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March 2016 Q&A: Have questions? Post them here. - CLOSED (Patreon)

Published:
2016-03-11 19:44:36
Imported:
2026-06

Content

{public post}

Aloha folks!


It's hard for me to answer all your questions individually, so I'd like to collect all your questions here and create a video FAQ.  You can upvote other people's questions by heart-ing them. :)  


Some people have written me with questions about particular chord changes in a tutorial, or about different kinds of strings, or how to transition, etc.  All questions welcome!  I'll tackle as many as I can!


xo

cynthia.

Comments

Lisa Gunheim Adams

Hi Cynthia, this is kind of a side-bar question; I'm from the SF bay area too and I'm looking for someone to fix my old ukulele. It was my mother's and it won't stay tuned anymore. Can you recommend anyone for the area? Thanks, Lisa

Peter Alpen

In your Halleluja tutorial, you play in the Key of G and point out that most play this song in the Key of C. Can you put into context how to get a better handle on what these Keys mean and how might they alter a tune?

Isabel Yap

Hi Lisa! I really love your tutorials, thank you for making them! :) I have two questions: 1. Would you have advice for how to practice chord changes in general? I tend to pause while moving between them, but if I don't pause and move right away it blurs the sound of the two chords together (if that makes sense) - I think it's a timing thing, but would like your advice. 2. I really appreciated your strum tutorial, and I feel myself getting more comfortable with the Island Strum...what resources can I use for learning other strum patterns? I've poked some videos online but a lot of them seem too advanced and don't have much direct application (in songs) right after. Thank you!

Peter Spencer

Hi Cynthia; I'm with Isabel and need help transition from one chord to another. And the different optional shapes of a chord to assist making the change from one chord to the next. In particular the three finger chords. Now..., if you can only put all that into a musical piece. :) Appreciate all that you do for Patreon subscribers and those that follow you on YouTube.

Maggie

1.) Strumming: You've done a nice job sharing different some different strums. I have found when I try to look at a song you haven't directly taught (I've only been learning since October) I can't figure out what strum to use. I default to the island strum. I've figured out ....maybe two songs with the help of my husband (who is a musician)... so in general... any easy ways to figure out how to figure out a strum to a new song. 2.) Considering Jams and playing with other people. Maybe I am just too new.....how do you jam to a song as they just say.... "It's in G!" I downloaded the recent jam packet you posted... might help if I find people.... 3.) Chord changes are always a challenge. Getting better with practice.... but I too tend to pause in between or have to play songs slower than at tempo because I know I won't get the chord change at tempo. That's just practice I guess? But, I do find that I have a hard time with my wrists if I practice too long because of having to hold up the uke. I've been looking at straps. I am nervous to put a peg on my uke for a strap. I've looked at neck straps and this other strap on ETSY called the HUG Strap for a UKE. Any recommendations on better ways to hold the uke without fatigue and/or strap recommendations? 4.) Sorry, one more. What about strumming with the thumb and soft part of the first finger. I I've heard your recommendations about strumming with all four fingers.... but I can't help but to like the softer sound of using the soft part of my fingers as much as possible. I just like the sound of it better. (Which might be why I like the fingerpicking songs you've posted.... I seem to like the sound when other people are using all four fingers to strum. Is is that unusual that someone would want to strum like that with the uke? Will I change as I become better? Thoughts? Comments? ------------I don't know any other person that plays the uke so anyone else's comments on my questions are fine too. I'd love to hear what anyone else has to say. THANKS!

4seasonsukulele.com

Hi Cynthia, Where did you buy your DIXE Banjolele? I would like to check one of those out. Thanx!

Tamara Hackley

Piggy-backing on Lisa's question. I've seen other tutorials or covers and people are using a capo. When is that necessary? What exactly does that do? I don't have one, I'm just curious if it's something I should have. Also, when a particular song is in the key of C or G, does that require different tuning from the standard GCEA? Thanks in advance. <3

Jennifer Lehner

Hi Cynthia! I started watching your videos recently, and they are truly the best I've found on YouTube. So, a big thank you for making them first of all! I love how you take me through the song slowly and explain tips for transitioning between chords, as well as the strum patterns. Since you do such a good job of this with your videos, I don't have any questions for your songs. However, I have a song I'm working on that you haven't taught yet and I wonder if you have tips for a chord transition in it. The song is "Ain't She Sweet," and the transition that I find difficult is D7 to G7. Do you have any advice? I'd rate myself an advanced beginner if that's helpful to know. Thanks for your time!

Richard Johnson

I can't seem to find the chords for That's all even though you always indicate it is below on youtube?

Klaus

Dear Cynthia, first of all thanks for the great work. I saw that in some videos you put the thumb under the neck in some othes you hold the neck between thumb and index finger. For me the first version seems easier for barré cords while the second has more control over the neck. Would you recommend to get used to both alternative and change song by song? Thank you!

TimmO

Like many others have said, your tutorials are a cut above. I like your spirit and the joy you convey in playing. Attitude is as important as technique, especially for beginners, like many of us. So I want to learn how to play reggae, and I'm hoping you can show how to make reggae sound right with a single uke playing, not a whole band. Thank you...I will make some suggestions for reggae songs to vote on in upcoming lessons.

Cynthia Lin
>>1491078

Hi Lisa! I typically take my instruments to SF Guitarworks because they're close to me and do good work at a reasonable price. <a href="http://sfguitarworks.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://sfguitarworks.com/</a> My friend Ukulenny recommends DaSilva Ukulele in the east bay for a true ukulele luthier. <a href="http://www.ukemaker.com/DaSilvaUkulele-MoreWaysToContactUs.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.ukemaker.com/DaSilvaUkulele-MoreWaysToContactUs.html</a>

Cynthia Lin
>>1494625

Hi Peter! This is definitely easier to show than tell, so I'll give a demo in today's jam. The quick answer is that if the key of G is too low for you, then try raising the key and seeing if the song fits better for your voice. Move from G to A, then A to B, B to C. This is what it means to transpose a song - we basically move all the chords up an increment so that the relative intervals are all the same, but you start in a higher place. Again, easier to show than tell so I'll show more later today!

Cynthia Lin
>>1495099

Hi Isabel! For question 1, I'll create a video tutorial. Essentially, use a metronome and practice so slowly that you have plenty of time to move chords. It will feel extremely slow but that's how you learn. For question 2, play lots of different songs and see if you can create your own strum variations. This requires you to have a very solid understanding of your strum. So keep working the island strum until each up and down is super clear, and then the other videos will become easier!

Cynthia Lin
>>1498556

Hi Peter! Yep, I'll definitely work on a tutorial for chord transition, and I'm trying to incorporate more of this into every tutorial, because it seems to be the next challenge after learning to properly strum. Coming soon. :)

Cynthia Lin
>>1499827

Hi Maggie! 1. How to figure out a strum for a song - I get this question a lot, and the answer is: You can play any song with any strum. Sometimes I try to emulate the original song by accenting the same beats that the drumline or bassline is playing. Sometimes you can create a whole different take on a song (for instance, Iz's Somewhere Over the Rainbow sounds nothing like the original, and features the island strum). The real answer is to listen to and play lots of songs, and start to create and play around with your own rhythms.

Cynthia Lin
>>1499827

question 2. jamming with different people is the best way! listen to what they're doing and see if you can pick it up. you'll get faster at reading chord charts and creating rhythms. question 3. i will do a tutorial on this as well. don't be afraid of putting a strap button on your uke - tens of thousands of people have done it. :) i also like the necktie which hooks to the bottom of the uke. i'll show you when i get mine back (lent it out to a student).

Cynthia Lin
>>1499827

last one! question 4. using your finger pad vs your nail is just a difference in attack. you give yourself more range if you are adept at both - use the thumb/finger pads for gentle picking, and use full four finger strum for those heavy metal songs. :) different approaches with the same tool. just make sure your thumb/fingerpad plucking is full and you're not cheating the sound and touching it too lightly. that's why i have my students start with the nail, because then they can build power and control.

Cynthia Lin
>>1508627

Hi Rod! I bought mine thirdhand from a friend who bought it on craigslist. I've seen some on eBay. Just check that the drumhead has been restored, otherwise you'll have to do that yourself!

Cynthia Lin
>>1520670

Hi Tamara! A capo is essentially a barre that you can move. Easier to show than tell, so I can create a tutorial for this as well. If you learn a song in G and it's too low, then you can use a capo and make the song higher without having to learn new chords! I have one but never really use it. They're not expensive so you could just pick one up to try out. The tuning doesn't change for different keys, you're pretty much always good in GCEA. :)

Cynthia Lin
>>1524597

Hi Jennifer! This is easier to show than tell, so I'll include this in the tutorial on changing chords, and go over it in the jam today. My philosophy is keep at least one finger on the fretboard while you move the other fingers. So practice finger stretch and strength!

Cynthia Lin
>>1578077

Hi Klaus! Yes, the goal is to have flexibility and strength as you move around the fretboard. If you watch more advanced players, they move up and down the fretboard a lot - they learn to leverage the thumb in different ways depending on what chords they are moving to and from. I'm learning this myself as I play more difficult jazz pieces.

Tamara Hackley
>>1499827

Hi Maggie. In reference to question 3, when I first picked up my little, purple,soprano uke I spent the first 2 weeks just learning finger placement for the chords. I'll admit, it wasn't super fun, but I had nothing to go off of and hadn't found Cynthia yet.(My poor husband and son...😲) I didn't know how to strum or anything. BUT... By doing that, I learned the chords and was comfortable transitioning from one to the next. For me, transitions between chords was/is all about muscle memory. In time and with practice, you'll get there. I still get stuck on some of the more tricky transitions 🌴 🎶 🎻

Kathy K

Hi Cynthia. Do you have a book or pages for the songs in your tutorials? You have inspired me. Love to watch you but would be easier for me to have printed versions of the songs with chords so I can go at my own pace.

Paul Aboud

Hi! Any chance you might group all your existing songsheet downloads into one or two downloads and, from there, bundle future ones perhaps every six months' worth so it's a little simpler to get existing tutorial documents? Thanks!

Diane Bayer

Can you talk about all the different ukuleles you use?

Fritz

Hi, Beautiful music.

Fritz

Are you ever going to bundle lead sheets for your 100 days of uke songs? Maybe 10 at a time? I would definitely buy them

Fritz

Are you ever going to bundle lead sheets for your 100 days of uke songs? Maybe 10 at a time? I would definitely buy them

Fritz

Daxxxxn return key, sorry!