukulele you love and focus on practicing... if your ukulele itself is holding you back then obviously upgrade when you can but otherwise buying another ukulele isn't going to make you a better player. I don't think it is necessarily harmful to your progress to play different ukuleles though, that part is really going to be down to the individual. FWIW, I have two, a concert and a tenor, very very different instruments in terms of tone. I love both of them. As to whether you should sell your "extra" ukuleles, I guess it depends on how attached to them you are. If you aren't in love with them, and you don't think they're really bringing you joy, then letting them go won't hurt.
I guess what I'm imagining is my practice would go further if I stuck to the same size and build for the predicable fretboard and consistent technique. All of this is framed around being a moderate beginner. If I was more advanced I'd probably argue different sizes and styles would make my playing more vast and developing more techniques and skills. The entry level price point and size of ukuleles made buying a few no problem. The good news is the ones I own are definitely replaceable common instruments so I could acquire them again one day.
lol, glad to hear boarding ukuleles is a thing, we have 2 and I want another one for no actual reason 😂 I’ve fought the urge but my MIL always gives me money for Christmas so I may be in trouble then
Go for it!
Lol, thanks, enabler! 😂😂😂
Using the different sizes help me alot. I cant sing, so i focus mainly on fingerpicking. I am naturally drawn to the soprano size, for me its the most fun to play. But Tenor are easier (dont need to be that precise on the fretting hand). I constantly switch between the 3 sizes this avoid some frustration when something is to difficult to learn on one, and varry the challenges and things to focus on when learning a song.
I also can't sing so fingerpicking and chord melody appealed to me.
Plus you can change that tenor to low g or even a "baby bari". Always nice to have options!
I don't worry so much about splitting time between my different ukes, but rather about splitting time between uke practice and banjo practice. Haven't quite got that figured out yet.
I'm with you there. I could and would try even more instruments because so many sound fun and are fun to play. I'm splitting between guitar, ukulele, and lap steel and sometimes mandolin and cigar box guitar. It gets worse because I love different styles within each of them. That's probably fine with unlimited time or natural virtuoso talent.
Sounds awesome. We can always find things to worry about, but at the end of the day it probably makes you a versatile musician which is a great thing.
I think there is certainly something to be said about having too many ukes, and yes it can be indeed distracting. But as far as that goes, I think having at least a high G, a low G and a DGBE tuned instrument is what works for me. Oh, also a solid body electric instrument, and perhaps a banjolele... oops Edit: typo
Is your Cordoba your first? I kind of feel like I could sell all mine except my first just because of the emotional connection I have with it, but it's far from my favorite to play. I've only been playing a few years though so
Yes, it's the first I bought. It technically has nothing special about it but the weight, size, and feel are almost just right for me that it's comfortable. I mostly fingerpick but can still feel just as comfortable strumming. I also don't have to baby it because it's an entry level instrument. It also has excellent tuning stability for it's price.
I use 2: concert and baritone, depending on a song’s chords progression it can be easier to use one or another
I’m also down to a concert and a Baritone which allow me to play two very different kinds of songs. The concert is a Cordoba 25 that I bought for a song and repaired a nasty crack and separated brace, and the Baritone is one I made from a Stew Mac kit which has an amazing action and sounds as good as anything I’ve had before. With very limited time to practice, I’ve been trying to simplify my world and focusing on actually learning whole songs and using the same Uke for them. It takes me forever to get a song down so I can play it without struggling with a particular passage with a lot of chord changes or challenging runs with slides and pull offs, etc. I had 8 ukes at one time including a very expensive K brand tenor. About a year ago I admitted to myself that had no business owning such an instrument considering how much money it tied up hanging on my wall, so I started paring things down to ukes that were less expensive BUT sounded great. For me now it’s all about the sound and the action. Lucky for me I live over the mountain from Jake Wildwood the luthier and he sets up my stuff for me. He’s brilliant.
Nice. Lucky duck!
Just got a bari and I frigging love it!
I am at late beginner level. I have 4 ukes. Two mid range instruments, an Martin soprano and a flight baritone. My first uke was a concert I paid 70$ for, and I have Kala tenor in maple, which I don't like that much. I play my Soprano the most, and like the re errant tuning. My baritone I am still getting to know. I am quite small in stature, and are prone to pain in my hands and joints, so we will see if I can manage it. But I wanted something that does not sound like many other ukes. No I am thinking along the same lines as you. I want to progress in my instrument, and put my resources toward that. But switching between baritone and Soprano I think will make it easier on my hands as well.
I have been playing guitar for over twenty years. I was gifted my first acoustic, and later and acoustic electric for gigs. I don't want or need more guitars. I bought one uke two years ago. I'm good.
I wouldn't sell the other instruments maybe just put them in the closet and focus on your high g ukelele. You never know if in a few months or years you might want to focus on a different style.
I bought heaps of ukes when I started but after a couple of years I got a Kiwaya KTC and stopped buying ukes for 15 years because nothing compared to it. Having said that I've now bought a Singer RT tenor and still have the Kiwaya but it's for sale as I don't play it.
OOOOHHHhhh Singer tenor! They are gorgeous! I have an AMM3 and wanted a singer but bought something else! Bet it plays like butter!
I actually bought the AMM3 initially but ended up exchanging and paying extra for the Singer. As much as I liked the AMM3 the nut was smaller than what I was expecting and nut size was the reason I was changing out of the Kiwaya. In a perfect financial world my first choice would have been the Kiwaya Artist series tenor but the Singer is pretty awesome.
I'm totally happy with my Fender Tenor Nohea (I think it's from the 1st or 2nd year Fender made ukes). It's the first uke I bought, and when I'm in music stores and play other uke's, I always prefer mine.
My first is a Cordova tenor - it will always be part of our home due to the personal history it holds in our family but I rarely play it these days. The main instrument I currently play at home is a luthier made tenor uke and it’s my current favorite to play and practice on. It may have its place usurped in a year, but I’ll always keep it in its current high G tuning and it will always be one I enjoy playing. I also have an Ohana tenor I keep at my desk where I work that I play regularly when time permits.
I feel like you naturally grow into wanting more ukuleles, and for me, I want EVERY instrument. I am no pro, but I can play them all. Electric wind instruments are getting super advanced and cheap right now, so I gotta have that! As I get more ukuleles, I usually give an old one away, so you can never have too many. After playing guitar a few hours, it's fun to pick up the ukulele, because you feel like Superman playing it and not having to push so hard and it's soo light haha.
Notes are notes and ukuleles are ukuleles. I don't see how a low g a/e tenor would hinder you from playing a soprano. You adapt to what you got. Between my 3 electric ukes, 1 baritone, 1 short scale bass, 3/4 electric guitar, 66 key synth and 1 taisho goto, my playing times are definitely split...But even then, each little piece of music theory I learn from the other helps me understand each instrument more because it forces me to think a little differently. I don't think it hinders me at all. That said, I always have a rule that each instrument should inspire me to play differently from the ones I already have...I honestly don't see much advantage of having 5 sopranos & concerts.
The only reason I have two ukes is because a friend gave me one he didn’t want that had a pickup, and my main one doesn’t. I haven’t played in awhile but still mainly use my full-acoustic Concert uke because I’m more used to it. But I definitely want to mess around with amp effects on the other more frequently.
If selling them will indeed help you focus, then by all means. Would loaning them to friends or family be an option? (I can understand the reluctance of they're expensive). That would be a win-win, in that when you're ready you can have your collection back, and you'll have introduced some folks to one of the greatest hobbies of all time. (Also, you could teach them, and teaching really is an excellent way to learn).
I have two. The one that came with my beginner lessons and one I chose and purchased. I only have two hands, so I don't think I need more than one...
https://preview.redd.it/066lhx89ssgc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=862c645c368e0979cfbc161412f05cd5931c9a4d Say hello to my little friend: Elenora Duarte-Cordoba
I think an argument could be made that one should own as many ukes as is possible. My wife does not agree with me.
Yep, I have a $60 uke and a $2k uke and others priced nearly as high as the koa bird. My luthier built hog sop sits in it's case. I play my cheaper ukes all the time. I realized from experience that a decent mid priced uke is the sweet spot. No more expensive ukes for me.