How to become an Expert Ukulele Player ... or at least better than you were yesterday.

Talent vs Practice ... Maybe Talented people have just put in the practice time?

Often my students say things like "That woman's such a talented player' or "I wish I had half as much talent as him"   I tell them ... Show me a person with talent and I'll show you someone who has put in the hours practising their ukulele.

Talent is but one part of the learning puzzle, You can be born with a great ear and great motor skills in your fingers but if you don't practice how good will you be?

Unfortunately people you have to practice, and Repetition is the key. A little often produces results.  Play your ukulele 10 minutes a day, everyday, and you will see amazing results.

But practice doesn't have to be a BAD thing, if you love ukulele then just take the next step and fall in love with practising your ukulele.  Develop better ways to practice, change it up, make it fun, push yourself to try new strums and styles, Steele yourself to reaffirm the skills you already know ... use it or loose it.

THE IMPORTANT BIT  find people to play with, I cannot stress that enough.  If they are better than you, then learn from them, if they are worse than you, then teach them how to be better. Playing with others is what making music is all about.  And perhaps most importantly, never give up!

Now its 'official' practice has been confirmed to help you become an expert in anything. That bit 'to help you" is the very important caveat.  Practice develops your talents.  Psychologist Dr. Anders Ericsson claims to have determined that anybody can be an expert at anything ...  to become an expert, it takes 20 hours of practice per week for 50 weeks a year for ten years (a.k.a. 10,000 hours).

Luckily you don't have to be at the expert level to have fun playing your ukulele ... But it's amazing how the 'talented good players' play every day, even if it's just 10 minutes a day.

LEARN MORE HERE
http://www.karaoke-version.com/blog/403.html#utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=bulk&utm_medium=email&utm_term=201602&utm_content=0

https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=practice%20vs%20talent

As always
Have fun,
Happy strumming.


Cheers
Chris-From-Ukulele-Trading
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Sigma SUM-2T Tenor ukulele ALL SOLID Mahogany Construction New in OZ.

SIGMA SUM-2T TENOR UKULELE
RRP $550 in OZ with gig-bag.
Solid Mahogany Top Back and Sides

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE 
SAVE $100
$449 (3 units only at this price)

Includes:
FREE Set-up
FREE Clip on Headstock tuner
FREE Ukulele Lesson from USA tutor Jeffrey Thomas

Obviously it pays homage to proper USA made Martin ukuleles in terms of the design, looks, tone and overall performance. Given its price and that its made in China (like the Gretsch' ukulele reissues) its build quality and tone is really remarkable at the price in the market.

The Competition in the Australian Sub $600 Solid Wood Tenor Ukulele Market just got very competitive indeed.

HISTORY
Guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co., based in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, created a line of inexpensive guitars in 1970 to compete with the increasing number of imported guitars from Japan and elsewhere. The result was Sigma Guitars.

In addition to the ongoing Martin inspired guitars, Sigma has now launched a range of all-solid mahogany ukuleles, in soprano, concert and tenor sizes and it’s those that we look at here.

There is no mistaking the heritage of these instruments; everything about them is supposed to make you think Martin, see Martin, and expect Martin, but without the price tag of course.

ABOUT 
When I heard that the Australian Importer/Wholesaler  fo Sigma Guitars had imported a batch of Sigma ukuleles I was genuinely excited to get some in and try them out.  Sigma are a brand with a long history of making quality instruments, licensing designs from the Martin Guitar company

You see I owned and love a Sigma guitar, it was my first really good acoustic.  I used that old sigma acoustic in recording, it always held its own against the pukka Martin guitars we had available to use in the studio. I always go that 'double take' look from engineers and producers when they heard it.  So I had high hopes that the Sigma ukulele would be similar.

RESULT
Well I am very happy to say that I am not disappointed at all, and have no hesitation recommending the Sigma SUM-2T Tenor ukulele to my customers, its a cracker!

LOUD LOUD LOUD is the tone, really punchy tone from this all solid Mahogany wood tenor ukulele. And the build quality and the sound certainly match up to the expectations that I had of the Sigma brand.

REVIEW FROM ACOUSTIC MAGAZINE
http://www.acousticmagazine.com/reviews/gear-reviews/sigma-sum-2s-sum-2c-sum-2t-ukuleles/

"It’s a nicely put together instrument for the price point; the nut and saddle are bone, not plastic, the assembly is excellent, and frankly, it looks nice, in a traditional sort of way. We were particularly impressed with the appearance of the wood on this instrument, ... it even comes with a free gig bag...

... no doubting that at the £200 price point, these represent excellent value in terms both of materials and construction...

Mahogany guitar tops tend towards a warm, dark chocolatey tone that emphasises the mids and low notes ... The result is that the wood takes the potentially shrieky edge off the sound coming from that tiny top, and leaves you with something loud but still palatable, which we’d describe as “punchy”.

... the tone more nuanced, and there is notably more sustain. This combines nicely with both the longer scale, and the easier top fret  access provided by the 14th fret join to greatly encourage more complex playing.

These are not vintage Martin ukuleles, but they are lovely little ukes, and great value for money at the £200 price point ($550 in OZ) ... are good

players, well made, and very well appointed. Indeed, seeing all-solid ukes delivering well at a price that normally only gets you a solid top may well rattle the competition.

...The tenor ... shines brightest when sweetly picked. ... If you’re ready to move from budget models on to your first really decent  instrument, you should give these Sigma ukuleles a try"

SPECS
Model: Tenor SUM-2T
Retail Price: $550
Body Size: Tenor
Made In: China
Top: Solid mahogany
Back and Sides: Solid mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Mahogany
Frets: 20
Tuners: Nickel w/black buttons
Nut width: 36mm
Scale Length: 432mm
Machine Heads: Nickel / White & Black Buttons
Gig Bag/Case Included: Gig bag.

Ohana TK-20CE Electric Acoustic Tenor ukulele fitted with an under saddle Pickup and battery powered Pre-Amp

$335 Tenor Electric Ukulele
Ohana TK-20CE

PICKUP ... PLUG IN ... POWERRRRRR
The TK-20CE is fitted with a pick-up and that mean you can plug it into an amplifier or PA system ...Powerrrrrr.

MAHOGANY SOLID WOOD TOP
The solid mahogany top is a great addition to a ukulele in this Price range.  The solid top vibrates with a clear and strong sound, and being solid the wood will age and sound better and better every year.


ELECTRIC PICK-UP
You get a full featured battery powered Pre-amp system working in tandem with the under saddle pick-up so you can use the bass and Treble sliders to craft your desired tone. You can adjust your tone from a bright rock tone to a smooth Jazz tone with the treble backed down.  Plenty of output volume too because of the battery preamp.

PLAYING SOLOS ARE A BREEZE.
The Neck is a nice contour and dimension.  Personally I like the Ukes with wider fatter necks, they are just more comfortable.  

That's part of why I like Ohana Ukuleles, their necks are just right, not too thin or too shallow,  generous with the shape of the rear of the neck full and round in your left hand.  Very comfortable. And the cutaway body style makes access to the top frets easy for soloing.

SPECS

Solid Mahogany Top with Cutaway

Belcat active EQ system with built in tuner

Laminate Mahogany Back Sides

Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge

Top and Back Body Binding

Quality geared machine heads

Aquila strings

Kala KA-CEM Concert Ukulele going to Auction

SOLD
 CLICK to go to the Auction

 

Occasionally one of our customers trade up to a newer ukulele and we take the trade-in.  Here is such a trade-in ukulele, think of it as pre loved.

Concert sized ukulele from the Kala Exotic Mahogany range,
Comes with Padded gig-bag.

This  ukulele has been kept well,
Pre Loved by a careful owner,
Always bagged when not being played.
Been played in and is nice and comfortable.

SPECS:
Figured mahogany body
Black binding
Fret postion marks
18 silver nickel frets
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
Mahognay neck
Satin finish
Chrome die-cast tuners with black buttons
Premium Aquila Nylgut strings
14-7/8" concert scale
24-3/8" overall body length
11" body length
6" upper bout
8-1/2" lower bout
5" waist
2-3/4" body
 CLICK to go to the Auction

TK-10 Ohana Ukulele Mahogany Tenor. And just $135 Aussie Dollars

Ohana's best-value Tenor Ukulele, this uke has great sound and action at a price that might surprise you! 

The TK-10S is the entry level Tenor Size Ohana ukulele from their 10 Series Range of  California USA designed but China built ukuleles.  The Entry level Tenor ukulele it may be...but you know what?  The TK-10S sounds good and is easy to play.

Plenty of volume, and clean tone by the bucket load in this tenor. Works well for a wide range of playing styles, from  vigorous strumming and gentle picking.

The neck feels great (a feature of Ohana instruments)

And considering it's price point, it scrubs up as a really good Tenor uke that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

FEATURES:
Mahogany top, back & sides
Rosewood fingerboard & bridge
Bone nut & saddle
Die-cast geared tuners

SUMMARY:
A very good value Tenor ukulele, ideal for a first foray into the longer scale length.  Classic lines and traditional sound define this great value from Ohana!

And for only $135 bucks they play fantastic, sound sweet and offer CHEAP FUN FUN  FUN.

ABOUT OHANA UKULELES
Ohana is an American ukulele brand based in California.  All their Ukuleles are their own, designed in California and Manufactured in China. Their goal is to provide the highest quality product at a reasonable price. Every ukulele that leaves their warehouse is carefully inspected and set up for maximum playability. Yes that's right — EVERY UKULELE.

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MANY MORE Ukuleles, Strings, Tuners, Cases, Capos & Accessories in-stock.

I Carry a Huge Range of Kala & Ohana Ukuleles, Aquila & Worth Ukulele Strings.

Fancy Something Else?

Please Contact me and I can arrange it for you, your dream ukulele, Set-up just like you want.

Ukulele Workshops & Private Tuition: Corporate Training Days, Community Centres, Local Councils, Schools... contact me to arrange a program tailored for you.

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Ohana TK-35G-5 Five String Tenor ukulele ALL Solid Mahogany wood

TK-735G-5 Five String Tenor Ukulele.
All Solid Mahogany wood.
RRP is $549 In Australia.

FREE Quality Hardcase
FREE Headstock Tuner
FREE Setup included
FREE Postage
Warranty and After Sales Service Backup from Aussie Ohana Ukulele Dealer.

TO ORDER
Click Buy It Now 
Call 0434 306 920 or email ChrisFromUkuleleTrading@gmail.com 

Life is too short to play a crappy instrument;
Happy Strumming is where it’s at. 

"Ohana Ukuleles, Made To Be Played" is the company slogan... and they are not messing about.

Ohana ukuleles are some of the most inexpensive solid wood ukuleles around, and the TK-35G-5 is all solid mahogany, not just the top, but the back and sides too.  A deep gloss finish and fine details adorn this solid mahogany tenor ukulele with outstanding tone and playability.


LOW G STRING OR HIGH G STRING... HAVE BOTH
Ahhh,   every ukulele player's conundrum... High-G or Low-G!?
With Ohana's unique 5-String model, featuring both G's, all the guess work has been taken out!

Personally I think it sounds amazing...Very loud and boy that low and High G string combo is fantastic, Jangle from the Octave G Strings but you still have single course of C E and A strings for picking and runs etc...

Very happy to have added this model to the range of Ohana ukuleles available in Australia.

WHY TWO G STRINGS?
Well having the g strings doubled up (similar to a 12 string guitar), with the high G and low G an octave apart adds a much fuller bodied rhythm tone, gives it a beautiful and interesting sound but still a ukulele sound..

The Ohana TK-35G-5 has a big sound with a bit of jangle. It’s actually a very loud instrument.
The other strings are normal single and so the cea strings do not sound different to the normal 4 string ukulele.


CONSTRUCTION
The uke is a tenor, and is made from solid mahogany, imparting a more full tone but still a bright attack to notes… very rock.

Being a Solid Wood ukulele it will sound even better as it opens up over the years. As the wood dries out it becomes stiffer and lighter and become even better at transferring string energy to the sound waves we hear.

The headstock on the 5 string is visibly longer than an ordinary ukulele's headstock to accommodate the extra 5th string tuning key.

This is a top of the line instrument with its beautiful gloss finish that makes it look as good as it sounds.

SETUP IN THE USA
Like with all Ohana instruments the workmanship is superb. Ohana ukuleles may be made in China but they all travel to you via Ohana Head office in the USA where they go through a detailed premium adjustment, ready to play.

SPECIFICATIONS
Solid Mahogany Top/Back/Sides
Body Binding
Grover Geared Tuners
Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
Bone Nut & Saddle
Aquila Strings
Gloss Finish
19-fret

VIDEO REVIEW with Ken Middleton