Make your ukulele easier to play - A simple trick!

[@jackfraser1832]

Thanks Glen ...... I also like the new look ..... the goatee

[@glenrose7925]

Thanks Jack! yOu must have one as well

[@paulwaples2682]

Thanks Glen. You have made my day. I was having great difficuulty making some chord shapes not getting enough pressure on some strings because of a arthritic thumb joint. I have taken everthing down two clicks and really like the sound with a low g string. Thanks again.

[@timhinds9089]

Glenn,thanks for your Jazz lesson book. I’ve started using the chords to jazz up a lot of songs that were less creative. I have arthritis and I stumbled over this video. I did as you suggested and you are right. It makes it much easier on my fingers. I have my action set as low as I can get it but still had issues. But doing better now thanks to you.

[@liseauffray2119]

Nice idea, Glen, certainly worth a shot. :)

[@BobTaile]

Nice idea. Thanks

[@glenrose7925]

Give it a try, why not?

[@barbaralebrun438]

Bonjour Mr le professeur Tips and tricks, that's helpful ! I'll try to see if "lower and less tension" works for me Merci 🍷

[@glenrose7925]

I know you have a capable uke teacher. Ask his advice

[@barbaralebrun438]

@@glenrose7925 are you available for private lessons ??? When, where ???

[@andyandrews8535]

Hi Glen - l have found that many ukes - especially internet purchases that weren’t set up by a tech - have the action set very high. Either take it down yourself if you have the skill set, or take your uke to a good music store tech and have it checked out. Lowering the strings properly can make your instrument MUCH easier to play, and especially can make barré chords more attainable. And good to see you!

[@glenrose7925]

yes, yes and yes!!!

[@odontomatix]

If you loosen the strings, you may notice that the strings vibrate in a larger range of motion and therefore they may slap the fretboard if you strum loudly, as in a ukulele group or trying to be heard outdoors. I had that slapping noise on my Enya Nova U ukulele as it came from the factory while in standard gCEA tuning. I replaced the strings with Aquila SuperNylgut strings which require more tension in standard tuning and the slapping didn't happen not matter how loud I played. For quiet jazz, the slapping most likely won't occur with loosened strings, but listen for it.

[@glenrose7925]

Good observation. but the trust of my suggestion is for people who suffer with hand difficulties while playing own their own and wanting to practice. When they join with other uke players they will have to tune up to pitch.

[@odontomatix]

Other ideas: If you are tuned down by a half step or multiples of a half step, you can put a capo on the appropriate fret to raise the pitch without tightening the strings. Example: if tuned down 1/2 step, capo on fret 1. If tuned down a whole step (2 half steps) capo on fret 2. And so on. Then you play your same chord shapes but relative to the capo as though it were the nut. The capo may tighten the strings slightly, but probably not enough for you to feel it. However, you may want to re-check the tuning with the capo in place. Jazz guitarist Timothy Lerch says on one of his videos that he often down tunes his guitar when he's playing solo jazz gigs because he likes the feel and because the lower pitch is more mellow sounding. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGa8omhtit5ql9k .

[@glenrose7925]

OK. Good idea. Give it a try. Why not?

[@normajordanbacke3676]

I love this. But if I use a capo when playing with others (rather than tuning up), does it just negate the advantage?

[@glenrose7925]

Hmmm....dunno, give it a try.

[@lisacompton3661]

Thank you very much Glen for this very useful tip. Can I ask a question? Do the chord shapes change like on the baritone? Best wishes.

[@caswellbay01]

I don't think tension of the strings is the problem - it's some of the finger positions on some of the 'jazzy' chords.

[@glenrose7925]

Give it a try and get back to me. I do it all the time myself. [e-mail]

[@francescomanfredi]

Yes I tune almost al my basses, guitars and ukes a semitone down also to prevent the bridge and neck to suffer and bend, in particular the ones I don’t use every day

[@glenrose7925]

@@francescomanfredi Cool. Me too if I am practicing.

[@walterfadel7004]

'PromoSM' 💥