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Low G Tuning: Into The Deep End

10/28/2019

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         First off, a Happy Diwali to everyone who celebrates,and also a Happy Halloween and Day of The Dead to everyone also!
           So- how many of you have wanted to explore the low G tuning? It's fantastic for country style or any style when you want to use bass runs when changing chords. It also works for blues. Many of you probably know this already but you either have to purchase a uke string set made for low G tuning (the 4th string will be different,possibly wound with metal like a classical guitar string) and definately thicker than the G string for "regular" tuning with the G being high.
        This being said,a word of warning here: due to the thickness of the low G string,if your uke has a bridge with slots in it,in other words if you have to tie a knot in the end of the string and slide it into a slot,do not try low G tuning as the string will be too thick and won't work.
         If on the other hand,you have the type of bridge that requires you to lace the string around the bridge as you would on a classical guitar,then you get a green light-  the low G string will fit on your ukulele.
        You can also get a low G string as a single string,which is what I did and wound up using my Kahua tenor uke as my Donner tenor didn't have the right bridge. On my Kahua I decided to try the Aquila Red Series low G string that isn't wound so I wouldn't make a squeaking noise if I did a slide. 
       Now- the first thing I noticed about the Aquila string is it stretches forever- I got enough windings on the machine head that I know at some point I'll need to remove the string from the post and place it back on so it has less windings.
        However,aside from that the string has a rich tone and make chords sound much fuller than the high G string. If you read music,the low G is the G below middle C...the same as on a mandolin. This really opens up the range for melody playing. 
          But what if you want to play a high G? Simple. Hit the 3rd fret of your 2nd string,and your high G is right there. So you haven't lost anything by placing a lower tuned string on. 
           Another thing I'd like to mention is the Aquila string I'm using doesn't have a smooth finish like your usual uke strings. It has a matte finish,and the texture isn't what I'd call rough,but you'll find your finger having more traction on it. 
                So if you're wanting to do those cool Johnny Cash bass runs on your uke,this is the way to be able to do that! Enjoy. 

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Bringing Your Uke Back From The Dead

10/1/2019

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         No,it doesn't involve candles,bat wing or anything of the sort. 
            Last year,in December,I purchased a new open box pineapple uke. As the year progressed,the tone hit me as really flat and I had begun to regret buying it- to the point I was considering selling it,tho the craftsmanship is excellent and it's made of mahogany. 
            I play fiddle,and have learned over the years how important it is to keep them humidified. It hit me to use the humidifier I have for small instruments on the pineapple uke I have and see if it helped. I placed the uke and humidifier in a plastic grocery bag for about 30 min and then removed them from the bag. 
           The result was absolutely astonishing. Suddenly this instrument had a beautiful rich tone and great volume! It had just gotten too dry. 
               So,with winter coming and some areas already dealing with snowfall, I heartily suggest picking yourself up a humidifier made for ukuleles or small instruments and buying distilled water at the store. This is the only type of water to be used on instruments. Never,ever,use tap water! 
                Leave the humidifier with the instrument in a plastic bag for about half an hour and remove. I also do this with my mandolins.  Using heating in the house when the weather gets cold can really dry the wood out. This is what causes heat cracks in the wood.
                Another solution to this is getting a humidifier for your home and keeping your uke in that room most the time. Humidifiers are also good for people as well,so research it a bit and see which sounds best for you- an instrument humidifier,or getting one for a room. 

    And last but not least Halloween is coming!!!! How many of you plan to play your uke for the trick or treaters? (It also helps pass the time if you don't have a lot of children out trick or treating-my neighborhood,sad to say,doesn't have a lot of Halloween traffic)  I'll be playing my Kala Waterman this year. I do suggest using a more casual or "beater" instrument for this so you won't worry about dropping it,or getting a ding in it. 

               
             
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     Sherrie Is a ukuele player who is also a member in good standing of The Sons Of The Desert Utopia tent. 

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