Want to get into the ukulele, or the local uke scene? Here's a starter kit.
Metroplex, are you ready for the uke invasion? Coming to Dallas this spring, it's a three-day festival and music camp (April 29-May 1). The event is sponsored by UkeLadyMusic and Dallas Ukulele Headquarters; a portion of the proceeds from the fest will be used to start a "Ukes in the Classroom" program in North Texas. Festival headliner is James Hill (www.UkuleleJames.com), who's been called "the Wayne Gretzky of the ukulele." www.lonestarukefest.com
Where to play
Coffee House Ukulele Gang (CHUG). Fort Worth's ukulele meet-up group used to gather at the now-shuttered Artistic Blends Coffee House. They still meet twice a month at members' homes. Get in touch with them through www.fleamarketmusic.com. (Click on "Player directory," scroll to Texas, then scroll to the bottom where you'll find "Texas player groups." Both CHUG and DUH (below) can get you in touch with an instructor.
Dallas Ukulele Headquarters (DUH). This group boasts 200 members -- reportedly the largest ukulele group on Meetup.com. Find them here. They meet twice a month at restaurants across the Metroplex. Beginners welcome.
I want a ukulele!
If you're just starting out, you'll probably want a basic soprano ukulele, which costs $30 to $40. Most music stores (Guitar Center, Mr. E's) carry them; our Guitar Center starter cost $40. You'll also find a great variety of ukes on the Dallas-based UkeLadyMusic.com, an online retailer.
Most people start on a soprano ukulele, but did you know the instrument comes in several shapes, sizes and styles? You can get a concert, tenor or a baritone uke. And depending on the style, material (wood, steel) and inlays, you can pay up to thousands of dollars for a ukulele. Guitar Center online offers a Martin 3K soprano Ukulele, crafted with Hawaiian flamed koa -- the traditional tonewood used for Hawaiian ukuleles -- with a mahogany neck, for $1,899. UkeLadyMusic has a beautiful Ana' Ole Island custom tenor uke for a cool $2,199.
However much you decide to pay, grab a copy of Hal Leonard Ukulele Method Book 1. ($9.95 for the book and CD) You'll be playing Little Brown Jug and Wildwood Flower before you know it.
Tuning up
It's possible -- but difficult -- to tune a ukulele on a guitar tuner. You can buy a special ukulele tuner, but thank god for the Web.
Get-tuned.com. Search around and most sites will take you to this online tuning site: www.get-tuned.com/ukulele_tuner.php.
Ukulele Underground. A vast online resource of instructional videos, chords, tabs, songs and all kinds of goodies. www.ukuleleunderground.com
Two-chord songs. Aside from a string of YouTube videos (type in "ukulele and "two chord songs"), Aaron Keim also put out a very un-corporate, hand-bound, pocket-sized book of two-chord songs ($7), including the old-timey Take Me Back to Tulsa, Rye Whiskey and Old Skin and Bones. To get a copy, visit www.etsy.com/shop/LazarusBooks.
Doc that uke
Rock That Uke (2003), by William Preston Robertson and Sean Anderson. This documentary explores what was then a subculture of offbeat folks who, for various reasons, decided to amplify their ukuleles. Fun, poignant, weird and illuminating. Available on Amazon.com and through www.rockthatuke.com.
Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog (2010). This brand-new documentary (screening in DFW sometime this spring) travels the world to discover why so many people of different nations, cultures, ages and musical tastes are turning to the ukulele to express themselves, connect with the past and with each other. For info, visit www.mightyukemovie.com.
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