Ukulele/Cavaquinho

[Simpleton]

Hi!

Can someone please tell how easy it is to play the cavaquinho (small portuguese guitar, also known as "ukulele")?
I haven't got any strings background, and wanted to get some feedback on this.

Thank you very much for the kind attention

[karahara]

Hmm, as a guitarist and bass player I can say that it's not too difficult to play.
With no experience you have to pratice some time to get the right sound and your fingers get used to some chords.

Here you have a cool chord-website: http://chordfind.com/4-string/

[Optical]

The tuning is the same as the 4 higher strings on a guitar (DGBE), so chords are transferrable..

[Simpleton]

Thank you gents!

[phatzo]

Originally Posted by Optical

The tuning is the same as the 4 higher strings on a guitar (DGBE), so chords are transferrable..

I realize this is a somewhat late post, but the ukulele's most commonly strung in GCEA, the above DGBE is for a baritone. The ukulele comes in different sizes soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone listed from smallest to largest.

As for learning the ukulele is a bit easier to learn the basic chords, fewer strings and frets closer together etc.... good luck.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by phatzo

I realize this is a somewhat late post, but the ukulele's most commonly strung in GCEA, the above DGBE is for a baritone. The ukulele comes in different sizes soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone listed from smallest to largest.

As for learning the ukulele is a bit easier to learn the basic chords, fewer strings and frets closer together etc.... good luck.

At my local primary school, where my wife works, last years year four learnt to play the violin, and as they moved to year five, took the violins with them. Discussion ensued about what the upcoming year four were going to play, and the ukulele was decided on. A great choice really, nice and small for the small kids, comes in lots of nice bright colours, and are incredibly cheap.

My daughter Melissa (mainly bass player) bought the guitarist from her band (Charlie) a ukulele for Christmas the other year - we bought Melissa a mandolin the year before that.