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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to buy a ukulele

42 replies

WarmSausageTea · 27/01/2021 15:02

I was reading an article on things to do during lockdown, and one of them was, strangely, learn to play the ukulele. I had a look online, and they're not expensive, with many around £30, so now I'm thinking about getting one.

The downside to this is that although I like music, I have a tin ear, and have never been able to play an instrument. Also, I'm not good at using my hands to do two different things at the same time.

But still, I have the time, and it seems a small price to pay for something that I might enjoy, so please, MN jury, help me decide.

YABU - it'll be a complete failure and a waste of money.

YANBU - give it a go. But don't blame us if you can't get the hang of it.

OP posts:
anna114young · 27/01/2021 15:04

Why not!

billyt · 27/01/2021 15:09

But are you allowed to lean on lampposts during the pandemic? Grin

Go for it

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 27/01/2021 15:13

But are you allowed to lean on lampposts during the pandemic?

I'm counting on it. Smile

OP posts:
SparkysMagicPiano · 27/01/2021 15:13

Check out the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on YouTube.

If that doesn't make you want to play then nothing will Grin

gabsdot45 · 27/01/2021 15:15

My daughter is, at this moment having a ukelele lesson over Zoom.
She has a learning disability but she loves the ukelele and its not difficult to learn the basics.

Thelnebriati · 27/01/2021 15:15

Can you play elastic bands strung across a shoebox? Try it first, you might save yourself £30.

AlCalavicci · 27/01/2021 15:16

Go for it

But this does not apply if you are my neighbour , in which case dont you dare ! Grin

LovingBob · 27/01/2021 15:20

We went to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and a lot of the audience had brought their own ukuleles to play, they looked great so I would definitely get one.

itsgettingweird · 27/01/2021 15:24

I have one Grin

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 27/01/2021 16:01

Thanks all, I’m going to give it a go. It feels frivolous, but I think most of need a bit of frivolity these days.

OP posts:
AryaStarkWolf · 27/01/2021 16:03

What's the worst that can happen?, it's not like you're pumping loads of money in to it

ConcreteUnderpants · 27/01/2021 16:05

I have a ukulele! I love it. It’s not all George Formby and Hawaiian music!

Currently learning One by U2!!
Go for it, it’s great fun!

IsadoraQuagmire · 27/01/2021 16:07

I'm a huge George Formby fan, so yes! I don't have one but I do have a banjo.

MoiraNotRuby · 27/01/2021 16:12

I bought one from a charity shop in a fit of optimism. It got dusty. I have much better intentions in my head than happen in real life...

Fluffythefish · 27/01/2021 16:12

I started playing a few days ago! With only 4 basic chords you can play loads of stuff and there are lots of helpful lessons on Youtube. It does need time and patience, especially getting your fingers to bend in new ways and not to be hurt by the strings. Also you need short nails. Its fun though

Mcmole · 27/01/2021 16:14

I taught myself the ukulele. It's not that hard - one of my favourite books for it is Learn to Play Fingerstyle Solos for Ukulele by Mark Kailana Nelson. I found loads of free info online too.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 27/01/2021 16:15

My school started teaching seven year olds the ukulele instead of the recorder, so that gives you a lower bound of it's awfulness. Grin

(How tall is the man second from the left in the ukulele orchestra?!)

Gooseygoosey12345 · 27/01/2021 16:17

Probably one of the easiest string instruments to learn! Why not. I'd probably go up a little in price though if you're going to stick with it. Buying a poor quality instrument might put you off continuing

Original poster
WarmSausageTea · 27/01/2021 16:20

I have much better intentions in my head than happen in real life...

This is me, but why not wins the day, and if it's not a success, I can see it doing the rounds of family and friends before finding its forever home in a charity shop.

OP posts:
CoRhona · 27/01/2021 16:20

Ahhh my 12 year old DD plays, it's really lovely to hear and there's a huge range of tunes available online.

Hers is a really basic one given to her brother one Christmas, he never bothered with it but she picked it up and has taught herself.

Go for it!!

And @moiranotruby, if you'd like to pass yours on... Wink

Dolallytats · 27/01/2021 16:24

Do it!! I bought myself one for Christmas (was going to get the sensible black one, but couldn't stop looking at the purple one, so got that instead!) Just waiting for a bit of quiet in my hectic flat to sit down and either you tube it or look at the book I bought. I'm left handed, has anyone got any suggestions for a good you tube tutorial?

Pieceofpurplesky · 27/01/2021 16:58

I did it last lockdown (1). It's great fun. I am completely tone deaf and rather shit though!

LadyofMisrule · 27/01/2021 17:09

It's great fun, and really easy. Go for it!

AGnu · 27/01/2021 17:25

I'm learning using the Yousician app. It's free for a short lesson each day, which I figure is probably a good way to learn. It's handy because it listens to you play & tells you if you're making a total mess of it! Grin

mewkins · 27/01/2021 17:32

Fender Play does music lessons which you can follow at your own speed and also join an online community. It will be money well spent.