Started beginning course with you 8 years ago Brett,, you are still making rock solid videos, you talk so much sense love the way you teach making building blocks in the brain and fitting it all together to make it work, YOU are the best teacher on youtube mate thank you Grantb Sussex UK
What an inspiring video! Brett's tips are great for an experienced beginning ukelele player. I know from experience that every idea and technique in this video is true -- especially the practice.
My em chord, i use my pinky. So its easy to switch from G to Em. I also do the pinky G learnt that from Uncle Rod Bootcamp practice sheet cause of the G7 to G chord
All Three right on target! I always love watching your videos on tips like these because I sometimes question my teaching techniques and wonder if I give them too many options because I am trying to accommodate 8yr old hands and 88 year old hands in my library ukulele programs. So thanks for the great tips and the boost in knowing what I am doing is good for my students!
Thank you Brett. Just listening and following along to three of your beginner videos has helped me tremendously. The finger placement for the G chord has always given me challenges. Your tip on making it a bar chord helped me incredibly. I am excited to learn more from you and I am making practice a daily routine. I appreciate you and your videos. The Lord bless you, Deb Maricich
I'm so glad to hear that helped, Deb! Definitely don't be afraid to try different positions with chords to make them easier to play. I look forward to sharing more with you! Thanks for the comment.
Hi Brett, I have been playing ukulele for about 6 years and really enjoy it. I play every Friday at a local folk club and enjoy this also. My problem is that I am not improving as a player! I have signed up to various courses, including ukulele tricks, but always lose my way. I get bored with repetition and always want to learn a new song for my Friday nights. How can I discipline myself to concentrate on improvement? Any tips greatly appreciated. Gary
AWESOME question, Gary. This probably deserves a whole video. For me, I've never found that "disciplining myself" works… just being honest. I don't think I have more discipline than other people here. In fact, I probably have less in certain aspects of my life! What I do have though when it comes to concentrating on improvement in music is that I've found a way for me to LOVE the process of improvement. So when I sit down with my instrument to practice I like to go into with as much CURIOSITY as possible. Because if I'm curious, then, I start asking questions as I practice, especially when I run into roadblocks, like, "What if I tried it like this?" or "When I do X instead of Y, how do I get a different sound from my instrument?" Before I know it, I've just spent a half hour "practicing" new things but losing track of the time. There's a lot more that could be said here… of course there is a place for rigor and focus in practice, but I would start not with heavy-handed discipline towards yourself, but rather, next time you sit down with your instrument consciously embrace an attitude of curiosity and see if you can create something on your instrument that is new and interesting to you. If you're able to find that zone, I've found the focus and desire to dedicate rigor to a certain exercise or difficult song comes easier.
Hey Brett, have you tried any of the plastic/carbon fiber ukuleles on the market? I'm thinking of getting something I can take on day trips or on vacation, but I don't really know if any of them will have a pleasant sound. I've heard good things about the Enya carbon fiber ukuleles, but the cheap price is a bit worrisome. I purchased a similarly priced Kala Waterman a while ago, but I didn't like the sound so I returned it.
I have played some! The sound is not going to be as pleasing as a natural wood instrument, but for the utility, the sound is still quite good. It gets the job done! I might not record it in the studio but I would definitely take it with me for the next campfire with friends.
Crazy chance we could get a tutorial on Alison Krauss - "Ghost In This House"? I absolutely LOVE this song but it's not just simple strumming and most of us will need help - I for sure will!! LOL! I think you would really like it though... it's a good one!
hi Brett...wowie very latest look like this tips is for me...ok to work frett hand when arthritis is not there...but i learn to work it out..."tru your advices thank you '🙏
Is there such thing as a song count of 5? For example "father and son\cat Stevens and Weather any storm\Cody Francis? Would love to know if it make sense? because I can't seems to get it right with those to when I try 3 or 4 counts...
There is! It's rather uncommon in popular music but there are certain songs counted in five. For example, the "Mission Impossible" movie theme song is counted in five. Songs like this exist, but for popular songs on the radio, most of the time counting in 4 or 3 will do the trick! Keep trying it out and you'll get better at this.
I hate double commenting but I gotta add that I love your tips at the end of this! Awesome video. Very insightful and informative. 25 years of ukulele! Woah man! Keep sharing the music!
@@UkuleleTricks Lol. I know it helps the algorithm. I just hate being that person. Unfortunately it's either 1 giant comment from me or a thousand mini comments because I can be like "Woah that's cool" and immediately be like "I get that man this one time...." Ukulele definitely has been a gift! I got started after being in a depressed place and realizing I hadn't had any instruments to play with for over a year. What's the first one I found when I typed in "cheap instruments to get started with?" I'm glad google started with uke instead of a tin whistle, though!
Hi Brett! I LOVE YOUR VIDEO! I just wonder if it would be easier for beginners like me to see the video from the players perspective (upside down, basically, rather than from a viewer's perspective where I have to flip everything upside down in my head. Just curious if you ever videoded upside down as a test? Cheers! and Thanks!
I'm glad you liked this one, Joe! I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm experimenting with camera angles. I think it could be tricky to shoot over my shoulder enough so you could see the fretboard, but I will think...
Thank you for this feedback! I experimented with the background music in this video. I was afraid it could be distracting but I wanted to try. I'll make some adjustments for future videos!
The two that bug me are the "it's easy" myth and the "soprano is the beginner uke" myth. For both I compare the uke to a violin. A violin has just has 4 strings and is smaller than a ukulele, anyone want to call the violin easy? How about telling a violin student they should have just started on the viola or the cello because everyone moves to the larger instrument anyway? Seems silly, huh?
That's a great point, Paul! I'm with you... I love the sound of a soprano but it's the hardest kind of ukulele for me to play with my large hands and fingers. I think if your biggest barrier to start is budget, then, yes, a soprano will be the cheapest (generally), so it makes a good starting point, but just spend the extra $20 for a concert or tenor if you ask me! And you're right... by that 4-string logic, violin would be easy, but from experience I can tell you I wish to never try to play violin again! Haha
Wise words, Brett I love the way you teach, taking the time to get to the heart of things.
Glad this could resonate with you, Lishavi! Thanks for watching.
Started beginning course with you 8 years ago Brett,, you are still making rock solid videos, you talk so much sense love the way you teach making building blocks in the brain and fitting it all together to make it work, YOU are the best teacher on youtube mate thank you Grantb Sussex UK
Wow thank you, Grant!!
You are a rly pleasant teacher, i consider taking your course to become a master :D, i took back my old ukulele during exam sessions to relax
You talk so softly and clears everything in detail, so humble of you 😍
Thank you for watching!
What an inspiring video! Brett's tips are great for an experienced beginning ukelele player. I know from experience that every idea and technique in this video is true -- especially the practice.
Thanks for your comment, Mary Beth!
I had never thought of barring the G for a G -> Em. I usually just drop my pinky. I do bar sometimes when playing G -> Gmaj7. Thanks for this tip!!
Glad to spark some new ideas! I will also use the pinky. Both are good options, just depends!
My em chord, i use my pinky. So its easy to switch from G to Em. I also do the pinky G learnt that from Uncle Rod Bootcamp practice sheet cause of the G7 to G chord
Thank you Brett for this video. I found all three tips helpful.
Thanks for watching!
I took your free course years ago when I was starting to learn. Thank you for continuing to share videos like this, you're amazing!
That’s awesome! I’m really glad I could help! Thanks for your comment 🙏🏼
All Three right on target! I always love watching your videos on tips like these because I sometimes question my teaching techniques and wonder if I give them too many options because I am trying to accommodate 8yr old hands and 88 year old hands in my library ukulele programs. So thanks for the great tips and the boost in knowing what I am doing is good for my students!
I love to hear about the work you're doing, Deborah! That combo would be a challenging class to teach. Thanks for your comment!!
This was really helpful! Thanks
Thanks for watching, Neha! Glad it helped.
Thank you Brett. Just listening and following along to three of your beginner videos has helped me tremendously. The finger placement for the G chord has always given me challenges. Your tip on making it a bar chord helped me incredibly. I am excited to learn more from you and I am making practice a daily routine.
I appreciate you and your videos.
The Lord bless you,
Deb Maricich
I'm so glad to hear that helped, Deb! Definitely don't be afraid to try different positions with chords to make them easier to play. I look forward to sharing more with you! Thanks for the comment.
Hi Brett,
I have been playing ukulele for about 6 years and really enjoy it. I play every Friday at a local folk club and enjoy this also. My problem is that I am not improving as a player! I have signed up to various courses, including ukulele tricks, but always lose my way. I get bored with repetition and always want to learn a new song for my Friday nights. How can I discipline myself to concentrate on improvement? Any tips greatly appreciated.
Gary
AWESOME question, Gary. This probably deserves a whole video. For me, I've never found that "disciplining myself" works… just being honest. I don't think I have more discipline than other people here. In fact, I probably have less in certain aspects of my life! What I do have though when it comes to concentrating on improvement in music is that I've found a way for me to LOVE the process of improvement. So when I sit down with my instrument to practice I like to go into with as much CURIOSITY as possible. Because if I'm curious, then, I start asking questions as I practice, especially when I run into roadblocks, like, "What if I tried it like this?" or "When I do X instead of Y, how do I get a different sound from my instrument?" Before I know it, I've just spent a half hour "practicing" new things but losing track of the time. There's a lot more that could be said here… of course there is a place for rigor and focus in practice, but I would start not with heavy-handed discipline towards yourself, but rather, next time you sit down with your instrument consciously embrace an attitude of curiosity and see if you can create something on your instrument that is new and interesting to you. If you're able to find that zone, I've found the focus and desire to dedicate rigor to a certain exercise or difficult song comes easier.
@@UkuleleTricks many thanks for the detailed response. I shall give it a try( and also maybe revisit ukulele tricks). Have a great weekend bud.
6:21 your voiceeee!!!💓💓💓💓
Thanksss!
Superb! Thank you Brett!
Thank you so much for watching!
hi Brett...love to watch cuz i got to play it...gee whiz you are my very good uke teacher..its true when you dont know the song..
Hey Brett, have you tried any of the plastic/carbon fiber ukuleles on the market? I'm thinking of getting something I can take on day trips or on vacation, but I don't really know if any of them will have a pleasant sound. I've heard good things about the Enya carbon fiber ukuleles, but the cheap price is a bit worrisome. I purchased a similarly priced Kala Waterman a while ago, but I didn't like the sound so I returned it.
I have played some! The sound is not going to be as pleasing as a natural wood instrument, but for the utility, the sound is still quite good. It gets the job done! I might not record it in the studio but I would definitely take it with me for the next campfire with friends.
Crazy chance we could get a tutorial on Alison Krauss - "Ghost In This House"? I absolutely LOVE this song but it's not just simple strumming and most of us will need help - I for sure will!! LOL! I think you would really like it though... it's a good one!
Thanks for the feedback, Emily Grace! I'll add that one to the list and maybe I can teach it sometime!
hi Brett...wowie very latest look like this tips is for me...ok to work frett hand when arthritis is not there...but i learn to work it out..."tru your advices thank you '🙏
Keep going, Ayesa!
Amazing tips, thanks.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Leandro. Thanks for your comment!
One should be positive. If I tell my friends ukulele is hard , they will not even touch it .
Is there such thing as a song count of 5? For example "father and son\cat Stevens and Weather any storm\Cody Francis? Would love to know if it make sense? because I can't seems to get it right with those to when I try 3 or 4 counts...
There is! It's rather uncommon in popular music but there are certain songs counted in five. For example, the "Mission Impossible" movie theme song is counted in five. Songs like this exist, but for popular songs on the radio, most of the time counting in 4 or 3 will do the trick! Keep trying it out and you'll get better at this.
🥰🤍💖 Keep sharing bruh! 🙌🏻 Thanks a lot
My pleasure 😊
I hate double commenting but I gotta add that I love your tips at the end of this! Awesome video. Very insightful and informative. 25 years of ukulele! Woah man!
Keep sharing the music!
Please double comment to your heart's delight :) Glad those were helpful! Ukulele has been an amazing gift in life!
@@UkuleleTricks Lol. I know it helps the algorithm. I just hate being that person. Unfortunately it's either 1 giant comment from me or a thousand mini comments because I can be like "Woah that's cool" and immediately be like "I get that man this one time...."
Ukulele definitely has been a gift! I got started after being in a depressed place and realizing I hadn't had any instruments to play with for over a year. What's the first one I found when I typed in "cheap instruments to get started with?" I'm glad google started with uke instead of a tin whistle, though!
Great video mate
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for the comment!
Hi Brett! I LOVE YOUR VIDEO! I just wonder if it would be easier for beginners like me to see the video from the players perspective (upside down, basically, rather than from a viewer's perspective where I have to flip everything upside down in my head. Just curious if you ever videoded upside down as a test? Cheers! and Thanks!
I'm glad you liked this one, Joe! I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm experimenting with camera angles. I think it could be tricky to shoot over my shoulder enough so you could see the fretboard, but I will think...
@@UkuleleTricks Thanks for responding. I have been trying to think of ways to make the camera angle work too.
I found the background music to be distracting; it made it difficult for me to concentrate on what you were saying and hear what you were playing.
Thank you for this feedback! I experimented with the background music in this video. I was afraid it could be distracting but I wanted to try. I'll make some adjustments for future videos!
The two that bug me are the "it's easy" myth and the "soprano is the beginner uke" myth. For both I compare the uke to a violin. A violin has just has 4 strings and is smaller than a ukulele, anyone want to call the violin easy? How about telling a violin student they should have just started on the viola or the cello because everyone moves to the larger instrument anyway? Seems silly, huh?
That's a great point, Paul! I'm with you... I love the sound of a soprano but it's the hardest kind of ukulele for me to play with my large hands and fingers. I think if your biggest barrier to start is budget, then, yes, a soprano will be the cheapest (generally), so it makes a good starting point, but just spend the extra $20 for a concert or tenor if you ask me! And you're right... by that 4-string logic, violin would be easy, but from experience I can tell you I wish to never try to play violin again! Haha