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It’s funny how different approaches work for different people. I pick up the uke when I feel like it and play whatever I like. If I had a plan like that, I would have given up years ago. It would be way too stressful for me.
@malku2603 – I’m really impressed. It sounded great. I’m looking forward to seeing what you post next time.
I was confused. I thought you meant you had been playing the new one for a couple of months. Thanks for clarifying. Anyway, please let us know if anything changes in the next few weeks.
Hi Linda,
Here are my thoughts:
Do Ukes get more mellow as you play? – Some people say they do and some people say they don’t I don’t really know.
Is it possible that it is just new strings needing to be worked in? – That’s possible, but that should happen in a week or 2, particularly if you are playing every day.
Also, there can be a lot of variation in instruments of the same model. It could also be that you got a dud. I really don’t know, though.
I think last year’s resolution was to relax and enjoy my playing, which I think I achieved. I also wrote my first composition, which was fun.
This year, I want to work on playing with others. I will do more musical stuff with my wife and take every other opportunity to play with others. Unfortunately, there won’t be many such opportunities because I’m a total recluse, but I’ll do what I can.
Spruce tops have been an acquired taste for me. When I first started playing, I strongly disliked them. I thought they were too brash-sounding. As I developed a bit of finesse in my playing I changed my mind. I still don’t own one, but I do own a softwood-topped ukulele. Anyway, It’s not something I’d stress about too much. I’m sure either the Acacia or the Mahogany would work fine.
I have limited experience with Islander ukes, but I remember liking them when I tried them, and I’ve heard good things.
As for mahogany vs acacia, the mahogany version is likely to have a very mellow, very dark sound with a muted high-end. It can be nice when strumming, and it is forgiving of mistakes (which is why I was drawn to it early on in my playing), but it is not ideally suited to the sort of fingerstyle playing that they mostly teach here. The Acacia is still a hardwood, which means it won’t be anywhere near as bright as a spruce-top uke for instance, but it will be less mellow than mahogany. FWIW, I have 2 acacia ukes, and that’s what I’d get in this instance.
Hi Jay,
When I was in the same position as you (with a similar budget) I got one of these and I’m pretty happy with it. It is Southeast Asian acacia rather than Koa, though, so be aware. https://www.aiersiguitar.com/?p=5290
Otherwise, I’d go with somewhere that sets the uke up for you. It’s way more important than I realised at first. Uke Republic is a good option, as are Mim’s Ukes, and the Ukulele Site.
Good luck!
Robin
I don’t think you’d classify me as beginner-intermediate anymore, but it can take me a long time to play it up the standard I want. I haven’t counted, but lets say 30 hours or so?
@Kirpuff – I love hammer cat!
Hi Jay,
Welcome to the site. I’ll let Andrew answer your questions about the lessons. You are totally allowed to mention names, though.
Robin