The Ugly Truth About Playing Multiple Instruments

If you read any of my other posts, you probably know that I am a guitarist. Yes, I do play guitar and it is my main instrument, but if you are bad at context clues, let my let you in on a secrete: I play multiple instruments. I couldn't imagine not playing more than one instrument now, but there was a time that I did good just playing my six-string. Being able to throw-down on other instrument is great. I can rock out on other instruments and that's cool, but everything isn't as awesome as it may seem.

Each Instrument Add More Practice Time. 

Yes, I have a favorite instrument. obviously I play the guitar much more than the other instrument that I play. Although, if you don't use it, you lose it. So I have to keep up the other instruments that I want to continue to play. I currently have five instrument that I feel comfortable playing. Other instruments I am familiar with but not to the point were I could join other musicians with it. The first instrument that I added after the guitar was the drums. My friend asked if I wanted to join his band. I said, "Yes, I play guitar". He said, "Great, you can be our drummer." and that was how I learned how to play the drums. This started a passion for learning instrument that has yet to stop. I've since added Bass, Ukulele and Banjo to the list of instrument I am competent in. Each one of the instruments adds hours a practice to my routine. Being able to play these instruments is great, but it comes with work.

You Can Become The Back-up For Everyone. 

I'm not going to lie, I like being the guy that people call. It's like when Commissioner Gordon picks up the Bat-Phone. Except it's a cell phone and I don't get to punch crime in the face with a "Ka-POW!". Close enough though... It started out innocent enough. I wanted to help. I noticed that the bass player would be out occasionally so I offered to fill it. After all, I was lost in the mix playing acoustic behind two pianos. Bass seemed like a more significant addition. Being the guy that can fill in made me feel important. Even if I didn't play as well as the guys I filled in for.

You Probably Won't Be As Good As Someone Who Focuses On One Instrument

I know many people who play several instruments on an expert level. I'm not saying that you can't be good at more than one instrument, but there is a point where one instrument will be will win out and the others suffers. I could, rather easily rank my ability on the instrument that I play. In a since it's like riding a bike. I'll never forget how to play G, C, and D on the guitar, but how to play a D flat minor on banjo? It sort of like the conversation about having more than one child (which I do). Can you spend the same amount of time with both of them? The same amount of attention? (well this took a weird turn) The true is that it's hard to keep all those plate spinning, but sure is rewarding.

What size of Ukulele is right for you!

In the last five years the Ukulele has gone from a novelty, one that your aunt brings back from her trip to Hawaii, to an instrument featured in many of today's most popular music. This instrument has been closely associated with the Pacific Islands, and now is enjoying a much deserved surge in popularity. The ukulele is an  unimposing and inviting instrument that is simple enough for beginners and yet masters of the instrument can amaze audiences. For the beginner, the task of selecting a size of ukulele can be difficult. Let's look at some information that can help decide what size ukulele is right for you.

Soprano:

This is the smallest and the most common ukulele. Smaller than even a child size guitar, these instruments offer some advantages. These are small and light, so they make great traveling instruments. They lend themselves well to children with smaller hands. They are usually less expensive than the larger sized ukuleles. The action is very light, meaning that you won't have to strain to fret the strings. However, the small size does have some drawbacks. A small neck may pose a challenge for musicians with larger hands. Sopranos have the most limited range of all the ukuleles. The string tension is rather low, making it prone to accidentally bending the strings, making your notes slightly out of tune. If you have a young student who is showing some interest in the ukulele, this may be the right size ukulele for you.

Concert:

Sometimes called an alto ukulele, the concert ukulele is very close in size with the soprano. Usually tuned the same as the soprano ukulele, the concert serves well as a beginner instrument and the next step in a ukulele player's education. Concert ukuleles are often priced closely to similar soprano ukuleles. The main difference being the length and width of the neck. Often these ukuleles have a wider neck. If you are looking to stay close to the iconic sights and sounds of the soprano ukulele, but need an larger neck to accommodate bigger hands or a wider range of notes, then the concert ukulele fits you the best. 

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Do Ukulele Players Need to Learn Scales?

Playing the ukulele is a lot of fun. I remember shortly after acquiring my first ukulele when my beautiful wife danced around with my two daughters. She played the uke and made up nonsense, Hawaiian-sounding, words. She has no idea how to play the instrument, but it was a lot of fun. Now, add the practical application of chords and strumming techniques and  you start playing the ukulele rather than playing with it. I've been teaching ukulele for a number of years now. Most of my student learn some basic chords first and we work through "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". More serious students begin learning the notes of the treble clef. Soon they learn the "C" major scale. After we learn our first scale, we don't really apply it directly into their other playing. It ends up being another exercise in a long list of exercises. Which begs the question, Do ukulele players need to learn scales?

The Case For:

Of coarse ukulele players need to learn scales. Scales are the backbone of music. Scales are the building blocks of the chords that we play. For example: the major chord is build from the 3rd and 5th intervals in the major scale in addition from the root. To make that chord minor, you take the 3rd interval and lower it a half step. Also, scales are great from writing and improvising melodies. My approach to guitar solos and melodies was mostly trial and error before learning and understanding how to use scales. Needless to say, there were many times I hit a very wrong note at the very wrong time. Scales are also useful for creating interesting note patterns when playing chords. Changing from chord to chord sounds much more impressive by running up or down the appropriate scale to accent the next chord. In short, scales take to guess work out creative playing.

The Case Against:

Scales are a useful tool for many musicians. Knowing scales can help a musician do many things, but when applied to the ukulele, one can argue that the application might not be worth the work. It is true that the majority of the iconic sound of the ukulele comes from chords and strumming. When considering the soprano, the smallest ukulele, it is easy to see where single note melodies might take a back seat. The soprano's sound is almost percussive in sound. There is little sustain in the soprano because of the low mass. This is not to say that single note melodies or small runs in between chords are not employed by some, but they are less prominent in traditional ukulele music. There are many things to learn and practice. Scales may not directly apply to useful skills when playing the ukulele.

The Conclusion

If someone, who is interested mostly in strumming and singing with the soprano ukulele, were to ask me if they need to learn to play scales on the ukulele, I would say that they should focus on other techniques first. Conversely, If someone, who came from playing the guitar and was interested in playing blues on the baritone ukulele, I would say that scales were a very important part of their practice. Scales are a very useful tool that any musician could benefit from learning.