Ukulele... for an adult? Crazy/lame idea or good?

[fuzzpig]

I'm kind of tempted to ask for one for Xmas... my hands are too small for a guitar... there's the added bonus that my DD could learn too presumably? (She's 6 and just starting to read music for recorder)

Any advice? :)

or me.

I feel dangerously encouraged now :o thanks all.

I'm musical anyway (play piano and used to teach it) so that aspect of it should be easy. More the coordination of it (ie needing both hands to make one note) might be trickier but will give it a go!

I'm getting my 4 year old one for Christmas and hoping that he loses all interest in it so that I can play it because I've wanted one for ages.

I got a ukulele three Christmases ago DH thought it was as flash in a pan interest "like the diets you go on " it is so rewarding and such a happy instrument. You can learn a song in a weekend! There was a mumsnet ukulele quiche thread once and I created a song book of easy songs through chordie. For a starter would recommend a Makala and yes Soprano is absolutely right!

Just be warned. My husband started with one cheapish soprano uke - there's now 3 sopranos and a baritone one in the house (in addition to various guitars and basses).

Is the baritone the uke that Jonty plays in the UOGB? I recall from previous MN uke quiches threads that there's a MNer with a big crush on Jonty.

On second thoughts, does Jonty play bass?

I've no idea what Jonty plays. My husband's baritone uke is about the size of a half sized guitar. It's a lovely instrument. Wish I could play.

OK I'm more excited about this now :o

I'm planning to get a little set of wood/metal instruments (triangle, maracas, mini cymbals, guiro etc) for the DCs as well so it could be a musical day... although I'll have to leave them wrapped until later in the day as I don't think the neighbours would appreciate a 6am jam session!

I agree with smellylittleorange that Makala is a really good brand to go for. My guitarist friend teaches ukulele in schools and it's the one he uses for all his pupils (and himself to take to festivals).
I've got one and love messing about learning stuff and my 8 year old DS loves it too.

So I've got my little uke :o it's pretty basic but I love it. Haven't decided whether to wrap it up for Xmas (it was bought with money from my grandma) or get stuck in now!

Now how do I go about learning it? Any particular recommendations for books/websites/YouTube gurus etc would be most welcome. :)

It's a soprano BTW

Or, if you prefer a guitar but the size is an issue, this is a good alternative:

Yamaha Guitalele

Hubby has various full size guitars, but enjoys that this can easily be taken on holidays. The sound quality is lovely too. Just run a search on youtube to watch/listen to some examples.

I have tuned it using a free app, that's a start :o (but have now hidden it in the cupboard as DCs home soon. Hmmph)

This should help you I will get round to posting on that thread again one day! Ukulele mike on YouTube is great!

Marking place!

Thanks smelly, I have marked my place on it!